|
>Home
>>Tools & Info >>Southwestern
B.C. |
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
This region encompasses the city of Vancouver;
the surrounding "Lower Mainland", the popular
resort town of Whistler, the cottage country of
the Sunshine Coast, the lush farmland of the
Fraser Valley, and the breathtaking Fraser
Canyon. In spite of the fact that this is the
most populated area of the province, this region
has remained incredibly clean and green.
Snowcapped glacial mountain ranges, great
stretches of dramatic waterfront and vast
evergreen forests are right on the residents'
front doorstep. The climate here is moderate
year-round, with snow generally only at higher
altitudes and in more inland areas such as
Whistler. |
|
Take the scenic route
The Sea to Sky highway is our famous coastal
drive from North Vancouver
up the spectacular fjord of Howe Sound, past the
port of
Squamish,
and to the mountains of Whistler Resort.
Along the way, you'll pass Britannia Beach, once
a major mining settlement. Stop in Squamish,
famous for its rock climbing and windsurfing.
Hike in the mountains of local provincial parks,
such as Garibaldi and Golden Ears
or in the alpine meadows of Manning; or
drive out to the fishing docks of Steveston or
the 8 kilometres (5 miles) of beach in White
Rock. |
|
|
Journey back a century or two
Fort Langley was once a Hudson's Bay Co.
for trading post, and served as the
provisioning point for the 1858 gold
rush. In New Westminster is the lovely
Irving House, built in 1864, and lived
in by the family until the 1950s. Other
charming historic buildings and museums:
Tretheway House in Abbotsford; Kilby
General Store at Harrison Hot Springs
(on the way to Harrison Hot Spring); and
the Burnaby Village Museum. |
|
|
|
|
And the winner is...
For the last three years, Whistler Resort,
north of Vancouver, has been ranked the
overall Number One ski resort in North
America by Snow Country magazine. In
addition to over 200 incredibly varied
runs covering two huge mountains -
Blackcomb and Whistler - Whistler Resort
offers an award-winning design, with
first-class hotels and restaurants. |
|
|
The summer
season offers plenty of activity, too. For
golfers, there are two championship golf
courses, with another designed by Jack Nicklaus
in the works. (Nearby, two more stunning courses
recently opened - Big Sky in Pemberton and Furry
Creek south of Squamish.) For skiers, there's
glacier skiing June through October. Other
outdoor activities include windsurfing, tennis,
mountain biking, river rafting, horseback
riding, hiking, heli-hiking and hot air
ballooning. If you'd rather relax, there are
also gondola and chairlift rides up the
mountains, shopping in the village and
entertaining street performers. |
|
Our natural beauties
The area's climate provides the ideal growing
environment for gardens; one of the most
fragrant is Minter Gardens near Chilliwack.
Visit one of the 17 Regional Parks located
within one hour of Vancouver and unwind as you
soak up nature's sights and sounds. (head east
to bathe in the soothing mineral waters of
Harrison Hot Springs, or take in the views from
the Othello abandoned railway Tunnels near
Hope.) Other great outdoor spots: Delta's Reifel
Bird Sanctuary and the Vancouver Game Farm.
|
| |
|
|
|
Major sun spots
Catch a ferry over to the
Sunshine Coast to visit Gibsons, a
quaint seaside village with curio shops
which has been the site of many movies.
As you drive up past Sechelt, stop for a
look at the rushing waters of
Skookumchuck
Narrows. At Earls Cove, you can catch
another ferry to Saltery Bay, then head
on to
Powell
River, a popular sport with suba divers.
Just northwest of here is the cosy
seaside town of
Lund, well worth the
visit. Another thoroughly enjoyable way
to see the coast is by boat; the salmon
fishing in the area is the stuff of fish
stories, and at the north end of the
Sunshine Coast lies beautiful Desolation
Sound, our largest provincial marine
park. Inland, the 8-lake Powell Forest
Canoe Route gives you a look at our
freshwater scenery. |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
