British Columbia

British Columbia is a land blessed with amazing geographical diversity. This means there is an equally amazing variety of places to see and things to do. Mountains to climb, endless beaches to stretch out on, wide open ranges to take at a gallop, cosmopolitan cities to explore, moss-carpeted rainforests to hike, warm-water lakes to laze by, rivers to ride and so much more. All this variety is neatly arranged into regions that feature their own intriguing differences and unique attributes.

The Pacific surf soothes our souls. White Water Rivers take us on a wild ride unmatched in any amusement park. Whales play just off the coast. Pristine mountain streams are filled with salmon and trout. And warm water lakes let us float our cares away. In British Columbia, water courses through the land like blood through our veins. And whether you come to canoe, kayak or simply stroll along the shore, you'll find the water very fine indeed.

Venture into British Columbia's back country and you'll be rewarded with some of the most spectacular scenery in the world. Magnificent mountain peaks, azure blue lakes, emerald forests that go on forever and so much more. Gaze at the unspoiled beauty that surrounds you and you quickly realize that this is a refuge for more than an incredible variety of wildlife and ancient evergreens. It's a sanctuary where your spirits are lifted and filled with the wonder and power of nature.

British Columbia has always been a land of colourful characters and bold adventures. From the proud heritage of Aboriginal peoples to the early explorers who struggled against fear and famine to open the west. Refined Victorians of the British Empire, swaggering lumberjacks, wild west cowboys and silk-swathed settlers from the Far East. Today, past and present mingle to create a vibrant tapestry of sights, sounds, tastes and traditions from virtually every country and culture in the world.

When the sun goes down, our cities offer up a dazzling array of urban adventures. The latest Broadway shows share centre stage with smaller, more avant grade theatre groups. Five-star restaurants and neighbourhood bistros are around every corner. In summer symphonies are performed in the park and Shakespeare in the and for those who want the best of both worlds, it's good to know that our rails of fabulous shops, art galleries, spas and museums are minutes away from our wilderness trails.

Weather in British Columbia:

British Columbia's climate varies greatly because of its long coastline on the Pacific Ocean, its mountain ranges and its long stretch from south to north. The coast is mild and wet in the south with cool summers.

Interior regions experience drier weather and greater temperature extremes, yet the mountains have even more variation. As you go farther north, you'll notice the long summer days (or the short winter ones, depending on the season).

On the southern coast, expect winter temperatures to range 33-42 F/1-6 C. Summer temperatures run 52-74 F/11-23 C, with the least rain July-September. The southern interior averages 15-28 F/-10 to -2 C in January and 55-85 F/13-29 C in July (although it's not unusual for summer temperatures to go much higher).

The mountains often experience very heavy snows (great for skiers) and, of course, lower temperatures. The snow rarely settles for long in either Vancouver or Victoria.

Take at least a sweater or jacket in the summer and heavier gear if you go in winter. The cold will be worse the farther north and east you go. An umbrella or rain jacket will prove useful.