We got you covered this holiday season and into the new year. Upgrade your ‘staycation’ to a VO eco-rated 'nearcation' with these adventurous trips. Travel smart, and don’t forget your passport!
1) Portland
Green Vancouverites, meet your match. One of America’s greenest cities is also one of the farthest destinations on our list, but Portland’s cool vibe will make the kilometres you covered from Vancouver worth it. It’s always acceptable to ride your fixed-gear bike to Portland if you've got an extra month, but otherwise, bus or take the train to that city that doesn't like umbrellas for a low-carbon impact journey.
Welcome to the land of craft beers and food trucks. The city also has a reputation for well-maintained parks, a unique nightlife, distinguished nature and amazing artisan coffee; Portland even has its own fun-loving TV show Portlandia. Just going for a brisk stroll in the city will get your creative, artsy juices pumping.
Photo by sfgamchick via Flickr
How to get there:
The amazing Canada-US connecting Amtrak is by far the best way to travel down to Portland. It’s scenic, it’s affordable and it’s fairly fast. BoltBus travels from Vancouver to Portland as well, along with other select cities along the west coast, just book your seat early to get the best deals. If you do feel like you must drive, follow I-5 S to North Broadway in Portland, and you should get there in six hours. If you want a more scenic drive, check out this route.
Approximate distance from Vancouver: 507.2 km
What to do:
Big city equals a massive list of things to do. We’ve narrowed it down to a few, but don’t be afraid to aimlessly wander the streets and discover your own new favourite spot.
You can’t go to Portland and not try twenty different coffees. We recommend 'Heart Coffee Roasters' on Burnside Street and 'Stumptown Coffee Roasters.' Fun fact: the people at Stumptown are credited by many for starting the whole artisan coffee wave. Some call them ‘America’s hippest coffee brand’. Don’t forget to stop by at 'Voodoo Doughnut,' hop over to a pod of Food Trucks or 'Clyde Common (farm-driven Northwest cuisine)' for lunch. Did I mention that the stores in Portland are tax-free? Excuse me while I rip up my return ticket to Vancouver and hide out in 'Powell’s City of Books.'
You can also take a walking tour of Portland's bridges, but a better way to experience them is by bicycle, just like the locals do. Try the 38 km bike route from Waterfront Bike Path to Springwater Corridor Path, with many parks and trails along the way. If you’d rather do a bike tour, companies like Pedal Bike Tours and Portland Bicycle Tours would be a great choice.
It’s easy to get distracted by all the hot tourist spots in Portland, but there are a lot of awesome winter activities to do too. Ninety minutes from Downtown Portland, you’ll find amazing winter wonderland Mount Hood to satisfy your skiing, snowboarding fixes. Some resorts include Mount Hood Meadows, Mt. Hood Skibowl and Timberline. Ski Bowl has the largest night ski area in the country while national historic landmark Timberline is as popular for its unwinding lodges as it is for its ski runs.
Photo at Mount Hood Timberline Resort by Dileep Eduri via Flickr
Where to stay:
It’s not too hard to find a sustainable hotel in green central, but why not stay at the original one? The DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel was the first sustainable hotel in Portland. In addition to numerous sustainable practices, the DoubleTree, diverts 68% of its overall waste stream from landfills, and seeks first to purchase equipment, products and materials that are recyclable, made of recycled content and reduce waste. The hotel won various awards for its eco efforts including the "Commuter Choice Leadership Initiative" Transportation Award from the US Environmental Protection Agency.
The River’s Edge Hotel & Spa was the first LEED-certified hotel in Portland. More than 60 percent of the hotel’s waste is recycled or composted. Landscaping with native plants eliminated 95 percent of irrigation needs. As a reward, guests who arrive in alternative-fuel vehicles get to park for free. Check out some other green options that work for you.
Eco-Rating: Very Green!
2) Mount Baker (The ‘North Cascades’)
Travel down to the North Cascades to the spot local Native Americans dubbed the “White Mountain.” Mount Baker is one of US's top snowboarding areas. Each winter, Mount Baker receives an average of more than 500 inches of snow. The snow and extreme terrain produce excellent snowboarding and skiing conditions.
While you’re in the area, check out the other impressive mountains of ‘The North Cascades' including Glacier Peak and Mount Shuksan in addition to several National recreation and wilderness areas, Ross and Chelan lakes and the rocky North Cascades National Park.
Photo of Sunset on Copper Ridge, North Cascades National Park by andy porter via Flickr
How to get there:
The popular route to take is the Sumas border crossing in Abbotsford. Follow the road signs as you drive southeast for 45 minutes.
Approximate distance from Vancouver: 141 km
What to do:
There is an extreme amount of recreational activities for the outdoorsy souls at Mt. Baker. You can go hiking, biking, climbing, backpacking, exploring, downhill and cross country skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, snowmobiling and sledding.
Mt. Baker Ski Area is the most popular spot in the region for alpine skiing, snowboarding, and cross-country skiing. The ski area has 8 chair lifts with a total vertical rise of 455 m.
There are plenty of other winter activities outside of the ‘winter playground’ too. These include snowshoeing and exploring the snow-covered logging roads, visiting the Nooksack falls and hikes along the river, sitting by the river and watching the eagles soar. Also, remember to check out North Cascades National Park, one unit of the North Cascades National Park Service Complex. The North Cascades, or the “American Alps,” provide the opportunity to lookout for wolves, lynx, and moose.
Photo of North Cascades Highway from Flickr Commons
Where to stay:
Situate yourself in the foothills of Mount Baker at The Logs at Canyon Creek. You’ll be encouraged to spend time with your loved ones and the sublime nature, because you’ll be off the grid; there is no Internet, telephones or TV (not that you would need them anyway). Click here to view more lodging options.
Not all the campgrounds on the North Cascades National Park Service Complex are open. Gorge Lake Campground is open all year round, but it’s not for the weak hearted. This primitive campsite has no water or services. Bring water and pack out all trash.
Eco-Rating: Pretty Green.
So maybe the lodge isn’t officially listed as ‘sustainable,’ but the view overlooks nature, and you have to find your own water at the campsite. That counts for something right?
3) Galiano Island
So this one doesn’t require a passport, but the gem of the Gulf Islands will make you feel like you’re far far away. The refreshingly quiet island, with a population of just over one thousand people, is home to a vast number of animals and plants. Galiano has hundreds of bird species reported. Common sights on and offshore includes eagles, great blue heron, owl, hummingbirds, cormorants, resident orca whales, seals, otters, sea lions and many others.
Galiano Island lies between Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland. The Island stretches 27.5 km long, 6 km at the widest point, and 1.6 km across the narrowest. On the western shore are a series of sandstone caves accessible by sea kayak.
Photo of view from Mount Galiano via Wikimedia commons
How to get there:
A 55-minute ferry ride from Tsawwassen brings you to Sturdies Bay on the southern tip of Galiano Island. They have Smart Cars for rent, so there’s no need to bring your car on the Ferry. But if you can’t part with your automobile, make sure to make reservations in advance for this small ferry.
Approximate distance from Vancouver: 68.5 km
What to do:
Pack a few sandwiches and soak in the panoramic view at the top of Mount Galiano. Put on your gloves and winter coat, the scene at the top will be worth braving the cold. The (aprox.) one-hour hike will start at the trailhead on the south end of the Island and end up at the top with a look at the sparkling water and snowy peaks in the distance.
You’ll be able to sit at the top of the mountain and watch eagles soar over your head, but if you want to get up-close and personal with the all-season J Pod of Orcas, join an excursion or keep look out at Sturdies Bay, Bellhouse Park and Bluff Park.
Make this an all-around eco trip by looking into the island’s Eco-Tours, plant sales from the Native Plant Nursery, stewardship walks and consultation. Mopeds, scooters and bicycles are popular ways to get around on the small island. Sustainable farming is a lifestyle on the island, so devour the delicious fruits no matter what season you visit in.
Where to stay:
After all that exploring, you’ll be tempted to spend the night. Relax and get spoiled at Galiano Oceanfront Inn & Spa, which is only walking distance from the ferry terminal.
Camping is restricted to Galiano's provincial parks. Montague Harbour Park has 13 drive-in sites and 15 walk-in sites with water, campfire pits and public toilets. You can stick around and ‘Island hop’ to other hot spots on the Gulf Islands too. View more Galiano accommodation here.
There is no landfill on Galiano, so whatever your brought on to the island, take it off. You can lighten the load at The Recycling Depot & Redirectory.
Eco-Rating: Kind of Green.
The idea of a spa hotel may not sound very green, but the Island provides plenty of camping alternatives.
4) Snohomish County
A little north of Seattle and a short ferry ride away from the San Juan Islands or Olympic Peninsula, this location is an ideal starting point to explore the entire Pacific Northwest.
Enjoy the Agricultural tourism filled with wide-open land and experience the Snohomish lifestyle. Additionally, you can sip the many flavors of Western Washington in Snohomish County’s boutique wineries, breweries or micro-distilleries.
Photo of historic town of Snohomish in the county of Snohomish by Jasperdo via Flickr
How to get there:
Amtrak arrives and departs from Edmonds, Everett and Stanwood to and from Vancouver. I know it’s winter, but you’ll also find bicycle and horse friendly trails and services throughout the county.
Approximate distance from Vancouver: 196.5 km
When you get there, rental cars, taxis, public and private bus transportation and airport shuttles give you the options you need. Washington State Ferry service is available to and from Edmonds and Mukilteo making access to the Olympic Peninsula and Whidbey Island super easy.
What to do:
There is almost too much to discover in the county! Filled with skate parks and underwater parks, a 2-mile-long by half-mile-wide man-made island (Jetty Island), Segway tours, cliff climbing, snowshoeing and cross country skiing.
Here are some narrowed down options:
Exfoliation Dome is a mountain peak with no simple route to the top or bottom. The main faces on the dome are called Blueberry Hill (facing west) and Witch Doctor Wall (facing east). Vertical cliff Witch Doctor wall has a 1,100-foot face and an angle of 75 degrees, and has been referred to as “the most difficult 4,000 foot peak in the State of Washington.”
Snowmobilers will find amazing country roads near this region. The closest downhill skiing area is Stevens Pass (in King County), which is fully equipped ski area offers a variety of terrain for downhill skiers of all levels. It has a vertical rise of about 2,000 feet.
If you want to take the easy way out, the county also offers Roads2SnohomishTours to explore the area. Each one-day adventure includes private van transportation, entrance fees to all scheduled sights and lunch. The tours begin with a pickup at Everett-area hotels or at the Everett Amtrak train & Bus station.
Photo of Stevens pass by Vlad B. via Flickr
Where to stay:
Snohomish has plenty of campsites open year-long. Kayak Point Regional County Park sits next to a spectacular beach. It has a 3,300 feet shoreline and amazing evergreen forests to add to its list of full amenities that includes picnic shelters and tables. View more campsites here.
Country Cedar Inn is located on 5 acres. Get a grand view of Mt. Pilchuck and Three Fingers in the Cascade Mountain Range from the expansive wood deck. This quiet little escape is nestled in quaint Granite Falls. Click here for more lodging ideas.
Eco-Rating: Not-so-green.
The camp site, with full amenities, is fairly 'green', but the beautiful lodging options are not officially listed as ‘sustainable.’
5) Lake Louise (Banff)
Lake Louise stands as the symbolic poster image for the Canadian mountain scene. At about 2.5 kilometres long and 90 metres deep, the lake provides the world with the most scenic skating rinks during the winter.
The Lake Louise village is the highest community at 5,033 feet. The Town of Banff, at 4,537 feet, is the highest town in Canada.
Photo by Teddy Kwok via Flickr
How to get there:
There are many options (other than taking a flight) to get to this snowy capped goodness. You can take the greyhound, which would take you 9½ hours to get there, not counting stops. Although VIA rail doesn’t directly go through this route, it provides an intermodal connection at Edmonton from a VIA train to a Red Arrow Motorcoach.
Approximate distance from Vancouver: 790.5 km
What to do:
Cross-country skiing, dog-sledding, snowshoeing, snowmobiling; just take your pick of winter activities.
Lake Louise is Canadian postcard perfection with snow-capped mountains surrounding a glacier-fed lake that freezes over during winter. The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise is an incredibly scenic free skating rink, with a heated shelter, right on the lake. No wonder it snagged the top spot on CNN Travel's "10 most beautiful ice skating rinks in the world."
So maybe you don’t want to be active on your vacation, but you still want to gloat and say you were on the mountains this season; why not go down the hill on an inflated tube? Snow tubing is an interesting twist to tobogganing that comes equipped with a towing system that will pull you back up to the top. You don’t have to go alone; the sliding lanes are large enough that you can go down alongside your friends and family. Make sure to stop at The Lake Louise Ski Resort, the first resort the Canadian Rockies to introduce an Environmental Management Department, to try this unique adventure.
Just a quick ride away, Hot Springs in Banff National Park lets you sink into warm steaming waters. Suddenly, it doesn’t feel like winter anymore with the water temperature kept between 37 and 40 degrees Celsius, making them an ideal to soak in year-round.
Photo by Randy Peters via Flickr
Where to stay:
Since you’ll be visiting one of the best skating rinks in the world, why not stay there overnight. The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise participates in Green Key Eco-Rating Program, which measures lodging’s impact on the environment. They also have cross-country skiing and snowshoeing on site.
A little further away, but also a part of the Green Key Eco-Rating Program, is Emerald Lake Lodge. The 85 guestrooms come with fireplaces and coffee/tea makers. The lodge was listed in the 2012 Condé Nast Traveler Gold List of the world's best places to stay. Click here for additional lodging options.
Eco-Rating: Very Green!