GRIZZLY BEAR WATCHING IN BRITISH COLUMBIA
Posted by Roy
You can’t say we don’t bring you variety and excitement in our holiday choices on this site! You might think this sounds crazy but just keep reading. Our next suggestion for a great adventure holiday is grizzly bear watching in British Columbia.
If you are looking for an unusual holiday for next year and are starting your search and planning now, consider a trip to Northern British Columbia,“Canada’s Playground” to see the Canadian Grizzly bears in the wild. The Great Bear Rain Forest is situated in a beautiful river valley deep in the Coast Range Mountains. The river and its estuary are considered some of the best places in the world to see Grizzly Bears, Black Bears, Wolves and the Bald Eagle. The best time to visit is early May through to October
Wooden, floating, hotel lodges are moored in the salmon-filled river and provide perfect bases and viewing platforms to observe the bears. A perfect place just to watch or to take fantastic photographs of the grizzlies. An added bonus is the beautiful scenery and the spectacular waterfalls cascading down the granite cliffs into the valley.
In early spring the bears descend from hibernation in the mountains to graze on grasses and other succulents and to mate. Later, mothers may be seen teaching young cubs the essentials of survival. In the summer and early fall, the bears are also attracted to the many salmon-spawning streams which feed both the valley and the numerous coastal inlets. The bear population reaches its peak in October before they move back into hibernation.
In spring the light is perfect for photography enabling you to record this unique scene of bears in their native habitat.
Given the wild terrain in this part of the world, the easiest access is by floatplane from Port Hardy. Such flights are an adventure in themselves with small floatplanes being an essential means of travel in this beautiful part of Canada. The low level flights between mountain peaks (you could almost touch!) along deep valleys and over lakes provide passengers with a unique flying experience not gained on normal commercial flights.
British Columbia is sure to leave a profound impression on most people who witness its splendour. The region has long been committed to the conservation of the wildlife which abounds on land and in the rivers and sea.
So for all you adventurers out there who are looking for something new and exciting to do and to tell your friends about you can’t beat grizzly bear watching in British Columbia for a truly exciting and unique experience.
HELISKIING - A FANTASTIC CHRISTMAS ADVENTURE
Posted by Roy
Why not try Heliskiing this year for a fantastic Christmas Adventure. Heliskiing is off-trail, downhill skiing in a mountain wilderness, accessible only by helicopter. You ski in unspoilt areas where seldom visited terrain exists. You should have either intermediate or advanced experience, although the introduction of “fat” skis has enabled less experienced skiers to participate.
Heliskiing was pioneered in British Columbia, Canada, over 40 years ago and BC is becoming the world’s number one destination for the sport. Sadly, heliskiing is banned in France, almost forbidden in Austria and just about tolerated in Italy and Switzerland because of suggested noise problems. Exactly who are being annoyed by noise in these remote locations is questionable.
The season runs from late December through to April and British Columbia scores due to its weather, high mountain ranges, heavy snowfall with powder type snow and great organization for skiers. There are many locations and at least 25 ski lodges act as bases in the area. Types of helicopters vary as does the location of the lodges – some being in towns with others in rather remote places.
From the Pacific Coast to the Rockies is about 800 miles and the winter weather varies. The Coastal Mountains provide a moist and milder climate, conducive to heavy snowfalls while air is cooler over the Chilcotin Range to the north east giving light and fluffy snow. To the east, the temperatures drop and the Monashees, Purcells and Selkirks provide the best tree skiing in the world.
All locations offer access to vast expanses of untracked terrain. The Coastal Mountains near Whistler and Pemberton offer untracked peaks by day and lively nightlife in Whistler after a hard day on the mountains. The Okanagan Region with Wells Gray and Mount Robson is one of the world’s largest snowbelts, with mind-blowing descents over awesome glaciers. In the Kootenay Rockies, heliskiing excels on 5 majestic peaks. The Chilcotin Coast is for the fearless with its steep descents and finally Northern British Columbia, a natural wilderness with a sparse population, with a season lasting until April.
Heliskiing is different and may not be for the faint-hearted but it is a fantastic experience and well worth considering instead of a conventional skiing holiday in Europe or USA. So for a really fantastic Christmas Adventure Holiday why not consider Heliskiing?
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