February 27, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Port Alberni, Attractions
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There are, in fact 4 other provincial Parks in the area. Each has features for
the Vancouver Island explorer to enjoy.
Stamp River Provincial
Park is the King.
A huge falls tumble in to a narrow gorge lined by a fenced path. Tens of
thousands of the largest species of salmon, the Chinook, work their way up the
fish ladder in August September and reaches a peak in October when the spawning
begins. As a spectacle, it's the best place on the island to see the migration.
There's signage telling about the salmon life cycle, and in the fall, there is
even a television monitor on site to count the fish going through the ladder.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rain-bird/sets/72157607277318395/
In April, the area is alive with huge stands of the exquisitely
shaped Trout Lily and the song of American Dippers, a unique perching bird that
walks around underwater eating aquatic insects.
Wait! There’s more! Upstream lies a trail that wanders
through some of the largest Douglas fir in British Columbia. We measured one veteran
that was within the top 6 in the Great Tree Register of British Columbia for height.
The Grove is at the far end of the trail so you have to drive around to it.
There are maps of it in the park. It’s spectacular by the large river; and no
crowds!
Fossli
Provincial Park
is a jewel! But it is for day use only. It is probably one of the least used
Provincial Parks. But it is a mistake to miss it! The big reason why no one
goes to it is because there aren’t any signs to it all! To get to it you need
to either take a motor boat or paddle to a small sandy beach or hike down a
trail across a suspension bridge from a logging road. It is on the other side
of Sproat Lake from Highway 4. After the
suspension bridge, you take a fork to the right and come to a beautiful little
falls with a babbling woodland stream below it. In the summer kids love to play
among the moss-covered rocks in the stream looking for crawfish. And then enjoy
the worm summer sun at the beach.
Sproat
Lake Provincial is
home to some unique petroglyphs. The signs don’t say much about them
because little is really known. Both first nation tribes in the Alberni Valley claim them. They are purported to
represent some sea creatures; part wolf and part killer whale as well as
others. Although there is camping at Stamp
Falls too, Sproat Lake
has a larger and more popular campsite. It is the main public boat launch at
the lake. So it you want to go to Fossli by water, start here!
The final Provincial
Park is not the most
spectacular of the parks. Taylor
Arm Provincial
Park is another day use
park although there is a small group camp ground above the road. Its claim to
fame is a nice smooth gravel beach where you can enjoy a swim in the clear mountain
water of Taylor Arm, an arm of Sproat
Lake.
February 18, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Fort Nelson, Festivals & Events
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Fort Nelson's Heritage Days are a fantastic way to experience Fort Nelson's History in a beautiful wintery wonderland.
Last year, the museum opened up for FREE, for locals and tourists to wander and experience the high quality displays and enormous collection of the Fort Nelson Museum. Marl Brown, curator of the museum, is always seen chatting with guests, starting up old engines, and even riding his crazy bike which steers with both wheels.
Visitors experienced fresh baked bannock at the Trapper's Cabin, live music with local musicians playing both historical favorites and some new songs, and the hospitality and vibrancy of small town citizens.
If you are traveling the Alaska Highway this year at the end of February, I would encourage you to come - I'm sure it will be even better than last year! The Fort Nelson Historical Society are the ones to contact for more info!
Hope to see you there!
February 14, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Fort Nelson, Festivals & Events
I attended Fort Nelson Trappers Rendezvous last year for the first time. What a fantastic authentic northern experience! A huge "snowdium" was great for the kids, while an ice sculpturing contest captivated locals and visitors alike. I was able to take in many breakfasts, dinners, and theme nights at local businesses, restaurants, and pubs, as well as participate in a myriad of contests and competitions - including an "anter toss", a hairy leg contest, and a variety night.
Many business owners dressed up for the event, and dressed up many times as it occured from mid-week and extended over the weekend.
I would recommend this festival for those seeking an authentic local experience, in an off-season time when you can see what really makes Fort Nelson tick!
Enjoy, and hope to see you there this year - march 4,5,6,7th, 2009.
February 12, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Fernie Alpine Resort, Skiing & Snowboarding
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As Fernie Alpine Resort and Kimberley Alpine Resort are about 1 1/2 hour apart from each other it makes it very easy to ski both on the same trip. We stayed in slopeside ski in/ski out lodging (Trickle Creek Lodge) at the base of Kimberley Alpine Resort and my family enjoyed the long fall-line groomed runs! Kimberley was a hit for the kids- even tried finding the secret mine shaft on the slopes...Then it was off to Fernie for the powder seekers! We left Kimberley a little after 8am and we were on the lifts at Fernie before 10am. The terrain at Fernie is unbelievable and the new gladed runs in Currie Bowl were lots of fun! These resorts make a great combination and take care of all of the needs of all ability levels
February 12, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Whistler, Dining
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I have been coming to Whistler almost yearly now for the past 7 years. Outside of skiing, my wife and I always indulge in a few nice dinners over our holiday. We have been to just about every fine dining venue in town.
When we arrived this year we planned the usual dinners at Rim Rock, Bearfoot etc; but were told of Whistler Tasting Tours while riding the Peak 2 Peak gondola by a gentleman who had just experienced this food and wine tour first hand. He had nothing but great things to say about it so we decided to give it a go.
Essentially, the tour takes groups to 5 different high end restaurants to sample food and different BC wines. The food was fantastic and there was more than enough for dinner. Our guide was great and the whole evening was honestly fantastic. This experience was a step up from any other dinner I've had in Whistler....which is really the reason I'm writing here.
It's nice to see something new and exciting. The two young guys who have started this tour were really pleasant and absolute gentlemen. You could see customer service in their DNA and for that I applaud. While I love Whistler, customer service is hit or miss. This one was a big hit.
For anyone looking for a great dinner experience in Whistler check these guys out. It was called Whistler Tasting Tours.
Cheers,
Fred Jenkins -
Toronto, On
February 04, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Rossland, Dining
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I was lucky enough to stay in Rossland last week, but it was only for a night...no skiing this time! While in Rossland I stayed at the Prestige Inn (excellent hotel) and had an opportunity to sample the fare at the new Drift Izakaya. Be sure to try the melt in your mouth sashimi in this funky new addition to downtown dining.
February 03, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Prince Rupert, Fishing
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hello well how wonderful is bc and to the people who want to visit here,
well here's your chance of a life time to catch that big fish outside of prince rupert in comfort and style in a 29 foot bayliner with everything you need from rods to meal and making new friends out on the water with laughter and fun reeling that big halibut or fighting that 30 lb spring and at the end of the day spend the night in the comfort of one of the many hotels or if you have an rv well spend it parked ina nice and quiet camping park. remember the name UNREEL CHARTERS owned by william star where we know fun in the sun and when it rain we know how to make the scene with lots of laughter.
February 03, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Cranbrook, Skiing & Snowboarding
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Fer sure. You betcha!
Two buddies and I decided a trip to the Powder Highway in BC would be a great destination for our next road trip, especially with the start of non-stop Delta flights to Cranbrook, BC....... What a great decision we made!
In summary, our stops included Panorama, Fernie and Kimberley . Fernie had some hair-raising runs and of course beautiful views with the Griz Bar at the bottom of the mountain. Panorama had the best views of all, making us wish we had a panorama camera once we got to the top of the hill - hence the name, I guess. The movie "Alive" was filmed nearby. Kimberley had it's own views, and more importantly, shotskies (an old, wooden ski with a line of shots on it for you and you soon-to-be-staggering buddies. Shot-ski anyone? Just ask for one of those, and 3 of you won't remember much the next day :)
While planning our trip, we wondered 'why choose the Powder Highway over Vail, Banff, Tahoe, etc' ....... I don't think any of those choices would have had 'dinner in an igloo' as an option, for example. That was just on of our experiences with the wonderful locals in unspoiled BC.. I guess the people would have to be the main reason we will be going back to the Powder Highway, maybe this time to golf the mountains we just skiied on. Is the Powder Highway the right choice for YOU and yours????? In their own tongue, "Fer sure. You betcha."
February 03, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Kimberley, Dogsledding
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what a wonderful day spent with craig and his wonderful siberian huskies We had a awesome time driving a 4 dog team around the area
February 01, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Quesnel, Guest Ranches & Horseback Riding
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In his books, Grass Beyond The Mountains, Nothing Too Good For A Cowboy, and The Rancher Takes A Wife; Richmond P. Hobson, Jr recounts the story of himself and fellow cowboy-adventurer, Panhandle Phillips. In 1934 they traveled from Wyoming to British Columbia in search of the last great North American cattle frontier, finally establishing the Frontier Cattle Company in 1937. Today it is possible to travel the trails blazed by Rich and Pan, guided by a third-generation Cariboo-country rancher who actually overnighted at Pan Phillips' fish camp in 1977, while riding to the Anahim Lake Stampede.
Dale and Yvonne Dunn own the Blackwater-Spruce Ranch, located about 60 Km north-west of Quesnel, on which they raise high quality Angus-Hereford cattle. They also conduct ranch-related activities such as spring branding, cattle drives, and horse trekking. They are the only operators in BC licensed to conduct horse treks on the Alexander Mackenzie Heritage Trail (AMHT). Last summer I joined Dale and Yvonne for a 10-day trek from the ranch to Kluskoil Lake Provincial Park and return, with overnight stops at Blackwater Crossing, at a primitive campsite along the AMHT, at Gillies Crossing Forestry Station on the Euchineko River and at Titetown Lake. The hospitality was outstanding, the scenery magnificent, and the experience unforgettable.
I am returning to the Blackwater-Spruce this summer (24 June - 14 July) for a spectacular 22-day, 400 mile ride to the Anahim Lake Stampede and return. This trek will follow the AMHT and the old Kluskus wagon road that Pan Phillips used until 1969 to drive his cattle to Quesnel. This trek will include overnight stops at Gillies Crossing, Titetown Lake, Kluskoil Lake, Pan Meadow crossing, Kluskus, and the home ranch, among others. For serious horsemen this adventure is unique in Canada. In fact there are very few operators in North America who offer horseback treks of this scope and duration.