Our Favourite B.C. Travel Destinations from 2025

B.C. has no shortage of jaw-dropping, exciting and rejuvenating getaways. In 2025, we travelled, we saw, we experienced—and we loved it. Now, we The Editors, are here to convince you to add these five destinations to your 2026 travel bucket list.

Family-Friendly Skiing at SilverStar

The Okanagan ski resort that feels like Europe—without the price tag

Determined not to live in fear of an activity so many people in B.C. love, I learned to ski when I was 40 years old. And while I graduated from bunny hill to some cruise-y green hills, I still wasn’t quite ready to hit Whistler quite yet. Enter SilverStar—the resort nestled high above the Monashee Mountains outside Vernon. Beautiful powder, minimal lift lines and—big bonus—a super cute village that feels like a European holiday. It’s also great for the whole family, with skating and tubing for kiddos and even mini snowmobile courses. I’ll definitely be back this year. — Darcy Matheson, editor-in-chief, BCBusiness

Beachside Bliss in Powell River

I have a Powell River bumper sticker that says “Powell River: I Had a Good Time, Actually” that delights me both because it’s a highly unusual city slogan, and because it highly underestimates just how much I love it up there. It’s a journey from Vancouver—the other slogan, Two Ferries Can’t Be Wrong, is accurate—but there’s the thrill of catching that second ferry after a leisurely read on the back deck of The Cove at Earls Cove, and knowing you’re on your way to a stack of books, a quiet beach and a perfect little cabin on the water. In the summer, hit the farmer’s market in the woods for supplies and be charmed by whoever is taking the stage to serenade the audience. Grab an ice cream at Wild Scoop in town (go for the lavender lime or lemon twist), a pound of (excellent) coffee for the cabin at 32 Lakes—and then read, swim, eat, repeat for the week. —Anicka Quin, VP of content

Small Town Magic in Nelson

I fell hard for Nelson on my first trip there this past spring, visiting for a story for Western Living (a sister publication of BCLiving and Vancouver magazine). I’m a tried-and-true urban girl, but this small town had me wondering for the first time ever what it would be like to leave the big city behind. The charming, historic downtown core is extremely walkable and features all the things that a sophisticated cosmopolitan needs to survive (good coffee, wood-fired pizza, a speakeasy, a store selling Jungmaven t-shirts, et cetera). So while I’m not really ready to upend my whole life and move to the Kootenays, I’m certain I’ll be back soon.—Stacey McLachlan, editor-in-chief, Vancouver magazine

Finding Health and Healing in Squamish

In late September, I decided to take a short trip up the Sea-to-Sky to Squamish in search of rest. I wanted to go somewhere to “unplug” while not being too far away from the city. I knew that’s exactly what Squamish could deliver. A year of big change had me tightly wound, and I’d heard about an outdoor sauna and cold plunge spa out in the woods called Aika where I could sweat my stress away. While forest bathing and hitting the sauna was definitely on my list, I was also delighted by the other ways the city of Squamish nourished me: I found a new restaurant that serves up killer zero-proof cocktails, a combination yoga studio and coffee shop, a sanctuary for rescued equines and more. You can read all about it in the New Year when the January issue of Western Living drops (which, by the way, is giving away FREE print subscriptions now!). —Kristi Alexandra, managing editor, Vancouver magazine, Western Living, BCBusiness

Wilderness Wonders in Campbell River

When I had the opportunity to travel to Campbell River and visit the Naturally Pacific Resort this past fall, I was immediately in. Not only is Campbell River much more accessible than you think, but the waterfront city has so much to offer as an up-and-coming travel destination. There are great local shopping options, like West Coast Wildflowers or Mussels & More Pottery, along with excellent dinner options like Carve Kitchen + Meatery. But what truly made Campbell River my favourite travel destination of 2025? The breathtaking, peaceful natural wilderness that’s just a stone’s throw away. Think: whale watching in the Discovery Passage, the suspension bridge over Elk Falls and bear watching in Orford Bay. If you’re craving some time in nature that doesn’t involve remote back-country camping, add Campbell River to your travel list. —Sandrine Jacquot, editor, BCLiving