I visited British Columbia’s Cariboo Chilcotin Coast in February when the temperature was as cold as -14F. The CCC, or “Triple C,” as the locals call it, is in BC’s central interior. The region covers approximately 45,000 square miles and stretches from near the border with the Alberta province in the east all the way to the Pacific.
Even though cold weather travel is not my thing, the opportunity to visit this part of snowy British Columbia during the winter goes into my memory bank as one of my most unique winter travel experiences.
Who Should Travel to BC’s Cariboo Chilcotin Coast in Winter?
I like to joke that this experience was “winter travel on steroids,” and that’s not really wrong. Here’s who would enjoy this trip:
- Winter sports enthusiasts;
- Photography lovers or anyone wanting to snap pictures of otherworldly snowscapes;
- Travelers who have the appropriate gear for extreme temperatures or are willing to buy or borrow it;
- Willingness to rough it a bit or, at minimum, be okay with modest accommodations;
- Anyone who wants an ultra-unique travel experience that tells a different story than their friends share on social media.
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Getting There
For U.S.-based travelers, flying into Vancouver will make the most sense. I stayed overnight at the Fairmont Vancouver Airport and took a morning flight to Kamloops to meet my tour group. After a five-day tour of the, we flew out of Prince George, back to Vancouver. Note: neither Kamloops nor Prince George are a part of the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast, but the airport locations made sense for this journey.
Other CCC airports to check out:
- Anahim Lake
- Bella Coola
- Quesnel
- Williams Lake
SBT Tip: You’ll need to arrange ground transportation, either work with a tour group or rent a car.
Things to Do
If participating in winter sports doesn’t sound like your jam, this probably isn’t your ideal trip. Here’s what I did during my time in the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast:
- Ice fishing
- Wildlife watching eco-tour
- Cross Country Ski
- Watch a dog sled demonstration – The annual Dog Sled Mail Run in Barkersville is held every February. While 2026 dates haven’t been announced, this one is worth planning your adventures around.
- Tour the Museum of the Cariboo Chilcotin
Where to Stay
Aside from the Fairmont Airport Hotel in Vancouver, my accommodations on this trip were modest but comfortable. The big things that matter on a trip like this are that the heat works and there’s hot water.
- Days Inn by Wyndham, 100 Mile House – My room had a kitchenette, and continental breakfast was included.
- Best Western Williams Lake – Cosy, comfortable, and breakfast included.
- The Wells Hotel, Wells – This boutique hotel in snowy Wells has a seriously good gastropub with scotch tastings, a rooftop hot tub, and a hotel cat named Sam. Check out his Instagram account!
What’s Nearby
This part of Canada feels very remote, and part of the beauty is leaning into the stillness and not rubbing elbows with a bunch of other humans. To extend your trip, build extra time to explore Kamloops and Prince George. I did neither, but Kamloops’ craft beer scene comes highly recommended.
Since your gateway into Canada will probably be Vancouver, taking an extra day or two to explore is easy. Since the temperatures in Vancouver are warmer than what you’ll experience in the CCC, scheduling extra days in Vancouver on the tail of your trip will feel warm and wonderful.
What to Bring
You’ll need sturdy winter clothes with a temperature rating of -20C or better – check the labels of your parka and snow pants. You’ll also need waterproof boots, wool socks, and mittens with inserts. Think function over fashion when deciding what to bring on a winter trip to the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast.
I break down everything I took to the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast during February in this article about how to pack for extreme cold when you’re not used to cold weather, which I’m not. (Link to another article). I think I did pretty well!
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