November 29, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Fort Nelson, Cross-Country Skiing
One of my favourite activities in Fort Nelson is hiking or cross-country skiing in the Fort Nelson Demonstration Forest.
The groomed trails are great for me and my friends, and the interpretive signs are fun to read.
When the ice gets cleared, we like to bring our skates to the pond as well, for a little pick-up hockey!
Editor's note: Learn more about cross-country skiing in Fort Nelson.
November 26, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Golden, Backcountry Skiing
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Some of the best skiing I've done in my life! About a year ago, a friend and I traveled to
Kicking Horse to do some skiing. We arrived fairly early in the morning to learn that the day before Kicking Horse received over 60cm of champagne powder. It was some of the best skiing I've ever done in my life! We spent several days skiing and hanging out in Golden. It was a great vacation!
November 24, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Sightseeing Tours
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GPS in hand, I went with a Geo-caching friend on a high-tech treasure hunt to find a cache box near a cemetery just south of Dawson Creek.
We had checked out GeoTourismCanada online and found a whole list of locations in and around Dawson Creek.
Even though I live in the area and knew where we were going for this hunt, it was very exciting to forget that and just follow the GPS coordinates. I used to love orienteering when I was in school, so this gave the same thrill.
Learning how to read the GPS device was the tricky part and I'm sure it would get easier with practice. We stopped the truck several times along the way so I could learn and practice how to read coordinates.
Finding the box itself just by following the coordinates was a challenge as well as a lot of fun.
Inside the box was a plastic bag with a small pencil and a logbook to write in. Several other people had written in the book ahead of us. We made sure everything was tucked away for the next adventurer.
I can certainly see why people love this sport.
November 18, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Fernie, Theatre & Performing Arts
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Fernie Alpine Resort, Fernie, British Columbia played the role of Kodiak Valley Ski Resort in the movie Hot Tub Time Machine.
The entertaining and talented John Cusack came to Fernie in Spring 2009 to both star in and produce: Hot Tub Time Machine - a $60 million MGM film project about four friends (John Cusack, Craig Robinson, Clark Duke, and Rob Corddry) who take a relaxing dip in a ski resort hot tub and end up back in 1986 to fulfill and enjoy their youthful antics again.
The massive film crew was on site at Fernie Alpine Resort over the course of a few weeks, turning the plaza and ski base back into a winter wonderland once the resort was closed for the season - only in Hollywood!
Being set in 1986, this retro ski movie brought out loads of throwback references with retro-cool cars and one-piece ski suits. It drew out hundreds of extras, many of which were locals, who revel in their 3 seconds of fame.
You can enjoy the actual Hot Tub as it is still at Fernie Alpine Resort - we dare you to try...
November 17, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Fishing
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We did our last boating trip of the season at Moberly Lake, a hour or so north of Dawson Creek
We were not alone. We met a great group of people who were there to spend their last day on the lake as well. We hooked up and toured the lake together.
We had the whole day so we stopped lots and just floated, put our fishing lines in and visited. We had both made great picnic lunches and we enjoyed getting to know each other a bit over our boats.
We saw an eagle hunt right on the lake. Actually it caught a fish while we didn't.
Moberly Lake is quite big and the water can change from quiet to very choppy in a short period of time. By late afternoon, the wind picked up, and because of the white caps, we stayed off the middle of the lake and kept close to shore for the rest of the day.
Evening came shortly after another picnic supper and we decided to stay and watch the sun go down on the lake one last time.
November 14, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Hudson's Hope, Attractions
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I have evolved into the unofficial tour guide for friends and family when they visit.
A favorite day trip from Dawson Creek is to the W.A.C. Bennett Dam on Williston Lake. It takes about an hour and a half to get there and is the perfect way to spend a day visiting and seeing something amazing at the same time.
It's a real treat to drive across the dam itself, it's huge!
The trip wouldn't be complete without taking the bus tour deep into the belly of the dam on the bus. You will have to wear a hard hat.
The guided tour costs six dollars for adults and lasts about an hour.
Once I get over my immediate feeling of claustrophobia, I really enjoy the tour. The air once you are underground is cool and you can feel the energy vibrate and hum in the stone all around.
Visitors are always blown away by the project.
My Dad worked on the Dam from start to finish, so I have lots of stories to tell them, like the day the water was first released and the bear clinging to a floating log being swept away...
Editor's note: Learn more about the W.A.C. Bennett Dam and the Peace Canyon Dam
November 13, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Merritt, Outdoor Activity Tours
Exploring British Columbia by motorcycle is an incredible experience.
In this video Highway 8 is featured, it connects Spences Bridge to Merritt, British Columbia. It's a great ride, with eagles flying overhead, Nicola river running along side this windy stretch of road. The scenery changes are remarkable with desert like conditions, to mountains, rolling hills, and with a number of riverside points of interest perfect for stopping at to enjoy the scenery.
We hope you enjoy the ride...
November 10, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Enderby, Kayaking & Canoeing
On the first weekend of November, we did another trip to Mabel Lake to explore the mouth of Tsuius Creek and the areas beautiful fall colours. Tsuius stands for "where the two lakes meet..." and Mabel Lake is about the narrowest at that point and it is an excellent place for crossing over.
The shoreline at the creek's mouth was smooth and endless sandy beaches invited for a longer stay. A few weekend cottages nestled in golden coloured cottonwood trees, accompanied by blue skies and a warm sun, built a breathtaking ambiance on that day. A place definitely worth visiting.
November 10, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Sightseeing Tours
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We set out from Dawson Creek, Mile O of the Alaska Highway while it was still dark, with a full tank of gas and a fresh cup of coffee-to-go.
About an hour and a half up the highway, just as the sun was rising, we found out how Pink Mountain got its name. Fireweed grows everywhere up the mountain and in the ditches. We must have hit peak season because along with the pink flowers, there were butterflies everywhere. Sadly, many butterflies got caught in the grill of our vehicle.
The air was fresh and clean and the views were awesome. We stopped at an interesting place called Sasquatch Crossing Lodge to fill up our coffee and ask about the butterflies. We were told that these are yearly phenomena and are Arctic Yellowtail Swallow butterflies.
We didn't see any sasquatches though, maybe next time.
November 07, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Duncan, Accommodation
The town of Lake Cowichan has all businesses listed on their website – it is very clear to read. Before going to Lake Cowichan, I knew what amenities were available, and the number and type suited our needs, so I booked our holiday.
I saw that Lake Cowichan has many restaurants, and coffee shops, a few hotels, a substantial supermarket, 2 pharmacies, gas stations and a few hair salons – all the creature comforts we needed to ensure a non-so-rugged holiday. And of course your lake!
From their website I was able to book a great little hotel,
Boutique Waterfront Lodge (thanks Greg – it was perfect!). We found out that the Village Market store was a substantial size (great selections and prices very competitive), Esso’s gas was cheaper than anywhere else we had been on the island. The brews were cold at Trail’s End and The Village Pharmacy had what we needed.
Your businesses treat tourists well and provide what it takes to keep tourists happy and coming back! What a perfect holiday we had!
Thank you Lyn and Family, Courtenay BC