WESTERN CANADA GREAT PARKS

About the destination: Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. Vancouver is the eighth largest Canadian municipality and one of the most ethnically and linguistically diverse cities in Canada. Explore the cobbled streets, shopping, dining and unique architecture of Gastown, a national historic site. Vancouver houses the second largest Chinatown in North America after San Francisco. It has many unique, as well as traditional shops. Granville Island is a popular peninsula connected to Vancouver. With its colourful market, it's a draw amongst locals and visitors alike. Vancouver wouldn't be the same without Stanley Park, one of the great urban parks. It's a perfect city escape. Overlooking Vancouver city, Grouse Mountain has winter skiing and even an excellent wildlife refuge. Vancouver has grown into a cosmopolitan city nestled in the great outdoors. Enjoy the snow-capped mountains, waterfront forests, cityside beaches, Olympic history and the world’s highest suspension bridge.

About the destination: Penticton benefits from its unique setting between Okanagan and Skaha Lakes. Bounded by forested ridges, clay bank cliffs and granite bluffs with easy access to mountain lakes and winter resorts, there's a strong focus on outdoor recreation that can be experienced in all seasons. But Penticton is also centred in Okanagan wine country and rich agricultural lands provide fresh ingredients for local menus, making this a growing food and wine destination with an abundance of urban attractions for culturally-minded visitors. Water Activities With the beaches of Okanagan Lake to the north and Skaha Lake to the south, summer in Penticton is the time to get wet. Swim, fish, kayak, wakeboard, water ski, jet ski, windsurf and kite surf. On Okanagan Lake, beginners try a tandem flight, experts fly solo, with Penticton Parasail Adventures. Board the Casabella Princess for an afternoon cruise. Skaha Lake is home to even more adventure with excellent conditions for wind and kite surfers. Public boat launch areas on both lakes provide easy access for visitors towing their own boats and all the toys are readily available for rent. For the ultimate lazy summer day, join the party floating the Okanagan River Channel that connects the two lakes. Rent a tube from Coyote Cruises or bring one and take their shuttle. Anglers cast a line in the big lakes or take to the high country. Guiding services like Passionate Pursuits know where the fish are biting. Land Activities Hiking and cycling trails abound in and around Penticton. Stroll the Kiwanis Promenade along Okanagan Beach, follow the pathway beside the Okanagan River Channel or set off for Munson Mountain lookout. Take to the countryside for a quiet ride through vineyards and orchards, check out the scenery and historic sites on the KVR (Kettle Valley Railway) Trail or head to Ellis Canyon in the highlands. To jack up the adrenaline, mountain bikers attack the technical challenges of Three Blind Mice trails, while rock climbers tackle the world famous Skaha Bluffs. Golf Penticton offers the Okanagan's only year-round golf course, Skaha Meadows. This is one of three nine-hole courses that are generally laid out with easy walking in mind, but still deliver some terrific mountain and lake views and designs to challenge every handicap. The city's championship 6101-yard Penticton Golf Club demands straight drives on narrow fairways and a strong short game to come close to par 70. Winter Activities The snow is deep and dry in the highlands around Penticton, ideal for every kind of winter activity. Apex Mountain Resort offers the full cold weather experience with downhill skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, snowmobiling and ice skating. Apex is also known for its World Cup aerial and mogul courses. Cross-country skiers explore 65km/40.4mi of groomed trails at Nickel Plate Nordic Centre where the 1829m/6000ft elevation ensures a long season. Facilities include day lodge with kitchen, eating and lounge areas, equipment rentals and available lessons. Food & Wine Penticton lies in the heart of Okanagan wine country. The Visitor Centre lists 44 wineries within a 20-minute drive. Or stay in the city and browse the 400 labels representing over 60 wineries at the VQA Wine Shop, located in the Visitor Centre. How-to-taste wine tutorials are available any time with the daily tasting menu. Penticton is also located in the only region in BC where peaches and apricots will grow along with other tree fruits like cherries, plums, apples and pears. Sample fresh produce at roadside stands, in locally prepared preserves and on the tables of Penticton restaurants. Pair the meal with an Okanagan wine or for a change of taste, try an ale or lager produced by one of Penticton's three micro-breweries. Arts, Culture & Historical Penticton supports a lively cultural community. The Okanagan School of the Arts draws developing artists and art is displayed all over the city in galleries, studios, traffic circles, public parks, coffee shops and wineries. The vibrant performing arts scene includes the Okanagan Symphony Orchestra, live stage productions by Penticton's active theatre groups who perform in the Orchard House Theatre and the Cannery Stage. Big name performers hit the stage at the South Okanagan Events Centre and world music plays the small stage at the Dream Café. Culture and heritage fuse at Penticton's historic sites. Experience the age of lake transport aboard the SS Sicamous, which hosts a working model of the Kettle Valley Railway. Learn more about sternwheelers and railways at the Penticton Museum, where exhibits also delve into the history of the Okanagan First Nations. Attractions Make family memories at Loco Landing with activities like mini-golf, go-carts, bumper boats and rock climbing. Fly high for an eagle's eye view of the city, lakes and mountains on a Southwestern Skies sightseeing tour. Explore the Okanagan lakeshore with a narrated cruise aboard the Casabella Princess.

About the destination: Revelstoke is a city in southeastern British Columbia, Canada. It is located 641 kilometres (398 mi) east of Vancouver, and 415 kilometres (258 mi) west of Calgary, Alberta. The city is situated on the banks of the Columbia River just south of the Revelstoke Dam and near its confluence with the Illecillewaet River. East of Revelstoke are the Selkirk Mountains and Glacier National Park, penetrated by Rogers Pass used by the Trans-Canada Highway and the Canadian Pacific Railway. South of the community down the Columbia River are the Arrow Lakes and the Kootenays. West of the city is Eagle Pass through the Monashee Mountains and the route to Shuswap Lake.

About the destination: Banff is the gateway to the National Park of the same name, holding some of Canada's most beautiful natural jewels. The town itself is fairly small and touristy. There are a ton of places to eat and shop, similar to any resort town. The town is located in the Bow River valley and is the perfect base to explore the great outdoors. With spectacular mountains, glaciers and moraine lakes, you will have scenery like few other places. Banff National Park is Canada's oldest national park, established in 1885 in the Rocky Mountains. The park, located 110–180 km west of Calgary in the province of Alberta, encompasses 6,641 km2 of mountainous terrain, with numerous glaciers and ice fields, dense coniferous forest, and alpine landscapes. The Icefields Parkway extends from Lake Louise, connecting to Jasper National Park in the north. Provincial forests and Yoho National Park are neighbours to the west, while Kootenay National Park is located to the south and Kananaskis Country to the southeast. Come to Banff in winter to enjoy the skiing and at other times of the year to revel in the grandeur of its magnificent surroundings. The hiking around Banff is wonderful, but if you don't want to go hiking, you could also just sit in the hot springs and relax.

About the destination: Jasper is a town in Jasper National Park in the Alberta Rockies region of Alberta, Canada. Jasper National Park is part of a Canada wide system of National Parks, national historic sites and national marine conservation areas. Jasper along with Banff, Kootenay, and Yoho national parks and Mount Robson, Hamber and Assiniboine provincial parks in B.C form the world-renowned Canadian Rockies World Heritage Site Jasper is known for its magnificent glaciers, including North America's most accessible glacier, the Athabasca. You will also come across smaller glaciers while hiking in the mountains. Jasper has over 1000kms of hiking trails and some are quite easily accessible from the town centre.

About the destination: 100 Mile House is a town and district municipality located in the South Cariboo region of central British Columbia, Canada. 100 Mile House was originally known as Bridge Creek House, named after the creek running through the area. Its origins as a settlement go back to the time when Thomas Miller owned a collection of ramshackle buildings serving the traffic of the gold rush as a resting point for travellers moving between Kamloops and Fort Alexandria, which was 98 miles (158 km) north of 100 Mile House farther along the HBC Brigade Trail. It acquired its current name during the Cariboo Gold Rush where a roadhouse was constructed in 1862 at the 100 miles (160 km) mark up the Old Cariboo Road from Lillooet.

About the destination: The absence of cars and abundance of cozy cafes, boutiques and gourmet restaurants give Whistler the look and feel of an idyllic European mountain village But the town's charms go far beyond its aesthetic appeal and walkability. Whistler is one of the leading areas in the world for winter leisure activities and is one of the top ski-resort towns in North America. Whistler has two great vertical-rise mountains: Blackcomb Mountain (5,280 ft/1,609 m), and Whistler Mountain (5,020 ft/1,530 m). The town was founded on these natural skiing attributes, but visitors can choose from an ever-growing selection of additional snow-related activities, including snowboarding.

About the destination: Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. Vancouver is the eighth largest Canadian municipality and one of the most ethnically and linguistically diverse cities in Canada. Explore the cobbled streets, shopping, dining and unique architecture of Gastown, a national historic site. Vancouver houses the second largest Chinatown in North America after San Francisco. It has many unique, as well as traditional shops. Granville Island is a popular peninsula connected to Vancouver. With its colourful market, it's a draw amongst locals and visitors alike. Vancouver wouldn't be the same without Stanley Park, one of the great urban parks. It's a perfect city escape. Overlooking Vancouver city, Grouse Mountain has winter skiing and even an excellent wildlife refuge. Vancouver has grown into a cosmopolitan city nestled in the great outdoors. Enjoy the snow-capped mountains, waterfront forests, cityside beaches, Olympic history and the world’s highest suspension bridge.