The weather forecasters have predicated a colder & snowier-than-normal winter season for 2011. With the school holiday break only one month away, there's no better time than now to plan for some snow play fun & snow sports on our local mountains. And you don't have to break the family piggy bank to enjoy these pursuit.
The three local north shore mountains - Mount Seymour, Cypress and Grouse Mountains - are only 40 minutes away from Vancouver. They offer similar but slightly distinctive snow sport programming that can meet nearly every family budget. They also have full-service restaurants and cafeterias offering a wide variety of food & menu items.
Skiing & Snowboarding
Family of 4 passes for a day's worth of skiing/snowboarding range from $129 to $180. If you need to rent equipment, there are extra fees involved. Skiing is not a cheap sport, but it is great fun, and you may wish to start off with some lessons if your family has never tried it before. All three local hills have excellent kids and adults ski and board lesson programs. You'd be surprised at how quickly your child learns to snowplow down the mountain!
Note: If your child is in Grade 4 or 5, they are eligible to apply for the Canadian Ski Council's annual SkiPass, giving them up to 3 free lift tickets to nearly every ski resort in BC and Alberta, including all three north shore mountains and Whistler. For details and to apply, visit www.snowpass.ca
Cross-Country Skiing
Cypress Mountain has the most extensive local cross-country ski trails. Their Jackrabbits cross-country ski lesson program is a great way to introduce children to this fun and accessible winter sport. Equipment rentals extra.
Snowshoeing
All of the local hills offer great snowshoeing programming. You can rent snowshoes or bring your own pair to hit the specially-marked trails, either on your own or with a guided group (recommended). Snowshoeing is great exercise in the beautiful outdoors, with great views of the city on a clear, sunny day.
Snowtubing & Tobagganing
Cypress & Seymour both have SnowTube Parks, where you can spend a couple hours or a day sliding down the specially designed snow tube hill in custom snow tubes, while getting a ride back up on the tube tow line. A two-hour rental rate will cost approximately $20 (per person).
Mount Seymour has a great Toboggan Park, where you can bring your own toboggan or sliding mat (no inflatables allowed) for only $8 (pp) per day, or $32 for family of five. It's probably the most reasonable snow play deal to be found anywhere.
Skating
If your child loves practicing her jumps and sit spins, Grouse Mountain has a 8,000 sq ft skating rink to enjoy. Admission to the Skating Pond is included in the Grouse Mountain Admission, Winter Pass or day Lift Ticket.
[Photo credit: eye for beauty]
[ttm tip: Skiing can be an expensive sport. To outfit your family, visit ski swaps, used sporting goods stores, and consignment stores to shop for used skis, snowboards and other ski gear.]