Whistler -> About Whistler -> British Columbia

British Columbia, Canada

British Columbia is the westernmost province of Canada and is set between the majestic Rocky Mountains in the east and the vast blue Pacific Ocean in the west and is the third largest province of Canada with a population of 2.1 million. This Canadian province is blessed with a rich and varied landscape that is stunning and fascinating. A variety of adventures and activities are made possible with the help of its vast geographical diversity, ranging from fishing in the Pacific Ocean near Vancouver and Vancouver Island, to skiing and snowboarding in North America’s most popular winter ski resort – Whistler Blackcomb.

B.C. Travellers to British Columbia can find just about anything to accommodate a perfect vacation, including fine dining restaurants, numerous beaches, forests for hiking and mountain biking, rivers and oceans for fishing and mountains as Whistler Blackcomb in Whistler BC, and Grouse Mountain, Cypress Mountain and Seymour Mountain in Vancouver for skiing and snowboarding.

Victoria, the capital of British Columbia is located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island, the largest island of BC and only accessible via B.C. Ferries or by plane. Vancouver Island is populated by a number of cities mostly supported by tourism, and local industries that tap into B.C.’s natural resources as fishing, lumber and mining.

While the climate in British Columbia is temperate, the local mountains as Whistler, Cypress, Grouse and Seymour offer seasonal snowy conditions for some of the best skiing and snow boarding in the country. Ski terrains in British Columbia are internationally renowned and its deep and steep slopes attract hundreds and thousands of skiers every year. Excitement and energy reverberates in this province currently in anticipation of the 2010 Winter Olympics and Paralympic Winter Games.

Apart from British Columbia’s interesting array of outdoor activities and fun, British Columbia offers other interesting features such as fine dining, variety of uptown shopping, world class exhibitions and a cosmopolitan culture. Cities here such as Vancouver, Victoria and Whistler are sophisticated and urban, complimented with fabulous scenery.

It is quite difficult choosing from the variety of activities British Columbia offers. You can spend time just walking, cycling or hiking at the numerous provincial, municipal and national parks. The temperate climate at BC offers enthusiastic golfers excellent conditions for playing. If you are artistically inclined, BC offers you a variety of theatre and performing arts entertainment, along with worldwide known educational institutes as the University of British Columbia (UBC), University of Victoria (UVic), Simon Fraser University (SFU) and British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT). Shop around to your heart’s content at the myriad shops.

While on vacation in British Columbia, tourists visit many other regions of the province such as the Thompson Okanagan, Vancouver coast mountains, Victoria and Gulf Islands surrounding Vancouver Island, Cariboo Chilcotin Coast, Northern British Columbia and Kootenay Rockies.

The three major cities all travelers and tourists must visit in British Columbia are Vancouver, Victoria and Whistler. Whistler BC is one of the top rated vacation and ski resorts in North America, known for its phenomenal ski conditions, and luxury vacation accommodation rentals. Whistler BC is two hours drive away from Vancouver and 45 minutes from Squamish – which is the outdoor adventure capital of Canada.

Whistler Village is a pedestrian-only village which offers the luxury and comfort of modern living with the enchantment and charm of the alpine ambience. Some of North America’s most luxury hotels are located in Whistler, including a number of celebrity owned luxury Whistler accommodations. When strolling through Whistler village, tourists will find a colourful array of boutiques and storefronts, vibrant nightlife, fine dining, luxury accommodations and rejuvenating spas.

The province of British Columbia welcomes visitors with warmth and friendliness ensuring their stay is memorable. Visitors enjoy the hospitable environment and if the tourist is a first timer to British Columbia, they will be surprised by the numerous hospitable and entertainment establishments to visit. The province of BC also offers accommodations and vacation rentals suiting every budget and taste, including those who seek the adventure of outdoor camping in some of the lush forests and pristine lakes BC offers.