Most Alpine-like City in Canada?

[DavidB]

Hi, folks.

I traveled around western Europe and loved some of the scenery. The winters are not as cold as they are in, say, northern Canada, because the North Atlantic Current usually keeps it mild (although, I guess this year in eastern Europe it is an exception), but they still get snow.

I especially liked Switzerland.
Unlike northern BC (where I am from), you can grow fruit and nut trees without having them get killed off by a deep freeze in the winter. Or you can grow tomatoes in the summer, without having them killed by an early frost. Switzerland still gets winter, and lots of snow—but it is not ten months of the year.

Anyhow, this brings me to my question:
Can anybody here suggest a city in Canada whose climate is similar to that of Switzerland?
Mountains are nice but not necessary.
I like to grow gardens, and apple trees, and nut trees, etc. So I’d like a relatively mild winter. But I would still like snow. Three or four feet that stays around for a good part of the winter, but the winter doesn’t last ten months of the year like it does in, say, Prince George.

Suggestions?

 

[Ron in Regina]

Winter lasts for ten months in, say, Prince George? You're from
northern BC....have you thought of....wait for it....Southern BC?

 

[Johnnny]

Canmore :lol: , Dease Lake???, Smithers, Whitehorse? HIgh Level Alberta??? Or how about Uranium City in Saskatchewan :lol: lol You aint goin to find a city in Canada thats up in the alpine like in switzerland...... Your from BC also,????? Come on head out of ass

 

[Spade]

Have you thought of Newfoundland?
Crazy snow storm - YouTube

 

[SLM]

Just want to point out the 10C experienced this week. Give it up for SWO!

No mountains though.

 

[Spade]

Have you considered Saskatoon? Great night life!
Saskatoon Blizzard 2007 - YouTube

Just want to point out the 10C experienced this week. Give it up for SWO!

No mountains though.

I have friends in NWO; quintessential Canada.

 

[SLM]

In have friends in NWO; quintessential Canada.

I'm from Northern Ontario originally. Love it. But frankly it's warmer where I am now.

 

[Spade]

Although fishing is great there in summer!
Red Lake Early Ice Walleye Fishing - YouTube

 

[SLM]

Although fishing is great there in summer!
Red Lake Early Ice Walleye Fishing - YouTube

LOL. That's because the ice is thinner then right?

 

[bill barilko]

Nelson BC nice place but not much for work

 

[captain morgan]

Try Kimberley or Fernie, BC... They have that apline-ish feel to it in a big way.

 

[bill barilko]

If you're looking for a city neither Fernie (4 downtown streets) or Kimberly (which you can drive through in 30 seconds) qualifies.

 

[PoliticalNick]

Vancouver Island is fantastic though not much for snow down by the water. Kelowna or Vernon may be a better choice.

 

[captain morgan]

If you're looking for a city neither Fernie (4 downtown streets) or Kimberly (which you can drive through in 30 seconds) qualifies.

Don't be so nit-picky. That entire area is great.

 

[DavidB]

Winter lasts for ten months in, say, Prince George? You're from
northern BC....have you thought of....wait for it....Southern BC?

Hello, "Ron in Regina".

Thanks for the feedback.
Actually, I live in southern BC right now--the Vancouver area. Over the winter it gets lots of rain, grey skies, and rarely snow (which usually is washed away within two days). So I am looking around to make a move.

I could look at a map and randomly pick a place that I think has the climate I want, but I would prefer to hear from somebody with personal experience of a place. I am not going to move to Canmore, Smithers, etc. just to find out it is not what I am looking for. The Okanagan is hot and dry in the summer. For example, places like Kamloops, Penticton, and Oliver/Osoyoos are like deserts, so those places are not for me. However, I have never explored the Kootenays (Kimberley, Invermere, Creston, Cranbrook, etc.).

Anybody here lived in the Kootenays? What is it like?

 

[#juan]

Re

velstoke is one of my favorite little towns in B.C.

 

[bill barilko]

The Kootenays are lovely-my second favourite area in BC-but it's almost all small towns and you asked about city life.

 

[MHz]

Suggestions?

Pick a Province, the ones with the most mountains probably have the fewest cities. Try taking a helo ride of the dam on the Peace River near Dawson Creek BC. Pay attention to the 180 mile long lake that has a ring road by now is water/ice travel is not on your agenda. I would imagine all the canyons and valleys are public land with somebody having the logging and mineral rights, that leaves you the scenery and 'care of the hiking trails' and a few cabins on lookout points such as forestry towers. In winter trappers probably outnumber any other people there so to save the area they need people and skidoos and cameras. 90 of the area is below the treeline, in the Yukon it maybe the opposite.

 

[JLM]

I spent quite a lot of time there in the 60s.........................where you revel all summer and stoke all winter! :smile:

 

[talloola]

Re

velstoke is one of my favorite little towns in B.C.

golfed on the course there, it is on a peninsula with the columbia river going around it like a
horseshoe.

giant mosquitoes, they would have carried me away, if not for my 'deep woods off'. lol