Vancouver Winter Inspiration: The Ultimate Guide


Winter may be the coldest season, but that gives us an excuse to layer-up! Whether those layers include outdoor gear for snow adventures or chic knits and cosy hoodies for downtown escapades, here’s some winter inspiration to help you enjoy the best of winter in Vancouver. Continue reading:
Vancouver Winter Inspiration: The Ultimate Guide

What to See and Do in Vancouver on Your Way to Whistler Pride and Ski Festival 2020

Image courtesy of GayVan.com

By Angus Praught

Whistler Pride and Ski Festival, January 26th-February 2nd,  attracts thousands of people from around the world to southern British Columbia each year, as one of the most popular LGBTQ2+ winter Pride festivals anywhere on the planet. With a full week of exciting activities that include guided ski and snowboard groups, a comedy night, a charity ski race, daily après ski events, cabaret nights, spa night, pool parties, a pride parade, the massive “Snowball” and more, people arrive continually throughout the week.

Vancouver is high on the list of many as a pre or post ski festival destination. As some are traveling long distances from as far away as Asia, Europe, the USA, Mexico and the southern hemisphere, it’s the perfect chance to take in some of the fabulous LGBTQ2+ events in the city to enhance the overall experience, and for a chance to meet some of the locals.

Here is a selection of events on various nights of the week that will be taking place in downtown Vancouver around Whistler Pride:

Continue reading:
What to See and Do in Vancouver on Your Way to Whistler Pride and Ski Festival 2020

Got Snow? Cypress Opens Friday!

Photo: Flickr, Zac McDougall

Dust off those boards, tweak those bindings and dig out your long undies because it is snowing in the mountains! Like most winter enthusiasts, this is the time of year I longingly watch our magnificent Lions for that first dusting of white. With bated breath, I diligently monitor temperature and precipitation predictions. Anticipation builds! While commuters curse, I gleefully thank Mother Nature for the early season storms and unexpected blast of winter. I visualize fresh tracks and apres ski! Well, Vancouverites, the wait is over. It is official; Cypress Mountain kicks off the season this Friday, November 10th.

Continue reading:
Got Snow? Cypress Opens Friday!

Ode to North Shore Search and Rescue

Snowshoeing Photo: Rob Weiss

With headlamps, crampons, climbing rope and first aid kits on hand, the brave volunteers of  North Shore Search and Rescue have become regular fixtures on our local mountains.  These local heroes routinely put their lives at risk to provide help to those injured, lost and sometimes misguided hikers, skiers, and mountain bikers who encounter difficulties while playing in the hills.  Saving lives for over 50 years, our incredible group of rescuers is one of the oldest search and rescue teams in the country.

Continue reading:
Ode to North Shore Search and Rescue

There’s no day like a snow day – Cross Country Ski Lessons at Cypress Mountain

Inside-Vancouver-Cross-Country-Ski3

Flickr: Totororo.roro

Interested in cross country skiing? For years I have threatened to learn this fabulous outdoor winter adventure sport. Don’t misunderstand, I absolutely love skiing, but my past adventures have always been of the downhill variety. Despite the balmy, spring like weather this past weekend, the snow-capped North Shore Mountains were calling my name. Definitely time to head to the hills and register for an Introductory Cross Country Classic Ski lesson and rental package. Only thirty minutes from downtown Vancouver, Cypress Mountain, the 2010 Olympic Venue for snowboarding and freestyle skiing, is located in Cypress Provincial Park. On a clear day you can see for miles and savour incredible views of downtown Vancouver, Mount Baker, the Gulf Islands and Vancouver Island.

Continue reading:
There’s no day like a snow day – Cross Country Ski Lessons at Cypress Mountain