Tag: Hiking

The editors of this website asked local businesses for the essential recommendations for Smithers. We asked them: “If you imagine that someone has come to you and they are on a totally tight time line, and asked you these questions, what would you tell them?” 1. Where should I eat that I should not miss in Smithers? Answer:Aspen Riverhouse located on Hwy 16 2. If I only have time for one outdoor activity, what should I see or do in Smithers? Answer:Hike up to the Twin Falls and Glacier Gulch 3. Is there a museum or cultural site that is […]

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The editors of this website asked local businesses for the essential recommendations for Port Alberni. We asked them: “If you imagine that someone has come to you and they are on a totally tight time line, and asked you these questions, what would you tell them?” 1. Where should I eat that I should not miss in Port Alberni? Answer:Breakfast: Pescadores, Hwy 4 at Johnston & River Road Lunch: Swale Rock Cafe, lower Argyle Street Dinner: Aroma Restaurant, 10th & Roger 2. If I only have time for one outdoor activity, what should I see or do in Port Alberni? […]

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Coastal Sooke, just 35 minutes from Victoria, is a tranquil refuge from the bustle of city life. The area enjoys a relaxed casual lifestyle in a rural setting but still affords many of the amenities of city life. Sooke offers some of the mildest climate in Western Canada, with warm and dry summer months and wet and mild winter months. Sooke, the gateway to the West Coast Road, winds 74 km along the coast to Port Renfrew and the starting point for the world-famous West Coast Trail. This is one of the South Island’s most spectacular drives – it winds […]

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Ainsworth Hot Springs is a sleepy little community of only 100 year-round residents, boasting one of the most unique Hot Springs and Natural Caves in the world. Nestled alongside the pristine Kootenay Lake, within the Selkirk Mountain Range, these are the Top Ten Things To Do: Luxuriate in the Ainsworth Hot Springs Pools & Cave Year-round. Hiking or Cross-country Ski Trails surround Ainsworth and area. Swim (July-Sept.) or Fish the Kootenay Lake (year-round) for the famous Kokanee (land-locked Salmon) or Gerrard Rainbow. Rent an affordable boat or ATV nearby to explore the Kootenay Lake or Kokanee Glacier trails. Explore the […]

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Bella Coola’s Hidden Hot SpotsThese easy-access activities are suited to 15 minute to 1-2 hour self guided excursions in Bella Coola, or hire a guide for a more challenging adventure! Clayton FallsThis 5 minute walk takes you behind the BC Hydro generating plant to see the cascading Clayton Falls up close. Across the road, you can walk to the mouth of Clayton Creek, where Alexander Mackenzie canoed past in 1793, to watch the seals bobbing their heads in and out of the water waiting for fresh fish. Talleho CanneryCharter a boat over to Talleho Cannery and explore the historic fishing […]

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What a beautiful summer it has been so far. Since the end of May I believe it has only rained for 4 days. I love staying here. Whether in the upper or lower suite, the views are incredible from our private deck. At times the sunsets light up the sky till almost 10:30 at night.   They provide kayaks here which you can launch right off the beach in front of the lodge. As soon as you leave the deck you are on the beach and can walk for miles.   There are a couple of beautiful hiking trails. The Mateoja […]

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Our trip into McGillivary Pass (August ’09) in the South Chilcotin Mountains was a wonderful experience. We flew by helicopter from Whistler on a beautiful sunny day, above valleys, over mountain peaks and landed next to our lodge in a bed of untouched wild flowers. McGillivray Pass Lodge occupies a picturesque valley meadow at an elevation of 6100 feet (1860 meters) in McGillivray Pass, which lies between the Bendor and Cadwallader Ranges on the Southern edge of the Chilcotin Mountains. Each day our guide would take us on an unmarked route through the flowers, up 1000 feet above the tree […]

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For a backcountry skier, it’s hard to imagine a better place than this, or a better moment than now.  Myself and a group of old and newly met friends are standing atop the Wildcat Glacier at around 9000 feet having climbed here completely under our own power. Surrounding us in the crisp mountain air are literally dozens of stunningly beautiful snow-capped peaks stretching out in all directions. After a snack and a sip of hot tea, Dave Birnie, our guide and co-owner of Mistaya Lodge, gives us a quick reminder of avalanche safety’s golden rule, “ski one at a time, […]

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Isn’t it great that we live in a city with so many little adventures close by?  I’ve found another gem that even many locals don’t know exist – and it’s right in your backdoor. A short drive to West Vancouver. takes you to a little early history of Vancouver : Lighthouse Park. To get to the trailhead – follow Marine Drive in West Vancouver. for about 9+ km – this drive alone will get your drooling (the view is about the BEST in the WORLD – as far as I’m concerned) go past Caulfield Cove and watch for the small […]

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Getting outside Vancouver is an easy adventure now that the upgrades to the SEA to SKY highway has been mostly completed and there are now more lanes to speedily make way to Squamish, a small town between Vancouver and Whistler. A hidden gem exists here that you must see: The Stawamus Chief. Its brooding profile rises 650 meters from sea level, about 1.5 times taller than the world’s tallest building. What lured me here was its granite face also well known to other climbers around the world as being “the best” rock to climb on. A short 45 minute drive […]

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