Pemberton _ from miners to mountaineers
An enclave of the Wild West set between the pine-clad hills of the BC mountains, Pemberton might just seem unchanged since the days thousands of prospectors flocked to its surrounding peaks in search of gold. But it has changed. The door-slapping saloons and timber-clad mining cabins are still there, and the hulking outlines of glacier-topped Mount Matier and Joffre Peak still lurch on the horizon. But these days there are charming Pemberton vacation rentals thrown into the mix, offering a stepping stone to some of Canada's most awesome backcountry skiing, heliskiing, hiking and steaming hot springs.
Gold ruses and roaring waterfalls in Pemberton
The seasonal Pemberton Museum offers an enthralling intro to the local history of the whole Pemberton Valley between the months of May and September. Tales of Lil'wat tribes and gold rush prospectors, of railroads and European adventurers all coalesce between the exhibits. From there, it's just a short hop until you're enjoying some of Canada's most iconic parks. There's the jagged peaks of the Garibaldi Park to see, where Whistler-Blackcomb tumbles down the ridges. There's the Joffre Lakes Provincial Park, peppered with turquoise mountain waters. There's the Nairn Falls, roaring over the cliffs and through the fir trees.
Enjoying the peaks in Pemberton
The purr of helicopters is a common sound in Pemberton. During the winter, intrepid folk strap on the skis and head for the glacial peaks on the tops of the Coast Range. Others opt for summertime flyovers of the mighty Matier Glacier, down over Garibaldi Provincial Park and Whistler. And talking of Whistler, that's an alpine skiing wonderland _ one of the best in the world, sat right on the doorstep of many Pemberton vacation rentals. Then comes the hiking, the natural hot spring spas, the guided kayaking tours over mountain lakes and the private horse riding outings.
Mountains galore around Pemberton
Pemberton sits crowded by the steep-sided valleys of the Coast Mountains some 160 kilometers north of Vancouver. The hulking backbone of Mount Currie dominates the horizon on one side, while the slightly lower Ipsoot Mountain rises on the other. Alpine ranges are the real draw, with parks like the Garibaldi Provincial Park covered in glaciers and reflective lakes, trodden by black bears and swooped by bald eagles. The Joffre Lakes Provincial Park is a must for encounters with ice fields and altitudinous waters, while the Nairn Falls Provincial Park closer to town is also a real beauty.
Traveling to and around Pemberton
Fly into Whistler, BC (YWS-Green Lake Seaplane Base), the closest airport, located 13.9 mi (22.3 km) from the city center.
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