July 25, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Smithers, Sightseeing Tours
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Bonjour,
Smithers is so exciting during the summer months. I like to go hiking and canoeing in remote locations then participate in Smithers community events after an early morning.
July 24, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Prince George, Sightseeing Tours
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If you find yourself with nothing to do at 1:00pm on a weekday in Prince George then make your way down to the Bob Harkins branch of the Prince George Public Library. At the front desk you will find a tour guide waiting to take you out on a historic downtown walking tour. Complete with great knowledge and stories about Prince George’s past, the tour passes through the downtown admiring the old buildings that make up Prince George’s history. The guide is prepared with lots of stories from pioneers and answers for any questions that you can come up with. Enjoy your walk through time with the Downtown Historic Walking Tour.
Colin
July 24, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Camping
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My name is Erin and I work at the Dawson Creek Visitor Center. One of the many pleasures of my job includes meeting incredible people from all over the globe. One of these encounters occurred on a June day when a group of Australians dropped by.
The trek up the Alaska Highway is one that thousands of tourists make every year, drawing people from all ends of the earth to experience the adventure of Northern BC. This week, the Visitor Center staff were able to make a few new mates from the land Down Under. Gillian and Keith Traviss hail from Howlong, Australia, which is located about 350 km North of Melbourne. Both couples are headed to Anchorage, Alaska and have been planning for a lifetime. For the Traviss family, the trip to through BC to Alaska was a birthday gift to Gillian from Keith. “It’s what we have always dreamed of” says Gillian.
Bob & Louise Snowball live in Buderin, Queens-land, which is located on the Sunshine Coast of Australia. The Snowballs loved the fact that “we turned on the snow tap” for their travels in Northern BC.
Both couples agree that the snow and the mountains have been the highlight of the trip so far. Once the group reaches Alaska, they will be traveling to Vancouver Island by boat, and then heading home.
After the Snowballs arrived at home safe and sound, I received this e-mail:
G'day Erin,
Firstly, thank you very much for your email and the attached article in Dawson Creek's " Tourist of the Week" publication. We didn't get your email until we arrived back in Australia on 12th June and sorry for the delay in replying, but we've been pretty busy since.
We had the most wonderful holiday in Canada and Alaska - we toured with a group (twenty-six in number) of Aussies in 12 Motorhomes, taking 22 days to travel from Seattle to Anchorage, via the Canadian Rockies, the Yukon and Fairbanks. We don't get much snow in Australia and your late winter season gave us the most magical experience ever! The majestic snow-covered mountains, the still-frozen lakes, the wildlife and scenery were just to die for! In addition to all that splendor, because we were driving at a fairly leisurely pace and staying at RV parks each night, we were able to visit and spend time in many towns and villages and meet so many wonderful and friendly local people. Especially so in Dawson Creek. The day we spent in your town, my wife and I were with another couple taking pictures of each other in front of the "Mile 0 Alaska Highway" sign, when a complete stranger driving past, actually stopped and parked his car to offer to take a picture of us all together.
It was great being the first tourists to be featured in your local paper and yes, we have bragged about it to our friends !!
Cheers,
Bob and Louise Snowball.
July 23, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Invermere, Hiking
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Had the opportunity this past weekend to enjoy heli hiking in the Columbia Mountains, in the
Bugaboos area with
Canadian Mountain Holidays.
CMH offers 3 days heli-hiking this summer out of their
Bugaboos and/or
Bobbie Burns lodges (make a six day lodge to lodge trip to visit both). The trip is almost all inclusive - they look after almost everything for you, from meals to hiking equipment to terrific mountain guides. Drinks were on us but the prices were right! They ring the wake up bell at 7:15 am, you can head down for a stretch at 7:30 am, breakfast is at 8 am and you're off hiking by 9 am. Hikes are typically from 9/10 am through to about 4:30 pm but there are opportunities to head back to the lodge early (for a hot tub for sore muscles) if you are so inclined. The views and hikes were way too wonderful for me to head home early.
Speaking of hikes - the hikes are suitable for all ages, fitness and skill levels. They gently assess you on day one (1/2 day hike) and put you into groups of similar folks. There's easy hiking, faster hiking, mountaineering and on our trip, some folks even climbed a Bugaboo spire! We were perfectly suited to our group - our hike was energetic enough to get some exercise but relaxing enough that I could take lots of photos of alpine meadow wildflowers and have no trouble catching up. (We hiked with folks as young as pre-teens and as old as an active 77 year old and everything inbetween.)
Meals (which were delicious and plentiful) in the lodge were family style seating and service and we really
got to know some lovely people (the lodge accommodates about 50 guests
+ about 20 staff).
As mentioned, equipment is a non-issue (they have most of what you need - boots, poles, backpacks, rain gear) and they give you a list of things they suggest you bring (the right clothes, sunscreen, bug spray, etc.).
Would I change anything about our trip - no way. What would I do differently next time? Maybe fly into
Cranbrook airport
(Canadian Rockies International Airport) instead of Calgary (but I haven't investigated the logistics of this so I'm not sure). Definitely I'm buying a good pair of hikers (I used theirs and they were great - waterproof, sturdy, comfortable - but I'm hooked and want to own my own).
In summary, the trip was fantastic, actually spectacular. The helicopter rides were thrilling, the mountain guides were amazing, the hospitality in the lodge comfortable and the scenery awe-inspiring. This was some mini-break!
We had perfect weather conditions on all four days (day one was a half day in Banff), with very clear blue skies, little wind and surprisingly few bugs. We hiked miles and miles in all sorts of terrain - alpine meadows and ridges (like the photos attached), snow, boulders, scree, sandy alpine beaches, forest, the list goes on; and the whole time, the back drop was so dramatic (I kept hearing tympanic drums in my head). It was like we were hiking at the top of the world.
CMH did a great job - I can't wait to return.
July 23, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Burns Lake, Camping
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Man-o-man if you want either a great place to camp or just a fantastic place to take a picnic on a nice day, I suggest going to Alcans Skins Spillway and campground. The drive out there is becautiful and then once you get there, you are right there on Ootsa Lake where you can stay for absolutely free! The campground is well taken care of and when the Spillway is open it is quite a sight to see. Everyone out there is friendly as well. So for a weekend away or a nice drive and place to picnic head on out to Alcan's Skins Spillway on Ootsa Lake and enjoy the beautiful sights.
July 23, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Festivals & Events
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Last week the Dawson Creek Visitor Center hosted their 2nd Annual Kids Festival out front of their building on the lawn. A four year old little girl that I know participated in the afternoon events. Even with a cast on her leg she was able to do most of the activities and have a blast. She got to decorate moose shaped cookies with brown or white icing. Then she hobbled over to the WOW bus and got a tour. After the tour she went and watched some local fiddlers playing music in the shade. Nearby she was also entertained by circus performers on stilts. Unfortunately she couldn’t participate but other children were walking around on the tall wobble sticks with the aid of a performer. There was also a tunnel, holla-hoops, and toys to play with. However, the coloring contest and prizes was the biggest hit of the afternoon. The pictures were of moose or deer; those that colored a picture and handed them in to the Visitor Center staff got prizes! During all of this fun she found time to go into the museum and listen to the story telling. A local lady with the Historical Society dropped in and read a story, and she also brought popcorn! Then it was back out side to get in line for the face painting. A lady from the Art Gallery, next door, came over and did some phenomenal art work on the childrens’ faces.
July 23, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Smithers, Guest Ranches & Horseback Riding
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For a great view of Hudson Bay Mountain in Smithers, take a trail ride on horseback with Mountain View Adventures. It’s a family owned business of experienced riders. Beginner riders can enjoy trail rides ranging from 1 hour to 4 hours, but riders with more experience can enjoy 5-7 hour trail rides, even overnight trips. With a few quick riding commands and tips you’re ready to follow behind the lead riders through a variety of landscapes from tall grass fields, to dense forested areas to wide mountain top ridges. The view is spectacular once you and your trusty stead reach the lookout points along the Bulkly Ranges of the Hazelton Mountains. If you happen to be camping while in the Smithers/Telkwa area, Tyhee Provincial Park is a great place to set up a tent or park an RV, and Mountain View Adventures is conveniently just a ways down the road on Telkwa High Rd. leading towards acres of farmland into the country.
Jen
July 23, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Campbell River, Fishing
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A short one hour helicopter ride from Vancouver Airport and I was dropping into the wilderness of Sonora Island (off the coast of British Columbia, near Campbell River) and the luxury of Sonora Resort. The resort itself was impressive, but what I was more surprised at were all the things to see and do during my stay. Like a huge playground for the wildlife - eagles, seals, killer whales, dolphins and salmon to name a few! Salmon fishing is the reason most people stop by this remote part of BC and I caught the fish to prove it. 28.5 pounds to be exact (see attached photo!).
Be sure to stay at least 3 nights, 4 if you can. It’s definitely worth it!
July 22, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Burns Lake, Sightseeing Tours
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If you’re looking to stretch your legs while driving the west from Prince George on the Yellowhead Highway, take a wander around the Rod Reid Nature Trail in Burns Lake. The short 2.1 km trail circles around the lush marshland pond named Lock Lomond and features several of the areas native birds. There are several interpretive signs along the way that describe some of the natural processes which are taking place at the pond, many of them are visible from the trails two viewing platforms. So put on some comfy shoes and enjoy this relaxing stroll around the pond.
Tasha and Jen
July 21, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
New Hazelton, Museums
The Hazelton Area Visitor's Centre counselors go on a guided tour of 'Ksan and give you a sneak peak of what you'll see when you visit 'Ksan Historical First Nations Village and Museum, located 7km from New Hazelton on hwy 62!