As British Columbians plan ahead for summer travel, Malahat SkyWalk will open in July 2021 as the newest outdoor experience on Vancouver Island providing the ‘ultimate natural high.’
Malahat SkyWalk Photo credit Malahat SkyWalk
Malahat Skywalk to Open Summer 2021
“Malahat SkyWalk will provide British Columbians with a new, world-class tourism experience to enjoy right in their own backyard,” says Ken Bailey, General Manager. “Local guests will have the opportunity to be the first to visit, giving us the chance to connect with our community. We want to be something British Columbians are proud of and bring their family and friends to experience.”
Located 35 minutes north of Victoria, this new attraction will immerse visitors in nature along a 600m long accessible, elevated walkway through an Arbutus and Douglas Fir forest, leading to a 10-storey, architecturally-inspiring spiral tower lookout – the first of its kind in British Columbia.
The unique setting on the traditional territory of the Malahat Nation offers opportunities for local storytelling, cultural celebration and natural interpretive education.
Rising 250m above sea level, guests will enjoy 360-degree views of two countries, including Finlayson Arm, Saanich Inlet, Saanich Peninsula, Gulf Islands, San Juan Islands, Mt. Baker and the Coast Mountain range. On the descent, guests can opt to return to ground level by taking an exhilarating ride on a 20m spiral slide.
Guests will find a deeper connection to nature learning about the trees, birds, animals and marine life of this coastal region unique to BC. Malahat SkyWalk is located on the traditional territory of the Malahat Nation and their Indigenous stories will also be embedded throughout the experience.
Bailey says this project is investing in Vancouver Island at a time when the economy is challenged by a global pandemic. “We are taking a long view, contributing to the sustainable, long-term growth of the tourism industry in BC by giving locals another exciting day-trip destination and offering future travellers a new reason to visit the island and stay longer.”
Malahat SkyWalk will confirm the exact date it will open in July in the immediate weeks leading up to opening. Once open, it will welcome guests seven days a week, 365 days a year, adhering to the BC Provincial Health Order and all required health and safety protocols.
Update – Tickets Available Now
July 1, 2021: Today, Malahat SkyWalk announced it will officially open to the public on Thursday, July 15, 2021 at 10:00am as the newest outdoor experience on Vancouver Island providing the ‘ultimate natural high.’
Tickets are available now for advance purchase and will also be for sale on-site at the Welcome Centre upon opening. Tickets offer flexibility to guests as they are valid for one-year from date of purchase eliminating any need for reservations or timed entry.
Admission to Malahat SkyWalk is $31.95 (adult), $28.95 (senior 65+), $18.95 (child age 6-17), $86.00 for a Family Pass (two adults, two children) and to add-on a child to a family day ticket is $18.00. Malahat SkyWalk also offers an Annual Pass for $87.00 (adult), $79.00 (senior), $52.00 (child) and $225.00 for a Family Pass. Children age five and under are free. Taxes are applicable to all tickets and passes.
5 Beautiful Destination Hikes Near Vancouver Off The Beaten Path
Punch Bowl Pass is one of 55 hikes in a new book, Destination Hikes In and Around Southwestern British Columbia. Photo: Stephen Hui
With everyone raring to get outside these days, solitude can be difficult to find on some trails. Nevertheless, wherever there’s a popular trail, a “hidden gem” of sorts is often just a valley or two away. Here are five less-trafficked but well-established trails near Vancouver.
Cover courtesy Greystone Books / Stephen Hui photo by Sarah Palmer
Mount Nutt Viewpoints
Golden Ears. Photo: Stephen Hui
A very long day hike (or overnighter) and scramble to the top of Golden Ears is not essential to admire the rugged beauty of these twin summits. A shorter option is the trail to the ridge south of Mount Nutt, in Golden Ears Provincial Park and the territories of Katzie and Stó:lō First Nations. It’s a steep grind, but the payoff isn’t exactly peanuts.
Punch Bowl Pass
Punch Bowl. Photo: Stephen Hui
The pleasant hike to Punch Bowl Pass traverses sections of the historical Whatcom and Dewdney trails in Manning Provincial Park and the territories of the Nlaka’pamux, Stó:lō, and Syilx peoples. The often steep route heads up the valleys of Snass Creek and its east fork. Visit old-growth trees and subalpine meadows on the way to the pass overlooking the pretty lake at the headwaters of the Tulameen River.
Mount Lincoln
Fraser Canyon. Photo: Stephen Hui
Mount Lincoln offers commanding views of historic Yale and the foot of the Fraser Canyon. Steep and fun, with an average grade of 37%, the trail to the top makes for a satisfying little outing that’s off the beaten path. Lying in the territories of the Nlaka’pamux, Stó:lō, and Yale First Nations, Mount Lincoln is not for acrophobes due to a precarious section with aging ropes.
Crooked Falls
Sigurd Trail. Photo: Stephen Hui
The hike to Crooked Falls is about both the low-elevation destination and the not-so-long journey. There are ancient trees to hug and luxuriant mosses to feel en route to the waterfall. Follow the Sigurd Trail into the Squamish Nation’s Esté-tiwilh Wild Spirit Place, set aside as a spiritual and cultural sanctuary.
Eaton Lake
Eaton Creek. Photo: Stephen Hui
Eaton Lake fills a large mountain bowl in the Skagit Range, near Hope. It’s a sweet spot to float on your back and gaze at the sky. This trail, in the territories of the Nlaka’pamux and Stó:lō peoples, is demanding, but it repays your efforts by visiting old-growth trees and waterfalls en route to the satisfying destination.
Important reminders: Check current conditions, take the 10 essentials, leave a trip plan with a responsible person, and make sure to leave no trace.
My competitive side loves a good trivia night and when it supports a cause it’s even better! Use your knowledge for good by signing up for Aunt Leah’s Virtual Trivia Extravaganza — happening over two nights this month — to help raise funds to support foster youth and young moms with education.
Aunt Leah’s Virtual Trivia Extravaganza
When: May 15 and May 29, 2021 Where: Online Tickets: Register here for $20
While the in-person Aunt Leah’s Trivia Extravaganza couldn’t happen in 2020, they have moved online for two virtual events in May. Register and encourage your friends, family, coworkers, and social groups to play and donate to a great cause.
Can’t make one of those dates? You can host your own trivia event to support Aunt Leah’s. If your calendar is packed and can’t accommodate a trivia event, you can still be a superstar and support foster youth by participating in the online auction or donating.
Scotiabank has generously offered to match every donation dollar for dollar up to $25,000 in support of the SEFFY (Supporting Education for Foster Youth) Program. Aunt Leah’s Place helps prevent children in foster care from becoming homeless and mothers in need from losing custody of their children. To support them on their journey to self-sufficiency, they provide supported housing, job training, and coaching on essential life skills.
Miss604 is the proud Media Sponsor of the Virtual Trivia Extravaganza
Giveaway
I have two tickets to give away to the May 15th trivia extravaganza! That way you can sign up and also have a friend or family member join the fun from their screen at home. Here’s how you can enter to win:
[clickToTweet tweet=”RT to enter to win tickets to @AuntLeahs Virtual Trivia Night Extravaganza http://bit.ly/TriviaExtravaganza2021″ quote=” Click to enter via Twitter” theme=”style6″]
I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 9:00am on Tuesday, May 11, 2021. UPDATE the winner is Nicole-Ann!
Just in time for Cinco de Mayo, SPUD Vancouver is celebrating an awesome local company’s ingredients which are available in their grocery delivery lineup. Solecito Foods is a family-owned and operated company based in North Vancouver. Their goal is to share the traditional Mexican flavours and recipes with the community, which to our family means the flavours of home.
Andrea and Mom – the heart of Solecito Foods
SPUD Delivers the Flavours of Mexico with Solecito Foods
SPUD is Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley’s local, sustainable, organic grocery delivery service. Andrea and her parents have been so thankful to be able to start selling online with SPUD through the pandemic, it has meant a lot for the survival of their family business.
She and her mom cook together and she runs the day to day operations with her dad on the North Shore. For Cinco de Mayo, they’re sharing their Solecito Chicken Mole Enchiladas recipe, with ingredients available for delivery straight to your door from SPUD.
Solecito Chicken Mole Enchiladas
Ingredients
1 package of Solecito Chicken in Mole Filling for Tacos & Enchiladas
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a small saucepan, heat mole on medium-low. When it boils, turn the heat down and simmer.
Meanwhile, in a large pan pour vegetable or sunflower oil to about 1/2 cm in height and heat on medium setting. Once the oil is hot, cook tortillas (one at a time) just enough to soften them – about 3-5 seconds each.
Using a spoon, scoop chicken out of the mole and divide it evenly among the tortillas. Roll each one up and arrange them snugly in one layer in a large baking dish, seam side down. Drizzle the warm mole on top. Top with shredded cheese.
Cover with a lid or foil and bake for approx. 20 minutes or until the cheese starts to melt. Uncover and broil for 2 – 3 minutes, until the cheese is golden brown.
Remove from heat and scoop 1 – 2 enchiladas per plate. Top with crema fresca, onion, avocado, fresh salsa or your favourite toppings and enjoy!
I’m personally very excited to learn about these great local products, which I can order and prepare with John who really misses the flavours of his Mexican heritage. While he can’t get mom’s home-made tacos here, this will be the next best thing!
For Miss604 Readers/Followers
Not a SPUD customer? Check out with promo code MISS604 and you’ll get $15 off your first order when you spend $50 or more. Already a SPUD customer? Use the same code for $5 off your next order over $50. Valid for all locations, May, 2021.
Vancouver Bird Week is now Vancouver Bird Celebration! Coordinated by Stanley Park Ecology Society, this week-long, regional event features bird walks, workshops, talks and other activities led by bird enthusiasts across the region. No matter your birding experience level there is sure to be something for you to enjoy.
Vancouver Bird Celebration
To celebrate the event’s 10th anniversary, they have moved to a new name to enable everyone to celebrate birds beyond one week and move toward a countrywide event (alongside Toronto Bird Celebration).
The event was inspired by World Migratory Bird Day, a United Nations-sponsored initiative that recognizes the importance of birds as key indicators of our environment’s health. During Vancouver Bird Celebration, there will be bird-related workshops, talks, exhibitions, and lectures across the Lower Mainland. Most events are free.
A few highlights:
Inspired by Birds, a panel exploring how inspiration from birds can take many different forms with Stanley Park Ecology Society (Register)
Meet BC Birds of Prey with O.W.L. (Orphaned Wildlife) Rehabilitation Society (Register)
Celebrating Birds of the Fraser River Basin with ornithologist, author, filmmaker and artist Dr. Rob Butler hosted by Fraser River Discovery Centre (Register)
You can also enter the Celebirdies Contest, with a chance to win a bundle of prizes including online course access, festival passes, books, and more. Look for “celebirdies”: birds in your neighbourhood, yard, or garden. Enjoy watching your bird superstar. Then, leave a comment one of the contest Instagram posts mentioning which bird you found and where. You can also share a photo of your feathered friend on your Instagram tagging @VanBirdCelebration, @StanleyParkEcology, and #VanBirdParty to be entered to win as well.
From bird nerd to bird curious, from wise old owl to adventurous tot, there is an event for everyone during Vancouver Bird Celebration.
