Get ready for an exhilarating adventure - a spectacular journey
from sea to sky...Destination: British Columbia, Canada.

Incomplete and abandoned Kunghit Haida canoe in the remote Queen Charlotte Islands

From snowy Rocky Mountain slopes to sunny beaches in downtown Vancouver, Canada's west coast province offers an unparalleled tourist destination. Whatever excitement you crave, you'll find it in super, natural British Columbia.

Rock and ice, salt spray and rain forest, desert and taiga: When you have as large a patch of land as that covered within British Columbia's borders - bigger than the states of Washington, Oregon, and California rolled into one - you need simple, rugged words to describe it. The magic of BC's wilderness is encapsulated in each of these elements, and nowhere else on the continent prepares you for the range of outdoor adventure to be found in British Columbia.

Don't be deceived by the cozy but thin veneer of civilization that has been thrown up around the wilderness. Even in the southwestern corner of the province where half of BC's population resides, those who do not respect the neighbouring wilds often face uncompromising consequences.

Here's the natural truth about BC: Venture much beyond sidewalk's end and you come face to face with a landscape shaped by the girth of glacial ice that until quite recently covered the entire landmass. So strong was the force exerted by this miles-thick crush that, as it retreated, it cast a ragged impression in the bedrock.

Those who devote themselves to adventurous exploration of Canada's western coast eventually make their way here to hike trophy trails, ski trophy peaks, and paddle trophy waters. Fortunately, most travellers don't have to resort to extremes in order to get an inside look at these fantastic features.

Although your explorations will brush up against the churning natural forces still at work in the aftermath of the most recent ice age, with proper preparation and a confident spirit you can negotiate your way in and around the landscape, emerging with untarnishable memories of your encounter with the natural world. The land persists and is there for each of us to discover anew. The farther afield you venture, the more appreciation you'll develop for its staggering abundance.

Your journey will begin right here. BritishColumbia.com provides a comprehensive guide to B.C. information and tourism services, including accommodation, sports and recreation, transport information, a fabulous Photo Gallery, a free Postcard Service, and stunning free Screensavers. Select a category from the menu bar on the left to commence your exploration of British Columbia.