British Columbia

What to pack for your trip to British Columbia

Functional clothing. If you are planning to visit in winter, functional clothing is key for enjoying and being safe in the outdoors. You usually can borrow from the hotel warm outer clothing such as snowsuit, boots, gloves and balaclava. In addition, you should pack thermal underwear (preferably wool), breathable layer clothing, plenty of socks (again, preferably wool, rather than cotton or synthetic), and a warm hat. Swedish functional clothing specialist Odlo has a great line of clothing products for the icy outdoors.

The key to stay warm in very cold outdoor environments is to think layers that allow good ventilation of body heat, materials that breathe and avoiding perspiration. Opt for oil-based creams and skip the morning shower when you have a day planned outdoors.

All-weather gear. During the warmer season, be prepared for rainy and windy conditions. Ideal are lightweight hoodies like the highly weatherproof Arc'teryx Squamish jacket, which is breathable, too — handy for when the weather clears up again. Tuck a good (but compact) umbrella, like Repel's Windproof Travel Umbrella with Teflon Coating, into your bag, in case of a real downpour.

Power adapter and charger. In Canada, the power sockets are the same as in the U.S.: Type A and B. The standard voltage is 120 V and the standard frequency is 60 Hz. Type A and B power adapters are included in this world adapter set from Bestek, and a multiport charger, like Anker’s compact Powerport 4.

Packing cubes. They not only keep your suitcase organized, but also compact your clothes to save space. One of frequent travellers'favorites are Eagle Creek‘s Pack-It cubes, which come in different sizes so you can tailor your setup to your needs.

If you are planning to travel around, Lonely Planet's British Columbia & the Canadian Rockies travel guide might come handy. Venture into the epic wilderness, sample local seafood or ski the iconic peaks of Whistler and Banff.

Also check out the website of Super, Natural BC with lots of info for visitors to British Columbia.