By SANAM ISLAM
Photo: Toby Creek Adventures
The days are getting longer and warmer, which means summer is almost here! What better way to enjoy the great weather than getting off the couch and having some truly Canadian adventures? (more…)
By SANAM ISLAM
Photo: Toby Creek Adventures
The days are getting longer and warmer, which means summer is almost here! What better way to enjoy the great weather than getting off the couch and having some truly Canadian adventures? (more…)
Photo by Joel Mann
By Waheeda Harris
A recent survey by scientists at the University of Wisconsin looked at the economic benefits of urban dwellers switching from a car to a bike for trips of less than five miles in 11 metropolitan areas of the northern Midwest US.
The societal health benefits were gauged in terms of medical costs, mortality rates, car accidents, physical fitness and air pollution. Scientists found that if inhabitants in a sample region were to switch from driving to biking only for errands requiring less than 25 minutes of cycling, the result would be an annual $3.8 billion saved in health care costs and 1,100 fewer deaths from road accidents.
The study conservatively assumed Midwesterners would only cycle in good weather—approximately four months of days per year. Yet, according to Bicycling Magazine, in 2010 Minneapolis, Minnesota, was named the top city for cycling in the United States, a city that certainly has four seasons.
In Canada, Montreal gets the nod as the only Canadian city—out of 80 cities worldwide—on the 2011 Bicycle-Friendly Cities index, compiled by Danish consulting firm Copenhagenize. Montreal, which came in at number eight, was chosen for its $100-million-plus investment in revamping bike trails, its long-standing cycling infrastructure and being the first North American city to launch urban bike-sharing program Bixi.
Grab a paddle, lace those hiking boots and ready that fishing pole: Where‘s headed to the North Shore
By Jennifer Patterson
Meghan and Mat glide through the water in brightly coloured rentals from Deep Cove Canoe & Kayak. Photo by KK Law
Get Wet
Water babies feel right at home in picturesque Deep Cove, a short drive from downtown Vancouver and a haven for water sports enthusiasts. Rent a kayak at Deep Cove Canoe & Kayak and glide through the water, up picturesque Indian Arm, to Granite Falls. This photogenic park offers camping spots for multi-day trips. A growing trend with both celebs and weekend warriors: paddle boarding. Stand upright on a long, flat, surf-style board and use a long paddle to manoeuvre through the calm waterways.
Grab a fishing pole and head into the Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve for some peaceful trout fishing around Rice Lake. The main dock is usually busy but the three-km- (1.8-mi-) long path around the lake is filled with hidden benches and quiet corners.
Learn about the culture and history of the Coast Salish First Nations on a guided canoe trip through Indian Arm with Takaya Tours. The traditional wood canoes are 7.6 m (25 ft) in length and tours can be customized to include drumming, songs and stories. End your day on the water with a grilled salmon feast, available by request.
Stay Dry
Landlubbers seeking an outdoor escape head north of downtown to kick up dirt on the tree-covered mountains. The 48-km- (30-mi-) long Baden-Powell Trail, a winding stretch through the North Shore Mountains, starts in Horseshoe Bay and ends in Deep Cove. Don’t feel pressured to complete the entire route in one go—an ambitious venture, indeed—as the trail has multiple entry points and smaller trails branching off along the way. A couple of route highlights: the famous Grouse Grind, also known as Mother Nature’s StairMaster; the Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge; and Quarry Rock lookout in Deep Cove.
Those with a need for speed grab a mountain bike and burn rubber on backwoods trails. Mt. Seymour, Mt. Fromme and
Meghan and Mat make their way back from Quarry Rock viewpoint on a well-established trail. Photo by KK Law
Cypress Mountain offer paved, gravel and plank-covered paths ranging from relaxed cross-country to extreme downhill. If you’re a first timer looking for a little guidance, companies such as Endless Biking (page 64) can set you up with an instructor and guide.
If a city bike is more your style, 10 km (6 mi) of paved trails await on the car-free Seymour Valley Trailway. Do you have some energy to spare? Peddle the paved roads all the way to the top of both Cypress and Seymour.
Head a little further north, to the Stawamus Chief Park, for hard-core rock-climbing on the second largest granite monolith in the world (think sheer rock face with nowhere to go but up). If you prefer pounding the dirt to dangling from ropes, make your way up and through the mountains via trails, ladders and stairs to either the first, second or third peak. The climb is a bit challenging but the 360-degree views from the top make it well worth the sweat. Before heading back into Vancouver, visit neighbouring Shannon Falls, the third-highest waterfall in British Columbia.
Up in the Air
Challenge your fear of heights on the 137-m- (450-ft-) long Capilano Suspension Bridge, hanging 70 m (230 ft) above the rushing river. This popular attraction with both visitors and locals added a jaw-dropping new feature this year: the Cliffwalk, a cantilevered and suspended walkway that juts out of a granite cliff face. The faint of heart may balk at the glass-bottomed sections, which offer crystal-clear views of the canyon far below.
Feel the wind beneath your wings as you set flight from the top of Grouse Mountain on a tandem paragliding ride with an elevation drop of 1,000 m (3,300 ft). No experience is required but a sense of adventure is a must.
Gear for Here
Stock up on clothing and equipment, for outdoor adventures both big and small, at Mountain Equipment Co-op and the Arc’teryx Factory Store.
Bikes on trains. Photo by Sandbanks Pro
Bike enthusiasts looking to explore another city’s streets should consider a weekend two-wheel road trip enabled by one of VIA Rail Canada’s bike trains. Cyclists can bring their bikes on board for $20 per direction, and then sit back and relax until they arrive. Cities serviced include the well-travelled streets of Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal and Quebec City, and a few lesser-trod spots like London and Windsor in Ontario and Jonquière and Senneterre in Quebec.
Take the family on Ottawa’s Capital parkway network, which is the reason why our capital often pops up on lists of the best cities in North America to cycle. With the views of the Ottawa River and well-groomed parks, you won’t feel like you’re in a metropolis. In Senneterre, bikers can check out Mount Bell and the dense pines of Aiguebelle Park. Cyclers travelling to Windsor have the vast 42 km Chrysler Canada Greenway ahead of them—rural routes, wineries and the beaches of Lake Erie offer something for all.
Via offers bike transportation on trains with bike racks until October 31, 2011. Find details at http://www.viarail.ca/bike.
There’s a new way to get around the city this summer, thanks to the arrival of Bixi Bikes. The bicycle-sharing system launched in May and has quickly become a popular alternative form of public transportation. With 1,000 bikes available at 80 docking stations, it’s an easy way to make short trips between downtown restaurants, shops and sites. Simply use your credit card to pay for 24- or 72-hour access ($5 or $12), then grab a bike and pedal to your destination within 30 minutes. Additional charges are incurred if you keep the bike for longer than a half-hour. The sturdy yet sporty two-wheelers are available at all times within a service area between Bathurst and Jarvis streets from east to west, and north-south from Bloor Street to Queens Quay. Find specific stations online, here.
Both adults and wee ones get a kick out of the Gastown Motorcycle Show 'N' Shine. Photo by Greg Descantes
Biker dudes and dudettes of all ages show off their motorcycles on the streets of Vancouver for the 6th annual Gastown Motorcycle Show ‘N’ Shine (Aug. 15). Ogle hundreds of gleaming two-wheelers on display, including cruisers, choppers and drag bikes. Brush up on brands at the manufacturers’ displays, watch bikers perform stunts for the crowds and enjoy live music. The motorcycle demos are a hit, so line up and ride, baby, ride.—Kristina Urquhart
Cyclists race in the Yaletown Grand Prix. Photo by Paul Cordick
Some Canadians celebrate our nation’s birthday by donning red and white and belting out “O Canada” at the top of their lungs. Others jump on their bicycles and do lap after lap around the streets of Yaletown, competing for $4,000 in prize money—and entertaining folks watching from the beer garden (Jul. 1).—Sheri Radford
Bring a sense of adventure on these outdoor escapes
By Jennifer Patterson
No matter what type of activity you’re after, Where has you covered.
Daredevil cyclists barrel down the jumps and runs in Skiers’ Plaza. Looking for something not as reckless? Rent a bike to explore smoother, less vertical terrain, as mountain biking is the summer sport here.
Views abound on Whistler's biking and hiking trails. Photo by Toshi Kawano courtesy Tourism BC
Animal lovers feel at home on a dog sled as a team of huskies leads a snowy alpine ride. Hop in the back of a 4×4 vehicle and join expert Michael Allen on a bear watching tour, including stops at favourite feeding sites and daybeds—don’t forget your camera! Channel John Wayne on your own trusty steed with a horseback ride through the wild countryside. Prefer horsepower to horses? Kick up some dust in the backcountry on a quad or dirt bike.
Adrenaline junkies get their fix with a bungee jump, while slightly more sane individuals go ziplining through the trees. For the even saner, glass-bottomed cabins on two of the Peak 2 Peak Gondolas offer enough of a thrill—and don’t require harnesses.
Shutterbugs and sightseers, have your cameras at the ready: aerial sightseeing tours and helicopter rides provide the perfect opportunity to capture the sweeping panorama.
Those seeking peace and tranquillity need look no further than the stunning golf courses and fish-filled rivers. For a quiet getaway, rent a canoe or kayak, don some life jackets and explore the pristine lakes. Nature enthusiasts breath the crisp mountain air while hiking the meadows and trails surrounding Whistler.
Snow bunnies can still strap on skis and snowboards, as Horstman Glacier is open through July for sun-filled summer skiing.
For activities listings, click here.
# 1. Photo by Holly Chan
1 Breathtaking cityscapes.
2 The passion for all things local—including goat cheese and heirloom tomatoes—at farmers’ markets around the city. If you forget to bring an eco-friendly shopping bag, most likely you can buy one there.
3 Rick Hansen. The local paraplegic activist makes us proud over and over again.
4 Walking, biking or blading along the 8.8-km (5.5-mi) Stanley Park seawall.
5 The perfect gift or souvenir, such as a bottle of award-winning BC wine.
6 All the Hollywood celebrities in our midst.
#11. Photo by Tony Chen
7 The gradual change from spring to summer. It’s the perfect excuse for a shopping spree.
8 Spotting cute harbour seals and majestic orcas on a whale watching tour.
9 Tasty Japanese tapas and addictive cocktails at Hapa Izakaya.
10 Living in a picture postcard every single day. Vancouver has been called the supermodel of international cities, but we’re more than just a pretty face. We have substance, too.
11 A sunset stroll along the seawall to view the inukshuk in English Bay.
12 First Nations bentwood boxes at Wickaninnish Gallery.
#13. Photo by Lili Vieira de Carvalho
13 Joining the throng of locals at the always-popular Granville Island Public Market.
14 The last few cherry blossoms of spring.
15 Tasting the season’s first sweet and juicy prawns, right out of the ocean and cooked up by a dozen of Vancouver’s best chefs, at the annual Spot Prawn Festival (False Creek Fishermen’s Wharf; May 8, noon to 3 p.m.). Don’t delay: the season for these local, fresh, sustainable prawns runs just eight weeks.
High-performing, high-quality gear is available at Mountain Equipment Co-Op
With Canada’s rugged landscape, it’s little wonder one of our largest sporting equipment stores started in Vancouver. Find apparel and gear for every conceivable adventure, including watersports, cycling, skiing, climbing and hiking, at Mountain Equipment Co-Op, a local institution since 1971. The store stocks kayaks, luggage and backpacks (pictured), too.—Kristina Urquhart
Do you have great photos from your travels in Canada that you'd like to share with us? Submit them to the Where Canada Flickr pool and they'll show up here.
Stay, Dine, Do
