SineadWestern Canada’s beauty earns the country a lot of bragging points. Famous for its rushing blue rivers, crisp pine-scented air and, of course, towering mountains, British Columbia, in particular, has one of the most stunning natural landscapes in the world. Canadians are spoiled for having so much to explore within the borders of their own country and it’s hard to argue with the fact that B.C. has so much to offer its visitors. Those who don’t know it well may be tempted to book a trip to well-known tourist hotspots Banff or Jasper but, if you’re looking to ditch the crowds and have some alone (ish) time in the mountains, consider heading over to Revelstoke, Golden or Fernie. Below, a snippet of where to eat, visit and stay during your trip.
REVELSTOKE
Perched just off the shores of the Columbia River, the railway town of Revelstoke is a bucket-list B.C. spot for travellers keen on outdoor adventure. Just a four-and-a-half-hour drive west of Calgary, this town that hides under a thick duvet of snow in winter is alive with plenty of options to kayak, hike, bike or climb in summer. Fit wanderers will be so keen on Revy, the only downside is they’ll want to stay.
EAT
Quartermaster Eatery: After working up an appetite in the mountains, there’s perhaps no better spot to settle in for dinner than Quartermaster Eatery. The aesthetically pleasing decor sets the bar high and the food doesn’t disappoint. A wise choice would be to go for a steak or the catch of the day.
Craft Bierhaus: A day filled with active pursuits calls for a beer and Craft Bierhaus, with it’s multitude of brews on tap, is the place to get one. No pub is complete without a menu of delicious comfort foods and this spot has you set with no less than eight options of mac and cheese as well as some from-the-ocean picks.
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Hike: Head to Revelstoke Mountain Resort with tons of energy bars and a full hydration pack. Ride up on the Revelation Gondola and take in the incredible views below. Off the gondola, winding trails will bring hikers on a scenic tour with the area’s wildflowers in full bloom. More serious hikers can look into taking on the Kill the Banker trail. Be warned: it’s a steep and rocky one.
Climb: Revy is a magnet for climbers in the region offering 14 areas of quality climbing with more than 360 routes. If bouldering is your thing, go for it but if you’re calm and collected with heights, there’s possibly no better way to explore a mountain than by scaling the side of one of its cliffs.
SLEEP
The Stoke Hotel: This place former motel recently got made over into the swanky, wood panelled boutique hotel it is today. The decor inside is Instagram-perfect and it has just the right amount of Canadian charm – like the flannel cushions and the locally roasted coffee served in the lobby. If heading out for a night on the town, be sure to take advantage of the free shuttles. Book a room here.
Poppi’s Guesthouse: For the past ten years, this five-bedroom hostel has been offering travellers a warm, personable vibe during their stay in Revy. These bedrooms are way cozier and private than your typical hostel dorm with each having its own mural and no more than two beds. In the evenings, guests can play table-top hockey or just chill in the common area. Book a room here.
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GOLDEN
Unable to choose which part of western Canada to visit? Golden, B.C. is the answer to an indecisive traveller’s prayers because it’s smack dab in the middle of six national parks: Banff, Jasper, Glacier, Kootenay, Yoho and Mount Revelstoke. Staying here, a tourist can take in much of what the Canadian mountainscapes have to offer. Plus, sitting just three hours away from Calgary and a notch above four hours from Kelowna, it’s an easily accessible escape.
EAT
The Island Restaurant: After a day of exploring, it’s nice to just relax in a tranquil environment. The Island Restaurant offers just that atmosphere in its log cabin dining room. Visitors should opt for the elk and wild mushroom rissole for a mouth-water local pick.
The Wolf’s Den: A long weekend exploring iconic Canadian landscapes wouldn’t be complete without good beer and poutine. Luckily, The Wolf’s Den serves both, with three types of poutine on offer (including an extremely uncommon buffalo chicken option) as well as Fernie brews on tap.
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Watch for wildlife: Kicking Horse Country is in Golden’s backyard and a hiking along its trails, there’s a good chance at spotting animals in their natural habitat. Elk, deer, moose, horned mountain sheep, mountain lions, bald eagles, wolves and bears all call these B.C. mountains home. This is even the location of the world’s largest grizzly bear sanctuary.
Dirtbike: Fit travellers in search of a thrill absolutely need to get on a bike during their visit to Golden. The area is surrounded by trails worthy of your exploration. Start with medium-level rides on the CBT Mainline network. Jumping in Cedar Lake after working up a sweat will feel great!
SLEEP
Glamp at Love & Lantern: Camp in style at any of Golden’s grounds. This company will set up large, canvas tents with cozy queen beds and flannel bedding inside. They even leave you with a cooking kit. It’s like camping with twinkling lights, extra comfort and none of the headaches. Book through Airbnb here.
Kicking Horse Kabins: This log cabin in Blaeberry Valley is as cute as it is comfy. Constructed from British Columbia materials, this mountain-dwelling has an indoor fireplace and jaw-dropping views of tree-covered peaks. What really sets this one apart from other cabins though is that the owners can arrange to deliver artisanal pizzas made with homegrown vegetables, their own salami and homemade mozzarella cheese made fresh that very day. Book a cabin here.
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FERNIE
If visiting touristy hotspots isn’t your style, Fernie won’t disappoint. The town is Instagram pretty but without the crowds. If looking for a calm, laidback getaway, and some alone time in nature, book a stay in Fernie already.
EAT
Big Bang Bagels: You won’t get any dry, mediocre bagels here. Big Bang makes all their delicious bagels inside this quaint little cafe and by staying local and picking their supplies up by bicycle, the owners are successfully keeping their environmental footprint to a minimal. That attitude adds to the charm, especially for the environmentalist in the group.
Island Lake Lodge Restaurant: Nestled in the wilderness just 10K outside of Fernie, this lodge restaurant is sure to be a high point of your stay in Fernie. Open from June to October, this restaurant gets a lot of praise for cooking organic, balanced, French-inspired meals in an extra-private setting. The Lake Lodge comes highly praised so most likely, this will be an experience to remember.
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Day trip in Silver Springs: If you’re visiting the western side of the country, your hiking boots absolutely need to take a bit of a battering. Fernie locals will tell you that an afternoon spent at Silver Springs is a must-do. The trails offer picturesque views of three lakes. A famous spot for cliff jumping, a visit here makes for an adrenaline-packed day.
See local art: This may sound odd, but when visiting Fernie, make a point to check out the town’s dumpsters. Every year, this western Canadian town invites local artists to create works of art on public dumpsters. Keep eyes peeled for these gems: there’s over 40 around town.
SLEEP
Birch Meadows Lodge Bed and Breakfast: Finding an accommodation that’s just so can be tough but Birch Meadows caters towards every style of traveller. Those who stay here have their pick between a private cabin, a room in the lodge or a camping spot on the premises. Breakfast is included in this postcard-pretty log cabin and if evenings are chilly, relax in the hot tub and take in the mountain air. Book a room here.
Camp at Mt. Fernie Provincial Park: When heading into the mountains, it would be a shame not to camp for at least part of the stay. Fernie’s provincial park is just a mere three kilometres from the town. There’s nothing like breathing in crisp, pine-scented fresh air first thing in the morning and taking a walk by the stream. Reserve a campsite here.
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