The Harrison area is one of my favourite weekend getaways from Vancouver. It’s an easy drive to a cute village on the lake with great views of the mountains. After my most recent visit, I can also confirm that visiting Harrison Hot Springs in winter is a great idea. I spent a fun winter weekend …
BC
In Vancouver, we don’t stop hiking in the winter… we just switch to snowshoes. In this guide to Vancouver snowshoeing, you’ll get info and directions for 10 different snowshoe trails ranging from super-flat beginner trails to epic treks to mountain summits. They are easy to follow with winter markings and most are accessible by bus. …
Known as Načiks in Nuu-chah-nulth, Tofino is one of the most beautiful spots on Vancouver Island: lush rainforests, sandy beaches, and a quaint coastal town. It’s certainly not a mainstream opinion, but I prefer visiting Tofino in winter. As a little kid, I spent a few summers in Tofino with my extended family, building sand …
British Columbia has hundreds of options for gorgeous backpacking trips. Most are free or require a permit, but for a few special trips, you need to make reservations in advance. If you’re planning ahead of time, these are the BC backpacking reservation dates you need to know for 2025 The most spectacular trips are often …
There’s something special about escaping to a cabin in the woods… or by the ocean…or by the lake… or… you get the picture! Renting a cabin is my preferred way to spend a weekend chilling out in nature. Thankfully there are tons of amazing cabins near Vancouver. I’ve lived in the Vancouver area my whole …
The West Coast Trail is one of the best-known hiking trails in Canada. It covers 75km through some of the toughest and most beautiful terrain in British Columbia’s coastal rainforest. I first hiked the WCT 20 years ago. In fact, it was my first backpacking trip ever! I was SO unprepared! (But I still loved …
If you’re reading this post, you have heard that you need to get a day pass to visit some BC Parks. But you probably have questions. In this guide, I’ll explain everything you need to know about BC Parks day passes in 2024. I’ve lived in the Vancouver area all my life and I’m an …
Joffre Lakes near Whistler, BC is a spectacular spot: three gorgeous turquoise lakes surrounded by glacier-capped mountains. I first hiked to Joffre Lakes in 2004 and have returned every few years since then. I think I’ve hiked here 9 or 10 times and I never get tired of it. If you’re interested in hiking to …
With incredible panoramic views of the waters of Howe Sound dotted with small islands, the St. Mark’s Summit trail is one of Vancouver’s best hikes. I also love the gorgeous forest on the way to the peak. I’ve hiked this trail countless times and the view at the end always amazes me. While the first …
The High Falls Creek Trail is a great mini-adventure of a hike. It has gorgeous waterfalls in a steep canyon, mountain views, and the exhilaration of scrambling up some fixed ropes. While the scrambling sections make the trail a bit of an adventure, it’s doable for most hikers. And since this is a loop hike, …