9 Nicest Small Towns In British Columbia

British Columbia is Canada’s westernmost province, located between the Rocky Mountains and the Pacific Ocean. It was one of the last regions of the North American continent to be explored and settled, emerging in the second half of the 20th century as one of the leading provinces of Canada in population, economic wealth, and overall growth.

British Columbia boasts a varied and diverse natural landscape, including coastline, alpine mountains, rainforests, lakes, plains, and even desert. Its main cities are Vancouver, the largest city in the province, and Victoria, the capital of the province. British Columbia is a popular destination for Canadians and international visitors alike for its natural beauty and abundance of outdoor recreation. These are the 9 nicest small towns in British Columbia.

Squamish

Squamish is located between Vancouver and Whistler on the Sea-to-Sky highway. It is a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts, nicknamed “the outdoor adventure capital of Canada” - and for good reason. Squamish is home to eight provincial parks, most notably Stawamus Chief Provincial Park. Avid hikers may attempt to summit the Stawmus Chief, a 702-metre granite monolith that towers over the town. While not overly technical, it is a steep and challenging hike that rewards those who summit it with views of the Howe Sound and surrounding mountains.

Aside from outdoor opportunities, Squamish boasts engaging indoor activities and a vibrant food and drink scene. Mining was once Squamish’s main industry and can still be seen in town today. The Britannia Mine Museum was one of the largest copper mines in the world, and is now a multi-award winning museum that takes guests underground on a working mine train. The Copper Coil Still and Grill is conveniently located downtown, serving unique dishes of the Pacific Northwest that are inspired by flavors of Louisiana.

Whistler

Whistler is a year-round resort town drawing in mountain bikers in the summer and skiers and snowboarders in the winter. It is home to Whistler Blackcomb, the largest ski resort in North America. With over 8,000 acres of terrain, 5,280 feet of vertical, and more than 200 trails, there’s a reason it is an iconic destination for skiers around the world. There is no better way to take in the summer alpine experience in Whistler than riding the Peak 2 Peak Gondola, which overlooks volcanic peaks, rainforests, and glaciers.

Activities on the mountain may change with the seasons, but downtown Whistler remains constant year-round, offering many boutique shops, museums, restaurants, and galleries. Araxi Restaurant and Oyster Bar is an internationally recognized restaurant that focuses its menu around locally sourced ingredients, resulting in an unforgettable culinary experience.

Pemberton

Pemberton sits on the floor of the Pemberton Valley with the iconic Mount Currie overlooking the town. It is known for its small-town soul, contrasted with big adventures in the surrounding mountains and terrain. Between April and October, visitors can saddle up with Copper Cayuse Outfitters and explore the Pemberton backcountry through steep mountain trails, quiet forests, and onto the alpine, where you will reach scenic viewpoints.

Visit North Arm Farm, a farm shop open daily, selling locally grown produce, meat pies, and house-made soups. They offer a unique experience in the summer where you can pick your own produce from the patch between mid-June and October. Enjoy a cold craft brew on the outdoor patio at The Beer Farmers while you take in the view of the surrounding mountains, seasonal flowers, and possibly even a grizzly bear grazing in the adjacent meadows.

Revelstoke

Revelstoke is an alpine town with something to offer for every season. It is nestled between the Monashee and Columbia mountain ranges. Mount Revelstoke National Park is accessible year-round via the Meadows in the Sky Parkway, which enables people to access the alpine directly from the river valley, making it the only mountain in the national park system that you can summit just a short walk from your car. There are many trails throughout the park allowing for hiking, biking, and snowshoeing, depending on the time of year.

Visitors enjoy wandering through the restored downtown area of Revelstoke, which features over 60 buildings that date back to the late 1800s. Grizzly Plaza hosts 58 nights of live music every summer, featuring artists from British Columbia, across Canada, and worldwide. In the winter, Grand Canadian Tours offers backcountry snowmobile tours due to Revelstoke’s renowned annual snowfall.

Tofino

Tofino is a coastal village located on western Vancouver Island surrounded by ocean and rainforests. Cox Cay Beach offers consistent surfing opportunities year-round, with bigger waves in the winter. For non-surfers, you can simply relax on the crescent-shaped sandy beach or explore the many tidepools. Tofino is a prime spot for whale watching from February through to October. Ahous Adventures runs 2.5-3 hour tours on the waters of the Pacific Ocean where guests view gray whales, humpback whales, occasional orca sightings, as well as other marine life such as sea otters, seals, and sea lions.

Tofino is known for its acclaimed restaurants and sophisticated tasting menus. Browns Socialhouse is located in Tin Wis Resort and serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It blends the charm of a casual restaurant with an upscale dining menu, making for a comforting and unique experience.

Fernie

Fernie is nestled in the British Columbia side of the Rocky Mountains, near the border of the province of Alberta. Its historic downtown area between 4th and 9th Streets is full of brick buildings from the early 1900s, contrasted with the surrounding mountains, giving it a unique, small-town charm. The Vogue Theatre is located downtown, showing new releases and featuring two 3D screens and an arcade.

Fernie Alpine Resort provides activities year-round, from skiing and snowboarding in the winter, to scenic chair lift rides high into the mountains during the summer. Stop at Fernie Brewing Company and relax on their patio in the summer months while you sample up to 12 beers from their rotating tap of core beers, seasonal, and limited release beers. Be sure not to go home without picking up branded merchandise.

Osoyoos

Osoyoos is the southernmost town in the Okanagan Valley, bordering the state of Washington. It is a unique destination known for its desert ecosystem and reputation as a premier wine region, and is perhaps best known for being home to Osoyoos Lake, the warmest freshwater lake in Canada, which averages temperatures of 24°C (75°F) in July and August. The lake is accessible from many points in town, such as Lions Park, the perfect place to sit on the beach and enjoy the lake, picnic, or use it as a base to go out on the lake on a kayak or stand-up paddleboard.

Learn more about Osoyoos’ desert ecosystem at the Osoyoos Desert Centre. ​Visitors may explore Canada’s desert by taking a guided or self-guided tour along a 1.5 km elevated wooden boardwalk. Enjoy a wine tasting at Night Bird Estate Winery, which boasts a 3,000 square foot wine tasting room that is big enough for 60 people.

Penticton

Penticton is another town located in the Okanagan Valley, and while it is known for wine touring in the summer, Penticton holds the status as “Canada’s craft beer capital” with seven breweries located in town. Abandoned Rail Brewing serves European-style beer accompanied by pizza on its dog-friendly patio. Penticton is also a site for year-round outdoor recreational opportunities.

Outdoor enthusiasts will love the Kettle Valley Rail Trail, a decommissioned rail trail that is also part of the greater Trans Canada Trail. It has been converted into a recreational trail network that is suitable for hikers and mountain bikers of any skill level. In the winter, Penticton turns into a winter playground at Apex Mountain Resort. With 2,000 feet of terrain and a variety of restaurants, a bar, a coffee shop, and a general store, it has everything you need.

Invermere

Invermere is located in the Kootenay region, bordering the province of Alberta, and is only a 90-minute drive from Banff. It is best known for its beaches and walkable downtown area. Kinsmen Beach is just a five-minute walk from downtown. Kinsmen Beach grants access to Lake Windermere, allowing for an array of water sports in the summer, such as kayaking, fishing, boating, and much more. In the winter, over 30 kilometers are cleared on the frozen lake where many people enjoy skating, cross-country skiing, and sledding.

While the activities in Invermere change with the seasons, the food scene remains constant. Ullr Bar is open year-round and is a great spot in town for food and hand-crafted cocktails. Golfers will enjoy playing a round at the Copper Point Golf Club, one of the newest championship golf courses in the Kootenay Rockies.

Larger cities in British Columbia, like Victoria and Vancouver, allow for easy access to quintessentially British Columbia activities like beach days, water activities, winter sports, and hiking in the mountains. However, the province's small towns are a charming alternative, filled with aspects of British Columbia that locals and visitors alike love about the province. From the outdoor recreational opportunities in Squamish, the world-renowned skiing opportunities in Whistler, and the craft breweries of Penticton, these are the 9 nicest small towns in British Columbia.