While the city is once again green, its easy to see that 2013 will be a snow year. With almost three metres of snow making up the base at the local mountains already this season, it would be silly not to get out there and play in it.
Not everyone gets excited about hurtling down a mountainside strapped to a couple of planks, but a walk in a winter wonderland now that sounds just about right. Hello, snowshoeing!
It might be one of the most accessible sports out there. If you can walk, you can snowshoe. More accurately, if you can walk on two and half metres of fresh snow, without falling in up to your hips, then you ARE snowshoeing.
This sport smacks of invincibility a feeling to be free to go wherever you want to in a winter landscape, to breathe the fresh air and stay fit long after the bikini has been put away for the season. Just be careful of the fondues and stay within the boundaries of the ski area. If venturing into the wilderness, be sure to go with a buddy and both be trained in avalanche safety and carry avalanche gear. Safety first, at all times.
Snowshoes are available for rent at the following ski areas, as well as a handful of locations around Vancouver. Grab a warm pair of boots and youre ready to go!
Mount Seymour
With a variety of tours and trails to enjoy, its easy to see why Mount Seymour has been named the #1 resort for snowshoeing in North America by Snowshoe Magazine. Exclusively for snowshoers, their undulating trails feature serene alpine lakes and old growth forests. Aside from exploring on your own, guided tours are available for individuals, groups and Baby and Me special tours for parents with babies. The chocolate fondue tour on Saturday evenings is very popular for Valentines Day so be sure to book well in advance, otherwise pre-register by 3pm the day before the tour. The SnowFit Series is a fitness-focussed 90-minute power hike on snowshoes for those with a beginner to intermediate fitness level.
MountSeymour.com/Snowshoe | 604-986-2261 ext 206
Grouse Mountain
At the Munday Alpine Snowshoe Park, a short distance from the Peak Chalet, snowshoers have four kilometres of groomed trails to choose from. While the Blue Grouse Loop or Dam Mountain are perfectly scenic and serene, for a more intense tromp around the mountain try The Snowshoe Grind. Located at the mountain top, adjacent to the Skyride ramp, is an intense challenge waiting to be tackled. Yes, this is the winter version of the Grouse Grind. Women-only and beginners snowshoe clinics can get you toned with a training program. And after working up a serious appetite on The Snowshoe Fondue tour, Altitudes Bistro offers cheese, broth and chocolate fondues to celebrate your accomplishments.
GrouseMountain.com/Snowshoe | 604-986-6262
Cypress Mountain
Within the nordic area at Cypress Mountain are 10 kilometres of marked and maintained self-guided snowshoe trails through snowy mountain forests and subalpine meadows. Find your way to Hollyburn Lodge, built in 1926, for a steaming cup of apple cider, hot chocolate and delicious treats amidst a daytime trip. Or don your headlamp in the evening and take part in a guided tour to the historic lodge with a fondue, or two, waiting cheese or chocolate are both available on the weekend and during the week for parties of more than eight. Call in advance to make reservations.
CypressMountain.com/Snowshoe-Tours | 604-922-0825
