"Beautiful weather and unbelievable scenery make British Columbia a popular tourist destination."
Filled with mountains, forests, lakes and rivers, British Columbia offers nearly every conceivable type of outdoor activity. The stunning Rocky Mountains are one of the world's top destinations for skiing and snowboarding, and the hills are open year-round. Whistler Blackcomb Mountain, site of the 2010 Winter Olympics, has the largest skiing area in North America, featuring over 200 marked runs. Hiking and climbing, camping and fishing, hunting and mountaineering are just some of the many activities people enjoy in British Columbia's vast wilderness preserves.
Conservation and ecological awareness are part of the culture in B.C. and the province has many large, protected provincial parks. Kootenay National Park is famous for its hot springs, while Mount Revelstoke National Park contains the world's only inland temperate rainforest. The beautiful islands and inlets of the coast also provide many opportunities for water sports. Kayaking and sailing are both very popular, and anyone out on the water should keep their eyes peeled for the regions plentiful marine life, especially killer whales and playful seals.
Many British Columbians reside in, or near, Vancouver, Canada's third largest city. Surrounded by mountains on one side, and the beautiful Georgia Strait on the other, it is consistently ranked as one of the best cities in the world to live. Known for its laid-back, healthy way of life, Vancouver is has also wrested the title of 'Hollywood North' from Toronto, as many films and television shows are produced here. Hiking, sailing, cycling and skiing are year-round activities here, and Vancouverites have a passion for the outdoors. With a large number of immigrants the city has a thriving Chinatown, and a fantastic array of international cuisine.
With winter sports all year round, and warm weather in the valleys, a trip to British Columbia makes sense any time of year.