Between peak and off-season travel, there is a sweet spot known as shoulder season. This season offers travellers the opportunity to experience something new on a budget and with fewer crowds. Travelling during shoulder season also offers milder weather, which may make outdoor activities more appealing for some.
BC is known for its natural beauty and abundance of year-round activities. In early spring and late fall, travellers can experience many different adventures, from camping and whale watching to a dip in the province’s natural hot springs.
Sidney Whale Watching – Sidney, BC
Open March to October and serving Sidney and the Saanich Peninsula for over 20 years, Sidney Whale Watching is owned and operated by The Tsawout (Tsa-woot) First Nation and offers whale-watching experiences on the traditional territories of the W̱SÁNEĆ (Wh-say-nech) First Nation. Their passionate and knowledgeable local guides provide guests with an interactive, exciting, and educational adventure where guests can glimpse sea lions, humpback whales, bald eagles, and the occasional killer whale.
Tsawaak RV Resort – Tofino, BC
Whether travellers are looking to settle into a cabin or park their RV, Tsawaak RV Resort offers a remote and laid-back outdoor haven that is open year-round. Tsawaak is in a prime location, just steps from Mackenzie Beach and minutes from the island’s most popular hikes and attractions. Travellers taking advantage of Tofino’s shoulder season can expect an abundance of outdoor activities like hiking, hot springs, and surfing – all while experiencing fewer crowds.
Ainsworth Hot Springs – Ainsworth, BC
Visitors to Ainsworth Hot Springs Resort are welcomed year-round to experience the area’s rich history and soak in the warm mineral waters. Located in the heart of the Kootenay Mountain range, the hot springs consist of a natural cave and pool, providing multiple experiences for guests to enjoy. The Ktunaxa (K-too-nah-ha) First Nations peoples were the first to visit the soothing, warm waters, valuing them for the restorative properties after a long day of fishing, hunting, and gathering roots and berries.
Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre – Whistler, BC
Built to share cultural knowledge and inspire understanding and respect amongst all people, the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre (SLCC) is both a stunning architectural space and a centre focused on positive change. Located in the Upper Village of Whistler and open year-round, the SLCC plays host to storytelling and live carving along with various showcases.
Cariboo Chilcotin Jetboat Adventures – Riske Creek, BC
Located in Williams Lake and operating between May and October, Cariboo Chilcotin Jetboat Adventures offers the perfect way to learn centuries-old fishing skills from Indigenous cultures while dining on world-renowned salmon. The unique approach to fishing uses a traditional dip net and travels upstream through exhilarating rapids, making stops along the way to showcase the 8,000-year-old petroglyphs and abundant wildlife. Spring in Riske Creek is great for fishing and shoulder season offers an advantage to travellers looking to beat the summer crowds.
Media release and images provided by Melissa Verdicchio, Nine Point Agency
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