BELLA COOLA VALLEY: remote BC community

We've taken the 16 hour ferry from Port Hardy, BC to the remote community of Bella Coola. Nestled amongst towering trees and lush forests, we spend a week exploring Bella Coola with help of family friends Doug and Lori.
Watch as we explore the forests, observe grizzly bears and cross country ski all in the same day!
At the end of the trip, we tackle the infamous 'Hill' that connects Bella Coola to Williams Lake. With some help from Doug, we are confident putting on our snow chains and driving the van up the road. We couldn't be happier with the performance of the van on this steep road.
Have you been to Bella Coola before?
Thanks for watching!
Krysta + Brian
Want to help support us as creators? Consider becoming a member of our KZbin channel here: / @krystanorwick
PARTS WE USED FOR THE VAN BUILD
Swivel Seats: theswivelshop....
Water Purifier (Guzzle UV + filter): www.guzzleh2o....
OUTDOOR GEAR
Shoe Chains (Yaktrax): alnk.to/fHgTh6N
Krysta's Vest (Cerium LT Arc'teryx): alnk.to/hDle48Z
Krysta's Insulated Jacket (Atom LT Arc'teryx): alnk.to/8Pzl1mZ
Krysta's Hiking Pants (Taema Pants Arc'teryx): alnk.to/g36pePC
Krysta's Sports Bra (Seamless Bra Smartwool): alnk.to/apO9QMM
Krysta's Wool Underwear (Smartwool): alnk.to/b7tbM3O
Krysta's Wool Socks (Smartwool): alnk.to/3J1mzOd
Krysta's Wool Base Layer Top (Smartwool): alnk.to/deshxSX
Krysta's Wool Base Layer Bottom (Smartwool): alnk.to/90u60jD
Krysta's Classic Cross Country Ski boots (Salomon): alnk.to/74pLdoA
Krysta's Skate Cross Country Ski boots (Salomon): alnk.to/2uC3Ic5
Brian's Mid Layer (Atom SL Hoody Arc'teryx): alnk.to/aLDFOox
Brian's Classic Cross Country Ski boots (Salomon): alnk.to/dAhNvCG
Brian's Wool Underwear (Smartwool): alnk.to/bP8dHtD
Brian's Heavy Wool Socks (Smartwool): alnk.to/9mjBY4y
Brian's Wool T-Shirt (Smartwool): alnk.to/b7tbMfu
*If you shop using these affiliate links we may receive a small commission. The price will not change for you. Thank you for supporting our channel ☺️
CONNECT WITH US
KRYSTA: / krystanorwick
BRIAN: / brian.norwick

[@pranamks5104]

Canada seems like most unexplored countries with nature by the tourists, I would like to visit one day, thank you for all the good memories put on KZbin ❤❤

[@tericlanton]

It's been about 7 years since I was in Bella Coola. Absolutely LOVED it! It's a cute little place. This brings back great memories. I can't believe Brian drove The Hill in the winter! I was a little freaked out sitting in the back seat during the early summer. I can't imagine driving it in the winter. Props to you both.

[@KrystaNorwick]

Thanks Teri for sharing! It really is a special place! We were lucky that Doug and Lori gave us a practice run up the hill before we went up ourselves! With their advice to put the chains on at the bottom we always felt safe!

[@khildebrand1661]

Simply stunning, snow snow snow

[@KrystaNorwick]

Thanks K!!!!! ❄️❄️❄️❄️🤩🤩🤩🤩😎😎😎😎

[@dougredden731]

What a beautiful place. You are lucky to have friends there. Great camera work! Enjoy the adventure!

[@KrystaNorwick]

Thanks Doug!! It really was a treat having those two there!

[@nancygould9478]

Think I’ll try in summer though, great film footage, thank you.

[@nancygould9478]

There’s snow snow like snow snow😉🎶

[@DarrellLancaster-l5q]

Y'all sure live in a beautiful place on this Earth 🌎. Stay Happy.

[@krystawark]

Wow!!! This is such an amazing video! It definitely made me want to visit Bella Coola!!

[@KrystaNorwick]

Glad you liked it!! We really think Bella Coola should be on some top travel destination lists for wilderness experiences!!

[@lorijeffrey605]

Amazing! This one tore at my nostalgia heart. Great to see Mr Beaker looking soooooor young; that BC living is good for y’all. Loved the snow song and a glimpse of Bella Coola that Lynn talks about often. Stay happy, stay curious, keep adventuring and thank you for sharing your oh so cool Journey. Xoxo

[@KrystaNorwick]

Our pleasure, Lori!!! Must be that fresh coastal air!! It was a really special trip for all of us! Thanks for watching!!!

[@marianfrances4959]

Visited the area about 30 years ago. Drove the hill!😳👍😎🇨🇦

[@timklassen421]

I am wearing my survived the hill tee shirt I bought in 2017 we only had one day in that beautiful valley and my old neighbor told me she got a speeding ticket going down the hill in the seventys any way thanks for sharing your adventure with us fellow you tubers .

[@RichardSwinton]

in 1982 i drove down the hill with a 30 ft cabin cruiser on a trailer behind me. half way down my truck brakes failed. luckily a 4 by 4 came along. we tied it to the boat trailer and he lowered us down the rest of the way. cheers

[@judywhaley5092]

Looks like beautiful country. We will have to plan a trip there one summer. Thank you for sharing your beautiful trip with us.

[@KrystaNorwick]

Yes you definitely should plan a trip Judy! Such a stunning place! Thanks for watching :)

[@nancygould9478]

That hill is notorious and has no other name throughout BC but the hill. Never been there, someday I hope, but everyone knows “the hill”.😊

[@brittanysagebrown3469]

Thanks for sharing your adventure - looking forward to seeing what comes next. Great work on the vlog! ☺️

[@KrystaNorwick]

Thanks so much Brittany! Glad you enjoyed!!

[@wavelength7503]

Very nicely narrated with the brief history on first Nations treatment etc. I know Bella Cools from the ocean only. Well done beautiful video. New subscriber.

[@KrystaNorwick]

I'm so happy to hear you enjoyed! Bella Coola is such an incredible place. Thank you for watching and subscribing 🙂

[@cyncole]

oh how I enjoyed this video! safe journeys you two 💙 and pls send a msg to Doug that as a self taught jingler, I thoroughly enjoyed his "snow" song and rewind 3 times to listen hahaha made my morning happy 🥰✨ so there you go Doug, time to make your first single 😜

[@KrystaNorwick]

That’s so great to hear!! Would be interested in us posting the full version of the song? We’ll pass the message on to Doug!!

[@cyncole]

@@KrystaNorwick that would be awesome!!! 🙌 #snowsong

[@KrystaNorwick]

@@cyncole ok! Stay tuned if the famous artist gives us the OK 👌

[@akhiltiwari5941]

Wow amazing 😮 👏 😍 Big big Love ❤ from India 🇮🇳 🇨🇦

[@KrystaNorwick]

THANK YOU Akhil!!!! We hope one day to drive to India! Do you also love the mountains?

[@akhiltiwari5941]

Plse Come to India 🇮🇳 and I love mountains ⛰ ❤ 😍

[@giveyandmyla]

Ohhhh my goshhhh!!! You must have heard us. We were just talking about this last night and searched for some videos and thought could not wait for your video, based on last week’s episode. This is such a great video! Seriously the best we could find in YT! Happy for this!!!

[@KrystaNorwick]

Love it!! Haha thanks!! We were a little delayed on this video, so we thank you for your patience and support!! Thanks you two!!!

[@stevepayne240]

Wow I haven't seen Doug for 20 years. Worked with him at Forest Service.

[@KrystaNorwick]

Haha, neat!!!

[@andream6979]

I've been there 5 years ago...hitting The Hill was terrifying but it was worth it, since we saw the grizzlies, at last...😊

[@KrystaNorwick]

That's so cool! Ya it's such a great place! Glad you saw some grizzlies :)

[@richardvalitalo3670]

Crazy how casual the bears were.

[@KrystaNorwick]

Ya I was surprised! But Doug explained to us that they were trying to get as much grazing done as possible since they were going to hibernate soon. So, I guess they were very focussed!

[@stanburk7392]

@@KrystaNorwick A friend once said to me "if you know what a grizzly is going to do in fifteen seconds you know more than the grizzly does". Basically saying they can be unpredictable especially a mamma bear with cubs. Bear spray may or may not deter them. Even if shot directly in the heart they can go on for up to a minute. Enjoy but be cautious.

[@Hood4Love]

Great video! Thank you for sharing. We are looking forward to visiting the area this summer. What camera do you use for filming?

[@KrystaNorwick]

So glad you enjoyed it! It’s such an incredible place. This video was filmed on the Fujifilm X-T4 🥰

[@anneliesevoelker2502]

That would be a great ride.

[@KrystaNorwick]

So true!

[@andrewmacaulay1585]

Home of the legendary Gary Shelton👍 New Brunswick Canada 🇨🇦

[@stevepayne240]

Lived there for 8 years. Loved it. Planned on staying. Unfortunately, my employer decided elsewise. But after being out, I don't think I would go back to live.

[@KrystaNorwick]

It’s a special & remote area. Have you been back since?

[@lynnwark7580]

"Oooooh his chains look good!" hahahaha

[@KrystaNorwick]

Hahaha excited about anything tire related over here!

[@brianmyers4444]

If it took you 16 hours must have been really rough seas and a slow boat. Just returned two days ago from same route and boat took nine hours 55 minutes. And that’s with a course correction to avoid rough water.

[@KrystaNorwick]

Did you take 2 boats or just one? I seem to recall we took 2. It was also in November, so probably is rougher at that time of year I would suspect. Glad your trip was shorter!

[@rodneynorfolk9737]

my sister raised her kids there.....they all left including my sister after living there for 20 years or more....

[@RussellHlokoff]

I am surprised you never mentioned where you were. All the different pools in the rivers have names. Tweedsmeer lodge is a great place but so many more holes on the Atnarko that have names. Not a very good guide.

[@achillesninja]

That hill is no joke and super dangerous. Just did it yesterday. Use chains. Use 4x4 don't be a beginner driver.

[@KrystaNorwick]

It definitely is no joke - super important to be prepared. Glad you made it!

[@brianmyers4444]

Just returned. It’s nothing like it’s rep. Didn’t need four wheel at all going down. Don’t be afraid.

[@achillesninja]

@@brianmyers4444 in winter. Not summer lol

[@maximusaugustus6823]

Google directions gave me 3500 miles to drive, from Connecticut.

[@KrystaNorwick]

That would be quite the road trip!!

[@ricardoortiz4870]

Fun Fact: This place is where Bruce Banner stayed at at the end of The Incredible Hulk.

[@KrystaNorwick]

Oh ya I think I did know this!

[@ricardoortiz4870]

@@KrystaNorwick Ikr, when I saw the movie the first time, I notice Stark Industries in the blueprints for the Sonic Cannons, SHIELD logo being mentioned, and Tony Stark himself in the final scene.

[@warriorcatshow]

Did you ever see chemtrails in Bella Coola?

[@shizlittlebam]

All the time unfortunately. I don't know if anywhere is safe

[@robinscottmarsh846]

Too bad they clear cut all through that area.

[@watchout694]

Please do away with all the distracting music. The scenery is so powerful on it's own.

[@KrystaNorwick]

Thanks for your perspective! It is mighty powerful scenery!!

[@ant-1382]

You could certainly pick some better music for this video. Maybe some indigenous sound. Just not that bebop that just doesn't fit.

[@KrystaNorwick]

Thank you for the feedback! I actually don't have unlimited choices when it comes to music I can use unfortunately. I use a specific service with a library of songs I can choose from, as they are royalty free. When I made the video the library didn't have any indigenous music or sounds in it. They have already been working on adding some, which is wonderful!!

[@Shiloh-Selah]

Hi, what time of the year did u went to Bella Coola? And what season is best to visit? Its so beautiful! Thank you for sharing this.

[@ant-1382]

@@Shiloh-Selah I worked over the summer, it was hot, it's a valley so the heat gets trapped in. Imagine it's pretty miserable in the winter, lots and lots of rain.

[@KrystaNorwick]

@@Shiloh-Selah We were there in late November. It is so so beautiful!

[@Shiloh-Selah]

@@KrystaNorwick thank you for sharing this. Looking up to visit in the summer- found your video first and now im hooked on your trips. All the best to you both! We are from Calgary too:) safe travels!

[@nancygould9478]

There’s snow snow like snow snow😉🎶