The climate is drier on the inland mountains than right on the coast and the average annual temperature in the valleys is 6.5 °C.

Major urban centres located within this ecoregion include Whistler, Terrace, Kitimat, and Prince Rupert.

There are three distinct types of vegetation on this coast: the forests of the coastal plain dominated by western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla), western red cedar (Thuja plicata) and amabilis fir (Abies amabilis); mountain forest of mountain hemlock (Tsuga mertensiana), amabilis fir and yellow cedar (Chamaecyparis nootkatensis); and alpine tundra with sedge (Carex) meadows and lichen-covered rocks.

Mammals of the area include the Kermode bear a rare white subspecies of the American black bear (Ursus americanus) found on Princess Royal Island and elsewhere, grizzly bear (Ursus arctos horribilis), black-tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus), moose (Alces alces), migratory woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou), grey wolf (Canis lupus), red fox (Vulpes vulpes), mountain goat (Oreamnos americanus), American mink (Neogale vision), American marten (Martes americana), North American river otter (Lontra canadensis), American beaver (Castor canadensis) and snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus).

Birds include spotted owl (Strix occidentalis), dusky grouse (Dendragapus obscurus) and many waterbirds.