British Columbia

It should come as no surprise that British Columbia, the most western province in Canada, is one of North America's top tourist destinations. The province is home to the top ski resort in the world, an island ranked best to visit in North America, pristine golf courses, temperate rainforests and dazzling coastlines. Due to the highly varied topography and Pacific climate, visitors to British Columbia can enjoy what is known as a "West Coast Special": the opportunity to ski and golf in the same day. Whistler-Blackcomb, located about two hours outside of Vancouver, has been ranked by Ski Magazine as the top ski resort in the world. But in the summer the region is just as appealing to visitors. As the snow melts, visitors come to hike and mountain bike along the mountain trails that weave past lakes, rivers and meadows. Along the southwest coast of British Columbia, the weather is perfect for golfing about nine months out of the year and there are over 250 golf courses. British Columbia is also home to one of the most spectacular cities in the world. Vancouver is a bustling metropolis set against a magnificent backdrop of snow-capped peaks cascading into the glistening Pacific. The population of Vancouver is unusually diverse with over half having a first language other than English. Another popular destination in British Columbia is the city's capital, Victoria. The city is located on Vancouver Island and is best accessed by ferry. Due to its temperate climate, comparable to the Mediterranean, it is known for its popularity among newly weds and retirees. Set in the Pacific Ocean with a year-round golf season and some of the most beautiful gardens in the world, Victoria is destined to relax.