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Bicycling at Squamish
Squamish is located a bit farther from the North Shore about halfway to Whistler on Highway 99. The place is said to be a location with great air and a perfect place to ride your bicycle. It has a network of one hundred fifty-five marked trail and about three hundred miles if technical single track made for epic loops for the people to ride whole year round.
The place is definitely a haven for people who loves riding their bicycles. It does not only have a wonderful scenery but also has lots of establishments for the bikers to go to when they need to fix, upgrade their bikes or just chill and have fun with friends. There are two shops in Squamish which is very much accessible from the Highway 99. For south bound bicycle riders you may want to go to Corsa Cycles its phone number is 604/8923331 and try visiting their website from time to time at http://www.corsacycles.com. Tantalus Bike on the other hand is convenient for people heading north to go to and you may reach them through the numbers 604-8982588 or http://tantalusbikeshop.com. These stores are manned by knowledgeable and kind people. You can always count that they will assist you anytime and can even teach you the best riding trails that will suit your every riding style.
When your adventure has already been over or you would just rather have a time off with all the fun and just want something to drink or eat. You might want to have coffee in these coffee shops and restaurants: Sunflower Bakery Cafe located in 38086 Cleveland with telephone number 604/892-2231. The Sunflower Bakery is known for its fantastic coffee, delicious cup and home baked carbs. The Brackendale Bistro however serves affordable version of the standard breakfast fare. It is located at 41703 Government Road and may be reached through telephone in the numbers 604/8989211. Garfinkel’s situated in the Whistler Village at 4308 Main Street with telephone number 604/9322323 is the best place for everyone to party. It has world class Djs, bands and all the beautiful people within the area parties in this place. If you are up for some Mexican food however, you may want to visit Pepe and Gringo’s at 40359 Tantalus Way.
Howe Sound Inn is in 37801 Cleveland Avenue and can be contact at numbers 604/8922603. This place provides a very good place for all people to stay. You can already have comfortable and clean room for as low as $105. Sea to Sky Hotel is very near the biking tracks. It is situated in Highway 99 and can be reached at numbers 866-8458511. The rate of rooms starts from $109 and it has balconies, mini-fridges and microwaves.
Posted in Outdoors
July 18th, 2008 / No Comments
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Winter and Snowboarding in British Columbia
The winter experience in British Columbia is invigorating, fun and full of adventure. A haven of majestic blue skies, gust of cold wind and mountains, alpine meadows and hills covered with white blankets of snow, its breathtaking beauty allure tourists to experience the thrill of the mountains, without the fear of sliding down solo. This art of Mother Nature is considered the perfect place for skating, skiing and snowmobiling.Snowmobiling offers tourists the mobility to explore remote back country areas of British Columbia. British Columbia offers world class snowmobiling terrain, from gentle slopes to switchbacks. Every region has excellent sledding conditions with groomed trails and varied terrain for all levels of snow mobilers from beginner to advanced riders.
Some may opt for a more tranquil glide down the mountainside alongside skiers and snowboarders. The Sno-Limo is designed for comfort and convenience. It’s like a ski stroller for adults. the passengers will be strapped securely into a seat on skis and will be escorted down the slopes by an experienced skier who knows how to maneuver and control the contraption’s speed and angle of the commute.
Other ways of traveling through the snow is dog-sledding, a mode that have been around for a long time. The dog-sled is composed of a team of six excited dogs in harness. The whistle of the driver, or musher, signals the dogs to take off, tearing along a snow-covered path and travels through a telemetric journey.
There are many family-oriented ski resorts in British Columbia. Reaching these resorts could be a challenge as it involves driving roads which conditions vary that may result for a travel of about 6 hours. These resorts are highly recommendable since they offer a variety of enjoyable activities for kids, accommodations and lighter and drier snow.
For a safe snow experience, always check out snow conditions. Never refrain from contacting local snowmobilers for updates about conditions of the area. Check for possibilities of an intending avalanche if planning to head to the mountains. Take along common spare parts for the machine, carry a first aid kit, extra food and water. The most important rule of all: always let someone know the details of destination so that when emergency happens, there are people who are always ready for rescue.
Posted in Outdoors
January 25th, 2008 / No Comments
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The No. 1 Ski Resort Is In Whistler
And we’re talking the number one ski resort not in Canada but in the world. Ski Magazine has consistently rated Whistler Blackcomb as number one due to its extensive terrain, good snow, and a highly-rated nightlife. The facilities and ski areas are so highly rated that the Village of Whistler will co-host the 2010 Winter Olympic Games with Vancouver.
The Whistler Blackcomb resort were two separate entities before but merged into a single resort ten years ago. The first to open was Whistler Mountain. The resort was a product of a group of Vancouver businessmen, led by Franz Wilhelmsen. The skiing resort opened its doors to the public in February, 1966.The skiing resort quickly earned a reputation due to its vertical drop, good snow conditions, and huge alpine area. The resort offered something new aside from the vertical drop being the biggest in North America, the ski season was also quite long. The season stretched from early November until late May.
Soon, the mountain expanded and along came Blackcomb Mountain in December 6, 1980. The new resort had 5 triple chairs and an additional 1,240 vertical meters (4067ft) of skiing. Being competitors back then, Whistler developed a whole new network of runs on its north flank.
At the almost the same time, Whistler Village sprang up between the two resorts. The Village opened in 1980 and along with the emergence of Hotels and restaurants.
Whistler Resort was the first mountain resort outside of the USA that received the distinction of being named #1 by a major American ski magazine. Then in 1996, it became the only resort in history to be simultaneously named #1 by Snow Country, SKI and Skiing Magazines.
In 1997, Intrawest Corp., the company that owned Blackcomb, bought the Whistler Mountain Ski Corporation.
The resulting merger was the biggest and most exciting mountain resort complexes in the world. The combined mountain resort have more than 200 runs and 33 ski lifts. It offers more than 28,000 hectares or 7,000 acres of skiable terrain in winter, and endless outdoor activities in the summer.More than two million visits Whistler Mountain every year. The mountain resort has the most ski-in and ski-out accommodation of any mountain recreation resort in North America. In fact, it is estimated that there are 15,200 pillows within 500 meters of the lifts and ski-in/ski-out accommodation represents more than 75% of all existing rental pillows.
Moreover, the resort features 12 massive Alpine bowls, and 3 glaciers. Whistler Mountain has an elevation or 2,182 meters (7,160 feet) and Blackcomb Mountain has an elevation of 2,284 meters (7,494 feet).
The resort is quite accessible. Located on Highway 99, 75 miles (120 km) north of Vancouver, Whistler can be reached by car, limousine, van, scheduled bus, train, or chartered helicopter or floatplane.
Posted in Outdoors
October 16th, 2007 / No Comments
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Salmon Fishing
One of the reasons why the great outdoors of British Columbia attracts a lot of people is because the region is famous for fishing. Anglers from across the country and even around the world go to British Columbia to partake in this extraordinary sport.
Fishing for sturgeons, chinook salmons, sockeye salmons, coho salmons, pink salmons, steelhead, cutthroats, and rainbow trouts are popular targets. These are but a few of the fish species that can be caught in British Columbia. Some other fishes that come to mind include the cod, burbot, trout, and whitefish. Salmon fishing in particular is quite popular, with the fish being especially plentiful around Vancouver Island and the Kootenay Rockies.
The different species of salmon offer anglers a varied fishing experience every time. For the newbies, it would be great to learn to distinguish between species as well as get to learn where to cast the line and tackle and bring it in once you feel a bite.
The Chinook salmon or Spring salmon is the biggest species of salmon in British Columbia. That’s why the Chinook salmon is also often referred to as the King salmon. The King salmons are the largest of the salmon species, with some growing to over 60 lbs. They are extremely powerful and can spool 200 yards of 30 lb. line quite fast. Most of huge clusters of Chinook Salmon can be found in the Fraser, Chehalis and Chilliwack/Vedder Rivers of British Columbia.
Coho salmons are smaller fish which ranges only 25lbs in size. However, the Coho salmon stocks have been diminishing in numbers in the past years and is already being eyed to be included in their conservation listings. Cohos are identified with black spots on top half of tail, black mouth, and white gums.
Chum Salmons on the other hand have more than enough stocks. In fact, anglers even find them as a nuisance during their migration route. The Chum salmons weigh almost the same as Cohos at 20 to 25 pounds. These are very stubborn salmon species and are more noted for their aerial display. It can be hard to catch one since they are large and strong enough to offer a good battle for an angler. They are not considered that best species for eating and are often released after being caught and being photographed with it.
Another salmon species known for aerobic performances are the Sockeye salmons. These species are often considered as the best fighting salmon for their size. Catch and release fishing is also the most popular fishing method applied for sockeye salmons.
Pink Salmons enter the river in late August on odd years 2005, 2007, 2009, etc. and can reach weights of 7 lbs. These are another rather aggressive salmon species and can always offer anglers a good fight. The fish is identified by large black spots on tail, greenish color males, hump on back.
Posted in Outdoors
September 7th, 2007 / No Comments
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Biodiversity of British Columbia
British Columbia has a rich biodiversity having four climatic conditions, dry, humid temperate, and polar climates. In fact, British Columbia holds three-quarters of Canada’s mammal species. Twenty-four mammal species are exclusive to the province. There are 488 species of birds, 468 species of fish, 142 species of mammals, 22 species of amphibians, and 18 species of reptiles in British Columbia. Insect species number around 35,000.
Rich in forested areas, British Columbia has an estimated 2790 species of native vascular plants, about 1000 bryophytes or mosses and liverworts, 1600 lichens, 522 species of attached algae and more than 10,000 species of fungi.However, despite the rich and unique habitat that British Columbia has, 152 wildlife species and sub-species are considered candidates for endangered, threatened, or vulnerable status. The Burrowing Owl, and the American White Pelican and the Vancouver Island Marmot are already considered as endangered by the British Columbia government. The Sea Otter, meanwhile, is designated as an already Threatened specie.
However, British Columbia’s rich biodiversity is still under threat from rapid urbanization which replaces the greeneries with buildings and pavements. Urbanization also destroys the province’s wetlands which is home to the Sandhill Crane and the Great Basin Spadefoot Toad.
Because of the rich biodiversity of British Columbia, wildlife viewing has been a part of the eco-tourism of the province. Hiking, camping and viewing the wildlife, however, should be responsibly and with respect. There are designated trails and roads for such activities. It is also a policy of the province to never feed or touch wild animals. Not only could contact with wild animals disturb the fragile ecosystem, but could be dangerous to you as well.
There are packaged tours and cruises which offer tourists an opportunity to visit the British Columbia wilderness. There are different kinds of tours to choose from. There are tours for to see the migration of Pacific Gray Whales along the British Columbia Coast, view the Pacific salmon species migrating into the province’s interior, get to ride the current of the Fraser River, and get to see wildlife animals like the mountain goats, moose, caribou, and bighorn sheep. There are even guided tours that can take you to place where you could see cougars, black bear, grizzly bears and the kermode bear.
When viewing the British Columbia wilderness, however, you would need an expert guide if you have no outdoor experience under your belt. There are several information and seminars on basic wilderness survival that are included in tour and cruise packages. But, do bear in mind that such short courses are mere introductions and graduating from such does not make you experts in the field.
Wilderness survival training is a continuing process. Everyone who intends to experience the wilderness of British Columbia should be armed with knowledge about the outdoors, clothing, equipment, emergency food and various survival techniques.
Posted in Outdoors
August 31st, 2007 / No Comments
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The Kootenay Rockies
British Columbia’s Kootenay Rockies has been described as the region’s mountain oriented vacation spot featuring Canada’s most stunning mountain view.
The Kootenay Rockies starts from the Okanagan Valley in the west and stretches to the Alberta border in the east. Including the Rockies, there are four mountain ranges in the region, the other three being the Selkirks, Purcells, and Monashees. A lot of mountain climbers have come in the region to scale mountains and tackle peaks like Mount Findlay and Hamill Peak, which are both over 3,600 m (12,000 ft).
The Kootenay Rockies offer a number of clean, natural, uncrowded outdoor activities including a rather lively mountain biking culture. The Kootenay provide various trails for riders to take. Plus, towns in the region are quite appreciative of the biking culture. In fact the city of Rossland was crowned the mountain biking capital of British Columbia some time back.But biking is not the only outdoor activity that is popular in the Kootenay Rockies. Different ecosystems found in rivers, lakes, waterfalls, beaches, mineral hot springs, alpine meadows and snow-capped mountains provide outdoor enthusiasts with a bag full of things to do like canoeing, boating, cycling, windsurfing, water-skiing and whitewater rafting. The region is also known as a great fishing area where vacationing anglers can hike to alpine lake the Elk Valley, Flathead, St. Mary and Findlay river pools. The lakes around Creston seem to be filled with largemouth bass and lunkers.
Water sports and outdoor activities are quite common in the region and for good reasons. The Kokanee glacier is the source of freshwater of 30 lakes and river systems in the region.
The list above is only a partial listing of things you could do here. With this list in mind, it is not surprising that Kootenay Rockies has been called as “British Columbia’s Mountain Playground.”
Although summer and spring activities are quite exciting and highly enjoyable, there’s another outdoor recreational activity that is quite popular int Kootenay. The region is also a popular winter vacation destination. Skiers and snowboarders go to the area to enjoy the impressive downhill ride. With an average snowfall of 171- 206cm (67 - 81 inches), the region is a lucrative business for ski resorts.
Others things to see include the National Parks Corridor, The Valley of a Thousand Peaks, The Elk Valley, Kootenay Lake, Central Kootenay, and The Arrow Lakes and Silvery Slocan.
Posted in Outdoors
August 17th, 2007 / No Comments
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The West Coast Trail
Located on the southern west coast of Vancouver Island is a 77 kilometer trail that starts from Port Renfrew on the south end to Bamfield on the north end. Commonly referred to as the West Coast Trail, this place is a favorite among hikers.
The trail features a lot of variety. From climbing clifflike ladders, wading mud bogs, riding cable cars, scrambling over slippery ocean boulders, racing the tides, maneuvering dangerous channels, photographing shipwreck relics, and a whole lot of other activities that could involve hauling yourself up or pulling ropes in rocky cliffs.
Part of the Pacific Rim National Parks system, the West Coast Trail has nothing short of outstanding natural features to offer. May they be terrestrial or marine based, these natural sceneries and wonders adds to the beauty of the trail. One can only gawk at the scenic beauty of the west coast. With beaches, bays, coves, creeks, storm-chiseled caves, and wonderful and seemingly enchanting forests and waterfalls, the trail is something like a dream for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts.
Regular season for West Coast Trail hiking is from May 1 to September 30. Park officials discourage hiking the trail during the off-season citing possible dangerous circumstances. Hiking the trail usually takes 6 to 10 days. Knowing this, be warned that the hike is not for beginners or the inexperienced. The West Coast Trail needs stamina, experience, and well thought of planning.
First and foremost, you should be well equipped with a pack that includes sleeping bags and a rainproof light weight tents. With an annual rainfall of 270 cm (106 inches), it is more likely that you will encounter rain during the duration of your hike.
Slippery terrain, and creek fording adds to the difficulty of the hike. There are a number of commercial guides who operate in the park that hikers can hire.
Although, the hike can be really exciting, we can only stress that you arrange for a completely self sufficient pack. No supplies can be acquired on the trail which is a great reason for packing more light weight and spoil proof food.
Posted in Outdoors
August 10th, 2007 / No Comments
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Queen Charlotte Islands: Getaway to Untouched Wilderness
Queen Charlotte Islands is located on the northwest of British Columbia, comprising of over 150 islands. Of these islands, only Graham and Moresby Islands are densely populated. With a population of about 4,000, the islands retained much of their natural beauty that adventurous tourists crave for.
This vast untouched wilderness is also home of the native Haida people for thousands of years. The native name “Haida Gwaii” translates as “islands of the people.”
Since the area is remote, expect the place to have little development (it only has one traffic light) and the absence of grand resorts. However, this is fully compensated with a whole different experience starting from learning the native Haida culture to exploring the vast first-growth rainforest.The rainforest is comprised of towering spruce and cedar trees, and many types of ferns and other greenery along the forest floor.
Queen Charlotte City, the archipelago’s administrative center, is located in Bearskin Bay on the southern shore of Graham Island. It contains more shops and services than its small size would suggest. The moist, mild climate allows for lush vegetation and abundant wildlife.
Sandspit, a charming village lying on a spit of land extending into Hecate Strait, is located on the northeast tip of Moresby Island. It is the home to the Islands’ main airport and also blessed with a mild climate, lush vegetation, and bountiful wildlife. Tourist reach Queen Charlotte Islands through direct flights from Prince Rupert and Vancouver or a 6-hour ferry ride from Prince Rupert.
Queen Charlotte Islands have two extensive natural parks: the newly-protected Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and Naikoon Provincial Park.
Naikoon (Rose Point) is predominantly flat, with a highest altitude of just over 150 meters above sea level. Its native species include black bears, otters, and martins, while some mammals such as raccoons, red squirrels, beavers, and muskrats were introduced in the park. Wild cattle are also spotted here.
Posted in Attractions, Outdoors
May 25th, 2007 / No Comments
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Storm Watching Season in British Columbia
Winter vacationers from different parts of the globe travel to travel to the beautiful fishing villages of Ucluelet and Tofino to participate in an unique activity called storm watching.
The season of storm watching range from November to March, when the province is visited by 10 to 15 storms every month peaking into December to February. It is during this time Tofino gets a majority of its annual rainfall of 5 meters. The storms are also so strong, the rain falls almost horizontally.
Storm watching is a relatively new tourist attraction in the west coast of Vancouver Island, although this has been practiced by the locals for thousands of years as they watch, brace against, and surviving winter storms. This activity does not require additional equipment, only that the observers should be still and feel at awe on nature’s show of force. Witness the waves of the Pacific Ocean pound agains the coastal rocks and the wind rattling against your double-paned window.If you plan on storm watching, it is best to check in hotels and B&B’s that are facing the ocean. It is also a plus if you find in the establishment some good books, a fireplace, and perhaps a down duvet that you can put on your lap.
Or if you are planning on becoming a little bit more adventurous, try heading out into the storm and experience the power of the wind, observe the giant waves, and hear the two sound harmoniously together.
Among locations that are recommended when it comes to storm watching are the following:
* Wickaninnish Inn, the birthplace of storm watching. This luxurious oceanfront accommodation has a special package for this season, including a 3-hour guided nature walk, storm caps, and even a special storm watching drink. Guests can also enjoy morning whale or bear watching while on a boat during spring, as well as private yoga lessons, and a sumptuous dinner to cap the night.
* A Snug Harbour Inn, which is nestled on the edge of an 85-foot cliff overlooking the rugged Pacific coastline. Guests can experience the incredible sights and sounds of a winter storm from the comfort of their own luxury oceanfront room.
Posted in Activities, Outdoors
May 22nd, 2007 / No Comments
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Fishing Activities Around British Columbia
Canada’s British Columbia has an intricate system of lakes and rivers around the province, not to mention the long Pacific Ocean coast along the west. This has long been one of North America’s best fishing destinations, where fisher from all over the world are reeling in with hopes of getting giant-sized steelhead, huge sturgeon, and mammoth salmon. The waters of BC is also abundant with rainbow trout, Dolly Varden, Yellowhead perch, and other species.
It is in British Columbia where you find the Salmon Fishing Capital of the World, Campbell River, which is one of the finest salmon-fishing destinations. Here, you are most likely to catch the big ones. You can also try becoming a member of the Tyee Club, which is an association of conservative fishers with strict regulations against the use of engine boats. Being a member here means that you need to row your bow and use light tackle in order to fish the famous Tyee Pool.Almost the entire coast of British Columbia provide ample supply of salmon, halibut, or ground fish for the adventurous fishers. Meanwhile, the Hakai Pass, Queen Charlotte Islands, and northern waters near Kitimat and Prince Rupert boast excellent salt water fishing opportunities. Fishing lodges can be found almost anywhere in the province, ranging from deluxe fly-in remote coastal lodges to budget-minded motels.
BC’s lakes and rivers boast of thousands of magnificant fishing opportunities for the freshwater varieties from fighting steelhead to Kokanee salmon, to Dolly Varden, the famous Kamloops trout, and the world’s largest breed of rainbow trout found only in Kootenay, the Gerrard.
Various fishing tours and activities have become abundant in the province, which is why you need to consult with British Columbia’s expert and knowledgeable fishing guides to provide you with your dream fishing vacation.
Posted in Outdoors
May 22nd, 2007 / No Comments