Pacific Northwest Vacations | British Columbia Travel Guide

British Columbia

B.C. may be part of Canada, but it's most distinctly part of the Pacific Northwest. Fishing and forestry has long been the foundation of the economy though now it is the renowned and spectacular scenery which brings visitors to the numerous parks along the misty ocean fjords up to the breathtaking Rocky Mountains. Here lies wilderness in the truest sense of the word and the booming ecotourism and outdoor recreation industries are helping to ensure the province stays that way.

For world class winter sports, one need only look to the upcoming 2010 Olympics to understand the stature of British Columbia's mountains, and whatever American's might say, the Canadian Rockies tower over the U.S. Equally magnificent is exploring the province by boat from the San Juans along Vancouver Island and up past Queen Charlotte Sound to the Inside Passage. Between your adventures, you'll pass cities punctuated with Edwardian architecture and modern skyscrapers, rustic lodges and First Nations' plank houses. That is the beauty of British Columbia: the passing of time is all perfectly recorded for those lucky enough to witness it.