I’ve featured a few area webcams before however on days like today, when people need to get across the region while the roads are covered in ice, snow, and drivers that certainly are not used to these conditions, it may come in handy to check out the routes before you leave the comfort of your home or office.
Check out the Vancouver.com interactive Google Map of traffic cameras as well as the BC Highway and Border Cams.
I’d like to think that Vancourites are a little more seasoned when it comes to colder climates than say, perhaps, those in Las Vegas who have vehicles dusted with snow… in the desert.
Remember, take your time – plan ahead and leave with enough time to get to your destination safely and in one piece.
On official snow days we’d get packed into our snowsuits, pull our socks up past the top of our boots and put on so many sweaters it was an impossible feat to put your arms down flat at your side. With the ‘swish swish’ of our snowsuits being the only sound in the neighbourhood as vehicles hibernated in driveways, we would trek over to Kwantlen Park and join dozens of others in sliding down the big slope above the all-weather field.
Tobogganing and Sledding in Vancouver
Toboggans, super saucers, krazy karpets and sometimes someone with a make-shift snowboard – all were welcome on the hill. With schools closed and inches of the fluffy wintery goodness cascading from the skies on to Metro Vancouver these are some sublime snow days (unless you actually have to get out and drive in the stuff, then that’s another story).
Kwantlen Park is good for tobogganing and also Grimston Park in New Westminster is rather tube-friendly, with lovely Fraser River views.
What are the best parks and inclines for snowman building and tobogganing in your area? Here are some suggestions from the comments:
Burnaby Mountain Park.
Queen Elizabeth Park.
China Creek North Park in Mount Pleasant, 6th Ave and St. Catherines.
West Point Park in West Point Grey. 8th Ave going up the hill.
Pitt Meadows, Bonson Park.
Sutcliffe Park by Granville Island, near the False Creek Community Centre and the Water Park.
Francis Ford Coppola’s organized crime masterpiece The Godfather will be heading to the big screen in Vancouver, restored to its original state frame-by-frame.
This limited run of The Godfather at the Vancity Theatre a film that is so indelible on the history of film that it need not even be described will be followed up next program by exclusive screenings of The Godfather II , the sequel that may be even better than the original.
Screenings will take place at 4:00pm and 7:30pm from December 26-30 and also January 1st. The Vancity Theatre is a great venue (with super comfy seats) located on Seymour near Davie. You can purchase tickets in advance: Adult $10 (Double Bill – $13), Student/Senior $8 (Double Bill – $11), Matinees $8.
Last year I signed up for the Skate for A Cure on the Vancouver Blogger Team and we raised funds for childhood cancer research through the Michael Cuccione Foundation and the BC Childrens’ Hospital Foundation.
I will once again be raising funds for this amazing cause, and in doing so I’ll earn a spot on the ice at GM Place so I can go have a skate (for a cure) when all is said and done.
I’m hoping to actually make it to the ice since I was called away to Toronto for the Test the Nation TV show last year during the event (and John had to take my place with Linden).
If you would like to donate to my Skate for A Cure campaign, you can find my profile and donation page here.
Should you be interested in joining my “Bloggers for a Cause” team click on the register link, join a team, sign up from there, and you can manage your own campaign as well as be a part of our team goal and I’ll see you on the ice.
With the cold weather comes growing concerns for the safety and well-being of those who must spend the night (or even the daytime) on the streets.
Aside from campaigns like Sox in the City, Kate from ChangeEverything is taking initiative again this year by doing a Sub Zero Clothing Drive.
A couple of years ago when Vancouver had a cold snap, we as a community used ChangeEverything to organize ourselves to do a clothing drive. The results were significant. In 48 hours we had collected over 4000 items of warmth for local shelters. Given that temperatures are so low (and plummeting more this week) I thought it was a perfect time to awaken the “Got Hats?” concept. [Change Everything]
To donate simply take stock in your house – find jackets, blankets, housecoats, and anything that can be used to keep someone warm. Gather up the items you would like to donate, add a comment to the official blog post on ChangeEverything, then wait for Kate to contact you and she’ll come to collect.
