British Columbia

The first thing you notice when you arrive in British Columbia is the clean air. The air and the mild temperatures make BC a haven for outdoor activity. Although any outdoor activity is possible, many of them involving going incredibly fast down really steep hills. Here you have access to world-class skiing and snowboarding within a two-hour drive from anywhere in the province. Cycling, especially mountain biking, is also extremely popular. For the extreme sports fan, you can even do something called "street luge," which basically consists of lying on a big skateboard and going down a mountain at breakneck speeds.

The most popular centers are Vancouver, Victoria, and Whistler.

Vancouver is a remarkable city. It's the third biggest city in Canada and regularly is voted among the cities with the best quality of life in the world. Some of Vancouver's notable features are Stanley Park, which is a 1,000-acre (404-hectare) wooded park in the downtown core, the Vancouver Art Gallery, and the Vancouver Aquarium. An evening stroll down Robson Street or sitting on a patio and just people watching are great ways to spend your downtime. My personal favorite is to get takeout from a restaurant on Denman Street, find a bench at English Bay, and watch the sunset.

Victoria, which has the mildest climate of any city in Canada, is a step back in time. The city has cobblestone streets and Victorian architecture. You can take afternoon tea at a historic hotel or quaint tearoom. Victoria is affectionately known as the City of Gardens, and, in the spring, you can see every imaginable flower in every imaginable color. However, for all its Old World charm, Victoria is also an incredibly modern city. In addition, the city is a short step to the ocean; you will find whale-watching cruises where you can see killer whales in their natural habitat.

Whistler, which, together with Vancouver, is hosting the 2010 Winter Olympics, is two hours north of Vancouver along the Sea to Sky Highway. Whistler is a four-season alpine resort, which is most famous for its skiing and has 33 lifts that lead to 200 different runs. In the summer, Whistler is also a golfer's paradise. The resort has four championship courses, which were designed by such notable golfers as Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus.

The Interior region of British Columbia is a one of the warmest areas in all of Canada, and the Okanagan Valley, in particular, is considered premiere wine country. Okanagan Lake has great beaches and is also reputed to have a Loch Ness Monster like creature called Ogopogo.

Northern BC is a place of mountains, glacial lakes, tall trees, and solitude. Small communities that are rich aboriginal culture and wildlife abound. If you are an outdoorsy person who's keen on camping or are a big fan of the TV show Northern Exposure, this area will be heaven. Sitting outside at night and watching the Northern Lights is definitely better than reality television. The Queen Charlotte Islands are the Galapagos Islands of the north – there are species on these islands that don't exist anywhere else.

This information is just a small sample of what is available in British Columbia. Discover for yourself what else the province has to offer.

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