Exploring Western Canada
You’ve explored so much of Canada by road — what makes Western Canada such a special region for summer adventures?
Exploring by road is the best way to experience Western Canada! The drives can make for long days, but that’s all part of the adventure. You can find beautiful views you never even knew existed, little mountain towns, quaint shops, and local food along the way.
What makes it so special is the variety of experiences you can have in one trip. You can go from glacier lakes and high alpine views to a rugged coastline and ocean breeze all within a few days.
Angela Liguori’s Guide to the Best Summer Road Trips in Western Canada
Freelance photographer and outdoor storyteller Angela Liguori shares her favourite Western Canada road trips, hikes, wildlife encounters, and summer escapes.
I also love how accessible the beauty of Canada can be. Of course, there are incredible places that require long hikes or backcountry trips to reach, but you can drive along some of the most incredible roads and be wowed right from your window. The Icefields Parkway in Alberta is one of those roads that will make you pull over many, many times. The Sea to Sky Highway, especially paired with the ferry ride from Horseshoe Bay to Nanaimo, is another favorite of mine. You can head up to Northern BC for incredible (and rugged) views or go to Vancouver Island to drive along the coastline.
What’s your ideal Western Canada road trip itinerary or route?
To me, the most ideal Western Canada road trip route would be from Vancouver to Cal-
Why Canada’s Waterfalls Park Is a Must-See for Any B.C. Road Trip
For road trippers travelling the Vancouver to Jasper corridor, Wells Gray Park offers waterfalls, wilderness, and uncrowded outdoor adventure.
Wells Gray Park, known as Canada’s Waterfalls Park, is a can’t-miss destination on the Rainforest to Rockies route. Nestled in the North Thompson Valley, in the wild heart of the B.C. Interior, Wells Gray Park offers immersive nature experiences without the crowds. While its rugged beauty and dramatic landscapes might suggest otherwise, Wells Gray is accessible, uncrowded, and welcoming. Here, there’s space to explore — no congestion or long lines. Visitors can discover the park’s 42 named waterfalls, including Helmcken Falls (the fourth-highest in Canada), and enjoy both
easy-access viewpoints and backcountry exploration. Adventurers can go whitewater rafting on wild rivers, canoe or kayak Murtle Lake’s calm waters, or hike the Trophy Meadows Trail to explore alpine wildflowers.
More than just a scenic stop, Wells Gray Park invites travellers to slow down and stay a while. With a range of accommodations, guided experiences, and countless outdoor adventures, it’s a destination worth exploring for several days.
WRITTEN BY Tania Amardeil
gary (or the other way around)—with an extension on either side to the Prairies or Vancouver Island. This combines the mountains, coast, and forest altogether. If you started in Vancouver, you could spend some time in the city, then head up the Sea to Sky Highway to Squamish, Whistler, and Pemberton. If you had more time, you could go over to Vancouver Island via the ferry (try to get a sunset sailing for beautiful views) to spend some time. Then, start the 10-to-12-hour journey to Banff. Stopping along the way in places like Chilliwack (amazing hiking), Kelowna (for great wineries), Revelstoke, and Golden. Once you get to Banff and spend time there, you could extend your trip to the Prairies as well (on my bucket list!).
Read the entire Q&A with Angela on truenorthliving.ca
Skip the crowds and discover Canada’s Waterfalls Park. Plan your Wells Gray adventure at wellsgray.ca
This article was sponsored by Tourism Wells Gray
Why This Small B.C. Town Is the Perfect Rocky Mountain Hub
Getting back to nature, this small mountain town offers travellers the perfect base in which to explore all the Rocky Mountain region has to offer.
Western Canada is renowned for its stunning mountains, outdoor recreation, and spectacular panoramic views. Millions of international visitors travel thousands of kilometres each year to experience the magic the mountain provinces have to offer. With them, however, comes a bustle that can distract from the peaceful ambiance many visitors are seeking.
To get off the beaten path, try visiting the quieter side of the Rockies. Just a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Calgary, and under eight hours from Vancouver, Golden remains one of the region’s best authentic mountain towns, offering similar access to the national parks as Banff, Lake Louise, and Canmore. Summer is a busy time no matter the destination in the Rockies, but in spring, fall, and winter, Golden offers a quiet seclusion no longer synonymous with other mountain destinations.
A base camp to the Rockies Golden sits within a two-hour drive of six national parks: Yoho, Glacier, Kootenay, Banff, Jasper, and Mount Revelstoke. It’s the perfect base camp for those looking to explore the Rockies with the ability to visit two or three of the world’s most beautiful natural
reserves in a single day. To the east lies the iconic sightseeing of Yoho National Park with Emerald Lake and Wapta Falls. To the west lies the remote Glacier National Park with the historic Rogers Pass and beautiful glacier views.
Outside of its idyllic location, Golden itself has plenty of activities geared toward travellers of all types and skill levels. Nearby, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort offers lift-accessed hiking where visitors can explore trails of varying difficulty levels, taking them along the ridges of the high alpine. For the animal lovers, the resort is also home to a resident grizzly bear, Boo. Nearby, 426 feet above Columbia Valley, the Golden Skybridge hosts Canada’s highest suspension bridges and a special kind of adventure with unforgettable familyfriendly experiences and everything from ziplines to the Railrider Mountain Coaster.
The Columbia River is one of the area’s most popular destinations for river floats, canoeing, kayaking, and birdwatching, with hundreds of species and over 15,000 migratory birds visiting the area every year.
A budding mountain destination
All through the year, a visit to Golden offers unique opportunities for adventurers to tackle new challenges and
experience the mountain region in a unique way. In the winter, Golden is defined by world-renowned skiing and other snow-based activities, sitting within a two-hour drive of five world-class ski resorts. In late spring, adventurers can tackle whitewater rafting, ATV tours, mountain biking, wildlife watching, and any number of outdoor activities suitable for both thrill-seekers and those looking for more general family fun. In early fall, the temperatures cool and it’s the best time of year for hiking, while late fall brings snow-covered mountains and a slower, cozier pace. Regardless of the season, visitors are encouraged to plan ahead, keep an eye on weather conditions, and have the right equipment for their adventures.
Golden, B.C., offers an escape to the mountains like no other, and with its unbeatable location and budding reputation, it’s not likely to be the Rockies’ best-kept secret for much longer.
WRITTEN BY Sonya Friesen
SCENERY
