Day Trips

Get Outside!

By Vancouver Magazine /

FISHING

Painter’s Lodge (800-663-7090) is home to the original Tyee Club, whose members must reel in a 30-pounder from a rowboat, and King Pacific Lodge (888-592- 5464) is one of the most luxurious wilderness resorts on the continent. Locally, call Sewell’s Marina in West Vancouver (604-921-3474)

GEAR

For equipment and advice, your best bet is the series of stores on West Broadway between Alberta and Ontario streets: Mountain Equipment Co-op (130 W. Broadway, 604-872-7858) and a dozen other outdoor-gear specialty stores and outfitters, including Taiga Works, which sells locally made products (301 W. Broadway, 604-875-6647) and Eco Outdoor Sports (202 W. Broadway, 604-875-6767).

GOLF

The novelty of golfing alongside stunning views of Howe Sound is Furry Creek’s greatest draw (Furry Creek Golf & Country Club, 150 Country Club Rd., 888-922-9462), though it’s a little farther out of town — near Squamish. McCleery Golf Course is a local favourite, recently redeveloped and open year-round (7188 MacDonald St., 604-257-8191). Find a comprehensive listing of courses at Bcgolfguide.com.

HIKING

Try Best Hikes and Walks of Southwestern British Columbia by Dawn Hanna (Lone Pine Publishing). Two local favourites: Golden Ears Provincial Park (Canadatrails.ca/hiking/bc/ goldenears.html) and Grouse Mountain (604-980-9311; Grousemountain.com).

MOUNTAIN BIKING

The folks at Cove Bikes in North Vancouver (877-919-2453) can set you up with gear and a trail map for North Shore (read: challenging) riding.

PADDLING

Rent a canoe from Mountain Equipment Co-op (604-872-7858) and head an hour north of the city toward Squamish (Mysquamish.com) to paddle the Squamish River Estuary; or sea kayak at Deep Cove (604-929-2268).

SKIING/SNOWBOARDING

Whistler Blackcomb (800-766-0449) is home to more than 8,000 skiable acres, including 12 alpine bowls, three glaciers, 200 trails, 38 lifts, and the highest drop of any ski hill on the continent. Locally, try Grouse (604-980-9311), Cypress (604- 926-5612), and Seymour (604-986-2261).

SNOWSHOEING

Find dozens of groomed snowshoe trails on Cypress, Seymour, and Grouse mountains. Check out A Vancouver Guide to Snowshoeing by Devon Girard for maps and route descriptions.

SAILING

Yacht cruise charters, boat rentals, and day-long or multiday sailing classes can be booked at Granville Island through Cooper Boating (604-687-4110).

WINDSURFING

Jericho Beach is good for beginners, and the school there (Windsure Windsurfing School, 604-224-0615) has lessons for all levels. Squamish (Squamishwindsurfing. org) is more challenging and offers some of the best windsurfing in the country.