Do you feel spiritually and physically better when you return from your holiday? Does it seem that you are healthier and happier for your travels? You are not imagining this transformation. Science has proven that time in nature can make us happier, more creative and less stressed.
Spending just three consecutive days in the mountains decreases the brain waves associated with worry and rumination. The visual beauty found in forests offers gentle stimuli to awaken the mind and leads to higher functioning. The soothing flow of ocean tides brings comfort and restores vitality.
Let the elements of British Columbia buff away at life’s tensions and put your body, mind, and spirit at ease. Experience the raw power of its towering mountains, lush rainforests and rugged coastlines, and tap into something bigger– awaken a deeper connection and regain perspective. Experience The British Columbia Effect and find yourself, in every sense of the word.
Mountains – find yourself, at new heights
If you are looking for ‘Big Mountain’ landscapes, this is where you will find them. The grand scale of British Columbia’s mountains is punctuated by the impossibly vibrant colours of glacial-fed lakes and sounds of crashing waterfalls in National and Provincial Parks like Wells Gray and Mount Robson. With ten major mountain ranges spanning British Columbia, including the Coast Mountain Range to the west and the Canadian Rockies to the east, adventure and beauty are always at hand. From the exhilaration and awe of summiting a craggy mountain peak by foot, to taking on a trail in one of the world’s mountain biking capitals, to the serenity and silky waters of an alpine lake, BC’s mountains deliver a unique and rich experience for every visitor.
Rainforests – find yourself, in the beauty
As Canada’s most culturally diverse province, British Columbia is also one of the most biologically diverse areas in the world. Home to approximately a quarter of the world’s remaining temperate rainforest and a coast that spans more than 16,000 miles, British Columbia supports a wide range of wildlife including bears, moose, caribou, whales, and eagles. Hike through the rainforest with Indigenous guides, relax at a luxury ecolodge on a remote ocean inlet after a wildlife viewing expedition, and savour sustainably harvested seafood and locally-sourced produce at farm-to-table restaurants.
Ocean – find yourself, in the calm
Exposure to blue spaces like ocean landscapes regulates the nervous system through the senses, making us feel calmer. Whether exploring by boat on a whale and bear watching expedition, taking in views from a canoe, or simply waking up with a view of the ocean, you can experience the therapeutic quality of the great Pacific Ocean on British Columbia’s shores. The mild-weathered coasts are bursting with life and vibrant greens throughout the year. There are endless ways to be enveloped by their beauty and healing effect. The soft coastal light and colours have an especially pacifying effect while the meditative sounds of the coast echo the body’s natural rhythms, which helps rebalance the nervous system.
Wildlife – find yourself, at one with nature
These landscapes are home to a wide variety of wildlife that can be viewed in its natural habitat both safely and responsibly. While mountain ranges are home to bighorn sheep, mountain goats, and marmots, forests support populations of grizzlies and black bears, who migrate to rivers to feed on salmon in late spring. The Great Bear Rainforest is also home to the elusive Kermode (Spirit) bear, a rare black bear with a white coat, while BC’s glacial valleys are home to herds of caribou, wolves, and moose. There are also 200 designated marine protected areas located in all six of the provincial marine ecoregions, home to marine mammals like Orcas, humpback and gray whales, as well as porpoises and dolphins. Eagles are also a very common sight, as they perch in trees waiting to swoop down for a meal.
Indigenous Experiences – find yourself, with deeper connections
Indigenous peoples in British Columbia maintain deep connections to the lands, waters, animals, and supernatural realms of their unique Territories. These connections are more important now than ever before, as we all realise what Indigenous BC has long known – our health and wholeness are written upon the land. With 203 Indigenous communities and more than 30 Indigenous languages, British Columbia’s six diverse and beautiful regions offer extensive authentic Indigenous experiences. Connect with the people and languages that have spoken the land, collected the knowledge, and passed the stories of Indigenous BC for thousands upon thousands of years.