Why British Columbia should be on your 2018 bucket list

A first timers guide to British Columbia

First time in BC? With so much ground to cover your to-do list is sure to be daunting. Here are a few ideas to help you get started.

Sip in BC’s Wine Country: Reds, whites, and even bubbles can be sampled in the province’s biggest wine-growing region. The Okanagan can be explored in ever-so-eco-friendly style with Power Trips, who offer luxury Tesla car rentals, perfect for a Route 97 road trip. Fresh-on-the-scene is the Fitzpatrick Family Vineyards. This winery boats fantastic views and a speciality for sparkling wine production.

Get Outdoors: Pack your hiking boots and explore BC’s 7 National Parks, with their clear alpine lakes, lush forests, and mountainous terrain. If you want to linger in the great outdoors, pitch a tent in the wild, not far from Vancouver’s bright lights or go off-road with Hastings Overland, a new rental service that provides guests with Jeeps fully-equipped with rooftop tents, custom-made tailgate kitchens and a range of essential camping gear.

Ski is a way of life: With 13 resorts and a host of backcountry options, there’s so much to explore. Check out the insider’s guide to the province’s snowy terrain and make the most of your time on the slopes. With ample new terrain at Whistler, Revelstoke and Panorama and new boutique hotel The Josie improving RED Mountain’s accommodation portfolio, BC’s mountains are just waiting to be explored.

Explore the Province’s Wild Side: There is no better place to spot grizzly bears, orca, salmon, or trumpeter swans; all you need is binoculars. New for 2018 is Homfray Lodge, offering a variety of wildlife watching packages in the remote Toba Inlet.

Explore BC’s Big Cities: Vancouver is BC’s biggest city, not to mention a hub for shopping, arts, culture, cuisine, and everything in between. Vancouver’s newest entertainment destination, Parq Vancouver, opened in Autumn 2017 bringing two luxury properties to the city’s downtown, while Into the Wild’s new biking excursions and City Running Tours offer two unique ways to see some of Vancouver’s not-to-be-missed sights. Visitors can take the new V2V ferry across to the Province’s capital, Victoria. A vibrant city with a historic soul, there’s plenty to eat and drink here, too – make sure to experience Victoria’s Caledonian Brewery and Distillery who are offering two new tasting experiences in 2018 including an exclusive Chocolate and Whiskey tasting.

Sample the flavours of the West Coast: Want a taste of BC? Follow the Dumpling Trail to 20 restaurants, all in a city revered for having the best Chinese restaurants outside of China, or explore the province’s burgeoning beer scene and let the BC Ale Trail be your guide. With 140 breweries and 15 different trails to choose from, you won’t be thirsty for long.

Discover BC’s First Nations Culture: Learn more about the province’s diverse Indigenous cultures by joining a wildlife excursion, visiting a museum, or sampling food from local First Nations bands.

Bask in the Sunshine (Coast):  While mild year-round temperatures lure, it’s the warmth of the people that bears the true nature of the landscape along the province’s southern coast. Explore hidden beaches and vibrant micro-breweries including Gibsons Tapworks and Persephone Brewing Co whose unique brews include passion fruit beer.

Day Trip to the Fraser Valley: With its close proximity to Vancouver, Fraser Valley is ideal for day trippers looking for a change of scenery and pace. Become a Fraser Valley insider with one of these unique itineraries developed by locals.