For an exhilarating trip off the beaten path, consider a guided ATV tour to some of BC’s most beautiful places.
Knowledgeable local guides can take you to places you would not otherwise get to see. Experience the thrill of driving on off-road trails to remote lakes and waterfalls - scenic backdrops for a picnic lunch - or past flowering meadows to spectacular lookouts with commanding mountain views. Wildlife sightings along the way are common.
Whistler is a prime area for off-roading. Companies offer tours up Whistler and Blackcomb mountains, or through the nearby Callaghan Valley. Take a morning tour that includes a delicious breakfast, a mid-day tour with a deli-style lunch, or indulge in a decadent evening salmon bake. If an ATV is not your style, try an off-road JEEP tour.
In Hope, about two hours east of Vancouver, rent a two- or four-person dune buggy and play in the wilderness near scenic Kawkawa Lake. Views take in both the Coast and Cascade mountains, and you have the option of driving yourself or being driven by a guide.
On Vancouver Island, explore the beautiful Alberni Valley on an ATV or in a UTV, a small 2-person vehicle driven more like a car, and check out the view from the top of Mt. Arrowsmith.
Tours in the north Okanagan range from a quick jaunt through the forest to a half-day trip up the mountains with views of the surrounding Monashee Range. Or immerse yourself in a full day adventure, complete with a lakeside lunch and snacks along the way.
ATVing in the Rocky Mountains
There are several options available for exploring the vast Rocky Mountains. On a tour through the Robson Valley, near Valemount, expansive views take in the Cariboo and Monashee mountains, as well as Mt. Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies. Experienced riders can rent an ATV and strike out on their own.
Further south in Golden, possible tours include a half-day adventure with an optional campfire hot dog roast, and a full day experience with half the day spent ATVing, the other half rafting the tumultuous Kicking Horse River.
Another ride and raft combination is on offer near Panorama, with a morning ATV tour of Paradise Mine, the remains of an early 1900s silver mining settlement, followed by an afternoon raft on Toby Creek. Don’t want the day to end? Try an overnight ATV camping trip.
Practical Points
Riders require a valid driver’s license, and all participants must sign a waiver. Dressing in layers is highly recommended as temperatures may change dramatically with an increase in elevation. Helmets and any other required gear are provided, and tours generally include meals and/or snacks.
Companies offer a variety of tours of different lengths, and many are willing to create a customized tour. Most welcome first timers, and some companies give experienced riders the option of riding without a guide.
When the snow falls, snowmobiles are the off-road vehicle of choice, and several companies offer this option in winter.
For information about companies that offer off-road and ATV tours and rentals, stop in at the local Visitor Centre.
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