Things to do within 100 km of McBride

Welcome to the Robson Valley – there is so much to see and do!

The area’s varied terrain ensures incredible hiking, mountain biking, boating and camping experiences during the summer months and cross country skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling during the winter season. Wildlife and bird watching opportunities are plentiful year round and the night skies are clear and dark for stargazers to enjoy.

Remember, hiking and exploring the back country can be dangerous for the unprepared. Hazards include sudden weather changes, wild animals, steep terrain, avalanche hazards, crevasses etc.

Read the full article here!

Falls colours herald the 2017 Fraser Heritage Festival

See thrilling drama in front of this scene this weekend in McBride! Backdrop painting by Sheilagh Foster for Hunter of Peace, a live theatre production in McBride at 7:30 pm October 21 and 22. By Sharon Stearns, Hunter of Peace is a play inspired by the real-life adventures of explorer and botanist Mary Schaffer Warren, an American widow who led a dangerous expedition in search of the headwaters of the Athabaska River in 1907. Overcoming the limited expectations of women at this time, she journeyed on horseback through untouched wilderness–a thrilling adventure full of courage, romance, heartbreak and joy all set against a backdrop of the magnificent Rocky Mountains. See below, or click the calendar for details and ticket information.

Kinney Lake during the 2014 alphorn concert

The upper reaches of the Fraser River, the longest river running entirely within British Columbia, are the setting for upcoming events of the 2017 Fraser Heritage Festival.

Come and enjoy river rafting by Mount Robson September 29 (limited spaces), a free alphorn concert beside breathtaking Kinney Lake at the foot of Mount Robson (3 pm September 30), and a string ensemble in McBride (5 pm October 1).

Drama and musical theatre are in the works (7:30 pm on 13, 18, 19, 21, 22 October, $20) with Hunter of Peace, another in a series of inspired productions by Wishbone Theatre. Click this link to our calendars to see the latest information on these events and more.

Celebrating the geography, people and history of the upper Fraser River, the Heritage Festival is organized by the Robson Valley Arts and Culture Council.

Fall in the Robson Valley is shaping up to be a particularly colourful one. While we do not have the red trees of eastern Canada, the bright yellow aspens and birches and red shrubs are a very scenic backdrop to our hiking trails, great subjects for art and photography, and well worth a look, even if you are not able to visit on a day of scheduled events.

“Alphorn” clouds appear as Jane Houlden plays at Kinney Lake, 2014

Keith Berg and Jane Houlden play at the base of Mount Robson, the top visible nearly three kilometres higher.

 

 

Watch for aurora September 6-7!

View over Beaver Mtn, Rocky Mountains at midnight May 28, 2017.

A particularly strong solar flare is heading for Earth, giving a good chance of aurora bright enough to see even in moonlight, and perhaps further south than usual. Visit spaceweather.com for latest details, and look outside any time after dusk.

Curtain of aurora overhead and south of the Robson Valley, May 28, 2017.

Visit community markets

There are a few more chances to stop by community markets before the season ends. In McBride, the last two Friday markets are August 25 and September 1. The Dunster market runs on Saturdays through September.

Enjoy browsing, visiting, and the chance to buy fresh produce and more at outdoor markets in the valley. In downtown McBride, the community market runs on Fridays 11 am to 2 pm in Kolida Park, by the playground and railway station. In Dunster, the farmers’ market runs Saturdays 11 am to 1 pm at the Dunster Community Hall beside Highway 16. While in the valley, or if you are here on other days, visit the indoor markets and shops in McBride and Dunster for art, crafts, produce, baking and much more, including any supplies you might need for travelling or camping. Drop by the Visitor Centre in the railway station at First and Main, McBride any day 9 am to 5 pm for directions, or call 1-866-569-3366.

Robson Valley Music Festival this weekend

Over 50 acts from across BC and all around the world are coming to Dunster August 11 to 13. The annual Robson Valley Music Festival is a family oriented celebration of music, art and community. More than just a spectator event, there will be many workshops, as well as activities for children in the Kids’ Zone. Food and camping will be available on site. The festival is right by the Fraser River at Dunster. Across from the Dunster Community Hall, turn south off Highway 16 onto picturesque Dunster Station Road for about one kilometre and turn right at the Fraser River Bridge. For information see the Robson Valley Music Festival’s official website: robsonvalleymusicfestivalbc.com

Enjoy market season in the valley!

Enjoy browsing, visiting, and the chance to buy fresh produce and more at outdoor markets in the valley. In downtown McBride, the community market runs on Fridays 11 am to 2 pm in Kolida Park, by the playground and railway station. In Dunster, the farmers’ market runs Saturdays 11 am to 1 pm at the Dunster Community Hall beside Highway 16. While in the valley, or if you are here on other days, visit the indoor markets and shops in McBride and Dunster for art, crafts, produce, baking and much more, including any supplies you might need for travelling or camping. Drop by the Visitor Centre in the railway station at First and Main, McBride any day 9 am to 5 pm for directions, or call 1-866-569-3366.