In search of long line, fresh powder, friendly locals, and epic Instagram-worthy sights and scenes? Then you need to #SkiNorthBC!
Photographer and writer Abby Cooper (@AbbyDells) set out for Northern BC with SnowSeekers’ #SkiNorthBC expedition this winter. She hit 6 different destinations and chronicled her journey. I wanted to find out more about what she experienced, discovered, and what anyone looking for a Northern BC adventure simply cannot miss.
Q&A Get to Know Historic Barkerville in the Winter
Abby’s next destination was the historic gold rush town of Barkerville.
Photo by Abby Cooper
Q1. 1 What were your first impressions of Barkerville?
Abby: Surreal. The perfectly preserved town seems too perfect to be a functioning piece of the past, yet it’s lively atmosphere quickly proved me wrong.
Q2. Who was your best local resource for info?
Abby: James Douglas over Visitor Experience or character “Billy Barker” himself are both oozing with information about the past, present and ways to experience all things Barkerville in a hands on way.
Photo by Abby Cooper
Q3. What did you find most surprising or unexpected?
Abby: I came to Barkerville excited to experience the town, the history and the culture. What I didn’t expect was for the opportunities to adventure all around it via snowshoes, backcountry ski touring and snowmobiling!
Q4. What is a can’t-miss at this destination, any insider tips?
Abby: The views! It’s easy to stay in the magical town of Barkerville, but throw on some snowshoes and get some perspective on the trails. View it from above and get some exercise, guaranteed you’ll appreciate how the original prospectors settled this gem of a town even more this way.
Photo by Abby Cooper
Q5. What was the most instagram-worthy moment or place?
Abby: The Chinese Village was spectacular. Seeing the cultural mix of Chinese traditions with old frontier style log buildings was really unique.
Q6. What would make you go back again and again?
Abby: I’d love to see it in all seasons knowing that the aesthetic of the town changes dramatically with each season and so does the opportunity for exploration.
Read Abby’s Top 5 Reasons to Visit Barkerville in the Winter »
Photo by Abby Cooper
If you go
- Explore Barkerville »
- Call Tourism Quesnel at (250) 992-8716
- Troll, Quesnel, the District of Wells and Barkerville are destinations along the famed Barkerville Highway (aka Highway 26) – all within the Cariboo Regional District.
- SnowSeekers has partnered with National Car rental to secure you a SnowSeekers’ preferred rate. Make a reservation online, or with an agent and in the Contract field enter XVC4SNO for a savings that could cover your ski pass cost every day.
- Get inspired and learn more to what BC has in store for you this winter, search #ExploreBC on social media.
For more on skiing in Northern BC, set a bookmark to check out the #SkiNorthBC expedition page on a regular basis. More stories and videos will be coming out all season long.
Back again this year, you can tie the knot for free at Robson Square just ahead of Valentine’s Day! Presenter Pop Up Weddings BC has assembled a group of photographers, decorators, florists and officiants that will gather at Robson Square so you can exchange or renew your vows.
Free Weddings at Robson Square
When: Sunday, February 11, 2018 from 10:00am to 3:00pm
Where: Robson Square (800 Robson St, Vancouver)
Donations of $20 are encouraged, all proceeds will go directly to the Greater Vancouver Food Bank. Last year,77 couples were wed and $1,375 was raised for the cause.
The event will be first come first served but they will do our absolute best to marry everyone that comes to register. Couples only need themselves as well as a properly filled out marriage license — just don’t sign it yet!. Having some witnesses is always a good idea but not 100% necessary. They ask that couples dress for the weather. You can read the full wedding day FAQ sheet here »
For more information, follow Pop Up Weddings BC on Facebook and Instagram.
Heart-shaped boxes of chocolates line store shelves and red roses are awaiting delivery. Valentine’s Day is almost here and what would be more fabulous than treating your special someone to a romantic getaway complete with spa treatments, dinner and dancing? Miss604 has teamed up with Harrison Hot Springs Resort to give away a romantic getaway for two that will absolutely thrill your Valentine!
From the gorgeous sandy beaches of Harrison Lake, the forested canopy of Sasquatch Provincial Park, to farm-gate shopping in nearby Agassiz, and the luxurious spa and hot springs pools at the resort. The Fraser Valley is such a lovely, romantic getaway destination, surrounded by natural beauty, the serenity of the countryside, and world-class dining. Those sunsets over the lake casting pink shadow on the nearby snow-capped mountains are the cherry on top.
I’m giving away a one-night couple’s stay* at Harrison Hot Springs Resort with dinner for two in The Copper Room, and a couples’ massage at the Healing Springs Spa. Here’s how you can enter to win:
[clickToTweet tweet=”RT to enter to win a @HarrisonResort getaway for your Valentine http://ow.ly/ehde30if5l7″ quote=” Click to enter via Twitter” theme=”style6″]
Follow Harrison Hot Springs Resort on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook for more information. I will draw one lucky winner at 12:00pm on Monday, February 12, 2018.
*Redeemable for a reservation Sunday to Thursday, no holidays or long weekends, until September 1, 2018.
Update The winner is Katelyn Learned!
In 2012 ago I wrote a post called “Save the Rio” and now, six years later, I’m doing it again. The historic little East Van theatre-that-could is up against a wall again and it needs your help:
Dear Friends of the Rio,
The Rio Theatre needs your love!
As you may have heard, the Rio building has been listed for sale, and with zoning changes it is likely a developer will ultimately tear it down.
The business operators of the Rio are preparing an offer to buy the building. The deadline is February 6, 2018. We need your help fast! We need to collect as many signatures as possible to demonstrate the community’s support in saving the existing, historical, art-deco venue that we know and love.
The existing property owners have always been among our biggest allies — now is the time to let them know how much the Rio means to YOU in support of our offer being accepted.
While the City of Vancouver has made provisions that a developer would have to include a ‘movie theatre’ in a new building, this does not ensure the same size, or that it would have live performance space. And during construction, East Van would be left with a cavernous hole in the ground, staff would lose their livelihoods, and thousands of patrons and performers — like you — would lose a beloved cultural space. While the operators of the business currently have an eight year lease, there would likely be pressure from a new developer to shorten this term.
As the operators and management of the Rio Theatre, we do not want to see it destroyed. With your support, we have worked hard to transform the Rio from a venue on the verge of closure to a thriving, successful business. The Rio has emerged as one of Canada’s most successful live performance/single-screen venues, and leads the way as a model for all independent theatres.
And we are no strangers to overcoming adversity. In 2012, we won a very public battle against BC Liquor Control with our effort to change outdated liquor laws, ultimately resulting in modernization of liquor policy across the province.
The bottom line: We do not want the Rio’s future to be in the hands of a developer that doesn’t understand the cultural needs of our community. Although we are not opposed to sustainable development if it becomes necessary in the future, we want to ensure the spirit of The Rio survives. Given the current and immediate crisis of the numerous venues this city has lost – we need to take action.
We believe the best way to #SavetheRio is for the current proprietors of the business (with the help of a team of investors) to own the building, so that they may continue to function as a dedicated steward, ensuring the space continues to thrive and remain the cultural anchor of Commercial Drive.
We want to hear your voice! Sign this petition and say a few words of what the Rio means to you.
Also you can contact the following politicians and let them know how you feel:
Director of Development Services Development Review Branch, Andrea law [email protected]
Finally, many of you have asked about being a part of buying the building. For serious investors, contact me at [email protected]
As of February 1st, the appeal has 19,000 signatures – but more are needed. You can show your support here »
And spread the word! Use the tag #SaveTheRio on social media and follow the Rio on Facebook and Twitter for their latest updates.
To cheer on Team Canada athletes and to honour and the 2018 host city Pyeongchang, South Korea, the Vancouver Convention Centre will light the iconic Vancouver Olympic Cauldron on Thursday, February 8th prior to the Opening Ceremony for the Olympic Games and
Vancouver Olympic Cauldron Lighting
The lighting will take place on Thursday, February 8, 2018 5:00pm to 7:00pm just ahead of the Pyeongchang Olmypics opening ceremony. There will be a brief celebration and remarks at 5:00pm by Honourable Lisa Beare, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture; Ken Cretney, President and CEO, BC Pavilion Corporation; Brent Hayden, Olympic Medalist and World Champion.
In addition, BC Pavilion Corporation (“PavCo”) will show support for Canada’s athletes competing in the 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games by lighting its venues in Canada’s colours:
- At the Vancouver Convention Centre, the Cauldron and facility district markers will glow red and white for the duration 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.*
- BC Place will glow in red on select days and feature a unique “Medal Ceremony” animation during opening and closing days and when Team Canada wins a medal.*
*with the exception of scheduled illuminations for events and community organizations
The Cauldron will also be lit on March 17th at 5:00pm, prior to the Closing Ceremony, for the Paralympic Games.
