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VancouverNicknamed Hollywood North for the ever-present film crews, Canada's west coast gem of Vancouver is young, thriving and diverse, with the perfect combination of exquisite natural beauty and the modern conveniences of a city side by side. Named after Royal Navy sea captain George Vancouver who sailed into the Burrard Inlet on the British Columbian coast in 1792, Vancouver was barely even a town 100 years ago. Today more than two million souls call it home, and the shiny Jetson-style towers of Yaletown and the downtown core contrast dramatically with the snow-capped mountain backdrop,
creating a laid back atmosphere amongst the bustle of Canada's third biggest city.
Approximately the same size as the downtown area, the city's green heart is Canada's largest city park, Stanley Park, covering hundreds of acres filled with lush forest and crystal clear lakes. Visitors can wander the sea wall along the exterior of the park, catch a free trolley bus tour, a horse-drawn carriage ride or visit the Vancouver Aquarium housed within the park. The city's past is preserved in historic Gastown with its cobblestone streets, steam powered clock and quaint feel, though this is combined with expensive souvenir shops and galleries aimed at tourists. Neighbouring Chinatown, with its weekly market, Dr Sun Yat-Sen classical Chinese gardens and restaurants adds an exotic flair. For some retail therapy or celebrity spotting, there is always the trendy Robson Street.
During the winter months snow sports are the order of the day on nearby Grouse Mountain, perfect for skiing and snowboarding, although the city itself gets more rain than snow. Vancouver's incredible ethnic diversity and combination of mountains, sea and city, offers visitors an endless supply of things to see and do, no matter the budget.
Getting Around: The efficient, integrated Translink public transport system is good value and includes buses; electric trolley buses; the computerised Sky Train (light rail) that has four underground downtown stops as well as an elevated track; West Coast Express trains (week days only) and SeaBus passenger ferries that connect downtown to North Vancouver. The network reaches every part of the city, including the beaches and ski slopes. After midnight the regular bus system is replaced by a limited 'Owl' night bus service on main routes. Fares are based on a zone system and tickets are valid for buses, the SkyTrain and SeaBus with transfers valid for 90 minutes from the time they are validated. Various travel passes are available, but the cheapest is probably the DayPass, which allows unlimited transport and is valid across all zones. Taxis are easy to come by at taxi stands, hotels or by telephone, but can be difficult to hail outside of the downtown area. Vancouver's traffic and road situation is fairly well-ordered, but hiring a car is not necessary in the city because the public transport is more than sufficient.
Vancouver IslandDubbed Canada's 'Paradise on the Pacific', Vancouver Island is an exquisite combination of dense rainforest, pristine coastline, rugged mountains, glittering glaciers and crystalline lakes and rivers, all within an easy distance from the Mainland of British Columbia. The Island is 285 miles (460km) long and 50 miles (80km) wide, and the Vancouver Island Ranges, running down most of the island's length, divide it into a drier, undulant east coast and a wetter, rockier west coast. The rugged west coast (known as the Pacific Rim) is littered with bays, inlets and fjords and boasts beautiful landscapes and a diversity of wildlife, making it a popular spot for tourists, who come to indulge in hiking, fishing, kayaking with Orcas, whale watching and more. This area does, however, receive some of the heaviest precipitation in the world and visitors should plan activities around the possibility of heavy storms in winter and plenty of rain. Inland, one finds dozens of lakes (the largest of which is Kennedy Lake), and dominating the central part of the Island is the popular Strathcona Provincial Park, home to the Island's glaciers, including the largest, the Comox Glacier, as well an abundance of birds and wildlife that includes Roosevelt Elk, cougars and wolves. Victoria, on the southern tip of the Island, is the capital of British Columbia, and home to just less than 50 percent of the island's population. The city is a major tourist destination and visitors flock to enjoy its many sights and sounds, including the Legislative Buildings and the famous Butchart Gardens. Vancouver Island is well worth a visit and with so much to see and do, one could never claim to be bored.
Getting Around: Vancouver Island is easy to negotiate and there are several transportation options. Ferry services operate from both Vancouver (run by BC Ferries) and neighboring Washington State in the USA, as well as between points on the Island and neighboring Gulf Islands. Scheduled flights by major airlines, as well as helicopter and floatplane services are also available There is a rail service between several Island communities along the east side of the Island, from Victoria to Courtenay, and the island's highway connects all major points and has loops to scenic marine-side highways.
Ski ResortsThe skiing in British Columbia is world renown, largely due to the popularity of Whistler Blackcomb, which is regularly voted the
World's Best Ski Resort.Locals of British Columbia, however, know that there are many other lesser-know resorts which also offer exceptional skiing.
Vancouver's North Shore is where most locals learn to ski. The resorts at Grouse Mountain, Mount Seymour and Cypress Bowl may not have the most challenging runs, but they command a loyal following being less than an hour's drive from central Vancouver and easily accessible by public transport. Vancouver Island also has its own ski resort, Mount Washington. After Whistler, it is BC's most popular ski resort with the most reliable snow conditions in the province.
Whistler Blackcomb is an extensive ski area sixty miles (100km) north of Vancouver. It is most popular for downhill skiing but offers a full array of winter activities including snowboarding, heli-skiing and dog sledding. Whistler is within the Garibaldi Provincial Park, a popular area for cross-country skiing. North of Whistler, The Pemberton Icefield is a popular heli-skiing destination.
There are many lesser-known ski resorts in the interior of British Columbia, including Apex Mountain, Big White, Sun Peaks and Silver Star, which also offer world-class skiing. Big White has a growing reputation and due to the dry air of the interior it offers some of the best powder skiing in the world.
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