The Whistler Corridor is terrific hiking territory because there is such a diverse collection of great trails from which to choose. The Crater Rim Loop certainly fits the bill.

This area north of Squamish is a fascinating one. It is part of the Whistler Interpretive Forest of which there are three in the Squamish area. These areas have been cut over a few years ago. A cut over is an area that has had its trees cut down and the logs removed.

In reality, there isn’t really any area of old growth forest remaining anywhere in the lower mainland. All the forests have been logged at least once and more often than not, twice. Trees grow fast in British Columbia.

This hike covers a multitude of trails. You may hike for as little as an hour or two, to long, multi day, backpacking hikes. Hiking in BC is incredible.

To get to the start of this hike you need to travel 2½ km south of whistler to the signposted entrance on the left of highway 99. From Squamish you must travel 48 km north and turn right just past the railway crossing. At the east end of the parking lot is the Riverside Trail.

You have two choices. You can park here and walk the Riverside trail up to the Loggers Lake trailhead, or you may drive to the Loggers Lake Parking lot and hike the Crater rim Loop trail from there.

Let’s start by doing the Riverside trail.

The trail begins with a rise over a ridge and descends to cross Cheakamus Lake Road, continues through a nice forested area before you hit the Westside road . You cross the Cheakamus river just ahead. Hiking in BC is always a pleasure and full of rich scenery.

You will hike along the river. Various interpretive boards have been installed along the way. As you continue the trail nears the road where kayakers may put in for a swift journey.

At about 2km along this trail you come to a fork. The left will take you up and over a suspension bridge where you continue to join up with the east side trails.

If you continue along the Riverside trail you will come to the Loggers Lake parking lot.

At the parking lot you have two choices. You may continue on Riverside trail which will join up with the Basalt Valley trail and the Riparian trail or, take the Crater Rim trail. Hiking in BC will keep you in great condition.

From the parking lot you walk up a road for a few minutes and come to the beginning of the Crater Rim Loop. The sign post will tell you that over the next 3.2 km the trail will rise 100 meters. Much of the altitude is gained in the first part of the hike leading to the rim.

The trail now meanders along through a fairly sparse forest. Here and there you get glimpses of the lake and the valley on the left. You walk along and then come to another junction where the Ridge Trail leads off to the left to join up with the Basalt trail.

You go right and travel along the rim. Notice the views of the Black Tusk There is a nice resting place here. Great place for a lunch. Hiking in BC you meet the nicest people. The trail continued along the rim. Soon you will enjoy views of Mount Fee and another one called Mount Caley.

Now you will go down an incline and across a rock slide. After you pass some scrub bush you pass over two old roads and come to where the Ridge trail heads off north into the forest. The right trail leads to Loggers Lake. Keep on the trail to another junction.

Keeping left you will be on the short route back to the parking lot.

About the author:
Joe and Irma Mac Millan have enjoyed the Whistler Mountain and valley area of British Columbia for many years. They have camped, hiked and skied the mountains and fished and kayaked the rivers and lakes. Their website One couples guide to the exciting Whistler-outdoors is a must for anyone considering a trip to Whistler as well as the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. They invite one and all to take a look.

What makes a golf course good may not necessarily mean it is beautiful, but it sure helps to have the perfect location. Play these five courses in Whistler Pemberton and you will be certain you have found Nirvana.

If British Columbia is a golfers Paradise, then Whistler golf clubs will get you to where heaven begins. It is a destination known around the world for its spectacular mountains, unsurpassed skiing, limitless outdoor adventures, charming alpine village and now its golf.

This picturesque valley, surrounded by immense, snow-covered peaks, pristine lakes and glacier-fed streams, is home to five of Canada’s top 100 golf courses. Your Whistler golf vacation will be played on these spectacular courses these gentlemen, Palmer, Nicklaus, Trent Jones Jr., and Robert Cupp have created. Masterpieces in this unequalled setting.

Everyone knows the amazing story of Jack Nicklaus. Apart from his on course accomplishments, his reputation as the worlds best course designer speaks for itself. With over 300 courses built world wide, Nicklaus North at Whistler is a jewel. With snow capped peaks in the distance, clean, clear air to breathe and a setting fit for royalty, Nicklaus North offers forgiving fairways and captivating greens at every turn in this incredible 18 hole layout.

Whistler Golf and Country Club owes its life to The King, Arnold Palmer. Every professional golfer today owes a debt of gratitude to Palmer. His amazing golf game and his ability to raise the financial stakes reflected in million dollar purses, have elevated him to the well deserved title, The King. Incredible views, signature Palmer design and risk/reward fairways and greens. These things aside, it is the friendly attitude that surrounds you, from the cart boy to the starter to the servers at the bar, you’ll quickly notice that Whistler Golf and Country Club is truly different.

Robert Trent Jones Jr. and Fairmont Chateau Whistler Golf Club. Is this pairing class, or what? Links Magazine calls it “mountain golf at it’s finest”. It has been rated four and a half stars by Golf Digest. Opened in 1993 the championship par 72, 18 hole layout shows Mr. Jones skill as a course designer to be exemplary as he allowed nature to dictate the path without any commercial influences. Creeks, lakes, granite outcrops and huge Douglas firs all come into play. With elevation changes of four hundred feet, and the most magnificent scenery known to man, your score will be long forgotten before the memory of this scenic beauty fades from memory.

Pemberton’s Big Sky Golf and Country Club is awe inspiring. Bob Cupp was chosen to build it. Who is he, you may ask? Well, he was senior designer for Jack Nicklaus for fifteen years before setting out on his own. In designing Big Sky, he incorporated an emerald green river, seven lakes and rollicking creeks into one fascinating course. Pemberton Valley will add strokes to your handicap with it’s stupendous backdrop of snow capped mountains. It will be hard for you to stay focused while navigating this beauty.

Pemberton Valley Golf and Country Club. This semi private course may look like a push over but don’t be fooled. Like Big Sky, it’s tough to keep your mind on the game with the scenery coming into play on every turn, let alone hole. Sixty four hundred yards from the blue’s it is a great challenge. The bent grass greens are beautiful. The locals call the front nine, The Warm Up. The back nine, with it’s narrow fairways and target golf requirement will have you shaking your head as it is tougher than it looks.

About the author:
Joe and Irma Mac Millan have enjoyed the Whistler Mountain and valley area of British Columbia for many years. They have camped, hiked and skied the mountains and fished and kayaked the rivers and lakes. Their website http://www.whistler-outdoors.com/ is a must visit for anyone considering a trip to Whistler as well as the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. They invite one and all to take a look.

 But the problem with gateways is that people usually just pass straight through them. Pass straight through Gibsons though, and you’ll pass up a memorable opportunity.

Gibsons is a charmingly picturesque fishing village that is small enough to wander around but also contains enough restaurants, hotels, bed and breakfasts and shopping opportunities to keep you occupied for hours. All this and you can eat at Molly’s Reach, too! If you are looking for a location for a perfect family holiday then British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast, with its mild west coast climate and average of 5 – 6 hours of sunshine everyday throughout the year, is a great place to look. And Gibsons, just 10 minutes south of the Langdale Ferry Terminal on Highway 101, would be a perfect place to base yourself for a few days at least so that you can explore what this spectacular area has to offer.

Gibsons has such an abundance of varied year-round recreational activities that you will surely discover delights for all of the family. For example, in Gibsons itself, as well as the inevitable reminders of the 387 episodes of ‘Beachcombers’ that were filmed here, you can tour the scenic harbor, view the classic houses, explore the eclectic shops in Molly’s Lane market, lounge in Winegarden Park or just breathe in all the history and scenic splendor that surrounds you.

Set on Howe Sound, with Mount Elphinstowe elegantly watching over you, Gibsons obviously will have a cornucopia of delights for water enthusiasts – kayaks, sailboats, yachts and much more. If it’s beaches that enchant you then you can walk along to Armours Beach, where there was an early settlement of Squamish First Nations people, and where you will find delightfully safe swimming; or you could discover the Secret Beach, by following the long wooden steps to a pebble beach offering views across to Vancover Island and Gibsons itself; or search for a beach for yourself and make your own fascinating discovery.

Later, you could journey a little further west to Roberts Creek Provincial Park and collect your own mussels and oysters and wander amongst the artists’ studios.

For lovers of others sports, there are two golf courses nearby which both offer a warm welcome to visitors and the prospect of playing golf surrounded by the best scenery British Columbia can offer. For cyclists, there are some delightfully peaceful by-roads to explore or, if it’s mountain biking you want, then there are many specially designed trails including the Sprockids Mountain Bike Park, where your kids can have a great time ( and you, too!). For hikers, there are some gentle coastal walks or the more demanding Soames Hill climb, with its spectacular rewards waiting at the top, or, of course, the treks on Mount Elphinstowe itself for the real aficionados.

For me, the best way to reach Gibsons is to take the attractive 40 minute ferry trip from the Horseshoe Bay Ferry Terminal, itself a delightful 20 minute drive from Vancover, but there are other ways, including Floatplanes. It doesn’t matter, though, how you arrive in Gibsons; what really matters most is that this is one gateway that you shouldn’t just pass though.

Author: Tracey Jacquot
For more information about Gibsons BC and the surrounding areas visit http://www.sunshinecoast-bc.com/gibsons.html

British Columbia, on the west coast of Canada is quickly becoming one of the fastest growing tourism hotspots in North America. The reason, like so many other tourism Meccas, is landscape. In BC you will find high desert, mountains, long sandy beaches, lush rainforest, vast glaciers and everything in-between.

You’ve likely heard of BC, but there’s a good chance that you haven’t heard about the province’s fastest growing tourism destination: Tofino (www.tofino-longbeach.com). Located on the west coast of “Canada’s Big Island”, Tofino is home to long sandy beaches, world-class hotels, restaurants, and some pretty good surfing too.

Tofino gained fame in the early 90′s when logging in the region’s old-growth forests turned many of the locals into action-taking environmentalists. The logging continued and the locals grew more and more upset, and before anyone knew what happened, the Clayoquot Sound Blockade was the largest non-violent act of civil disobedience in Canadian history.

All of this media attention brought visitors to Tofino – lots of visitors. Today more than 1 million tourists pass through Tofino in a year. All of these people are crammed into a town with a year-round population of about 1700.

These people are all coming to Tofino to experience the region’s breathtaking scenery and the long, sandy beaches. Tofino’s visitors are usually the type of traveler that takes advantage of the amazing natural resources that abound in the Clayoquot Sound region. Sea kayaking is very popular, as is surfing, walking the long sandy beaches, and fishing for the huge salmon that abound in the near-shore waters.

Of all the places in BC to become a tourism Mecca, Tofino has to be one of the most unlikely. Situated at the end of a remote peninsula, it’s almost comical that some many folks flock here on a yearly basis. But once you’ve arrived in Tofino and experienced the landscape, oceanscape and the relaxed coastal way of life, you’ll probably be planning your next trip back before you leave.

About the author: Hector Fuente is a globetrotter who is currently planning his next trip back to Tofino BC (www.tofino-longbeach.com).

Squamish BC: for decades it has been an innocuous mill town on the coast of British Columbia, living in quiet and relative obscurity between it’s much more famous neighbours of Vancouver and Whistler. This quiet town of 15,000 was home to forestry industry workers, those who were tolerant of the commute to Whistler or Vancouver, and a few passionate outdoor recreationists that tended to keep there location somewhat secret.

However, the announcement that the 2010 Winter Olympics would take place in venues both north and south of them, a subsequent booming British Columbia economy, and a hot Vancouver housing market have boosted awareness of Squamish and it is now seeing substantial growth, both as a place to live and as a tourist destination. Hotels and housing developments are springing up in this town, which recently branded itself “The Outdoor Recreation Capital of Canada”.

For many, Squamish’s biggest feature, the one thing that by far sets it apart from just about any place on this planet, is the incredible variety of outdoor recreation opportunities available in this town. Just the sheer number of outdoor recreation activities available is hard to comprehend and it is a challenge to even attempt to catalogue them all. The rock climbing, mountain biking, hiking, white water kayaking, ocean kayaking, kite surfing, wind surfing, and river rafting are all frequently described as “world class” in Squamish. Add to that three great golf courses, horseback riding, scuba diving, fishing, some road cycling and options for boat tours or air tours, and it is clear that many days of adventure can be fulfilled in Squamish, whether by resident or tourist.

Geography wise, the town is dominated by the Stawamus Chief, a 600 meter solid granite monolith that literally looms over the town, sheer granite cliffs beckoning only the qualified climbers and the occasional base jumper. For the more normal, there is a steep walk up the back side, rewarding hikers with panoramic views of the Ocean, forests, rivers and coastal mountains that surround Squamish.

In winter, Squamish is close to the world famous downhill skiing destination of Whistler, BC, a short drive for residents, and a better value accommodation option for tourists. Ski touring and snowmobiling are great options closer to home, and one of nature’s most spectacular sites – the gathering of thousands of Bald Eagles – takes place on the banks of the Squamish and surrounding rivers every winter.

Well recognized as one of the best, if not the best rock climbing destination in Canada, the over 2000 documented climbing routes on solid granite have made Squamish a favorite of climbers the world over. The climbing is readily accessible, and whether novice or expert, climbers of all abilities can find almost endless challenges to fill their days.

Inching its way towards taking advantage of the growing tourism opportunities, The District of Squamish has just completed a Tourism information centre on the well-traveled Highway 99. Dubbed “The Adventure Centre” the grand, “saddle shaped” building houses a coffee shop and district offices as well.

Squamish Hotels are looking to capitalize on the opportunities provided while Squamish in on the world stage. Construction on a new large hotel has begun, and The Sea to Sky Hotel, Squamish’s longest-lived major hotel and Conference Centre, is undergoing a major renovation and upgrade to take advantage of the growing market.

Vancouver Rafting Company Canadian Outback (www.canadianoutback.com) is one of the Adventure companies looking to capitalize on the growing popularity of Squamish. They have been running rafting trips on the Squamish and Elaho rivers for over a decade, and have seen a steady growth. Beyond Rafting, they have also seen steady growth in their team building business, which uses Squamish as a convenient locale for many of their events.

For many, the jump in growth and tourism are exactly what the town has needed for a long time. If you have to walk a little further to find a great climb or pass a few more mountain bikers on the trails, all the better as it means there are more potential climbing partners or riding partners in town. It was, of course, always inevitable that an outdoor recreation paradise like this would be discovered one day, with or without the 2010 Winter Olympics dropping in on the neighbours.

Resource Box:
Canadian Outback Adventures: http://www.canadianoutback.com
Squamish Accommodation: http://www.seatoskyhotel.com
Squamish information: http://www.DiscoverSquamish.ca
Gord Addison: http://www.digitalpr.ca

Gordon Addison lives in Squamish BC and tries to write when he is not out running, climbing, hiking, mountain biking, cycling, or ski touring. He also has been known to do a bit of freelance Search Engine Optimization and website marketing. Gordon and a few friends are working on the ultimate Squamish information website at http://www.discoversquamish.ca

Boomtown Nanaimo, British Columbia, is currently one of the hottest housing markets in Canada. Baby boomers all across the country are casting their aging eyes west in their quest for a retirement haven, and the many advantages of Nanaimo, BC, are becoming known.

First off, there’s the mild climate moderated by warm Pacific currents arriving from Japan. Nanaimo only gets a couple of weeks of snow a year, quite a contrast to central and eastern Canada which can be snowed in from December to April. There’s enough rain to keep the city’s gardens and parks lush and green, but plenty of clear, dry days for outdoor enthusiasts throughout the year.

Nanaimo isn’t a big city – under 100,000 – so traffic jams are the exception, and there’s still free parking downtown. As the main service center for the upper two-thirds of Vancouver Island, the City of Nanaimo has all the services you could ask for, from the big box stores of North Nanaimo to intimate boutiques and cafes downtown.

Nanaimo is well connected. BC Ferries runs large car ferries from Nanaimo to Vancouver every couple of hours, and seaplanes are constantly coming and going on their way to/from downtown Vancouver or Vancouver International Airport. Nanaimo also has a regular airport south of town and you can get a free extension to Nanaimo on many Air Canada tickets to Vancouver.

Another great attraction for snowbird retirees is the fact that Nanaimo real estate is still affordable. Housing prices have increased 50 percent in recent years, but you can still purchase real estate here for about half which comparable properties would cost in Vancouver or Victoria. Nanaimo Realty, Remax Nanaimo, and Coast Realty Nanaimo can tell you more.

However Nanaimo’s greatest attraction is its friendly, outgoing people. Nanaimo still has a certain “small town” air lost in go-go places like Toronto, and it’s easy for newcomers to plug into the local scene. There’s always something happening in the Harbour City. It’s paradise found.

About the Author:

David Stanley’s travel series “Unknown Sights of Canada” is exclusively available on Go Nanaimo while his blog is at Go Nanaimo Blog.