Comparing Bella Coola to Earth might seem like an odd thing to do but hear me out.
If you look at a picture of the universe you will see that the earth is in the middle of no where.
No other planets around it are habitable like earth is.
When you look at a map of Bella Coola Valley, you will find that it is surrounded by rough coastal mountains, ocean...
inhabitable area surrounding the Valley.
Even though this town is tucked away and well hidden from the rest of the world accessible by the famous or is it infamous hill, air and boat.
You have to come see for yourself what is so exciting about "The Hill".
This town is the center of commerce for the rest of the villages along the inlet, coast and the rest of the narrow valley.
This amazing area offers much in the way of activities such as kayaking the rivers, fly fishing on the banks of the Bella Coola River, hiking, heli-skiing, chartering a boat for fishing, grizzly bear watching, cross- country skiing or snow-machining on the back trails; bring your own as there is no rental place in the area.
There is also featured events like the annual rodeo, weekly seasonal farmers market, enjoy one of the 'potlatches' that the Nuxalk people put on, or come for weekend fun during the Fall Fair that includes such things as lumberjack competition, just to give you a few ideas of whats available.
Bella Coola is known as the "Gateway to the Great Bear Rainforest".
This incredible rich green rain-forest like area reaches for miles and miles along the coast of British Columbia, including many of the islands along its coast.
Most of the history about Bella Coola has been handed down through oral stories that date back thousands of years by the decedents of the first people living in this valley other than a few pictographs, some of which are visible today.
These people created trade routes throughout the interior of British Columbia known as the Grease Trails that linked all the villages to Bella Coola.
One of the more well known visitors was Alexander Mackenzie.
He blazed the trail to the Valley in 1793 and over the next 100 years or so other visitors arrived, including fur traders and gold prospectors.
The Norwegians chose to settle in an area they named Hagensborg, not far from Bella Coola where the Nuxalk people lived.
In 1862-64 there was a small-pox epidemic that nearly wiped out the First Nations people.
Some of the few hundred survivors chose to move to Bella Bella, or Anahim Lake, but most stayed in Bella Coola, named after the river.
I would recommend picking up a copy of the Historic Walking Tour of Bella Coola, at the Museum or Kopas store.
Visitors will be able to find and learn about the history of some of the buildings throughout the area.
The Bella Coola Museum which was built for a school house originally by the Norwegians in the 1800s, has maintained its focus on the history of the First Nations, Norwegians and early commercial fishing here in the Valley.
With so much history and things to do in this valley, it is not surprising why many people visit and return yearly.
There are visitors that come from around the world to enjoy this peaceful, warm, friendly and beautiful valley.
Why not be the next visitor to come to Bella Coola today?