Exploring British-Columbia’s Backcountry

As Summer’s warm embrace settles over British Columbia during the month of June, backcountry British-Columbians prepare to welcome visitors and share the beauty and bounty of this majestic and prolific land on Canada’s West coast. With so much to see and do, it’s hard to know where to begin, so SWISSGEAR has a few suggestions. We’ll take you on a family hike in the Kootenay Rockies and a Father’s Day fishing adventure off the coast of Haida Gwaii. We’ll visit North-America’s biggest Night Market, tour some unique wineries in the Okanagan Valley, and check out the culinary scene at a couple of coastal food festivals. Whether you’re travelling with family, friends or as a couple, make sure you’re well equipped with stylish and functional SWISSGEAR travel bags and accessories to help make your journey more pleasant and amenable.

Fresh Air & Natural Wonders- Hiking in the Kootenay Rockies

Whether you’re going for a weekend or week-long family getaway, the raw, majestic beauty of the Kootenay Rockies make it a choice destination for adventure travel in Canada. The region encompasses four mountain ranges in southeastern B.C – the Rockies, Purcells, Selkirks, and Monashees –  that include four national parks, over 75 provincial parks and no less than 7 UNESCO-designated “World Heritage Sites”, featuring giant snow-capped peaks, thunderous waterfalls, old-growth rainforests and crystal-clear rivers and lakes, as well as ancient fossil fields, spectacular alpine meadows and impressive hot springs.

 

A classic yet challenging Kootenay Rockies hiking experience can be found at the Rockwall Trail in Kootenay National Park. Located off Highway 93, between Banff and Windermere, this epic 55-km trail, dotted with breathtaking views and spectacular landscapes, inevitably leads to “The Rockwall”, named for the towering limestone cliffs that line the trail. Cap off a long day of healthy exercise with a relaxing soak in one of many nearby hot springs or a stay at one of several fabulous lodges.

SWISSGEAR SWA9855 Laptop Backpack

Handsome styling and plenty of practical features, like a large rainproof main compartment with an adjustable padded computer pouch

Shop Now

To make the most of your hiking journey, the right backpack is, of course, de rigueur. This smart and roomy SWISSGEAR SWA9855 backpack is a great choice with handsome styling and plenty of practical features, like a large rainproof main compartment with an adjustable padded computer pouch that fits tablets and laptops from 15 to 17 inches. Finely crafted from premium-quality polyester, it also includes a built-in organizer compartment with multi-use pockets and sleeves, a dedicated phone pocket, and a RFID protection screen. With several front and side zippered pockets, a side mesh pocket and two interior mesh pockets, it has plenty of nooks and crannies to store all your hiking essentials. And, no matter how much you pack, it wears comfortably thanks to a padded back with adjustable chest strap, side compression straps that keep your contents nice and snug, and adjustable comfort-padded shoulder straps that feature a built-in phone pocket and handy sunglasses strap.

Father’s Day Adventure – Fishing off the coast of Haida Gwaii

Looking for the ultimate Father’s Day gift? How about an unprecedented luxury weekend fishing experience off the coast of Haidi Gwaii in the Queen-Charlotte Islands, on British-Columbia’s Pacific North-coast.

 

Start the adventure with a two-hour flight from Vancouver, followed by a twenty-minute helicopter ride to The West Coast Fishing Club. From there, you’ll hop on a boat and travel by sea to Langara Island where migrating Chinook, Coho and Sockeye salmon stop to feed on their journey South to their natal rivers and streams to spawn the next generation. The catch will be plentiful, and you and your father will experience an unforgettable bonding experience.

Swissgear Legacy Watch – Black with Black Dial & Black Strap

Perfect for the office or going out on the weekend, this timepiece is rugged enough to withstand daily use yet refined enough to go with your favorite sports coat

Shop Now

If fishing isn’t quite Dad’s thing however, here’s a little something from SWISSGEAR that Dad will surely love: an ultra-elegant Legacy Collection Watch with large black dial, black casing and black strap. It’s a stunning go-anywhere watch that Dad will cherish and wear with pride. For other great Father’s Day gift ideas, check out the SWISSGEAR Father’s Day Gift Guide.

B.C. Taste Experiences

With its gentle climate and proximity to the ocean, British-Columbia boasts a bounty of products from the land and the sea that feed a thriving foodie culture and nurture B.C.’s very own terroir of culinary delights. If you like to have a little taste of everything, a couple of food festivals top the bill in June.

The Tofino Food & Wine Festival is a weekend of events from June 1 to 3 that takes place in the quaint and charming town of Tofino, on Vancouver Island’s West coast. Its signature event, Grazing in the Gardens, is a showcase of local culinary talent and British Columbia wines and craft beers set in Tofino’s beautiful Botanical Gardens. Located at the tip of Esowista Peninsula near Clayoquot Sound, Tofino boasts miles of sandy beaches, islands of old-growth cedar, migrating whales, sea lions and hot springs in a lush rainforest setting with a temperate climate. Tofino’s food scene has grown significantly over the past few years. The quality of ingredients, local chefs and access to fresh local seafood is outstanding.

The BC Seafood Festival, from June 8 to 17 in Comox Valley, is the largest event of its kind in Western Canada. Its Signature Festival Weekend (June 16 & 17) features a wide variety of seafood and beverage-tasting stations, chef demonstrations, interactive displays, oyster shucking and chowder competitions, gala dinners, concerts, and more. Located in the beautiful and lush surroundings of Vancouver Island’s central eastern coast on the Strait of Georgia, Comox is a quaint agricultural and fishing town with a friendly vibe.

Unique Wineries of the Okanagan Valley

With its predictable semi-arid climate, ascending foothills and fertile land, the Okanagan Valley brings to mind the ideal winemaking conditions of Northern Italy. No wonder the Okanagan is at the heart of B.C.’s flourishing wine and wine-tourism industry. With so many wineries and “wine routes” to choose from, SWISSGEAR thought it best to select a few truly unique wineries that are worth the detour.

 

Located in Kelowna’s semi-desert valley the Summerhill Pyramid Winery uses organic and biodynamic methods to grow and harvest their Syrah, Chardonnay, Malbec and Pinot Noir varietals, as well as slightly esoteric methods to develop and age their wines. Their wine cellar is located under a geometrically-perfect pyramid with a precise true-North alignment. The winery claims the pyramid’s energy force improves the quality of the wine. Their twenty-year track record of multiple international gold medals would seem to prove them right. Sample their selection of reds, whites, rosés or sparkling wines and enjoy a great meal at their Sunset Organic Bistro.

 

Nestled on the eastern slopes of the Okanagan Valley, overlooking the shores of Lake Okanagan, Tantalus Vineyards is British-Columbia’s first LEED-certified winery, where special attention is paid to land stewardship and biodiversity. Originally planted in 1927, it is known as the oldest continuously producing vineyard in British Columbia. Tantalus itself was established in 2004 with a vision to create a small line of exceptional, organic wines made from old-vine Riesling, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

 

Situated between Vaseux and Skaha lakes near Okanagan Falls, Liquidity Winery features estate-grown, hand-harvested red, white, rosé and sparkling wines from a wide range of varietals from Pinot Noir to Gewurztraminer. The winery also features a rotating exhibition of artwork from its impressive private collection, curated by the owner himself. The art can be seen in the Bistro, wine cellar and tasting room, all part of Liquidity’s beautifully designed modernist winery house.

Swissgear Intercontinental Collection Carry-On Hardside Luggage

Designed in long-lasting moulded ABS, this stylish SWISSGEAR suitcase features 4 Spin-360 multi-directional wheels to effortlessly move in any direction; a retractable push-button locking handle; and a practical top grab-handle

Shop Now

https://www.swissgear.ca/en/swissgear-sw11069-intercontinental-collection-carry-on-hardside

Many wineries in the area also offer guest lodging. If you decide to stay the night, you’ll need the right luggage to bring along. This handsomely designed Intercontinental Collection SWISSGEAR SW11000 blue hardside luggage set will fit right in with its rugged-looking moulded ridge pattern in durable ABS. It features four Spin-360 multi-directional wheels that easily glide in any direction, a push-button retractable locking handle and a practical clamshell design that helps separate and organize your clothing and items.

If you’re heading to B.C. this summer, make sure SWISSGEAR is part of the trip. With durable, expertly-crafted backpacks, shoulder bags, totes and luggage, SWISSGEAR has what it takes to take on the wild, majestic beauty and diverse cultural playground of British-Columbia. To shop the complete collection, visit www.swissgear.ca.