Autumn in southern British Columbia is truly the best time to see the province. Cool evenings, clear days, star filled nights, spectacular autumn colours, fresh snow dusting the hills, little traffic or dust, full choice of accommodations at off season prices...

A GeoQwest autumn includes Autumn Colours Tours that travel though different elevations at different times to catch the best of the fall colours. During the October Wine Festival, GeoQwest teams up with Hainle Winery to include a gourmet picnic lunch beside a crackling fire.

Our Salmon Spawning Tours visit the sockeye salmon that run up the Thompson/Okanagan rivers and creeks. This world famous salmon run is set in the spectacular autumn colours of the Adams Lake region. GeoQwest travels beyond the visitors centers into the backcountry of Adams Lake with a visit to a secluded river where the salmon run but the tourist don't visit. A wilderness lunch stop, a crystal clear mountain lake and a return to Kelowna via a series of backroads completes a full day of natural adventure.

While most British Columbians hide from winter or may head out to the ski hills, GeoQwest showcases the amazing landscapes of our province's winter wilderness forests. GeoQwest's Winter Wilderness Touring travels winter forestry, ranching and rural community roads across southern BC. We co-ordinate with local forestry companies in providing access deep into the backcountry at this exceptional time of year. Travel in comfort through the crystal forests and brilliant sunshine found in the high country. Fresh tracks in new snow simplifies wildlife spotting as coyotes, moose, lynx, cougar, deer and a host of small creatures cross and use these roads in favour of the deep snow in the bush. Sorry, the bears are hibernating!

Throw in rustic backcountry cabins or lodges to extend your travels into a unique multiday winter safari.

The brilliant sunshine routinely found above the valley cloud provides spectacular touring into regions of dense forests, grasslands and mountain vistas. Wildlife often travel the roads and clearcuts in favour of the deep snow in the forest, making deer, moose, lynx and coyote encounters common. Frozen waterfalls, crystal shrouded conifers and heavy coated horses graze snowlined fields providing great photo opportunities.

GeoQwest can also provide safe transportationinto frozen lakes where ice fishing can occupy the fishermen in the group where others may enjoy a roaring fire for campfire food and the beverage of their choice.

Arrangements can be made with local forestry companies to visit active winter forestry operations where the frozen ground reduces ecological damage in the harvesting process.This critical industry in our economy follows rigorous environmental practices that are best appreciated first hand. This rare view of an operating winter harvest is seldom seen by the public.

Try a Brand New Old Family Tradition and join us on one of our annual Christmas Tree Hunts. Starting December 1, GeoQwest carries families into the backcountry near Kelowna to areas where wild Christmas Tree cutting is legal. Armed with a permit to cut, we travel into the winter landscape in search of the perfect Christmas Tree. Charlie Brown would be proud! Bring the hats, woolly mits and make it a full family outing! A roaring fire and your favourite campfire foods and beverage make for a relaxing, fun family tradition.

Go ahead! Try something different in wilderness travel...Safe, comfortable Winter Backcountry Touring.