Head to British Columbia For an Outdoors Canada Holiday

Canada is the perfect place to visit for an outdoors adventure – and one destination in particular that could be ideal is British Columbia.

The province is home to a wide variety of terrain, whether you’re looking to go hiking up a mountain, try your hand at windsurfing, take to the hills on a mountain bike or explore some age-old rainforests.

It also harbours some fascinating towns and cities that offer the perfect base from which to visit some of British Columbia’s less populated areas on a Canada holiday.

As a result, the key theme of any outdoors escape to British Columbia has to be diversity – there are few other places where you can go skiing, play golf and indulge in some sailing in a single day before attempting even more activities on the morrow.

One of the best places to begin on a British Columbia outdoors adventure has to be the province’s capital, Victoria.

The city is located on Vancouver Island, which offers much to see and do for those who love wildlife, nature and outdoor pursuits, so it could be an ideal place to stay while you investigate these attractions.

Victoria itself is a charming place to visit thanks to its historic buildings, gorgeous gardens, planetarium and museums.

But if you choose to head out of the city, much more awaits on Vancouver Island, including lots of opportunities to go whale-watching and the chance to spot sea lions, puffins and grizzly bears, among other creatures.

Back on the mainland, Vancouver is a must-see when it comes to Canada holidays. The city offers the perfect mix of urban entertainment and outdoors activities as a result of its favourable location – it’s surrounded by water on three sides and is situated next to a mountain range.

Highlights include a trip to Gastown, a historical district filled with cobbled streets and quaint stores, as well as the opportunity to visit attractions such as the ski town of Whistler and Grouse Mountain, both of which lie within easy reach of north Vancouver.

Elsewhere, Prince George in northern British Columbia could be the ideal destination if you want to try some fantastic hiking trails, golf and fishing against the backdrop of an immense spruce forest.

The destination is also home to an observatory, where you can gaze at the stars with one of the largest telescopes in Canada, as well as several smaller ones.

Another potential stop to list on a Canada holiday itinerary is Prince Rupert, which can be found on Kaien Island off the northern British Columbia coast.

Here, you will find that animals appear to outnumber humans, making for a great break for those who really do want to get away from it all!

You’ll be able to see bears, eagles, whales and more besides – and that’s in addition to the tame deer that can be found wandering the streets of certain Prince Rupert neighbourhoods.

The only grizzly bear sanctuary in Canada and some particularly old areas of rainforest can also be found in Prince Rupert, so be sure to check these sights out if you do visit this part of British Columbia.

If you want to experience British Columbia at its best during the summer, why not head to Thompson Okanagan?

The fertile grasslands here have given rise to numerous orchards and vineyards, while the terrain changes into forest and even desert the further you trek.

Meanwhile, the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast could be ideal for lakeside camping – the area boasts the opportunity to follow the Gold Rush Trail as well as indulge in boating, swimming, fishing and kayaking against the backdrop of several sparkling lakes.

Lastly, the Kootenay Rockies could be the perfect destination to visit for holidaymakers wanting to get active with a spot of whitewater rafting, skiing, snowboarding, windsurfing, mountain biking or canoeing and for wildlife lovers looking to catch a glimpse of a wide range of creatures.

These include bighorn sheep, coyotes, moose, cougar, black and grizzly bears, eagles, elk and mule deer.

There is much potential for creating the ideal outdoors adventure on a British Columbia getaway – as well as this combination of destinations in the province, you could head further afield and turn your Canada holiday into a proper tour of the country’s best areas of wilderness.

If you’re seeking Canada holidays with a difference, why not consider using Visit Western Canada for your next Canadian acventure? You can choose from a wide range of Canada holidays, including a tailored holiday to Shuswap Lake.

By Dipika Patel