22 October 2024

After Destination BC launched the Rainforest to Rockies (RTR) route earlier this year, the destination marketing organisation is now focusing on Northern British Columbia, with the release of The Great Wilderness (TGW).

As part of "Invest in Iconics”, a long-term strategy that emphasises geographic and seasonal diversification, Destination BC has been developing and marketing new itineraries that appeal to more tourists from around the world.

TGW is the second exceptional British Columbia iconic journey that Destination BC will promote globally as a recognisable brand.

This Iconic stretches across the northernmost part of British Columbia in Canada: from the Coast Mountain Range in the west to the Alberta border in the east, and from Highway 16 to the Yukon border.

Designed to inspire travellers to get into something greater and discover the otherworldly landscapes – the vast, remote, and enchanting wilderness areas allow them to connect with timeless stories of land and people.

Consumers can embark on an epic road trip or pursue an adrenalin-fuelled multi-day adventure in some of the world's most pristine and protected wilds. From towering mountains, frozen glaciers, rushing waterways, volcanic terrain and alpine peaks, to abundant wildlife, fishing lakes, multi-day hikes, and exhilarating heli-skiing opportunities.

Due to the immense area of TGW, various sub-routes and stories highlight the wide range of opportunities, allowing visitors to go 'beyond the map' and immerse themselves in this everlasting land that has been nurtured by Indigenous Nations for thousands of years.

Two ideas to experience this extraordinary land

Discover a new perspective when exploring five places in TGW that make travellers feel small. Paddle Atlin Lake, the biggest natural lake in BC, located in the T'akú Tlatsini Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area; marvel at the spectacular Kinuseo Falls in the UNESCO Global Geopark; journey through Muskwa-Kechika, the largest protected area in North America; stand in the shadow of Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies; and hike Spatsizi Plateau Wilderness Park, the biggest road-free landscape in the province.

Learn from the Indigenous People and about the geological wonders of TGW. Home to 50 diverse First Nations and scenery that defies imagination, guests can immerse themselves in sunset-tinted mountains, rugged-lava plains and sky-scraping glaciers while listening to and being educated by the Indigenous communities that live there. See the vibrant hues of the Spectrum Range in remote Mount Edziza Provincial Park, the beautiful blues found in Tā Ch'ilā Provincial Park (Boya Lake Provincial Park), and the steaming waters of Liard River Hot Springs Provincial Park. Visit Tumbler Ridge UNESCO Global Geopark that combines geology, palaeontology, and human history and features tyrannosaurus tracks and a museum displaying a 12,400-year-old bison skull. Plus, navigate Salmon Glacier, the world's largest road-accessible glacier, a remnant of the ancient Cordilleran Ice Sheet.

For more information and further inspiration, please visit: https://www.hellobc.com/places-to-go/the-great-wilderness/

How to discover The Great Wilderness

• Take to the open road and go on a bucket list road trip by driving the Alaska Highway (#97), the Glacier Highway (also known as the Stewart-Cassiar Highway, #37), the Yellowhead Highway (#16), or explore them all on The Great Northern Circle Route.
• See the abundant wildlife of The Great Wilderness, including bears, moose, Dall's sheep, caribou, bison, elk, and eagles in areas such as Stewart Estuary, Meziadin Fish Ladder, and Kwadacha Wilderness Provincial Park, and along the Alaska Highway.
• Visit the Nisga'a Territory to explore the haunting volcanic landscapes and learn about how to visit respectfully at the Interpretive Centre and museum. Watch talented carvers at work for an added creative treat.
• Become immersed in Indigenous experiences such as: Gitanyow Totem Poles, Nisga'a Museum, 'Ksan Historical Village, Kiskatinaw or Hagwilget Bridges, Gitwangak Battle Hill, National Historic Site, and Indigenous Artists' Market (Fort St. John).
• Explore the expanse of the Tatshenshini-Alsek Wilderness Park in the far northwest reaches of The Great Wilderness, and catch sightings of grizzly bears, glacier-cloaked peaks, and raging rivers. The Tatshenshini-Alsek and Stikine Rivers are also world-famous river rafting destinations.
• View awe-inspiring glaciers on the Glacier Highway (#37), a journey through more than 20 glaciers in one trip. Among them, the Bear and Salmon Glaciers stand as unique wonders.
• Go to one of the quintessential northern towns - Smithers, Prince George, Dawson Creek or Tumbler Ridge, just to name a few - and meet the resilient and quirky characters who call this place home.
• Drop in from a different perspective with world class Heli-Skiing, ski the Skeena mountains or backcountry on the Hudson Bay Mountain Resort and experience some of the deepest powder skiing on the planet
• Hike the high alpine trails of Hudson Bay Mountain, and the backcountry Berg Lake Trail on Mount Robson, known for its remarkable scenery. Camp and hike around Muncho Lake or the Titanic and the Shipyards Trail near Tumbler Ridge.
• Chase the Northern Lights along the Alaska Highway at Mile 0 in Dawson Creek, Fort Nelson, or Muncho Lake Provincial Park (at the Northern Rockies Lodge).
• Embark on a fishing trip in areas like the Lakes District, Kinbasket Lake, Berg Lake, Kitimat Lake, Williston Lake, Babine Lake, Paradise Lake, Nechako River, Bulkley River, or Skeena River.

Detailed suggested itineraries and more information can be found at: www.hellobc.com/the-great-wilderness

For images to go with The Great Wilderness, please visit: www.bccontenthub.com/en/downloads/TGW_Iconic_photos_FINAL

The three “PPPs” - tips for travel preparation: The spectacular mountain landscapes, the powerful Pacific Ocean, more than 900 parks and nature reserves and, last but not least, wild animals such as bears and whales are some of the main reasons why British Columbia is a popular travel destination. Anyone planning a holiday in BC should therefore always be aware that nature is not only omnipresent here, but that the term “wilderness” is very apt. Good preparation with the three “Ps” is therefore important: planning, packing (the right things), and physical preparation (training and knowing your own limits).
https://www.hellobc.com/plan-your-trip/need-to-know/

Destination British Columbia is the official marketing organisation for British Columbia. Its goal is to market British Columbia as a top global travel destination. Destination BC supports media representatives with story ideas, press releases and image material. It also offers extensive information platforms with the websites www.hellobc.com and www.hellobc.com/media

For press enquiries please contact Rosie Barcroft at Destination British Columbia's UK Press Office at KBC PR and Marketing on +44 (0) 1825 763636 Ext. 220 or email rosie.barcroft@kbc-pr.com