Birken BC Canada

Birken H

A Unique Mountain Community

In the north east of the Pemberton Valley, visitors will find Birken, a diverse and artistic community located at Birken Lake in the Gates valley in the Southern interior of BC, 20 minutes drive from Pemberton.The stretch of Portage Road from Pemberton through to Birken & D'Arcy encompasses spectacular scenery and is a popular route for drivers and road cyclists.

The road meanders through an eclectic mix of homes, hobby farms and artist studios. There are numerous recreational residential homes surrounding the lake and a small lodge and cabin and the areas only store (the Birkenhead Resort) on it's north west side adjacent to the main road to D'Arcy. A campground (Whispering Falls Resort) is just north east of the lake. The tracks of the Canadian National Railway run along the lakes north west shore.

Great places to see the salmon are at the hatchery on the N'Quatqua Reserve near D'Arcy and from the suspension bridge across the Birkenhead River just past Mt. Currie.The best times of year to watch the salmon run are late August and early September.

Birken Artists & Studios

The valley is home to several artists' studio's and some are open to the public:

The Mute Raven Studio shows photographs, feather collages and paintings by Wim Tewinkel.
Our Glass Works Studio, opened in 1979 is operated by Judy & Hugh Bourhis. They specialize in custom design, some jewelry and ornaments. 604 452 3273

When driving up to the community look for open signs on the road or call ahead to make an appointment to avoid disappointment.

Cafe with Traditional Native Flair

Events

On the 3rd Saturday of every month from May to September you may enjoy local produce, baked goods, jams, novel artisan products, jewelry and photography at the Birken Country Market.
The annual Gates Lake Shinny Tournament held in February offers a complete family day of Canadian Fun. Cross country ski, skate or snowshoe on this versatile lake
The Birken 4X4 Off Road Rally. An annual event held the first weekend of June featuring a Tow Test, Hill climb & large mud pools!

Birken Accommodation

Birken offers a variety of unique accommodation:

Birken Lake Resort offers six housekeeping cabins offering wood stoves and kitchenettes. Peddle or power boats are available for rent. Camping sites offered. 604.452.3255
Birkenhead Lake Provincial Park Campground's amenities include picnic area, fire pits, hiking trails, boat launch and sandy beach. The campground is 50 km from Mt. Currie, turn and drive along 17km gravel road to the park

Learn more about Birken BC Canada.

In the north east of the valley, visitors will find Birken, a diverse and artistic community located at Birken Lake in the Gates valley in the Southern interior of BC, 20 minutes drive from Pemberton.The stretch of Portage Road from Pemberton through to Birken & D'Arcy encompasses spectacular scenery and is a popular route for drivers and road cyclists. The road meanders through an eclectic mix of homes, hobby farms and artist studios. There are numerous recreational residential homes surrounding the lake and a small lodge and cabin and the areas only store (the Birkenhead Resort) on it's north west side adjacent to the main road to D'Arcy. A campground (Whispering Falls Resort) is just north east of the lake. The tracks of the Canadian National Railway run along the lakes north west shore.

Birken's name is derived from the Birkenhead River and adjacent Birkenhead Peak which overlooks the settlement. It is one of the few places in the province where salmon enter from 2 sides. From the north, they enter the valley, from Anderson Lake into Gates River system, and from the south, from Lillooet Lake into the Birkenhead River system. Great places to see the salmon are at the hatchery on the N'Quatqua Reserve near D'Arcy and from the suspension bridge across the Birkenhead River just past Mt. Currie.The best times of year to watch the salmon run are late August and early September.

The valley is home to several artists' studio's and some are open to the public:

The Mute Raven Studio shows photographs, feather collages and paintings by Tim Tewinkel. www.wimtewinkel.com

Our Glass Works Studio, opened in 1979 is operated by Judy & Hugh Bourhis. They specialize in custom design, some jewelry and ornaments. 604 452 3273

Red Beard Glassblowing Studio is located in Poole Creek. Opening in the summer with pre booked glass blowing tours.

Garden Scepters - Garden Art. Unique plant stakes made from cedar and recycled stained glass.

When driving up to the community look for open signs on the road or call ahead to make an appointment to avoid disappointment.

The Red Barn Cafe at the end of Portage Road serves up lunches with a touch of traditional native flair including bannock and x'osum slushies (berries). The restaurant also features local art and craft including medicinal botanical and herbal concoctions form Sharon's Old Fashioned Natural Products. Also offering waterfront campsites and boat launch

Summer Market

On the 3rd Saturday of every month from May - September you may enjoy local produce, baked goods, jams, novel artisan products, jewelry and photography at the Birken Country Market.

The annual Gates Lake Shinny Tournament held in February (date ?) offers a complete family day of Canadian Fun. Cross country ski, skate or snowshoe on this versatile lake

The Birken 4X4 off road rally. An annual event held the first weekend of June featuring a Tow Test, Hill climb & large mud pools!

Accommodation

Birkenhead Resort

6 housekeeping cabins offering wood stoves and kitchenettes. Peddle or power boats are available for rent. Camping sites offered. 604 452 3255

Birkenhead Lake Provincial Park Campground

Amenities include picnic area, fire pits, hiking trails, boat launch and sandy beach. 50 km from Mt. Currie, turn and drive along 17km gravel road to the park

Poole Creek Station

3 bedroom plus loft home on a 5 acre ranch. 604 790 6676

Moon Farm

75 acre working farm, one hour from Whistler. 3 bedrooms, one family suite. 604 452 3419

Whispering Falls Resort

Rustic cabins situated on Anderson Lake. Canoes, fishing & swimming. 604 452 3363

Notes

There are a number of great videos on youtube of the Birken 4x4 rally. If you search the Birken 4x4 rally several come up including one impressive hill climb. Also there is a lovely youtube video called Pemberton Horses showing horses on the highway and a cowboy herding them. I do not know how to embed these videos or even if you can without permission? Anyway, if possible, it would be good to include a couple.

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Pemberton Museum Tea & Tales
August 03
Visitors can enjoy tea, coffee or juice and home baked treats for $2 at the Museum's Tea & Tales program every Tuesday. Each week tea-goers are invited to listen to a local tale presented by a Pemberton resident on various themes connected to life in the Valley.

Pemberton Flying Club Fly-In
August 07
Pemberton Flying Club Fly-in at the Pemberton Regional Airport.

Music at the Pemberton Museum
August 07
This is an all day event showcasing Pemberton's local musical talent - youth and adults. Great day out at the museum for families and children.

Pemberton Museum Tea & Tales
August 10
Visitors can enjoy tea, coffee or juice and home baked treats for $2 at the Museum's Tea & Tales program every Tuesday. Each week tea-goers are invited to listen to a local tale presented by a Pemberton resident on various themes connected to life in the Valley.

Pemberton 2010 Slow Food Dinner
August 14
Slow Food Cycle Dinner Event 2010. From Farm Gate to Dinner Plate... celebrate Pemberton's Slow Food Cycle weekend and taste the best of BC. Join Araxi head chef James Walt and Whistler Cooks' Grand Cousar at Pemberton Valley Farms on Saturday August 14 for a very special dinner! Learn more...

Pemberton 2010 Slow Food Cycle
August 15
Sea to Sky's signature agritourism event. A pedal-powered trip through the natural buffet that is Pemberton Meadows farmland.

Pemberton Museum Tea & Tales
August 17
Visitors can enjoy tea, coffee or juice and home baked treats for $2 at the Museum's Tea & Tales program every Tuesday. Each week tea-goers are invited to listen to a local tale presented by a Pemberton resident on various themes connected to life in the Valley.

Pemberton Museum Tea & Tales
August 24
Visitors can enjoy tea, coffee or juice and home baked treats for $2 at the Museum's Tea & Tales program every Tuesday. Each week tea-goers are invited to listen to a local tale presented by a Pemberton resident on various themes connected to life in the Valley.

Slow Food Dinner
July 08
Slow Food Cycle Dinner Event 2010. From Farm Gate to Dinner Plate... celebrate Pemberton's Slow Food Cycle weekend and taste the best of BC. Join Araxi head chef James Walt and Whistler Cooks' Grand Cousar at Pemberton Valley Farms on Saturday August 14 for a very special dinner!

Bike Magazine Feature Pemberton MTB Trails
April 17
Bike Magazine features recent Pemberton mountain bike trail development built with Canadian government stimulus package money. Learn more.

Pemberton Olympic Home to 'The Snow Leopard'
February 10
Kwame "The Snow Leopard" and Ghana Ski Team to be headquartered at Drumkeeran House in Pemberton, BC. Learn more...

New Tourism Pemberton FaceBook FAN Page
January 30
The new Tourism Pemberton FaceBook FAN page is now online. If you use FaceBook become a FAN! Learn More.

Pemberton Winterfest 2010
January 21
The Spirit of BC - Pemberton committee has put together a variety of events for Pemberton's annual Winterfest activities. Learn more.

Pemberton Potato Jack is a Film Star
November 30
Pemberton Potato Jack is featured in a new short film at the 2009 Whistler Film Festival. Learn more.

Community Futures Howe Sound Events
November 19
Community Futures Howe Sound is hosting two business development events in Pemberton during the week of November 23, 2009. The first annual Meet & Mingle and a Pemberton - Lil'wat Nation Business Development Workshop. Learn more!

New Tourism Pemberton Website Updates
November 02
The Tourism Pemberton website has been under further construction and undergone several updates in the past week. Learn more about new content, videos, business listings, web cams and more!

VANOC Local Resident Special
October 15
Residents of the Squamish to Mount Currie region who register a ticketing account before Friday, October 23 will have an exclusive opportunity to take advantage of a special “Locals” Whistler Olympic ticket offer. Learn more...

Olympic Torch Day February 6th 2010
October 09
As the sun rises over the Chamber of Commerce Visitors Centre's Inukshuk, our community will observe the start of the first of four torchbearers as they begin their relay through Pemberton. Learn more...