Hope

Hope

Hope (population: 6,185) is located at the eastern end of the Fraser Valley. It sits between the Cascade and Coast Mountain Ranges, at the confluence of the Fraser and Coquihalla Rivers. The city began as Fort Hope, a Hudson's Bay fur-trading post. The Gold Rush of 1858 brought thousands of settlers to the area. Today, the city is often referred to as "The Chainsaw Carving Capital of Canada" because of the more than 30 wood sculptures on display here.

Aside from wood carvings, modern-day Hope is best known for its outdoor recreational opportunities, especially river rafting, hiking, fishing, soaring, horseback riding and cross-country skiing.