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With the Canadian dollar being battered about, maybe it’s time to give a think to alternatives. In summer, we are smug about our spectacular BC, but in winter we become snowbirds and off we go to the south.

The present exchange rate for the US dollar makes snowbirding an expensive proposition, perhaps beyond our financial reach, so let’s think about Beautiful BC. Other people do — they come from all over the world to our winter resorts.
RV’s these days are well insulated and equipped for extremes in temperatures so a winter holiday in Canada (where the cold comes from) is not only a possibility but could be exactly what you want.

The BC interior is not Arizona and there won’t be any outdoor tap dancing classes or outdoor tennis, but the scenery is glorious and there are lots of wonderful things to do for both the participant and the observer.

How about skiing, cross country or downhill? Snowboarding? Tobogganing? Ice fishing? Outdoor skating? Hiking? Snowmobiling? Or just gawking at the spectacular sights in Wells Gray Park or from Sun Peaks?

From the coast to the North Thompson region, there are two routes, Highway 1 (TransCanada/Fraser Canyon) or Highway 5 (Coquihalla). Snow comes sooner to the Coquihalla, so if the road is bad, try the Canyon. If both roads are bad, take the Coquihalla because it is wider and quicker - the Canyon will take about an hour longer. In any event, check the highway report before you leave home. Allow plenty of time to travel, sometimes there is fog as well as snow and ice.

In winter especially, try to arrive at your destination before dark - parking and hookups are easier in daylight. And as you head north, your cell phone will fade out but your CB radio will work.

Many of the BC campgrounds and RV parks close for the winter but Sun Peaks is a ski resort and is open all year. It is less than an hour north and east of Kamloops with good road all the way. They offer full skiing facilities, hotels, condos, boutiques, pubs, restaurants and lessons in all kinds of winter sports.

At present, there are electric-only RV spaces at Sun Peaks but there are plans to expand and offer full service RV lots. Rentals are reasonable but be sure to book in advance,

1-800-807-3257 or 250-578-7222.

Dutch Lake Resort is 1-1/2 hours north of Kamloops on Highway 5 and it, too, can accommodate you all year. There are cabins right on the lake and, as long as they know you are coming, they will plough out an RV space for you in winter. At present, winter RV sites are electric only but there are plans to expand to full service lots for year-round use. Contact Dutch Lake Resort by telephone at (250) 674-3325 or fax at (250) 674-2916. Toll free telephone number is 1-877-674-3325. Their website is at <http://mypage.direct.ca/d/dutch_lk/> and you can Email to <dutch_lk@direct.ca>.

Dutch Lake is right in Clearwater so there are regular town facilities. Clearwater is spread out with several centres but Dutch Lake Resort is a short walk from the grocery store, bank and other services.

Highway 5 has plenty of places to eat and they offer wide variety on their menus. Meals are large (truck drivers get hungry) and most places will serve you a half order or a light order. Everything I ate was good and the prices were moderate, especially considering that words like Florentine, bernaise, a l’orange and Diana are on the menu.

When you go into the BC interior, be prepared for cold weather in winter. There will be snow and ice so be sure your vehicle is properly equipped. Bring lots of warm clothing and boots. And don’t forget to wear a hat - you lose 60% of body heat through your head. With the cold air and the hard water, you would be wise to bring skin moisturizer and lip balm. If you go snowmobiling, ear plugs are useful because older snowmobiles can be noisy.

Wells Gray Park is 1/2 hour from Clearwater and it is world famous for its grandeur and winter activities. There is skiing, ice fishing, snowmobiling, hiking all in glorious, pristine setting.

An hour north of Clearwater, in Blue River, you can go helicopter skiing. A helicopter delivers a small group of skiers and two guides to the top of a ski hill in the wilderness. They ski down and the helicopter collects them at the bottom. There are no RV facilities but you can come in for the day if there is space available. Phone 1-800-661-9170, Mike Wiegel Helicopter Skiing, in advance. If you just turn up, there may not be space for you. Normally people book in for a 3-day, 5-day or a 7-day package that includes accommodation and meals and first priority goes to them. If there is any space you may be able to book. The space you want to book is in the helicopter, not on the hill.

Winter in the interior of BC is cold, true, but it is a dry cold, not the bone-chilling dampness that we get on the coast. The air is clear and the temperature is exhilarating. There is an absence of glitz in the communities. The people are friendly and helpful and don’t seems to be in such a rush as they are in the city. A lot of people have moved to the Interior but not many seem to move back to the city. That says a lot to me!

At present, Kathie is writing a Directory of RV Parks and Resorts and invites Resorts to contact her for inclusion in the Directory.

Kathie Scott c/o Panatech Management Consultants Inc.
7156 Circle Drive, Chilliwack BC V2R 2S4
Tel: 604-858-5620 E-mail: 2ronnies@dowco.com