BC Business
Dozens of brilliant and varied ways to adventure in B.C. this spring
You are sitting at your desk feeling overwhelmed. It is time to recharge the batteries. But what should you do? We have compiled a list of things to do and see.
We’ve broken down the ’67 things’ into subsections to suit a variety of interests. Have we covered everything there is to do? No, not a chance. But this guide will offer inspiration to dig into both off-the-beaten-track gems and tried-and-true B.C. highlights. We hope this helps you recharge!
If these activities don’t get your adrenaline pumping, are you sure your heart is working?
Description: Choices are limited for thrill-seeking bungee jumpers in British Columbia. But we have to say, these two scenic spots make for mighty fine adrenaline-packed moments.
Locations: WildPlay Element Parks Nanaimo and Whistler Bungee
Price: Budget a little over a hundred dollars or so; additional same-day jumps are sometimes discounted.
Description: Skydiving is the experience of a lifetime. Book your jump today for a plummet you’ll never forget.
Prince George – Skydive BC Golden/Invermere/Revelstoke – Skydive Extreme Yeti Vernon – Okanagan Skydive Salmon Arm – Skydive Salmon Arm Kamloops – skydivekamloops.com Whistler – Whistler SkydivingVancouver (jump in Abbotsford) – Skydive Vancouver Victoria – Victoria SkydiversQualicum Beach – Skydive Vancouver Island Campbell River – Pacific Airsports
Price: Tandem and solo jumps will cost a couple hundred dollars but the experience is priceless. Usually operators offer the chance to have your jump filmed for an added cost.
Description: Ziplining will send you soaring through the treetops at top speed, as you fly through the canopy and whip over gorges. With towering forests, B.C. is especially well-suited to exciting zipline courses. Plenty of the operators also offer tree top adventures which see suspended routes complete with obstacles to clear.
Website: See a complete directory here
Price: $50+ per person
Location: Fernie, Kelowna, Kennedy River Canyon (en route to Tofino), Maple Ridge, Nanaimo, Nelson, North Vancouver, Peachland, Revelstoke, Vancouver, Victoria, Whistler
Description: I bet it’s been a long time since you’ve gone to an amusement park. Get out there and play! Located at the PNE fairgrounds in Vancouver, you’ll find over 30 scream-worthy rides and attractions. Do you dare ride Atmosfear or Hellevator? For those too short to ride there is a special area built just for kids two through 10.
Website: pne.ca/playland
Location: 2901 East Hastings St., Vancouver
Opens again spring 2017
Description: Soar over the beautiful British Columbia landscape in a hang glider, catching the wind just like the hawks and eagles.
Website: freedomflightschool.com
Price: A tandem hang gliding lesson is $190. Prices go up, depending on your level of interest and commitment to the sport.
Location: Lumby (east of Vernon)
Open May-October
Description: Bear Country Tours offers guided tours and ATV rentals in the Coastal Mountain Range. This area is known for its ruggedness and its stunning scenery.
Website: bearcountrytours.com
Price: There are many different kinds of tours, from a two-hour trek to an overnight excursion. A full-day adventure, including lunch, is $269 if you’re the driver.
Location: Agassiz, in the Fraser Valley
Description: The Myra Canyon Adventure Park offers a Ropes & Challenge Course set high amongst the trees. There are eight course lines with 74 different elements. Don’t worry you’re strapped into a safety system. Guests of all ages are welcome to take the challenge for themselves!
Website: myracanyon.com
Price: For an adult to take four of the tree courses, it’s $37
Location: 4429 June Springs Rd., Kelowna
Description: Once the warm spring sun melts away the snow, these ski resorts become bike parks. You don’t have to be a professional mountain bike rider either. Most, if not all, of these parks have well marked trails for all skill levels.
Locations: Fernie Alpine Resort Bike Park, Silver Star Bike Park, Sun Peaks Resort Bike Park, Whistler Mountain Bike Park, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort and Panorama. Mount Washington Bike Park re-opens after a three-year hiatus in July.
We understand that sometimes it’s more inspiring to hike, cycle or paddle when there’s a gorgeous waterfall or lonely shipwreck at the end of the trail. Each of these trails/routes lead to or bypass something neat.
Description: Helmcken Falls is the fourth highest waterfall in Canada, measuring 141 metres. There is a short, paved road from the main road in Wells Gray Provincial Park that leads to the falls. Take in the sights and go for a short hike around the rim.
Website: Click here
Price: Free
Location: Wells Gray Provincial Park (Helmcken is most commonly accessed from Clearwater, B.C.)
Description: The West Coast Trail is an internationally renowned hiking route on the southwest edge of Vancouver Island. The trail stretches 75 kilometres along the coast and through gorgeous forest. Botanical Beach is the highlight. It’s not for the faint of heart and you can beat the crowds by going in spring.
Website: westcoasttrail.com
Price: There are camping packages available and you need to register and purchase a permit.
Location: Vancouver Island – the trail is anchored by Port Renfrew and Bamfield
May-September
Description: This trip is for the road cyclist and you’ll have to be comfortable with biking long distances on the highway. (Cyclists with loaded panniers are no surprise along B.C.’s roadways.)
Before the intense heat of summer sets in, bike the Gold Rush Trail in spring. Why this route? The Gold Rush Trail stretches from Lillooet to Barkerville, a 472-km itinerary rife with gold rush history. If you’re adventurous, cycle the entire trail. Can’t commit? Just do some of the shorter portions in between. For example, Clinton to 100 Mile House is about 72 kilometres.
Read more about this route here: hellobc.com/driving-routes/gold-rush-trail
Location: Bikers can ride from Lillooet to Barkerville, making camp along the way.
Description: Travel to northern B.C. and go caving. Fang Cave is the ninth longest cave in Canada and is part of a diverse limestone complex, which includes other caves. Those venturing in should carry proper gear and practice safe caving techniques.
Location: Located in Evanoff Provincial Park; Prince George is the nearest community.
Not visiting the north? Here’s a list of 12 other caves to explore in British Columbia
Description: Ride the gondola, take in the views, go on a trail tour, eat at the lodge, go backcountry hiking or walk the suspension bridge to the viewing platform.
Website: seatoskygondola.com
Price: A day pass for an adult is $39.95 or 37.95 if you buy online. There are annual passes available, as well, and different prices for different age ranges.
Location: 36800 Highway 99, Squamish
Description: Kayaking in open water can be intimidating, especially when you’re unfamiliar with the area. If you want to find some of British Columbia’s most pristine coastal landscape, book a trip with West Coast Expeditions. They lead sea kayaking excursions in Kyuquot Sound and Checleset Bay. You could also go camping on a wilderness retreat on Spring Island.
Website: westcoastexpeditions.com
Price: Depends on the adventure you want to have. Check the website for more information.
Location: Spring Island, Kyuquot
Description: Monkman Provincial Park is home to thundering Kinuseo Falls. This monster waterfall plummets 60 metres—that’s higher than Niagara Falls! It’s a highlight tucked deep into northern B.C.’s rugged wilderness. Since you’ve driven so far to reach Monkman, stick around a while. There are plenty of campsites and opportunities for hiking, fishing and caving in the park.
Price: Cost free
Location: South of Tumbler Ridge
Description: Hikes are so much more fun when they lead to a hidden treasure. We found five abandoned wrecks that can be accessed without a mask and snorkel.
Location: One on Haida Gwaii and four on Vancouver Island
Description: Keyhole Hot Springs are the best kind of hot springs: sculpted by nature and overlooking a river. They’re rustic and remote to boot. You’ll have to hike in but it’s well worth the reward.
Location: Near-ish to Pemberton. Click here for full directions.
Not located near Pemberton? No problem – here are two dozen other B.C. hot springs
Because not every outdoor pursuit has to be a strenuous one.
Description: Cathedral Grove—or MacMillan Provincial Park—is one of those places you won’t soon forget. Here you’ll walk among ancient Douglas fir trees, some more than 800 years old. This is one of the most accessible stands of towering Douglas fir on Vancouver Island. Take care when parking and walking near the trailheads as parking is directly off the highway.
Location: MacMillan Provincial Park, Vancouver Island (near Port Alberni)
Description: Opening in May for the 2017 season, you’ll find magic around every corner in this old-growth forest. There are over 350 handcrafted folk figurines to admire, B.C.’s tallest tree house to climb and whimsical ‘houses’ set in the giant roots of the trees. Come wander and wonder!
Website: enchantedforestbc.com
Price: $11 for adults, $8 for children.
Location: 7060 Trans-Canada Highway, Revelstoke
Description: Glen Valley Stables offers horseback riding adventures just outside downtown Vancouver. The one to two-hour rides take you through Campbell Valley Park, and both seasoned and first-time riders are welcome.
Website: glenvalleystables.com
Price: A one-hour ride is $50 per person; 90 minutes is $75 and 2 hours is $90
Location: Langley
Description: Stanley Park is Vancouver’s first and largest urban park. It’s also consistently ranked among the world’s best parks. Hike or take a leisurely walk, bike the seawall, go swimming, ride the train, go for a carriage ride or get something to eat. There’s so much to see and do!
Website: vancouver.ca/stanley-park
Price: Cost of parking, pool admission, tickets
Location: Vancouver’s West End
Description: Step into the beautiful world of The Butchart Gardens. Spanning 55 acres, you’ll find stunning floral displays, casual and formal dining, year-round afternoon tea and creations from local artists.
Website: butchartgardens.com
Price: Spring (March to June) admission fees are $29.90 per adult.
Location: 800 Benvenuto Ave., Brentwood Bay 23 kilometres north of Victoria
Description: Step inside the jungle and be transported by the flora and fauna. The gardens are home to many tropical animals, such as ducks, flamingoes, frogs, turtles and thousands of free-flying tropical butterflies. You’ll find the butterflies feeding on fresh fruit and you can feast your eyes on thousands of stunning tropical plants.
Website: butterflygardens.com
Price: Adult tickets are $16.50 each
Location: 1461 Benvenuto Ave., Victoria
Description: Geocaching has really taken off as a way for people to get outside and find some adventure. All you require is a smartphone with a geocaching app already downloaded. If you don’t want to burn your data you can use a GPS. Geocaching can be a solo adventure or something you do with family and friends. And remember, practice good geocaching etiquette so the Muggles don’t catch on.
Website: bcgeocaching.com
Price: The cost of the GPS device. Once you’ve made the initial investment, geocaching is free and fun.
Location: All over! Anywhere and everywhere. I once found a geocache stuck to a lamppost.
Description: The Wild Pacific Trail is a famous, nine-kilometre trail network that brings you all the beauty of Vancouver Island and offers views you’ll never forget. Shipwrecks, whales, cedar groves, a lighthouse and of course, the ocean. The trail encompasses three sections, all of which can be easily tackled in a day. Or, savour them in portions while spending the weekend in ‘Ukee’.
Website: wildpacifictrail.com
Location: Ucluelet
Description: Get away from it all with the Trail Running and Yoga Retreat at Retreat Golden. You’ll run gorgeous trails and receive technique instruction from Megan Wright a PanAm and Olympic champion and Stan Metcalfe, a physiotherapist and acupuncturist. Twice a day, you’ll dive into yoga and meditation practices. Accommodations are at the Kicking Horse Resort and chef Julie Marhsall will be cooking for you. One 30-minute massage is included in your registration fee, but you can purchase additional sessions.
Website: https://www.retreatgolden.com/winter-magic/
Price: From $550
Location: Golden
Description: Like the sleep away camp from when you were a kid, but better! This weekend retreat offers three days and two nights at Camp Yoga, May 26 to May 28, 2017.
Website: campyoga.ca
Price: Tickets include transportation, food, accommodations, all classes and activities.
Location: Camp Elphinstone, 1760 YMCA Rd., Gibsons
Description: Twice daily 200 billion gallons of sea water rushes through the narrow straight between Sechelt and Jervis Inlets. It’s an incredible natural spectacle that results in swells that sometimes exceeds nine feet. If you’re not a surfer you can hike a gentle four kilometres (one way) to a viewpoint.
Website: sunshinecoastcanada.com/skookumchuck-narrows
Location: Off Highway 101 at Egmont
Description: Gallagher’s Canyon Golf & Country Club offers amazing scenery across 6,800 yards. This golf course was listed as one of the Top 100 Courses In Canada by SCOREGolf magazine in 2008/2009.
Website: gallaghersgolf.com
Price: Check online for rates.
Location: Kelowna
Description: The Capilano Suspension Bridge stretches 137 metres long and sways 70 metres feet above the ground. You’ll find breathtaking views and gain knowledge about the history, culture and nature surrounding you. Free shuttles conveniently run between downtown Vancouver and Capilano Suspension Bridge Park. After you’ve crossed the bridge, explore Treetops Adventure and Cliffwalk which are all included in the price of admission. For the festive season, check out the annual Capilano Canyon Lights, where the suspension bridge, Treetops Adventure, Cliffwalk, the rainforest and canyon are transformed into a world of festive lights and visual enchantment.
Website: capbridge.com
Price: $14-$40, children under 6 are free
Location: 3735 Capilano Rd., North Vancouver
The spring sunshine makes us want to pack up the car and drive into the new season. Here are eight road trips we’ve chosen to feature from Hello BC’s suggested driving routes. Visit their website to see all 64!
Description: The 836-km Ranchlands & Rivers Circle will take you across rivers, Gold Country and through stunning scenery. Take your pick of outdoor adventure on this drive. Cities you’ll pass through include Hope, Lillooet, Clinton, Kamloops, Merritt and Princeton. This loop can be tackled in either direction. Notably, road trippers will pass through EC Manning Provinical Park, Hells Gate, historic Clinton, and the route skirts by Lac Du Bois Grasslands Protected Area.
Website: hellobc.com/ranchlands-rivers-circle-route
Price: The cost of gas, staying at various locations on the route, eating and whatever else you’d like to purchase to commemorate your trip.
Description: Spanning 3,188 kilometres and taking more than 10 days to complete, this journey across northern B.C. will open your eyes to how vast our province really is. Untamed wilderness, spectacular fishing, wildlife galore; what more could you want? The route passes through Chetwynd, Fort St. John, Fort Nelson, Watson Lake, Dease Lake, Smithers, Houston and Vanderhoof. Drivers should certainly make a stop at Liard Hot Springs (pictured above) and if you have the budget to do it, take a sightseeing helicopter ride to the incredible and otherworldly Spectrum Range.
Website: hellobc.com/great-northern-circle-route
Description: Travel more than 1,200 kilometres over seven to 10 days to experience the best interior B.C. has to offer. You can expect stellar mountain views, local fruit and wines, and so many outdoor activities you won’t know where to start. The loop passes through Kelowna, Vernon, Revelstoke, Golden, Radium Hot Springs, Kimberly, Cranbrook, Nelson, Castlegar, Trail and Penticton. Make stops to cycle in the historic Kettle Valley, taste your way through wine country, hike in Glacier National Park, raft the Kicking Horse River, take a dip in some hot springs and go wildlife watching in the Columbia Valley. If you can manage all that, you’re still only scratching the surface.
Website: hellobc.com/mountains-vineyards-circle-route
Description: If you’re interested in the history of British Columbia this is the drive for you. It’s a long route though, travelling 3,480 kilometres over more than 10 days. This loops passes through Vancouver, Victoria, Nanaimo, Courtenay, Port McNeill, Prince Rupert, Smithers, Prince George, 100 Mile House and Abbotsford. Making stops in Kitamat, Fort St. James, historic Barkerville and a diversion to Haida Gwaii complete the experience. Road trippers will be immersed in First Nations culture, led down the Gold Rush Trail and encounter tunnels, fossils, totem poles and more. Plus, ferry trips across the Georgia Straight and Inside Passage provide scenic breaks from driving.
Website: hellobc.com/heritage-discovery-circle-route
Description: Although the trip itself is relatively short at 314 kilometres, the opportunities to stay and play are endless. This trip will take you through three national parks: Banff, Kootenay and Yoho. Remarkable on their own, the Columbia River Wetlands are also a highlight of this itinerary. Bring your camping and hiking gear, along with a camera and appetite for adventure.
Website: hellobc.com/british-columbia/golden-triangle
Note: This trip will take you into Banff National Park in Alberta, through the mountains and back to Banff.
Description: This driving circle will loop you through the mountains and past delightful hot springs. The circle is about 851 kilometres and should take about a week to complete. Make frequent stops along the way to enjoy everything the communities have to offer.
Website: hellobc.com/hot-springs-circle-route
Notes: There are 13 stops along this route, from Cranbrook to Creston. Hot Springs Circle route is nearly identical to the Mountains & Vineyards Circle route. One could conceivably combine the best elements of both.
Description: Get out your passport for this trip. Taking between three and seven days, across 383 kilometres, this route will take you from Vancouver to Victoria, Victoria to Port Angeles, Wash., over to Seattle and then back to Vancouver. Explore everything these cities have to offer. Stop off at charming Steveston, tour Victoria’s Fan Tan Alley and shop Seattle’s legendary Pike Place Market.
Website: hellobc.com/pacific-northwest-international-circle-route
Location: There are six parts to this trip, beginning and ending in Vancouver and travelling into the US.