Nelson
Nelson’s picturesque setting is a shelf of land overlooking the dark blue waters of Kootenay Lake. Parks and beaches can be found along its waterfront, and the town itself is home to more than 350 heritage buildings constructed between the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Many of these well-preserved buildings have been converted into cafes, quirky galleries, and offbeat boutiques. Adding to Nelson’s charm is its artsy, youthful culture, with the town touted as having more artists per capita than any other town in Canada. Nelson is also an excellent base for hiking, kayaking, and skiing in the mountains, lakes, and streams found in the surrounding area.
Nelson, British Columbia, Canada
Golden
Golden is located at the confluence of two important rivers. The lazily-moving Columbia and the powerful, glacier-fed Kicking Horse. This unpretentious town is home to some of the continent’s highest back country lodges and the longest freestanding timber frame bridge in the country. With five national parks found in the area, Golden is a perfect starting point for paragliding, wildlife-viewing, mountain biking, or white-water rafting down the Kicking Horse. In the winter, visitors come here to enjoy skiing, which ranges from downhill to heli-skiing. The town also offers some excellent restaurants, including one that’s said to be set at the highest elevation in Canada.
Golden, British Columbia, Canada
VIDEO FEATURE
Alpine Rafting – The ultimate activity for thrill-seeking travellers! / 1:11
Whistler
Whistler regularly ranks among the top five winter ski destinations in the world, with the 2010 Winter Olympics only increasing its well-established fame. The town is overlooked by the towering Whistler Blackcomb mountains, which encompass an extensive network of hiking trails and ski slopes. Although the focus here is typically on skiing and snowboarding, the town is a perfect base for all kinds of other winter sports from snowshoeing to bobsledding. In the summer, Whistler offers wonderful opportunities for hiking, biking, and even zip lining. Despite being purpose-built in the 1970s, Whistler Village is walkable and attractive, particularly during the winter when its rooftops are dusted with snow.
Whistler, British Columbia, Canada
Fernie
Once dependant on open-pit coal mining and logging, Fernie has established a reputation as an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise. Surrounded by rugged mountains on four sides and pierced by the icy Elk River, the town’s setting is dramatic and timeless. Fernie attracts skiers, snowboarders, and snow-mobilers in the winter with its dry powder. In the summer, it’s a superb spot for hiking, mountain biking, fly-fishing, and rafting. Despite its ever-growing popularity with tourists, Fernie retains a low-key appeal. Its leafy streets are lined with attractive wooden and brick houses, many of which are designated heritage buildings.
Fernie, British Columbia, Canada
Ucluelet
A more laid-back alternative to Tofino, Ucluelet offers the same fantastic range of outdoor activities as its busier neighbor. Affectionately known as ‘Ukee’, the town’s friendly, welcoming locals are usually more than happy to recommend things to do or places to eat. The streets are lined with appealing restaurants, B&Bs, and artisan shops; while the surrounding area offers wonderful opportunities for wildlife-viewing, hiking, biking, kayaking, and surfing. It’s a great base for taking on the Wild Pacific Trail, a relatively easy 5.3-mile-trail that offers stunning coastal views.
Ucluelet, British Columbia, Canada
Cowichan Bay
Cowichan Bay is defined by its colorful pier, which is lined with floating homes and buildings on stilts. The town was the first in North America to be designated a Cittaslowcommunity, a global movement aimed at slowing down the pace of life in towns, and promoting their unique traditions and culture. It’s therefore no surprise that Cowichan Bay is known for its local cuisine, which includes fresh seafood, organic bakeries, and artisan cheese shops. The Cowichan Bay Estuary is home to more than 200 species of migrant shorebirds and waterfowl, plus whale-watching and sea kayaking can be enjoyed out on the bay.
Cowichan Bay, British Columbia, Canada
Revelstoke
Revelstoke is set in a narrow valley bordered by the imposing Selkirk and Monashee mountains. The town was built in the late 19th century as a key point on the Canadian Pacific transcontinental railroad linking eastern and western Canada. The numerous heritage buildings found in the town’s downtown area were built during this time, many of which have since been transformed into restaurants and hotels. The city’s present is as vibrant as its past, with a strong local arts community and plenty of activities for outdoor enthusiasts. In the winter, Revelstoke is a perfect base for skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, and heliskiing; while in the summer, hiking, horseback riding, and kayaking are all popular activities.
Revelstoke, British Columbia, Canada
Prince Rupert
Prince Rupert is located on Kaien Island, 40 miles south of the Alaskan border and linked to the mainland by bridge. Often surrounded by mists, the town is spectacularly set at the mouth of the Skeena River, surrounded by mountains, coastal rainforests, and fjords, in addition to overlooking an archipelago of islands. Its residents are hardy and down-to-earth, with the town exuding a quaint and mysterious charm. The town’s rich First Nations heritage is evident in its architecture and artwork, with its population comprised mainly of First Nations peoples and Canadians of European descent.
Prince Rupert, British Columbia, Canada
Rossland
Set in a volcanic valley nestled amid the Southern Monashee Mountains, Rossland is one of Canada’s top mountain biking destinations. The old trails and abandoned rail lines left by the town’s long history of mining now serve as perfect cycling paths. Although most visitors come to the town for biking, the trails are also ideal for horseback riding and hiking. In the winter, the town’s Red Mountain Ski Resort is a popular destination for skiers. Rossland is dotted with quaint boutiques and independently-owned shops, with no traffic lights or shopping centers present to diminish its old-world atmosphere.
Rossland, British Columbia, Canada
VIDEO FEATURE
Sinex3 Production – An amazing way to explore Rossland in a resort that has something for everyone! / 3:39
Tofino
Tofino is a beguiling mix of rich Canadian heritage and California surf town-style vibes. Despite attracting millions of tourists each year, Tofino is still a funky town filled with art galleries, excellent restaurants, and plenty of natural beauty. Located on the southwestern coast of the province, the town offers spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean and its beaches are home to some of the best surfing in Canada. Whale-watching off the coast and hiking in the surrounding old-growth forests are popular activities, as is venturing to neighboring islands and hot springs.
Tofino, British Columbia, Canada
Source: The Culture Trip
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