Activities

Have you ever put on a harness and glided from mountain to mountain? Well, here’s your chance. Whistler’s zipline tours are quite possibly the best mountain ziplines in the world. Professional guides will educate you about the wild life and ecosystems of Whistler as you conquer suspension bridges, aerial bridges, and a total of 10 ziplines where you can reach speeds of up to 80 km’s per hour.
 

Crafted from the pristine coastal forest, Olympic View’s 18 breath-taking holes meander around lakes, stylish rock outcroppings, and two waterfalls. Adding to the natural experience, the course affords amazing views of the snow-capped Olympic Mountains and is home to hundreds of deer. 

Designed by both Bill Robinson and Les Furber, Gallagher’s Canyon has received countless awards as one of Canada’s best courses.  The course threads its way through Gallagher’s Canyon and weaves though natural Ponderosa pines while offering unsurpassed views of the rugged Okanagan landscape.

Immaculate undulating fairways, natural ponds and creeks, wheatgrass meadows, and rugged pine cover ridges all combine to make Predator Ridge one of the best courses in British Columbia. Rated 4.5 stars by Golf Digest and voted the best course in BC by several other publications, Predator Ridge will blow your mind. Currently featuring 27 holes of championship golf, the resort will expand to 36 holes in 2010, making it one of the most popular golf destinations in Canada.

Canadian architect Graham Cooke has placed a 7100 yard masterpiece into a working orchard.  Wide fairways, fast greens, and landscape views, are all part of the experience at the Harvest. Winner of numerous awards including 4 stars from Golf Digest, Harvest is a great test of golf. 

Award winning designer Thomas McBroom has transformed the rugged bench lands of the north Okanagan into a golf course that is unlike any other in the world. The views of the lake and the barren landscape can make it hard to concentrate on the game. Beware; a missed fairway can lead to a severe penalty as the course is surrounded by desert.

Located in the quaint seaside community of Cobble Hill, approximately 45 minutes from downtown Victoria, Arbutus Ridge is a memorable, cozy round of golf. With fantastic views of the Georgia Straight, an island green, and one of the best finishing holes in golf, Arbutus Ridge will test all aspects of your game.

Fairways carved through natural canyons, gentle contoured greens, and up to five sets of tee’s make Sun Rivers a memorable round for all golfers. As one of the few true “desert” courses in Canada, the course is situated amongst rolling, sage covered, hills and offers sweeping views of the Thompson Valley.

With the South Thompson River to the south and sage-brushed covered hills to the north, Rivershore is a fantastic tour through the Thompson Valley bottom.  Playing over 7000 yards, designer Robert Trent Jones Sr. has created a beautiful blend of challenge and playability in the north Okanagan desert.

Built in 1994, the Quail course at the Okanagan Golf Club uses dramatic elevation changes, multi-tiered greens and fairways, and natural rock bluffs as its main weapons.  Architect Les  Furber has also carefully placed bunkers and mounds throughout the course so club selection and carefully placed shots are crucial.

Stanley Thomspon, Canada's master golf course architect, displayed his finest work with his design of The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge Golf Course. It's hard to imagine a course that hugs snow-capped mountains, meanders past glacial-fed lakes and through a wildlife corridor featuring elk, caribou, bears and wolves. Thompson had the vision and led the team that conceived of and constructed a world-class course in the heart of a Unesco World Heritage Site over 80 years ago. Thompson carved fairways from the surrounding forests, giving top priority to the natural contours of the mountains.

Another Les Furber design, Morningstar has two different nines. The front nine quickly veers into the thick coastal forest and uses tight tree lined fairways as defence. The back nine is a more of a links style design and uses strategically placed bunks and water hazards as it main weapons. Regardless of the hole, playing over 7000 yards, Morningstar is a great test of golf. 

Cut from the coastal forests in the Comox Valley, Storey Creek offers one of the best golfing layouts on Vancouver Island. Often referred to as “a course through nature”, Storey Creek will lead you around lakes, creeks, marshes, and meadows with regular sightings of eagles, hawks, and deer.

Surrounded the forests and sage-brushed hills of the sun drenched Okanagan Valley, the Bear is one of the best courses in the Okanagan. Designed by Nicklaus Designs and opened in 1998, the course uses dramatically sculpted fairways and carefully placed bunkers as its main weapons.

The course offers just two simple things. First, a breathtaking view in every direction. Second, a magnificent layout that thrills every golfer fortunate enough to spend a day here. Stanley Thompson, Canada's master golf course architect, used his expert talent when he designed the original 18 holes in 1928. The course winds along the Bow River under the snow-capped peaks of Sulphur Mountain and Mount Rundle.

Consistently ranked in the top 100 courses in Canada and often ranked as one of the country’s best resort courses, The Springs has earned its reputation as a world class golf destination.  The course is nestled up against the awesome Rocky Mountains and sits high on the banks of the mighty Columbia River. With a 360 degree backdrop of mountains, The Springs will be a round you will not forget.

One of only a few Canadian courses to be rated 4.5 stars by Golf Digest, Trickle Creek is an unforgettable round of golf. Carefully carved out of the forest on the slopes of North Star Mountain, the course crosses creeks, ravines, and natural ponds while showcasing unforgettable views of the Rocky Mountain trench.  The course uses the natural elevation changes throughout, some dramatic, so shots placed on flat areas are key.

Although the outdoor activities are plentiful, the Okanagan also offers some of the most spectacular spas in the province.  Most of the area’s major ski resorts operate full service spas as do many of the larger resorts. After a full day of play, Destination 48North can make sure you’re relaxed and recharged before tomorrow’s new adventure.

Although Tofino is mostly known for its beaches and outdoor activities, the area is quickly gaining recognition as a spa mecca. Most of the luxury resorts offer a huge selection of treatments and panoramic views of the beach. Some resorts even perform the treatment at the water’s edge. So, if you’re looking for a soothing massage to the lullaby of rushing waves, let Destination 48North show you the way.

To experience the sheer beauty of your surroundings you have to see them on a larger scale. This is why Destination 48North provides scenic float plane tours over the Tofino area.  Only by air can you fully see what makes this area so special: miles of sandy beaches, wave riddled coastlines, amazing wildlife, a scattering of islands, and the splendour of the rainforest.

A rich history, Native American influence, colourful gardens, and beautiful setting make a city tour of Victoria a fascinating and educational experience. There are many ways to explore the sights and stories of the city – horse drawn carriage, old fashioned double-decker bus, open top bus, kabuki kab (three wheeled pedal bike), or guided city-walk tour. Tours will stop at historical points of interest, famous gardens, and picturesque landscapes.

One of the most unique attractions in the Canadian Rockies are the Columbia Ice Fields, located on the borders of Banff and Jasper National Parks.  The Ice Fields cover over 300 square kilometres with ice up to 365 meters deep. At the midpoint of the glacier the ice formations are over 400 years old.  The Columbia Ice Fields are the largest snow and ice packs south of the Arctic Circle and the snow-melt feeds rivers that flow into three oceans: the Atlantic, the Arctic, and the Pacific.

Approximately 30 kilometres north of Victoria, in the heart of the Cowichan Valley, is British Columbia’s second largest wine region.  Here the vineyards enjoy a milder climate than most wine regions but the rolling, sundrenched hills provide a perfect environment to grow grapes.  The wines that come from the Island are reminiscent of elegant, aromatic wines of Northern Europe.  A winery tour with Destination 48North will offer you the knowledge of a professional wine maker and allow ample tasting time.

The Okanagan Valley is home to two fantastic, lift access mountain bike parks. Silverstar, located in Vernon, is slowly gaining recognition as a “must-ride” on the British Columbia mountain bike circuit. The trail crew has been hard at work creating some of the best lines in the province and the hill is always adding new terrain.

Mt. Washington, located about 30 minutes from Courtenay, is one of North America’s most progressive, exciting, and scenic  mountain bike parks. The park features 2 high speed lifts, 35 km’s of trail, a downhill race course, a slopestyle course, and a skills center. The views from the top of the mountain are beautiful with the Pacific Ocean to the East and the jagged peaks of the Strathcona Park to the West.  Bike and equipment rentals are available at the onsite bike shop.

The Hot Springs are located on the coast of a remote provincial park in Clayoquot Sound, 23 km northwest of Tofino. Open year round and only accessible by boat or floatplane, the natural hot spring mineral pools attract travelers from around the world. The boiling spring water cascades down a waterfall into a series of rock pools and is gradually cooled by the incoming ocean swells.

The waters surrounding Vancouver Island are amongst the best in the world for salmon and halibut, and the Victoria area is a hot-spot.  Chinook salmon fishing is available year round and migrating Coho, Pink, and Sockeye Salmon are available June through September. The summer months are your best chance to catch the big salmon, although Halibut fishing is generally open throughout the year. Destination 48North is partnered with the best fishing charter companies in each region. These charters are done by professional fishing guides who will take you to local hot-spots and provide you with the best equipment.

Hang on tight and get ready for the thrill of a life-time! The Kicking Horse River in Golden is a classic example of a glacier fed, furious rapid, mountain river. The source of the water is from the giant ice-fields that straddle Canada’s great divide. When winter turns to spring and the ice begins to melt, the water surges into the sharp corners and tight canyons of the Kicking Horse River, making it one of the best white-water locations in Canada. 

The hiking trails in Banff are as endless as the mountain peaks. You could spend years hiking here and never walk the same trail twice. The hikes in the area range from pleasant riverside strolls to multi-day treks. No matter which trail you take you will always have spectacular views of the Rocky Mountains.  Destination 48North can provide you with the best hiking guides in the area.  

With mountains in every direction, the BC Rockies are every hiker's paradise. Enjoy ridge walks, deep blue mountain lakes, naturalhot springs, glaciers, and a vast variety of wildlife. Because of the proximity to the mountains, many trial heads are a short walk from the resorts. One of the most popular hikes in the area is the 3000 meter ascent up Fisher Peak, located near Kimberley.

While most of the major ski hills offer well kept hiking trails, the Okanagan region is also home to a number of highly sought after hiking areas. Cathedral Provincial Park and the Keremeos  Columns offer amazing views and mountain lakes and are great day hiking destinations in the Keremeos area.

This popular safari is the perfect way to experience a pristine marine environment and a large variety of wildlife. Cruise through the Discovery Islands in a comfortable boat and look out for black bears, dolphins, porpoises, seals, soaring bald eagles, numerous ocean birds, and in the right season, sea lions and Orcas.

Have you ever been close to a Grizzly Bear? This adventure starts in Campbell River on the east coast of Vancouver Island. A boat will take you on a 2 hour ride to the Bute Inlet on the mainland - the area where the Grizzly Bears live. You’ll be welcomed by the Homalco First Nation Band and travel in a minibus to various view platforms where you can watch amazing Grizzly Bears foraging and fishing for salmon in the river.

There are plenty of reasons Whistler is consistently voted the best ski resort in North America. With over 8100 acres of pristine powder, 38 lifts, over 200 runs, more than one mile of vertical rise, and an average snowfall of 33 feet, not many ski resorts can even compare.  Whether it is your first time on ski’s or you’re a seasoned veteran looking for steep glacial bowls, Whistler has exactly what you’re after.

Because of its reputation as a warm weather destination, the Okanagan rarely receives the recognition it deserves for being one of the best ski regions in the world. While the entire region boasts six resorts, the most popular are Big White (Kelowna), Silverstar (Vernon), and Sun Peaks (Kamloops). All resorts offer on-site accommodations and everything you would expect from a world class resort. Let Destination 48North create the perfect Okanagan ski trip package for you!

Located in the stunning Jasper National Park, Marmot Basin offers over 1000 vertical meters and a tremendous amount of terrain. The slopes range from winding novice runs to steep alpine chutes and bowls.  Marmot Basin is widely recognized for its uncrowded runs which means more time on the slopes and less time in the line-ups.