Photo Credit: Grouse Mountain
Whether you’re ready for it or not (I am!), the holiday season is in full swing in Vancouver. It’s a season to indulge and feel joy, but don’t forget to get those endorphins going while you’re in the city!
Get your step on
Image via Santa Shuffle on Facebook
Santa Shuffle (Dec 1)
The Salvation Army hosts the annual Santa Shuffle 5K run 1K elf walk fundraiser each year, which is presented by the Running Room. This great event runs on the first Saturday in December across 39 communities in Canada. The Vancouver run hosts 1000 runners and takes place at Lumberman’s Arch. The event includes many extra elements that provide a unique experience to participants, including a high energy warm-up, prizes, trophies, and a chili lunch after the run. Overall, the event is a great way for Vancouverites to have a fun day out, and support The Salvation Army’s important work across our community. More info and registration details can be found here.
The Big Elf Run (Dec 15)
Get into the festive spirit in the 4th Annual Big Elf Run! This holiday-themed fun run offers a 1km Wee Elf Run, 5km or 10km Big Elf timed run/walk around scenic Stanley Park. In true elf spirit, the event rallies around fun & charitable support as a proud partner for Canuck Place Children’s Hospice. Run with hundreds of elves then enjoy DJs, dancing, prize giveaways, vendors and more. You’ll pass by 13 famous Vancouver landmarks, so this will a be brisk and picturesque way to see the city. More info and registration details can be found here.
Snowshoeing
If you’re not a skier or are looking for a step activity that involves being in the snow, snowshoeing is your game–there are excellent trails on the North Shore mountains.
Glide around
flickr: Dan Rickard
Robson Square Ice Rink (Dec 1 – Feb 28)
This winter enjoy some old-fashioned fun with a beloved Vancouver tradition. Robson Square’s outdoor skating rink is open, so celebrate winter in style with free skating in the heart of downtown Vancouver. It’s a magical place to enjoy the holidays with your friends, family and loved ones. Admission is free if you bring your own skates, otherwise skate rental is $5 per pair. Helmets are also available.
Hours and more info can be found here.
Mountain Top Ice Skating on Grouse Mountain
Grouse Mountain is home to an 8,000-square foot ice skating pond – the only mountaintop outdoor skate pond in the lower mainland. Great for a fun family adventure or a romantic date – it’s time to lace up those skates for a spin in the fresh mountain air. Ice skating on the outdoor rink is complimentary with a Grouse Mountain Alpine Experience ticket, Snow Pass or Annual Local’s Pass and rentals are available for all ages.
Hours and more info can be found here.
Hit the slopes
Photo Credit: Grouse Mountain
Though it doesn’t snow very often in Vancouver, the North Shore mountains give Vancouverites easy access to some of the best downhill and cross-country ski and snowboarding facilities in North America.
Another way to hit the slopes is to go snow tubing!
Breathe and stretch it out
Photo Credit: Eminence Organics
Breathe to Heal with Max Strom (Dec 1-3)
I always endeavour to post things without bias, but Max Strom is one of my favourite yoga teachers. This weekend yoga workshop at Semperviva Yoga is for people from all levels of fitness wishing to to enter the holiday season feeling calmer and less stressed. No previous experience is necessary and this workshop may be useful for medical practitioners, therapists, and yoga teachers who want to add to their repertoire.
To register and for more information, click here.
Rekindle: A Winter Solstice Celebration (Dec 16)
Join Mara Branscombe and David Yates at One Yoga, in Gastown, for an afternoon of sacred ritual, meditation, yoga, chanting, movement and live music. Come away feel a sense of renewal within, a remembering of what is meaningful to you during this time. To register and for more info, click here.
*A portion of proceeds will be donated to initiatives in the Downtown East Side.
Winter Solstice Moving Meditation (Dec 20)
This is an early one (6:30 am!) but worth it. Prepare for the New Year and celebrate the winter solstice with a Kundalini class taught by lululemon ambassador and founder of Semperviva Yoga, Gloria Latham. In this class, you’ll be led through a series of movements that incorporates one of the most impactful meditations of the Kundalini Yoga tradition to break destructive habit patterns and addictions, and set you on the path to powerful life change.
To register and for more info, click here.
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Make sure to share your#VeryVancouver winter activities with us by tagging us @inside_vancouver and on Instagram!
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