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Vancouver is an outdoor enthusiasts
paradise, with recreational activities available year round and an
active population that takes full advantage of the amenities offered
them. It is often stated that on New Years Day one could sail, kayak,
or golf in the morning, and then head up one of the three mountains
framing the city to ski or snowboard in the afternoon and evening.
LAND ACTIVITIES:
Tennis :
Lots of indoor and outdoor courts. Most outdoor courts operated and
maintained by the local Parks Board. Some of the more popular have an
hourly charge.
Try: Kitsilano Beach, Queen Elizabeth Park, Stanley Park, many
of the smaller community parks and some school grounds.
Golf : 
A golfers paradise with almost year round play. There are
many well tended public courses and some semi private that allow the
public on some days of the week. And, if you have a friend in town or
perhaps reciprocal privileges from your home course, you might be able
to sneak onto one of the many superb private courses.
Some of the more popular courses with public access :
Fraserview Golf Course...604 257-6923
Furry Creek Golf Club ( 20 minutes north of Horseshoe Bay 604
922-9461)
Hazelmere ( Surrey ) 538-1818
Langara ( Vancouver city ) 713-1816
Mayfair Lakes ( Richmond ) 604 276- 0505
Nicklaus North ( Whistler ) 939-9898
McCleery ( Vancouver city ) 257-8191
Peace Portal Golf Course (south Surrey) 604 538- 4818
University Golf Club ( Vancouver city ) 604 224-1818
Private: (don't pass up an opportunity, if you have a connection)
Marine Drive, Quilchena, Shaughnessy, Point Grey, Swaneset Bay,
Capilano
Walks, Hikes and Climbs:
There are hundreds of easy walks in and around the city and some ,
more strenuous, within easy access. If you are going on a "hike",
please advise someone of your planned activity and destination. If
your destination is in a Provincial Park, check in with the parks
office before setting out, and stick to your planned route. Go
prepared and watch out for bears in spring through fall. We keep maps
and route books in our library for your use.
Walks:
Capilano Park--West Vancouver, from mouth of the Capilano
River up the eastern side to Cleveland Dam.Access to Baden Powell
trail near the dam. Allow 4 hrs, open all year.
Burnaby Mountain--allow 3.5 hrs, open all year.
Cypress Park / Hollyburn Ridge--West Vancouver.
Richmond Dykes--easy walk or bicycle ride around the
perimeter of the Municipality of Richmond. Stop at Steveston for
lunch, watch for Finns Slough.
Pacific Spirit Park--Near The University of BC. Miles of
forested trails.
Baden Powell Trail --on the North Shore. Long but with
numerous entry and exit points. Can be done in sections of 2 to 4 hrs.
Mount Seymour--North Vancouver. Great views and alpine
areas and lots of different trails. Some look easy but can be
treacherous in parts. Stay on well marked trails.
Lynn Canyon Park and Lynn Headwaters Regional Park--North
Vancouver. Fairly easy, some older growth forest and even a couple of
swimmable lakes.
Or, just join the locals on a leisurely stroll around the
waterfront. There is no major industry on the waterfront and no
private ownership of the foreshore. One can walk from the University
of BC in the west, all the way around False Creek, around English Bay
and Stanley Park and into the downtown core--most of the way on a well
defined seawall. Evenings in the summer are particular enjoyable as
the sun in the summer months does not set until 10 PM, and the sunsets
linger for an hour.
Hikes and Climbs :
All of the below should be looked upon as serious hikes and one
should dress accordingly.
Howe Sound Crest Trail ( South )-- West Vancouver from
Cypress Mtn. to Unnecessary Mtn. Allow 7 hrs return.
Stawamus Chief ( The Chief )--Squamish. Crazy people go
straight up the face of this gigantic rock but it is possible to reach
the top by going around the back. About 26K (15.5 mi ) total round
trip to third peak with a 610m (2000 ft ) elevation gain. Can be done
in sections. Great views from the top.
Squamish / Chekamus / Whistler Area---Lots of tremendous
high alpine hikes. In order to really enjoy the area, most should be
done as "overnighters" so supplies, tents etc. would have to
be backpacked. Some have Provincial Campsites. Go prepared and watch
out for bears spring through fall. Some to consider--Diamond Head,
Elfin Lakes, Garibaldi Lake and Black Tusk. Brandywine Meadows (can be
done as 4-5 hr day trip ) Whistler Peaks--Take chair to top of
Whistler Mtn, hike the peaks of Piccolo and Obo Summit to Singing Pass
and return by Fitzsimmons Creek.
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Skiing:
Most ski facilities in the area are open late Nov. to April.
Whistler often runs later with late spring /summer ski schools and
heli- skiing in the upper regions.
Whistler
/ Blackcomb---604 932 4211
Cypress Bowl--- 604 925 2704
Grouse
Mountain---604 9809311;
Manning Park--- 604 840 8822
Mount
Seymour ---604 986 2261
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WATER ACTIVITIES
Swim at the one of many beaches or indoor pools in the city
Rent a kayak, canoe, or sailboat and see the area from a
different perspective.
- Jericho Sailing Club
- Various locations on Granville Island.
- Deep Cove Canoe and Kayak Centre 604 929 2268
- Ecomarine Ocean Kayak Centre 604 689 7575
How about a little windsurfing ?--- For the enthusiast, head
up to Squamish where the winds really blow. "Squamish" in
the local Coast Salish Indian language means " Mother of the Wind
"
Rent a boat at Horseshoe Bay and try your luck with the
salmon.
Sewall's 921-3474
Take a cruise of the harbour aboard a
paddlewheeler--well OK, so it's not real but it looks like a
paddlewheeler.
Go Scuba diving--Try Whytecliff park, Porteau Marine
Park or the Indian Arm.
For diving news, hotspots, contact Diver’s World 604 732
1344
River Rafting; Chilliwack River Rafting 1 800 410 7238;
Hyak Wilderness Adventures 604 734 8622
Sailing: Sea Wing Sailing Schools and Yacht
Charters...604 669 0840; Cooper Boating Centre 604 687 4110
OTHER MISC. ACTIVITIES
Glacier Air Tours Contact 1 800 265 0088
Jump off Grouse Mtn attached to a hang glider ( with an
instructor, of course ) for a thrilling ride to the city of North
Vancouver 30 minutes below.
Hot Air Ballooning : Balloons Above the Valley 604 533
2378 & Pegasus Ballooning 604 533 2701Kite Flying : Join
other enthusiasts at Vanier Park, Gary Point in Steveston, and most
local parks.
Mountain Biking :: Pacific Spirit Park, Grouse Mountain,
Cypress Bowl. Get info from The Great Bicycle Co. 604 988 1800
Observing Nature : For bird watchers, the Reifel
Migratory Bird Sanctuary 604 946 6980; Brackendale, the Bald Eagle
Capital of the World 604898 3333
To view wild animals, go to the forests! We don’t allow
zoos any more!
Parachuting : Abbotsford Parachuting Centre 604 854 3255
Rent a bike or rollerblades :and bicycle the seawall or
Stanley Park. Rentals at the corner of Georgia and Denman St.
Sky diving :Info from the Parachute Shop 604 327 5867
SPECTATOR SPORTS
CFL ---BC
Lions Football : B.C. Place 604 685 4344
NHL---
Vancouver Canucks
Hockey G.M.Place 604 254 5141
Horse Racing Exhibition Park 604 254 1631 |
