I.G. Publications of Banff, Alberta is the company that first started International Guide in 1977 and then started Visitor's Choice in 1991. Like our printed products, this new website has been designed with the visitor in mind and will assist tourists and business travelers alike as they work their way through this incredible part of the world. This site is full of information, photos, videos and presentations on golfing, wineries, sightseeing tours, accommodations, dining, shopping and numerous activities that range from adventure tours, air tours and bus tours to boat cruises, horseback riding and gondolas. There are sections devoted to Golfing in the Canadian Rockies, Golfing in the Okanagan Valley and Golfing on Vancouver Island to a comprehensive listing of Wineries in the Okanagan Valley and Wineries on Vancouver Island.
The website is broken down into four distinct areas. The Canadian Rockies features the activities and amenities of Banff, Canmore, Golden, Jasper, Kananaskis Country and Lake Louise. The beauty of the Canadian Rockies is breathtaking. Massive mountains, emerald green lakes and rivers, waterfalls, huge forests, glaciers and miles upon miles of absolute natural beauty will astound you. All this and yet the area features all of the amenities one would expect to find in top resorts around the world. This includes great hotels and motels, fabulous golf courses, various hot springs, incredible shopping and some of the best dining experiences one can find. The Canadian Rockies also has a wealth of activities to partake in and during the summer months, aside from great golfing, the area feature hiking, river rafting, boat cruises, gondolas, sightseeing tours and more. During the winter months downhill skiing and snowboarding is featured at five world-class areas and one can cross country ski, heli-ski, do icewalk or dog sled tours or simply bask in the warmth of our natural year-round hot pools.
The Okanagan section features the areas of Kelowna, Oliver, Osoyoos, Penticton, Summerland, Vernon and West Kelowna. In this large area that extends from Osoyoos in the South to Vernon in the north, you will find over 35 of the best golf courses Canada has to offer. This is also Canada's "Napa Valley North" and and there are over 120 wineries - many of whom offer wine tours, wine tastings and a retail wine shop. Wine Tours are extremely popular and there are four wine festivals a year to celebrate this growing industry. The Okanagan Valley is also known as "Lake Country" because of the numerous lakes and beaches each of the areas has to offer. Okanagan Lake itself is over 80 miles long as it winds itself around each of the areas between Penticton to Vernon and this area attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors a year to the warm waters of its lakes and numerous beaches. Summer also attracts many other visitors to take advantage of other water activities including diving, para sailing and water skiing. During the winter the area has three major ski areas that attract skiers of all levels and ages.
The Vancouver Island portion of our site includes the areas of Campbell River, Comox Valley, Cowichan Valley, Nanaimo, Parksville, Port Alberni, Qualicum Beach, Tofino, Ucluelet and Victoria and nature abounds in this area. Victoria is the capital of British Columbia and very British and cosmopolitan in nature. Every possible amenity if featured here and the city has a wealth of attractions to keep one busy for days on end. There is great shopping, incredible dining spots and an amazing array of activities to take advantage of. Heading north, you come to the Cowichan Valley and the Island's largest wine region. Be sure to Visit the "Town of Murals" in Chemainus where the quaintness will surely impress you. Known as the Harbour City, Nanaimo is where two ferry terminals between Vancouver Island and the mainland are located and the city boast many fine hotels, restaurants and shopping opportunities. Just north of Nanaimo brings you to Nanoose Bay, Parksville and Qualicum Beach where beaches attract thousands of visitors each year. There are also some excellent golf courses, hotels and resorts to take advantage of and this tourist area is very popular during the summer months. Some Wineries have cropped up in this area and also just north again in Comox Valley. Comox also has a number of excellent resorts and the infrastructure includes some great shopping and dining as well. Just north of Comox is Campbell River - a favourite for salmon fishing, adventure tours for viewing grizzly and black bears and whale watching tours. This area also has some excellent hotels, restaurants and shopping. Whale watching is also very popular north of Campbell River at Telegraph Cove where sea life is in abundance. The west part of Vancouver Island is the only area in Canada where surfing takes effect year round. Tofino and Ucluelet are areas that attract hundreds of thousands of visitors each year, not only because of surfing but because of the immense and beautiful beaches and the opportunities to fish, whale watch or simply take in the sights and smell of this quaint areas. Driving to and from this Pacific Rim area takes you through Port Alberni which is worth a nights stop. This area is also known as the salmon capital of Canada and also offers some great historic attractions, as well as nice hotels to stay at and good restaurants to dine at.
