British Columbia’s Sonora Resort, a Relais & Chateâux wilderness retreat located on the edge of the Great Bear Rainforest, is ready to welcome guests for its 17th season starting Wednesday, May 1, 2019. New initiatives this year include helicopter adventure touring deep in the remote wilderness and a sea lion viewing platform, and our sharp focus and commitment to sustainable seafood continues.

“Spring has arrived on the West Coast and so have the wildlife,” says Sean Ross, president and COO of Sonora Resort. “Just last week, our staff saw a pod of orcas swimming by, right outside our dining room. It’s true to nature experiences like these that make Sonora Resort and British Columbia a magical place to visit. We are excited for our 2019 season to start, and for our guests to start experiencing some thrilling new activities.”

Sonora Resort has partnered with local company 49 North Helicopters to offer guests some bucket-list, adventures with a helicopter ride through British Columbia’s coastal mountain range. Options include the Heli Glacier Paddle, where guests are flown to a remote glacier lake to kayak or stand-up paddleboard with a certified Paddle Canada guide; Heli Hiking in the alpine zone, deep in the wilderness, with a hiking guide to witness high peaks, alpine meadows, and see the Pacific Ocean from above; and an all-ages Heli Glacier Walk at a remote glacier in Bute Inlet with a certified alpine guide.

“At Sonora Resort, we always want to create fresh and unique nature and wildlife experiences for our guests,’ says Donna James, general manager of Sonora Resort. “Our glacier helicopter activity is one of our most popular. Therefore, we decided to build on this momentum by offering more helicoptering options. We just have so many awe-inspiring locations for guests to explore in our own backyard that is British Columbia.”

On Sonora Island, a brand-new Discovery Islands Viewpoint, located on a resort hiking path, allows guests to sit and enjoy the scenery while watching sea lions play in the tidal waters.

In addition, executive chef Lukas Gurtner is expected to celebrate World Ocean’s Day this June by featuring sustainable dishes with Pacific octopus.

Sonora Resort lies within the heart of the intimate ecological meeting place where the North Pacific waters touch the coastal rainforests of British Columbia. Visitors can only travel to Sonora by way of helicopter, sea plane, or boat. The resort welcomes guests from all over the world and is a proud member of Relais & Chateâux, Virtuoso Hotels & Resorts, Condé Nast Johansens, and Signature Travel Network.