If You Go

Visitors have several options for seeing bald eagles at Brackendale.

Canadian Pacific Hotels & Resorts’ Eagle Fest Package now through Jan. 27 includes two nights’ stay in Vancouver, train transportation, continental breakfast on the train, naturalist hike, coffee break at Glacier Valley Farm, float trip, lunch in Brackendale and return to Vancouver via van for a cost of approximately $145 (U.S. dollars) at the Hotel Vancouver or $160 at the Waterfront Centre Hotel.

Less expensive alternatives are to book your tour without hotel accommodations, but including the B.C. Rail trip, for about $70 (U.S.)

Another option is to drive to Brackendale (from Vancouver, take Highway 99 north about 37 miles) and join the tour there for about $59 (U.S.)

Brackendale Eagle Festival

The Winter Eagle Count on Sunday Jan. 15 is the highlight of the Brackendale Winter Eagle Festival. Volunteers are welcome to count eagles, an activity administered by the Squamish Estuary Conservation Society, the B.C. Wildlife Service and the Brackendale Art Gallery.

Volunteers, meeting at 9 a.m. at the Brackendale Art Gallery, are put into groups with experienced leaders. Bring cameras, binoculars, warm clothes and walking gear.

Several eagle-related activities are scheduled in Brackendale during January:

An eagle art show will feature sculpture, prints, paintings, and photographs of eagles Jan. 8 - Jan. 31.

On Saturday, Jan. 21, the Brackendale Art Gallery’s salmon bisque will be featured at the Eagle Festival Wingding Dinner and Dance with Valdy, a musical entertainer.

Several eagle tours, including walking, kayaking, rafting and flying excursions, are available in January. A photo contest and a photography workshop also are planned.

The Brackendale Art Gallery is the locus of activity for the festival and includes a theater and cafe.

For more information

Brackendale Winter Bald Eagle Festival. (604) 898-3333.

B.C. Rail (604) 984-5246.

Canadian Outback Adventures (800) 565-8735.

Glacier Valley Farm B&B (604) 892-7533.

Hotel Vancouver (800) 441-1414 or (604) 684-3131.

Waterfront Centre Hotel (604) 691-1991.

xxxx