Embrace a millennia of wilderness carved by the elements in British Columbia, Canada’s westernmost province boasting 25,000 kilometers of coastline, where you can truly gain a new perspective.

Start your adventure in Vancouver for a fix of urban excitement. This cosmopolitan city is framed by the gleaming Pacific Ocean and set against a backdrop of jagged, mountain peaks. Get your bearings, then venture to Stanley Park to trace the famed Seawall, or see it through the eyes of a local Indigenous guide on a guided Talaysay Tours experience. For open-air bites, drop into Granville Island Public Market or Richmond Night Market during summer (Friday-Sunday. Visit between April and October, and you might be lucky enough to see whales (some that call the region home) on a boat tour.

Whistler is undeniably an iconic alpine hub located in the spectacular Coast Mountains, less than 2 hours north of Vancouver. Ride the Peak 2 Peak Gondola, stop by the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre, race down the slopes on a mountain bike in summer or skis in winter, then end your days with an après-ski session at the lively bars and restaurants in the village.

The interior city of Kamloops, a four-hour drive from Vancouver, is home to over 100 lakes and lures visitors year-round thanks to exceptional mountain biking and hiking trails and manicured golf courses. Sun Peaks Resort is your four-season destination for downhill skiing and snowboarding during winter, and mountain biking, hiking, golfing and scenic alpine touring throughout summer.

Foodies and wine-lovers will love Kelowna, a sun-kissed city in the province’s central-south. Home to over 150 vineyards and fruit orchards, The Okanagan Valley region invites wine lovers to have their fill and lures adventurers with a multitude of watersports including stand-up paddleboarding (SUP), canoeing and kayaking or boating.

For adreline-fueled adventures that showcase the diversity of the province’s rugged and richly varied landscapes, visit The Canadian Rockies to the east of the province for heli-hiking, white water rafting and rock climbing adventures in the Kootenay Region. Likewise, the rainforest-covered Great Bear Rainforest stretches along the central and northern coast. It’s the perfect place to soak up a whole lot of silence and drink in lush green surroundings. And, it’s the only corner of the planet where you can spot the elusive white Kermode bear, also known as the ‘Spirit bear’.

British Columbia Effect:

Find clarity beneath towering mountains, let the steady rhythm of the ocean soothe you and be exhilarated by the spectacle of spotting wildlife. This is the British Columbia Effect: a transformative experience that occurs when you connect with the power of nature.