September 28, 2008 | Tips from Travellers >
Kimberley Alpine Resort, Skiing & Snowboarding
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we visited Kimberley last winter and had a wonderful experience! We found out that a lot of the locals do not know truly how much there is to do in this great place- so we set out to find most of the adventures ourselves. We had two young kids in tow. We skied the whole mountain- our son loves trying to find all of the old mine tunnels that are hidden on the slopes and our daughter loved the new glades. We enjoyed the great grooming and fall line. We tried the Nordic centre! this place is huge and there is no promotion about it! also night lit track- loads of fun. We also snowshoed down from mountain to an old barn (restaurant). We then went to a tipi at night to hear a wolf howl....no kidding. So we are going back- sure to find more fun!
September 26, 2008 | Tips from Travellers >
Cranbrook, Air / Airports
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The NEW & IMPROVED Canadian Rockies International Airport between Cranbrook and Kimberley in the Kootenay Rockies region (SE corner of BC) is awesome! They've rebuilt the terminal building with wood & floor-to-ceiling glass: you get views of the spectacular Rocky Mountains from every area of the airport! The runway was expanded as well, so they can take the big jets now, including ones from Europe, and they're getting service from the US (Delta.com) starting December 17.
With domestic service from Air Canada & Pacific Coastal (Vancouver & Calgary), as well as US service via Salt Lake City there's no excuses any more. It's easy to check out BC's fastest growing destination.
There's a reason so many of us are moving here. I moved here from Vancouver Island. Yes, I loved growing up on the Island, but I won't be going back except to visit. If you like clean air, low crowds, outdoor lifestyle, open highways and nice people, check us out!
September 25, 2008 | Tips from Travellers >
Kimberley, Skiing & Snowboarding
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Wow, I can't believe none of my relatives told me about this area. Kimberley is fantastic, one traffic light, 7000 people and its all in the mountains. I moved here August 1st and commute to Cranbrook with NO rush hour traffic, and no line ups. People are friendlier here than in Sidney.
September 25, 2008 | Tips from Travellers >
Clinton, Art Galleries & Artists
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So many amazing places in the Cariboo! If you drive through Clinton make sure to check out Vallance Pottery. It is right on Highway 97, the Gold Rush Trail. They have so much to choose from if you are looking for some unique gifts to take home.
Besides great quality handturned pottery, they also have Cards, Lotions and handmade Bath Salts, handmade Quilts to hand Knit Socks, Candles and loose Specialty Teas. Definitely a must see!
September 25, 2008 | Tips from Travellers >
Bella Coola, Shopping
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When travelling to the Bella Coola Valley I always make sure and stop at Kopas Store. They have this amazing selection of BC books, outstanding native jewelery, masks, carvings and artwork, just to name a few.
Cliff Kopas, originally from Alberta, opened Kopas' Store in 1937. He
"discovered" the Bella Coola Valley when he and his bride took a
four-month horseback trek on the Alexander Mackenzie Heritage
Trail/Nuxalk-Carrier Grease Trail. After reading the book about their trip from Calgary to Alberta (which was their honeymoon) my last visit to the store was even more interesting.
September 24, 2008 | Tips from Travellers >
Merritt, Camping
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We have camped here for about 14 years now, good fishing and looked after by people who care about our planet and good for all ages, nice lake its called Lunbom lake just outside Merrit on Kelowna connector. many other lakes nearby only a few minutes from downtown Merrit, boats are allowed its very calming there thats why we go to relax and have fun. Go see for youself
September 23, 2008 | Tips from Travellers >
Vancouver, Farms & Markets
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BC has some of the most amazing farmer's markets, brimming with delicious, local produce. I got a good recommendation to check these out, so went to the Trout Lake Farmer's Market in Vancouver, which runs every Saturday, May-October. There's a winter one too at WISE Hall in East Vancouver, which is on alternate Saturdays from November 8 through until April. It's a must-do for visiting foodies!
September 22, 2008 | Tips from Travellers >
Bella Coola, Outdoor Activity Tours
We love to travel throughout B.C. with a few other other couples and we recently stayed at King Pacific Lodge with 6 of our friends. While we were very impressed with the first class service the price was quite steep, even by our standards, which are typically quite high. The food and staff were amazing and the scenery was sublime. We typically plan 1 or 2 nature-based trips each year for about a week at a time but next trip we're looking to try something new and are considering splitting our time between two or three different resorts over a 7-10 day stretch so that we can kill a few birds with one stone.
Basically I'm just looking for any suggestions of new and exciting places to visit or new ways of seeing beautiful BC. Price is not a huge issue ... we're looking for luxury experiences. Any suggestions would be welcomed :)
September 18, 2008 | Tips from Travellers >
Sidney, Car / Truck / Motorcycle
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It all started with a subtle hard nudge from my son since we moved to Victoria six weeks ago. He has been catching crabs by hand (all legal size) off the shore at Willows Beach in Victoria. None by fluke but by hours of walking in chest deep waters and a net. It then sparked the idea of there must be a way to keep these delicious creatures and feast on them (legally)! My sisters boyfriend mentioned the Pier in Sidney-Sidney Fishing Pier just a block from main street you can't miss it.
We went to a quaint little shop with a pirate out front decorated with buoys and large crab traps called "The Boater's Exchange". There you will find the best crab traps and service. Then go over to "True Value Hardware" for your shellfish license. Kids are free and hey I thought this sounds like fun so I got one too. Everyone I spoke with was very knowledgeable and friendly as we only knew how to barbeque a steak just moving from the prairies you know. Oh and for good luck better pick up a stock pot and a large pail so you can feast later...also garlic butter. I also thought I better stop at the Sidney Bakery on main street for their glazed doughnuts just in case...
Next was a stop at the fresh fish market at the end of main street where you can buy bait for a buck! That in itself is a smelly experience. They just slap in the large fish that they would normally discard right into your pail~unbelievable again remember we are from the prairies (I think I mentioned that already)~I maybe should have taken the camera from around my neck so that when I asked "how do we get these big fish into the little bait keeper in the crab trap?" I did not feel a bit stupid Ha! So I thought it was the right time to pull out my doughnut.
READY, SET, GO! We are ready to go crab trapping. It was the coolest experience I have had. Being out on the pier is like being out on a boat~well that is what I tell myself since we don't know anyone with a boat. My son loaded the trap with a the fish bait and with the advice of other experienced crab trappers we put a rock in to add some weight. They also said that chicken parts work really well for bait. Sometimes the seals like to steal your bait too as they were splashing around. We left the trap in for about 15 minutes and pull it up and the excitment continues. You can see the crab moving around and you can't wait to see the size. You measure them (a measure stick you buy with your trap) and then if it is legal size you then with the crab crawling around the deck you try to get a hold of it's back legs (watch out for the claw-you will only get bit once and remember the pain forever) to see if it is male or female. The females get thrown back. If it is a male you keep it and feast on it.
I really recommend this experience. The stories you hear from the other fisherman on the pier are intriguing and witty. We finished it off with lunch at the Pier Bistro and some hot chocolate.
September 16, 2008 | Tips from Travellers >
Cranbrook, Hiking
With Summer winding down and the potential of an increased workload looming on the horizon, a R&R getaway was just what I needed. Having worked in the Tourism Industry, I had heard many great things about the city of Cranbrook and made the decision go up there for a few days. Cranbrook is a very short flight from Vancouver and is nestled in the rugged Kootenay Rockies Region of British Columbia.
I really had no idea of what to expect while in Cranbrook other than what I had heard about it and what I had researched on the web. I have to say that Cranbrook is a friendly town of approx. 18,000 with a healthy outdoor lifestyle consisting of golfing, hiking, boating, fishing, horseback riding and much more. I knew I had made the right decision as soon as I planted my feet on the airport tarmac.
My days at Cranbrook were filled with activities. From hiking on the numerous trails sprinkled around the community forest and by the bird sanctuary located at Queen Elizabeth, to swinging some iron clubs at the local golf courses in town, time just flew by. My evenings were spent enjoying the many dining experiences around town.
The accommodations were first class. I stayed at the re-modeled Best Western with a wonderful view of the beautifully carved mountains enveloped in a natural setting. Each morning I would sit out on the patio drinking locally brewed coffee by the Kicking Horse coffee company and watching spectacular sunrises occurring early every morning. Good times!
Suffice to say that whether you are looking for a relaxing or active getaway in British Columbia, consider Cranbrook.