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ViewsBritish ColumbiaFrom eTripTips Wiki
British Columbia is a very mountainous region. There are a number of major mountain ranges ending with the Rocky Mountains that divide BC and Alberta. Like in most places worth visiting, there is a little something for everyone here. However, you will want to spend at least some time outside of the main cities in this region, and if you enjoy a very active and adventurous vacation, there are many options here to explore. "Ecotourism" is an often mentioned attraction in this part of Canada. Whether backpacking in the majestic forests or coast mountains, or kayaking through the many groups of islands, getting off the beaten path is sure to lead to a memorable trip.
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[edit] Understand BC was the sixth province to join the Confederation of Canada, in 1871. Being on the Pacific, it has always had a strong Asian influence. The indigenous people of BC have been called Indians or Native Canadians, but now the generally accepted term is First Nation. Prior to arrival of Europeans BC was a very prosperous area. This was largely due the abundance of salmon. This was demonstrated by the advanced culture that existed in BC. More than thirty languages belonging to seven different language families were spoken in BC. Initially the arrival of Europeans was a positive relationship. However, eventually the Europeans brought smallpox and other diseases, which decimated the First Nations population. Many First Nations people were encouraged or even forcibly required to send their children to residential schools during the early to mid 20th century. These schools were government sponsored and church run. The primary intent of the schools was to assimilate the First Nation population. Children were taught that their culture was backward and evil and not allowed to speak their native languages. Many of the First Nation communities have being trying to revive their culture and are now often the center of much of the ecotourism industry. With a few exception, the First Nations of BC (unlike the rest of Canada) have never signed treaties or officially ceded their territory to Canada. Therefore the official ownership of much of the province is contested as the First Nations claim much of the province as their territory. The courts have generally acknowledged that there is a basis for the claims based on historical use of the land and has urged the governments to negotiate a settlement to these claims. Settling these land claims is an enormous issue that the Province and the Country have been trying to do. So far only one modern treaty has been signed in the Nis'ga territory in Northern BC. [edit] TalkAlthough Canada is officially a bilingual French/English country, you would be hard pressed to find many French-speaking people in BC. Services from the federal government are officially available in both English and French. Provincial and municipal governments operate in English only. Some businesses, especially in Vancouver and Victoria offer services in a number of languages (primarily Asian ones). Banks sometimes indicate by a sign in the window which languages are offered. At one time Chinook Jargon, a trading language, was common and almost became the official language of BC. Now there are very few speakers of the language, but many terms from the language are common slang terms in parts of BC.
[edit] Get in[edit] By PlaneThe Vancouver airport is the major international airport, which is served by most major international airlines. Victoria also has an international airport that has service to a number of locations within Canada and to some in the United States. [edit] By CarThere are land border crossings from the United States into BC from Washington (state), Idaho, Montana and Alaska. BC is also connected to Alberta and the Yukon by highways. [edit] By BoatThere are ferrys from Washington (state) into Victoria and Sidney, and from Alaska into Prince Rupert. [edit] By RailThere is rail service by Amtrak from Seattle to Vancouver. Within Canada; VIA Rail offers several different passenger trains. "The Canadian", while no longer running on the CPR; travellers can take VIA Rail along the historic and scenic Canadian National Railway. Although between Mission, BC and Ashcroft, BC the eastbound VIA train runs on Canadian Pacific track due to a directional running agreement between Canadian Pacific and Canadian National. VIA Rail also offers passenger rail service between Jasper, AB, Prince George, BC and Prince Rupert, BC on the north coast with "The Skeena" that runs over Canadian National's former Grand Truck Pacific BC North line, "The Skeena" connects with BC Ferries' Inside Passage and Queen Charlotte routes at Prince Rupert. [edit] Get aroundBC is a large province. The most convenient way to get to much of the province is by air. However, this can be quite expensive. It is often more expensive to fly to some point in BC than it is to fly to Europe. Vancouver is the regional hub for most air service within BC. Float planes can also be convenient for accessing many coastal locations. Getting around here is not always easy. Many worthwhile destinations are outside of the cities and not accessible by public transportation options. This makes renting a car quite a popular option for getting around. If you look around however, you will find other options, mostly buses of some variety or another. Pacific Coach Lines and Greyhound operate standard bus service on some of the more popular routes between cities. Sometimes you can arrange to be dropped off at points in between, and in the summer, many different guided bus tours are available. Moose Travel Network runs a unique service on less travelled routes that is a combination between "just getting you there" and a tour of some very worthwhile destinations. They have a number of quite flexible packages available, many of them connecting the coast with popular destinations in the Canadian Rockies like Jasper, Banff, Calgary, Vancouver Island and Whistler. You will also find that the ferry service (provided by BCFerries) is indispensable to access many island and coastal communities. Some of the smaller islands can be visited on foot or by bicycle, but in many cases additional road transportation is necessary. Although ferry service is generally reliable, taking an automobile on board is rarely cheap, and you will likely find it cheaper to take the ferry as a foot passenger and rent an automobile from your destination. If you are taking bus service across a ferry, you should confirm when buying your bus ticket that the ferry fare is included. Along with "The Canadian" and "The Skeena" VIA Rail Canada operates "The Malahat", a daily regional passenger service between Victoria, the Captial City, and Courtenay, BC(139 railway miles north of Victoria)on the Southern Railway of Vancouver Island, the former Esquimalt and Nanaimo Railway. "The Malahat" makes one round trip daily out of Victoria while "The Canadian" and "The Skeena" run three times per week. Rocky Mountain Rail Tours operates tourist trains from Vancouver to Whistler, Vancouver to Kamloops, Kamloops to Banff or Calgary, Kamloops to Jasper, and Whistler to Jasper during the tourist season(May-October). There are many tourist railroad operations that run in BC. The Alberni Pacific Railway in Port Alberni, BC that runs on former Esquimalt and Nanaimo Railway trackage. The Kettle Valley Steam Railway that runs out of Summerland BC on the last remaining portion of the famous Kettle Valley Railway. The Kamloops Historical Railway that runs ex-CNR steam over the Kelowna Pacific, CN, and CPR. The White Pass and Yukon Route operates out of Skagway, AL and northern BC. [edit] See
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[edit] DrinkThe legal drinking age in BC is 19. Alcohol is available from the government liquor stores (BCL). It is also available from private beer and wine stores which are usually associated with a pub or bar. Most BCL stores close at 8pm while most private liquor stores are open until 11pm. You cannot buy alcohol in grocery stores. BC is home to a number of breweries, one of the Largest is the Columbia Brewery in Creston which brews Kokanee. In Vancouver the Granville Island Brewery makes popular beer, both the Granville Island Brewery and the Columbia Brewery offer tours. BC is also well-renowned for its wine and the Okanagan is a perfect area to visit during the Autumn harvest. There are numerous small wineries open for tastings. [edit] Smoke British Columbia (Vancouver in particular) is one of the few places in the world were recreational marijuana smoking is tolerated. Employing a progressive social policy similar to the one used in the Netherlands, Vancouver boasts a small handful of marijuana 'cafes' (*not called coffeeshops like in Holland) where the open smoking of soft drugs is tolerated. Local police have even been witnessed using the ATM machines inside the local marijuana cafe's while patons sit literally feet away smoking hashish and marijuana out in the open without fear or arrest. The one major difference between the marijuana 'cafe's' in B.C. and the 'coffeeshops' in Holland is that the soft drugs are not sold inside the B.C. pot cafe's. Patrons must bring their own smoke obtained from outside sources (*Marijuana is readily available on many downtown streets and is of the highest quality in the world). Otherwise there is little difference between the two types of establishments. While not technically considered legal, possession of small amounts of marijuana or hashish for personal recreational use is tolerated and not generally punishable by law. Marijuana cultivation however is a major problem in British Columbia and punishable by stiff fines and (sometimes for repeat offenders) jail sentences. Tourists are advised to exercise the same common sense, respect and precautions used when smoking soft drugs in Holland (i.e. while it may be possible to walk down the streets of Vancouver smoking a joint, please don't do so out of respect for the locals. Also do not flaunt or talk loudly about your soft drug use in public. If you do so you will instantly stand out to the locals and the more savvy visitors, plus you may draw unwanted attention to yourself from police and the criminal element that exists on some Vancouver streets). Also keep in mind Vancouver has strict anti-smoking laws that prohibits smoking inside of most public buildings including bars and nightclubs. Smoking soft drugs (not tobacco products) is allowed inside the pot cafes however, and some are fitted with special smoking rooms in the back. Many visitors from foreign countries,most notably the USA, come to Vancouver as a cheap vacation alternative (vs. going to Holland in Europe) and to partake in the local marijuana scene. Many of these people have never been to Holland and do not understand the finer points of progressive social policies like those found in Vancouver and the Netherlands. This article is vital reading for those planning a visit to Vancouver to sample it's marijuana culture. [edit] Stay SafeOutside of the metropolitan areas, much of BC is remote wilderness. Avalanches are common killers of back country skiers in the spring, and always inform yourself about local concerns with carnivorous wildlife, i.e. bears and cougars (sometimes they attack people if they feel threatened). Petty property crime is a problem in the major cities, so don't leave items visible in a vehicle. Violent crime is relatively infrequent. Simple precautions will normally preclude a brush with crime. A problem area for tourists to avoid is the infamous East Hastings area of Vancouver. Recent experiments with late bar/nightclub closing times (4am) have also led to increased problems and violence on Granville Street in downtown Vancouver (especially on weekends).
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