Page 53 - Vacation Country Travel Guide

Words are inadequate to describe the spectacular
scenery of British Columbia. Jagged ranges of snow
clad peaks, timbered foothills, fertile valleys, great
lakes and rivers combine to form a photographer’s
paradise. It is an endless panorama of thick
lodgepole pine forests, cattle country, wilderness, the
magnificent Pacific coast and finally Haida Gwaii,
the Queen Charlotte Islands. The province’s size
itself is impressive. It encompasses an area of almost
945,000 km (365,000 mi ), making it considerably
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larger than the state of California.
British Columbia is separated from the rest of
Canada by the rugged Rocky Mountains. This vast
range was cursed by early explorers as they labored
to build roads through the rocky terrain. Their
arduous efforts proved successful and the country
was opened up to settlement.
Today, these mountains provide the setting for
several of Southern Canada’s most spectacular
mountain parks. Yoho features magnificently
sculptured hoodoos, intriguing spiral tunnels of
the first Canadian railway through the Rockies,
spectacular ice fields and glaciers and cascading
Takakkaw Falls. Rams in Morning Summer
The forces that created these magnificent mountains photo by:
also created the holes and faults in the interior rocks Tourism Radium
that filled with hot mineral waters, claimed by many
to have medicinal benefits. Fairmont and Radium are Elkford. Zero of the famous Alaska Highway. Bisecting the
two popular resorts that have been built around these History is relived in the recreated Fort Steele province east to west is Yellowhead Hwy 16, linking
hot springs, and every year thousands of visitors plan village, complete with locomotive train rides, pioneer the eastern BC community of Tete Jaune Cache
their sightseeing adventures to include a relaxing rest crafts and stores. In winter Kimberley’s ski resort to Haida Gwaii off the northern BC coast. The
in the hot pools. provides some of the finest skiing available, while communities of this region delight visitors with their
Hiking trails are everywhere. Big fish are biting summertime offers thrilling alpine slide rides. diversity of lifestyles, culture and rare glimpses into
in countless mountain lakes and rivers. Windsurfing Visitors can access the Northern half of BC via an area steeped in unsurpassed beauty and historical
and water-skiing are enjoyed on the warm waters three main highway systems. Hwy 97 North is a context, so be certain to plan a stop in every one.
of Lake Windermere, while hang gliding adventures southern point of entry, linking the gateway city of Follow in the steps of the early explorers, gold-
commence from the high points near Golden and Prince George to Dawson Creek, which is also Mile seekers and settlers who ventured along this historic

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