Where to go in British Columbia

Snow-dusted mountains, rainforests, wild islands, mighty glaciers, surging rivers: you’ll find them all in Canada, and so much more besides. With incredible wildlife, fascinating indigenous culture, epic landscapes and world-class destinations like Sun Peaks, Whistler and Victoria, Canada is surely one of the world’s most diverse and dramatic countries. And there are so many different ways to explore: take an unforgettable road trip, book a guided tour, cruise the Pacific coast or ride the rails aboard the world-famous Rocky Mountaineer. No matter whether it’s your first time or a repeat visit, First Class Holidays are here to help you plan your ultimate Canadian adventure.

For big nature, BC is hard to top. This Pacific province offers a wealth of wild experiences, whether it’s hiking through the Rockies, braving white-water rapids on the Kicking Horse River, hitting the ski slopes in Whistler or spotting whales around the shores of Vancouver Island. For the ultimate wild experience, don’t miss the chance to visit the amazing Great Bear Rainforest, the largest temperate rainforest on earth, and one of the top places in Canada to see grizzly bears. But BC isn’t all about natural adventures: there’s something for everyone here, from the exciting nightlife of Vancouver and Victoria to world-class winetasting in the Okanagan Valley, indigenous culture along the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast, the soothing geothermal waters of Halcyon or Radium Hot Springs or the sandy beaches of the Gulf Islands and the Pacific Coast.

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Vancouver

Colloquially known as the ‘City of Glass’ thanks to its adventurous architecture (and numerous skyscrapers), Vancouver is one of Canada’s most dynamic cities. There aren’t many cities on the planet where you could breakfast on the beach, spend a morning shopping on Robson St and Main St, have lunch in Chinatown, enjoy an afternoon skiing on Cypress Mountain and the finish up with a night on the tiles in Gastown. Framed by mountains, forests and sea, it’s a city immersed in nature – a fact epitomised by the green swathe of Stanley Park, an urban rainforest covering 405 hectares and criss-crossed by hiking trails and bike paths.  And we can’t forget Vancouver’s widely regarded culinary scene where you can enjoy Chinese feasts and the best sushi outside of Japan, to farm-to-fork, ocean-to-table, and molecular gastronomy.

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Whistler

If it is adrenaline that you're after, Whistler is where it's at. This stunning alpine town perched at the bottom of Blackcomb and Whistler mountains is legendary for outdoor activities. Whatever the season, there is something to get your pulse racing. Whether that's first-rate skiing on North America's largest resort or epic hiking in summer once the snow melts. In summer the mountain transforms into a hiker's paradise, with an expansive network of trails geared to all ages and abilities. For thrills, explore the valley by ATV and witness jaw-dropping mountain views, zipline through old growth forest, or fly by helicopter to an ice cave. Enjoy the world's best mountain bike park with trails for the avid adrenaline junky or first-time rider. Then relax in our pedestrian-friendly village with a mouth-watering local craft beer, tuck into some delicious sockeye salmon and watch the sunset over the mountain ranges.

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Sun Peaks

An easy days drive from Vancouver or Whistler, Sun Peaks is another superb destination if you’re looking to experience the great outdoors. Home to Canada’s second largest ski area, it’s a superb location for winter sports, and bucket list activities like dogsledding, snowmobiling and Ice Fishing. In summer Sun Peaks blossoms into a mecca of outdoor adventure opportunities. After a quick chairlift ride up the mountain, hiking amongst the alpine wildflowers and taking in the sweeping 360 degree views of the valley below is a guest favourite. Cross country and downhill mountain biking are another for those looking for a bit more adventure on their western Canadian tour. Be sure to spend a few days in Sun Peaks and take advantage of the peaceful lakes nearby on a canoe, kayak or paddleboard. It’s likely you will be alone on the water with the silence only broken by the occasional Loon calling. With only 1500 residents, Sun Peaks retains a friendly, small-town vibe. You will start to feel right at home immediately – and probably be on first name terms with the locals by the end of the day.

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About the experts

Over the last 27 years, First Class Holidays has become one of the UK’s leading travel companies. It prides itself on its exceptional customer service and its friendly, personalised approach. First Class Holidays' team of Canadian experts can provide first-hand knowledge on every aspect of your holiday, from flights and hotels to sightseeing and excursions, and are proud to have won numerous awards and industry accolades for its services. All holidays are ABTA and ATOL protected, allowing you to book with 100% confidence – so drop First Class Holidays a line at enquiries@fcholidays.com, call on 0161 888 5632 or download the FREE Canada Brochure