| West coast life styles include wonderful | | | | the world, the event attracts a colorful crowd of |
| things-to-do during the Christmas season. For | | | | 2,000 or more, many still wearing New Year's Eve |
| visitors and newcomers to Vancouver, British | | | | costumes plus a mob of friendly fans cheering |
| Columbia, here are ten choices, each a little | | | | them on. |
| adventure unto themselves, something that will | | | | Dating back to 1928, Vancouver's Polar Bear |
| etch vibrant memories for years to come. | | | | Swim began at the urging of Peter Pantages, a |
| Warning: Those following this To-Do List may | | | | local Greek restaurateur, who coxed his swimming |
| reduce stress and may experience moments of | | | | buddies to dive into the 40 degree temperature |
| genuine happy feelings for loved ones and the | | | | waters for the fun of it all. |
| world around you. | | | | This year's crowd, with and without wet suits, |
| 1. A below the speed limit drive around the | | | | brave the waters to raise money for charity, on |
| Stanley Park | | | | a dare from a friend or just because it's |
| Regarded as one of the most enjoyable urban | | | | something they need to do on their checklist of |
| spaces in the world, Stanley Park's 1,000 acres | | | | life's accomplishments. |
| are situated on a magnificent peninsula just a mile | | | | 4. Snow-visit on one of the three local mountains |
| from downtown. Your journey begins at the park | | | | Traditional downhill skiers have plenty of choice |
| entrance on West Georgia Street. Heading into | | | | when it comes to skiing for the day and on into |
| Stanley Park you will be traveling counterclockwise | | | | the night. Expanded runs on Cyprus Mountain |
| with the extraordinary views out the passenger | | | | feature the first local mogul course, while the |
| side of your vehicle. | | | | gondola-only access to Grouse Mountain was the |
| From the historic Vancouver Rowing Club that | | | | first of three to introduce night skiing. |
| you pass by shortly after you begin, to the world | | | | In just 20 to 30 minutes from downtown, you |
| renowned totems, complete with designated | | | | can find yourself up Cypress to the west and |
| parking spaces for touring cars and buses, the | | | | 3,000 feet above sea level. Many visitors and |
| first few minutes offers plenty to see. By the | | | | locals alike get a kick out of the gondola up |
| way, it's OK to stop and get out for a moment | | | | Grouse Mtn. Breathtaking views on the way up |
| or two. | | | | and likewise on the return back down the |
| The 6 mile or 10 kilometer route should be driven | | | | mountain will have you talking about this part of |
| at some rate of speed under the suggested | | | | your trip for months. |
| 30 km, about 19 miles per hour. The natural | | | | Competing for space on the white hard packed |
| beauty of the inner harbor includes built-in | | | | trails comes from snowboards, snowshoes and |
| sedatives that blend sky and water and coastal | | | | cross-country skis. |
| mountains with an urban landscape layered in | | | | Last but not least, the ski slopes on Mount |
| place. | | | | Seymour an alternative to the fast pace of the |
| Whether with family or friends or a solo trip of | | | | other two ski destinations. |
| your own, a drive through Stanley Park, may | | | | 5. Bird watching along shorelines and parks |
| provide much needed balance to your hectic | | | | The migratory paths of many bird species funnels |
| holiday schedule. | | | | through the Lower Mainland of BC including English |
| 2. Carol Ships Parade of Lights | | | | Bay. Winter months offer daily opportunities to |
| The Carol Ships Parade of Lights is a much loved | | | | get up close and personal with many a |
| annual event that delights communities throughout | | | | fine-feathered-friend. From Bald Eagles to |
| the Vancouver area. Checkpoints include North | | | | Cormorants, Mallards to Bufflehead ducks and the |
| Vancouver, Lions' Gate Bridge, English Bay, | | | | full-time resident Great Blue Herons, these are |
| Spanish Banks, Jericho, False Creek and Plaza of | | | | just a few of the many feathered flyers who |
| Nations. A time schedule is published well in | | | | make English Bay home during the holiday season. |
| advance and can be found at the event's web | | | | For the avid bird-watcher I highly recommend |
| site | | | | combining a stroll along the Stanley Park Seawall |
| You have to remember that the city has water | | | | between Third Beach and the South Entrance to |
| two large bodies of water that form natural | | | | the park. December offers playful episodes of |
| boundaries. The Carol Ships leverage this to great | | | | shore birds that love to duck beneath the surface |
| advantage. | | | | for a good twenty seconds or so. Patient |
| Imagine a floating parade going down main street | | | | observers will find a whole flock participating in this |
| of your town except this parade is one of ships, | | | | follow-the-leader type of behavior. One moment |
| all shapes and sizes, decorated in holiday lights and | | | | there are forty or so birds floating along the |
| playing Christmas Carols. | | | | shore, the next they are have all disappeared |
| Two of the ships are large enough to serve | | | | from sight only to bob to the surface like cork |
| dinner to guest who can listen to the music and | | | | filled toys ready to continue paddling along. |
| enjoy the evening cruise or join in themselves to | | | | Numerous vantage points for bird watchers |
| sing the Christmas carols. | | | | include Spanish Banks, Pacific Spirit Park, Jericho |
| This event runs from December 1st to the 23rd | | | | Beach, Queen Elizabeth Park, Mount Seymour |
| in 2006 with extra sailings on December 28th and | | | | Parkway, Ambleside Park, Cyprus Provincial Park, |
| 29th. | | | | Coal Harbor and the False Creek area surrounding |
| 3. Polar Bear Swim on New Year's Day | | | | the Granville Island Market. |
| Want to chill out while bringing in the New Year? | | | | Voted as one of the most livable cities in the |
| Meet up with the other crazies at the foot of | | | | world, Vancouver has so much to offer. When |
| Denman and Davie on the Beach around 1pm | | | | you do come to town for a visit we hope you |
| New Year's Day. | | | | enjoy your stay. |
| Tagged as the oldest Annual Polar Bear Swim in | | | | Best wishes to you and yours this holiday season. |
