The third and final installment of what’s going on locally this winter will highlight the “other” outdoor type stuff at the local mountains (ie, ice skating, tobogganing, etc) and elsewhere in Metro Van.

Grouse Mountain has a lot of activities outside of skiing and snowshoeing.

• Ice Skating: There’s no better way to experience winter than skating in the fresh mountain air on a smooth outdoor ice skating rink high above the city. So grab your skates and go for a glide on Grouse Mountain’s 8,000 square foot Ice Skating Pond – the only one of its kind on the West Coast.
• Sleigh Rides: Winter comes alive on an enchanting sleigh ride through Grouse Mountain’s snowy paradise. Take friends and family on a memorable journey around the mountaintop through snow-covered forests.
• Mountain Ziplines: The Air Grouse experience puts you high above the alpine rainforest, careening through the air at speeds of more than 50 km/hour. Your 3-line adventure circuit will give you a unique perspective on the Blue Grouse Lake region of the mountain, combining heart pounding thrills with an exploration of BC’s breathtaking old-growth forests.
• Helicopter Tours: Experience unforgettable sightseeing high above the peaks of Vancouver’s North Shore Mountains – in a helicopter ride of a lifetime. Helijet offers breathtaking tours that begin at The Peak of Vancouver.

Cypress Mountain offers great snowtubing, and a small sliding hill for the little little ones.

Mt Seymour also offers snowtubing and tobogganing: “Mt Seymour’s Enquist SnowTube Park guarantees fun and laughs with your friends and family. Besides the thrill of sliding down a hill in one of our specially designed tubes, you’re assured to enjoy the easy ride back up by our custom tube tow”.

There are also a few other family fun outdoorsy type things going on:

• Scuba Claus is coming to the Vancouver Aquarium.
• Bright Nights are a Christmas classic in Stanley Park.
• For you crazies the annual Polar Bear Swim is always a great time.

As an aside, I just realized I subconsciously stole the title for this post from an article in the North Shore News called Gearing Up for the Long Winter Ahead, which I had bookmarked a while back, oops. Anyways, the article lists the stores on the North Shore where you can grab some outdoor gear, if you’re interested.

**Dec 17 Update: Miss604 has a post about tobogganing where people are commenting on their favorite local sledding hills.

Related Posts:
• Gearing Up For Winter Fun Pt. II
• Elderly Man Found Dead Near Grouse Grind
• Top 15 Adventure Towns Worldwide

Tags: winter fun
Categories: Other Outdoor Stuff
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In part one I told you all about the ski & boarding lessons offered by our local mountains. Today I’m going to focus on snowshoeing at Seymour, Grouse and Cypress.

Cypress Mountain “offers 10 km of snowshoe trails running through pristine, sub-alpine meadows and snow-laden forests”. They have 3 guided tours:

• Hollyburn Meadows – A great introduction to snowshoeing. Trek through snowy mountain forests and meadows with a stop at historic Hollyburn Lodge for a hot drink. Experience the beauty of nature amidst the magic of winter.
• Starlite Adventure Tour – Enjoy a 3 hour snowshoe tour that includes a 2 hours snowshoe trek through the snowy mountain forests and meadows, snowshoe rentals, and a stop at the Historic Hollyburn Lodge where you will enjoy a selection of appetizers and canapés.
• Snowshoe Fondue Tour – This special tour combines spectacular terrain and great food in one adventure. Each tour includes a delicious fondue meal in the rustic ambience of historic Hollyburn Lodge. You’ll enjoy an easy snowshoe trek with your experienced, informative and entertaining guide through towering snowy mountain forests and sub-alpine meadows. A truly unique winter experience that is especially popular with groups.

Grouse Mountain “is a popular destination for snowshoeing; the Munday Alpine Snowshoe Park offers four groomed and marked trails ranging from 1 km to 3.5 km.” Grouse offers one tour (fondue), and 4 clinics:

• Beginner Snowshoe Clinics
• Ladies Only Clinics
• Race Prep Clinic
• Drop-in Nights

Seymour Mountain “has over 10 km of well marked and maintained trails at the Discovery Snowshoe Area. The network of trails leads through meadows and lakes surrounded by wildlife. Look for animal tracks en route”. Seymour offers the largest variety of snowshoeing programs. A few of the different ones to look at are:

• Full Moon or Big Moon Tour – Let our interprative guide and the moon’s radiance lead this two hour tour! A fun chance to get out on a full or big moon. Even on cloudy nights there are lots of things to see and do related to the moon and stars. Explore the moon and the star’s superstitions, myths and legends associated with the night sky.
• Silver Snowshoe Club – A perfect combination of fun, learning, fitness and social interaction for those 50 plus. Your own 50 plus guide will take you along gentle forested trails on a two hour journey to explore nature, the beauty of winter and the joys of meeting new friends.
• Baby & Me Snowshoeing – This invigorating snowshoe series is designed for parents and babies! (or expecting Mom’s with their caregiver’s consent). Enjoy a 90 minute guided snowshoe tour followed by tea and a social. Parents must be able to carry their babies for at least 1.5 hours and have their own comfortable carrier. Change tables available before and after snowshoeing. Includes interpretive guide, snowshoes, poles, trail pass, and an indoor light snack and hot tea afterwards.
• SnowFit Series – For those looking for a great workout, don’t miss out on SnowFit! This focused 90 minute power hike is geared for those comfortable on snowshoes who want to take it to the next level by incorporating a beginner to intermediate fitness routine within a group setting.

The choices are definitely there for snowshoeing in Vancouver, and if that’s not enough you always have plenty of great back country opportunities outside of Vancouver at places such as Elfin Lakes.

Related Posts:
• Gearing Up For Winter Fun Pt. III
• 48 Hours Of Winter At Grouse Mountain
• VACC Bike Commuter Skills

Tags: Cypress,Grouse,Seymour,Snowshoeing,winter fun
Categories: Snowshoeing
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In case you haven’t noticed, its frickin’ freezing outside, which means the local mountains will (hopefully) soon be covered in snow. I’m going to do 3 posts over the coming days to let you know what is going on this season at Cypress, Seymour & Grouse, and elsewhere in Metro Vancouver.

Today’s part 1 will focus on Skiing & Snowboarding lessons and camps.

1) Mount Seymour has a host of programs for ages 4+ and all ability levels. There are single day lessons such as private lessons and intro classes), as well as multi day camps (ranging from children intro lessons to instructor training). Check out the website for all the programs and prices.

2) Grouse Mountain also has a great Snow School with programs divided by age. Starting from Ski Wee to adult programs, as well as a very cool looking freeride program for teens.

3) Cypress Mountain doesn’t seem to offer quite as many programs but they have the usual suspects. There a drop-in lessons for kids, adults, and freeriders, as well as multi day camps. They also offer nordic lessons if you were interested in getting into some cross-country lessons.

I have personally never taken lessons with our local mountains (besides when I was 8 and can hardly remember), so I don’t have much advise in terms of which programs give the best bang for your buck. If anyone has any experience with any of these programs feel free to comment below.

Related Posts:
• Gearing Up For Winter Fun Pt. II
• Cypress Also Due To Open Tomorrow, Seymour At Anytime
• Gearing Up For Winter Fun Pt. III

Tags: Cypress,Grouse,lessons,Seymour,Skiing,Snowboarding & Skiing,winter fun
Categories: Snowboarding & Skiing
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