British Columbia Magazine

01/09/2026

The northern flicker is one of BC’s most recognizable woodpeckers — often heard before it’s seen. Instead of hammering trees all day, flickers spend a lot of time on the ground, feeding mainly on ants and other insects, and switching to berries and seeds through fall and winter.

In BC, we mostly see the red-shafted form — grey-brown on the back, a black chest patch, spotted belly and a flash of rusty-red under the wings and tail in flight. This colouring helps with camouflage in forests and open parkland while still signalling to other flickers during courtship and territory displays.

Flickers have a long history in the province, nesting in tree cavities they carve themselves. Those old nest holes later become homes for chickadees, swallows and other cavity-nesting species — making flickers important to local ecosystems.

They’re found across much of BC, from urban neighbourhoods to open forests and farmland. Many stay through winter in milder regions, while others migrate short distances.

If you hear a loud rolling call or drumming on a metal chimney cap, there’s a good chance a northern flicker is nearby — doing exactly what it has always done here in BC.

📸: James Tejero Photography

01/07/2026

A red-tinted full moon — often called a blood moon — happens when Earth casts its shadow on the Moon during a total lunar eclipse. Instead of disappearing, sunlight bends through Earth’s atmosphere and lights the Moon with reddish tones.

Total lunar eclipses only occur when the Sun, Earth and Moon align exactly during a full moon. Unlike solar eclipses, lunar eclipses are safe to watch with the naked eye.

From British Columbia, total lunar eclipses are visible whenever the Moon is above the horizon while Earth’s shadow passes over it.

The next total lunar eclipse visible in BC will happen overnight March 2–3, 2026 — a great chance to see another red moon in our night sky.

Capture it from a dark spot away from city lights for the best colour and detail.

📸: Stephanie Seto ( via instagram)

01/05/2026

Bobsledding in BC isn’t a theme-park ride — it’s the real Olympic track at the Whistler

Sliding Centre. This is the only refrigerated sliding track in Canada, and it’s a legacy from the 2010 Winter Games.

Visitors can ride in a four-person bobsleigh with a professional driver, reaching speeds over 120 km/h on the 1,450-metre track. Orientation, safety briefing and equipment are included, so it works for confident first timers who meet the health and age requirements.

In summer, the sleds switch to wheels. Speeds are lower, but you’re still sliding the same track carved into the mountainside — an easy add-on to a Whistler day.

For something more intense, public skeleton puts riders headfirst, inches above the ice, after coaching and practice runs. It’s physically demanding and best suited for adrenaline seekers.

True Olympic luge takes years of training, so adults usually won’t try it in a single visit — but youth Discover Luge programs offer a careful introduction on shortened sections of track.

There are also gravity-powered luge and downhill karting options around Whistler. Wheeled carts, groomed tracks, chairlift access and hand brakes make these rides friendly for families and mixed comfort levels.

If you go, dress for mountain weather, know your limits, and build time into your day — the sliding centre is close to viewpoints, trails and dining.
Sliding sports in BC are rare, tied to Olympic history, and offer a rush you’ll replay in your head long after the run is over.

https://www.bcmag.ca/full-speed-ahead-where-to-try-bobsledding-in-british-columbia/

01/01/2026

Cascading mountains as far as the eye can see. This shot was taken by Owen Russell ( on Instagram) during a flight from Toronto to BC, looking south toward Washington State.

12/31/2025

As the year winds down, we’re taking a look back at some favourite photo contest submissions from our Fall 2025 issue. From big adventures to quiet wildlife moments and wide-open landscapes, these photos capture everyday life in BC the way many of us know it.

If you see one of your photos here and would like to be tagged, leave a comment below — we’re happy to add it.

And while you’re here, tell us: which photo is your personal favourite?

Happy New Year, BC. Thanks for sharing the places, moments and memories that make this province feel like home.

Featured photos:

1. Christian Core — Adventure
2. Jarrett Lindal — Nature
3. Jakob Kim — Urban
4. Karl Hare — Adventure
5. Darren Hebert — Nature
6. Rebecca Simrose — Scenic

12/29/2025

Ready to get outside this winter, BC? ❄️

Snowshoeing opens up coastal forests and snowy mountain trails without needing years of experience. It’s simple to learn, relatively affordable and a great way to enjoy our winter landscapes.

Start on easy, low-angle, well-marked routes — it helps build confidence and keeps you safe. Good gear matters: properly sized snowshoes and poles make every outing smoother.

Dress in layers to manage sweat and cold, and pack your winter essentials. Plan ahead — check weather, daylight and let someone know your plan before you head out. Explore maintained snowshoe networks at places like Whistler Olympic Park or Mt Seymour for your first trips.

This winter, make snowshoeing part of your BC outdoor routine! ❄️🥾

https://www.bcmag.ca/all-about-snowshoeing/

There’s a reason snowshoeing is a gateway winter sport in BC: it’s simple to learn, relatively affordable and it opens up a whole new season of trails – from coastal forests dusted in snow to wide-open subalpine meadows when conditions allow. Done right, it’s also one of the safest, most app...

12/22/2025

The CPKC Holiday Train rolled through the Shuswap last week, making evening stops from Revelstoke to Salmon Arm.

In the video, the train arrives after dark, fully lit, with families gathered along the tracks — a scene many BC communities have come to recognize each December. At each stop, people brought food bank donations while a short outdoor concert played from the railcar stage.

The Holiday Train began in 1999 and has been travelling through communities for more than 25 years, raising food and funds for local food banks along the way. What started as a simple idea has become a long-running holiday tradition across the province.

A brief visit, familiar lights, and a strong local turnout — a reminder of how the season often looks in small-town BC.

📸: Stacer Team - Shuswap Real Estate Agents

12/18/2025

A gift subscription to British Columbia Magazine brings the province’s stories, places, and people into their home all year long.

Each issue shares trusted travel ideas, local food highlights, wildlife features, and pieces of BC history—written for readers who enjoy knowing their province on a deeper level.

With four issues a year, it’s a steady source of inspiration for weekend plans, road trips, and learning more about the places that make BC unique.

A thoughtful holiday gift for anyone who loves exploring this province. 🎁

https://britishcolumbiamagazine.secure.darwin.cx/X3YHBCMM

12/09/2025

The Royal BC Museum resident T. rex has been busy getting into the holiday spirit — and stirring up a little mischief in the process. 🎄

12/08/2025

Looking for a thoughtful gift this season? Here are a few ideas from our shop:

British Columbia Magazine Subscription
Enjoy four seasonal issues—Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall—delivered throughout the year. Every subscription also includes our annual calendar.

The Wild Harvest BC by Linda Gabris
Linda Gabris has spent more than 60 years gathering wild edibles throughout the province. Guided by lessons passed down from her grandparents—responsibility, sustainability and a deep connection to the land—she shares practical advice, foraging knowledge and over 70 recipes, from Wild Cream of Asparagus Soup to Hazel’s Hazelnut Brittle. This book blends storytelling with a scientific field guide, making it an ideal companion for outdoor explorers and home cooks alike.

Botanical Journal
A simple, thoughtful place to jot down notes, sketches or reflections.

Art Prints
Featuring a variety of picturesque natural landscapes.

Find our journals, books, prints and more at the link below 🔗

https://shop.opmediagroup.ca/

12/05/2025

Golden Ears Provincial Park is a familiar place for many in BC, but this aerial view shows just how much history sits in those mountains.

The twin peaks—known as the “Golden Ears”—were used as landmarks by the Katzie First Nation long before the area became a provincial park in 1967. Early surveyors later relied on them too, noting how the rock glows gold at sunset.

The park now protects one of the last large stretches of lowland rainforest near Vancouver, with old remnants of logging routes still tucked along deeper trails. Most of us know it today for Alouette Lake, forested campsites, and those classic skyline views, but its deeper story is part of what makes it such a meaningful place to revisit.

📸: Dmitry Spravko

11/29/2025

A rainy morning in West Vancouver offered a clear look at how comfortably coyotes move through this region. Whether running the hillside alone or pausing as a pair, they remain a familiar part of the North Shore’s mix of neighbourhoods, forest, and open green space.

Coyotes have adapted well to life in and around Vancouver. They rely on natural prey such as squirrels, rabbits, and rodents, and the blend of urban and wild areas gives them plenty of room to travel. Most sightings happen at dawn or dusk when they are moving between feeding and resting areas.

📸: (via instagram)