Vancouver Pleasures and Pastimes
First Nations Culture
Before the arrival of Europeans, the lush landscapes of the Pacific Northwest gave rise to one of the continent’s richest and most artistically prolific cultures.
Along with numerous museums, attractions and cultural centers-such as the re-created villages at ‘Ksan, near Hazelton, at Secwepemc in Kamloops, and at Quw’utsun Cultural Centre on Vancouver Island – share this living culture through music, dance, and food.
Although the Museum of Anthropology in Vancouver and the Royal British Columbia Museum in Victoria have renowned collections of northwest Coast first Nations art, smaller museums in northern and coastal communities are also building world – class collections as artifacts are gradually repatriated to their communities of origin.
Food & Wine
Although British Columbia cuisine is not easily definable, all the ingredients are there: rich bounty from the land and sea (Oysters, Salmon, organic produce, game, lamb, and forest-foraged mushrooms); a multicultural population bringing culinary influences from every corner of the world; and such a passion for fresh, local, organic foods that small-scale farming is actually on the increase here.
A food and wine tour of BC could start in Vancouver, with its vast selection of excellent restaurants and refreshingly low prices. Then take in a visit to some small-scale wineries and country inns on southern Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands, and finish up with a tour of the Okanagan wine country, where about 60 wineries produce chardonnay, riesling, gewürztraminer, and more in a scenic lakeside setting.
Skiing
British Columbia has some of the best, and least expensive, skiing in the world.
Whistler resort is not only known internationally for its long runs, wealth of activities, and high-end après scene, but it also will host the 2010 Winter Olympics. Inland, though, such smaller resorts as Big White, Silver Star, and Sun Peaks have all the facilities, with fluffier powder and more family-friendly, laid-back ambience.
Outdoor Activities
Whether it’s Kayaking among the transparent waters of the Broken Group Islands, Hiking through the old-growth forest of the West Coast Trail, or paddling across a northern lake, British Columbia has plenty of opportunity for outdoor adventure.
For a gentler introduction to the wilds, deserted beaches, forest trails, and mountain lakes are easily reached from the cities, and network of campsites, wilderness lodges, float-planes, and outdoor outfitters provides access to the untouched corners of the province.
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