British Columbia Magazine

08/15/2025

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book your stay today:

https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/yvrwi-the-westin-bayshore-vancouver/overview/

08/14/2025

These are some stunning photos of Berg Lake in Mount Robson Provincial Park. The lake sits below the north face of Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies at 3,954 metres. It’s fed by the Berg Glacier, and ice can often be seen floating near the shore even in summer.

The Berg Lake Trail is 23 kilometres one way, starting near the Mount Robson Visitor Centre. It passes through valleys, waterfalls, and alpine meadows before reaching the lake.

Overnight camping permits are required, and the trail is usually open from late June to early September.

📸: (on instagram)

08/13/2025

At the southern tip of Haida Gwaii, the Kerouard Islands are home to the Cape St. James rookery, one of BC’s most important sites for Steller sea lions. Each summer, over 600 gather here to give birth, nurse pups, and rest on the sloping rock ledges.

This is the only breeding rookery in Gwaii Haanas and one of just five primary breeding sites along the BC coast. Its rich waters are fed by powerful Haida eddies, bringing in the fish sea lions rely on.

Protected through a Haida Nation and Parks Canada partnership, the rookery plays a crucial role in the recovery of BC’s Steller sea lions and helps scientists track the health of our coastal ecosystem.

https://www.bcmag.ca/the-cape-st-james-rookery/

08/08/2025

In our 2024 Summer issue, we share a first-hand account of how a backcountry adventure near Pemberton turned into a high-stakes mountain rescue.

The photo shows a SAR technician and injured climber being lowered to safety—suspended beneath a helicopter after a fall on a steep alpine slope. The climber had a prosthetic knee, adding complexity to the injury and evacuation.

This happened during a week-long Alpine Club of Canada summer camp, held at 2,000 metres in the Coast Mountains. The story highlights the challenges of calling for help in remote areas—and the incredible coordination it takes to complete a rescue.

BC’s SAR services are largely volunteer-run and underfunded. You can support them at

bcsara.com/donate.

📷: Phillipa Hudson, Russ Moir

08/06/2025

A quick glimpse of Spotted Lake near Osoyoos—captured from the roadside viewpoint on a sunny summer day.⁠

If you’ve driven through the South Okanagan, chances are you’ve passed this unusual lake without realizing what you were looking at. Its colourful spots appear as mineral-rich water evaporates, leaving behind pools that shift in tone with the season.⁠

Beyond its striking appearance, Spotted Lake is a culturally significant site for the Syilx Okanagan Nation, long considered a place of healing.⁠

Access is limited, but the roadside pull-off offers a respectful way to take it in without disturbing the land. Worth a pause if you're in the area.

📸: Sarah & Dylan - CV Media

08/04/2025

Three days on the Berg Lake Trail. Just over 68 km round trip, 2,500 metres of elevation gain, two thunderstorms, and more energy snacks than you'd probably admit.

This video shows the view that makes it all worth it. Berg Lake sits at the base of Mount Robson, with glacial runoff giving the water its striking blue colour.

The trail is in Mount Robson Provincial Park, just west of the Alberta border. It’s one of BC’s best-known backcountry routes, and after major flood damage in 2021, it partially reopened in 2024.

There’s a reason so many people return to this one. Waterfalls, glaciers, quiet stretches of alpine—and a view like this at the end.

📍Berg Lake Trail, Mount Robson Provincial Park

🎥: Ellie Baergen

08/01/2025

Following a massive 8.7–8.8 magnitude earthquake off the Kamchatka Peninsula, EmergencyInfoBC issued a tsunami advisory across most of British Columbia’s coastal zones—including Haida Gwaii, the west coast of Vancouver Island and the Juan de Fuca Strait—warned of potential currents and minor waves under 30 cm.

Luckily, all alerts were officially lifted by early July 30 after waves peaked at under 27 cm at Langara Island and 21 cm at Tofino.

📸: Sooke News Mirror

07/31/2025

When survival gets real, it’s not about who’s toughest. It’s about who can work together.

In an article for British Columbia Magazine, Les Stroud (also known as Survivorman) explains why group survival often beats going solo. More hands mean shared labour. More minds mean better decisions. And knowing you’re not alone can make all the difference.

Yes, conflict can happen. But with calm leadership and cooperation, a group becomes your best chance of getting home.

📝 Read the full piece by Les Stroud.

https://www.bcmag.ca/group-versus-solo-survival/

Once television networks sought to cash in on the interest generated by the series Survivorman, it was inevitable that setting the scenarios up to include groups of people or sets of duos would come about. Unfortunately, every single show and scenario that was/is played out gets one extremely import...

07/25/2025

Fireweed grows across BC in wildfire areas, rural places, and even some city yards. Its bright purple-pink flowers stand out but the plant also has practical uses.

Early spring shoots can be cooked like asparagus. Leaves can be brewed into tea. Blossoms make a delicate pink jelly. When foraging, avoid busy roadsides and sprayed areas to stay safe. Always confirm plant ID before harvesting.

You can pick leaves and flowers by hand without cutting the whole stalk. Harvest responsibly to keep fireweed thriving.

https://www.bcmag.ca/fireweed-foraging/

Fireweed (Chamerion angustifolium) has, for many years, been one of my favourite wildflowers. I’ve always admired its vibrant, purple-pink flowers, often a stark contrast to the wildfire-ravaged areas that they grow in. The more time I spent in the bush, however, I realized that they grow just abo...

07/23/2025

The Giant Pacific Octopus (Enteroctopus dofleini) is the largest octopus species in the world. Individuals can weigh over 45 kilograms with arm spans exceeding four metres. They are found throughout the North Pacific and are common in British Columbia’s coastal waters, from tide pools to depths beyond 100 metres.

These octopuses are solitary and highly intelligent. They use advanced camouflage techniques, including colour and texture changes, to avoid predators and ambush prey. Their diet includes crabs, scallops, and small fish, and they typically hunt at night.

🎥 Olivias Reef

07/18/2025

📸 The 2025 British Columbia Magazine Photo Contest is almost closed for submissions!

This is your last chance to showcase the landscapes, cities, wildlife, and adventures that make BC home. We’re accepting entries in four categories: Adventure, Urban, Nature, and Scenic.

Photos must be sharp, high-resolution JPEGs taken in BC. Limit of 4 entries per person. Deadline: July 21—just three days away!

Winners will be published in the magazine—and have bragging rights for life!

https://www.bcmag.ca/photo-contest/