Snow Shoeing 2020

Hollyburn Ridge, Grouse Mountain, & Mount Seymour
 

Yes, as the winter snows began to blow, the Pacific Ski Club and its members headed up into the mountains.  Many f us have season's passes to Whistler or the 5 and 10 day Epic cards and Blackcomb/ Whistler is their destination.  This year, Nathalie and Andrew dropped in for New Years and introduced me to a new mountain sport, snowshoeing.
  
The first time out, December 30th, 2019, I had a used pair which Nathalie was kind enough to lend for the day.   We hit Hollyburn Ridge (on the right just before you get to Cypress Ski Area) and as novices, walked through a wonderland following the green trails.  At $9.00 for seniors and at $11.00 for an adult, what a deal and what an experience.  

By my 'second' year of snowshoeing, January 1st, 2020, also my second day on those things, we had to exchange one of Andrew's new snowshoes.  While in the North Vancouver store, I was presented with my own new pair.  Thanks to the two of them, I took to the sport and we ended up at Grouse Mountain, and later Mount Seymour.
  
The trails on Hollyburn and Grouse are lighted, so plan to go so that your can enjoy the incredible charm which awaits once the daylight fades and evening arrives.  

Lights begin to pop up all over the place, bring blue, violet, yellow or white shades to the landscape.  Balls of light become suspended in the air, icicles of lights drape a path, and bring a whole new 'light' to the experience of snowshoeing.

If you look around, you may even sight a reindeer or two grazing near by.  Log homes appear out of the forest, and the whole experience is surrealistic and breathtaking.  

Most trails are open until 10 pm, so there is lots of time to enjoy the scenery.

With Grouse Mountain, you need to pay for the gondola ride up, so it is a bit more on your budget, but still worth the while.  They also offer the best dining in their chalet white a view of the entire Greater Vancouver region (snow storms not withstanding)

Heading up the Winter Grouse Grind is a bit steeper than many of us had expected, but we trudged along while new snow kept falling until we were very close to the top.  There we ran into a group where one fellow had come up from the Deep South of the USA.  The others were locals and we had a good rest and a great time getting to know one another.  

Hungry or cold?  All of the mountains have food and hot chocolate.  The one on Hollyburn, the old lodge has been rebuilt, is 20 to 30 minutes up the green trail, and serves great food. 


Mount Seymour offers two different trail systems.  One is within the Mount Seymour skiing area and you need to pay $11.00 for the day.  The other is outside the ski area but it is in the Provincial Park and those trials are free.  Both snowshoe areas have marked trails.

On Hollyburn, they still have many of the old ski cabins and we ran into my good friends, Rick and Carol, who asked us in for hot chocolate, a warm fire, and a very cozy evening.  Truly a dream way of living in the Vancouver area during the winter and summer.

 
As with skiing, the season ended shortly after March 14th.  We will be offering PSC members many opportunities to enjoy this great winter activity again next season.