Winter Holiday in Powell River

Are you looking for a winter vacation destination for this holiday season? What about Powell River, BC. Powell River is about 160 kilometers (100 miles) north of Vancouver on the Sunshine Coast. We go there in all seasons and love it. The winters are mild, but you can easily get to the snow for snowshoeing, cross country skiing or sledding.

There are places in town for equipment including Powell River Outdoors on Marine Avenue, Canadian Tire and Walmart. The employees at these stores and Tourism Powell River can give you maps and details about places to hike and explore.

Because coastal areas are usually free of snow, you can hike year round. The Sunshine Coast Trail has several entry and exit points that make it a good choice for family hiking.

On weekends you can take your car or truck on forest and logging roads to see the pristine backcountry with old growth trees and uncrowded parks. There's also the ocean and Powell Lake for exploration.

You can stay in town or at several resorts and bed and breakfasts along the coast. The Lund Hotel at the end (or beginning) of Highway 101 is quaint. It always amazes me how many great restaurants are in town. Some of my favorites are the Shinglemill with dynamite view of Powell Lake, Snickers on Marine Avenue with spectacular ocean and sunset views and the Town Centre Hotel restaurant and TC's pub. If you are north of town, don't miss lunch or dinner at the Laughing Oyster overlooking Okeover Inlet.

To get to Powell River you get the chance to ride a BC Ferry from Horseshoe Bay. You'll travel through some really beautiful inlets on the BC coast along the way. You can bring your car or take the Sunshine Coast Connector bus from the Langdale ferry terminal. You can also fly to Powell River using Pacific Coastal Airlines from the Vancouver Airport's South Terminal. There are lots of taxi cabs and bus transportation if needed for the traveler without a car.

Wayne's book Coastal BC Stories: Up the Winter Trail tells more about winter activities in the region. You can order it online at PowellRiverBooks.com, most online booksellers, or in town at Coles Books in the mall.

Come visit us soon in Powell River. -- Margy