The people are proud. The land is rugged and few peaks that we ski have been visited or walked upon. Most of this area is referred to as the Great Bear Rainforest, now under protection from large scale logging, and is still only accessible by boat and aircraft. This is a remarkably hidden gem of Canadian wilderness; you will be a very special guest here indeed. The stories of the area really come alive when you meet the people that call Bella Coola home in person.
Bella Coola marks the western terminus of Alexander Mackenzie's trek across Canada in 1793, the first crossing of the country by land. Long the home of the Coast Salish Nuxalk people, the Bella Coola Valley became a route to the Cariboo gold fields in 1858, the location of a Hudson's Bay Company trading post in 1867, and a home for Norwegian colonists from Minnesota. Farming, lumber, and fishing industries began shortly after their settlement.
The Bella Coola Valley is of archaeological and historical significance in that it was a trade corridor between coastal and interior Native Groups. The river had several villages along its length. Furs and leather were exchanged for salmon and eulachon grease, and were transported along what were called the "grease" trails. Remnants of pre-contact Native culture include the site of Friendly Village, visited by Alexander Mackenzie in 1793, pictographs near Big Rock, a burial ground and smokehouse near Stuie, and aboriginal trade trails. There are also obsidian quarries on Tsitsutl Peak.
For many years Bella Coola was linked to the world beyond only by horse trail and by sea. In August 1953, the residents of Bella Coola celebrated a newfound and well-deserved freedom. For two long years they had donated their time, energy, equipment and money to develop the last portion of Highway 20 - the stretch of road that would finally give them access to the economic centre of Williams Lake. "The Hill" drops 4,500 feet into the Bella Coola valley, with a 9-km stretch of up to 13 percent grade.
Today, Bella Coola is accessed by air, road and ferry. Daily flights between Bella Coola and Vancouver are available from Pacific Coastal Airlines, and others. Bella Coola Air services the outer communities and other lodge-based operations from the Bella Coola Airfield.
More information about the Bella Coola Valley can be found from the Bella Coola Valley Tourism Association and the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Tourism Association.
