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British Columbia (BC) is a collage of old-growth rainforests, towering mountain ranges, cascading rivers, and remote coastlines-certainly enough to keep an adventurer busy for a couple months. Whether you hike through the tallest trees in North America, kayak the open Pacific or snowboard one of the many mountain ranges, BC will connect you with your surroundings in a way that few other areas on earth can. BC claims 11 mountain ranges, and wintertime brings an abundance of snow. From Vancouver, head two hours north to Whistler/Blackcomb for fantastic resort skiing and boarding. Stop in Squamish along the way to rock climb the 200 routes of Big Chief, weather permitting. For backcountry snow, smaller resorts, and quaint mountain towns, drive 400 miles from Vancouver (140 miles from Spokane, Washington) to Nelson and Fernie in the interior of the province. Nearby is Rossland, the province 's mountain biking capital and also the site for North American and Canadian mountain bike races. Here, you'll have access to dozens of single and double track trails all from a small town base. The flagship ride, Rubberhead, is 15k of single track, crisscrossing railroad track, mountain streams, all with steep descents that seem to come from nowhere. Allow three hours for the ride, and at least that much time to recover. BC's coastline stretches 4,300 miles, mostly in the form of tiny inlets and secluded coves. Consider a kayaking trip in the Broken Group I slands, a wild archipelago forested by old-growth trees off the west coast of Vancouver Island. This trip takes a week, and unless you are a highly experienced ocean kayaker, go with a group (see outfitters below). You'll wake up to killer whales blowing off steam and spend your days paddling with sea lions as bald eagles fly overhead. If you've got a week to spare and a friend to go with, Canada's West Coast Trail is among the toughest. The hike begins in Pachena Bay and ends 48 miles later in Gordon River. Be prepared to traverse rock-strewn beaches and, depending on the weather, an inconceivable amount of mud. Required permits and fees, which total $78, go on sale April1 and can be obtained by calling the number below. www.hellobc.com or 800-435-5622. 56