Whether you have a New Year’s resolution or you already love being active, these free — and affordable — activities in Coquitlam can add some fun to your fitness routine.
Get Fit for Free in Coquitlam This January
Go for a Hike
Zip in to Coquitlam by SkyTrain and within minutes you can be trekking through old-growth forest with incredible scenery.
If you’re looking for a challenging experience with steep terrain in a dense forest setting, with great views, try the Ridge Park Trails on Westwood Plateau. The trails, totalling approximately 23 km, can be accessed from a number of locations including Parkway Blvd. and Hampton Park. To get here, hop on a bus from Coquitlam Central SkyTrain Station. Click here for the PDF schedule »
Another top hiking location is the 200-hectare Minnekhada Regional Park. Beginners can stick to a flat path meandering through the wetland into the forest, while the more adventurous can tackle the uphill climb to the High Knoll lookout (allow yourself at least 2 ½ hours round-trip). If you want to take transit, car share options (Modo and Zipcar) are available at Lafarge Lake-Douglas SkyTrain station. Continue reading this post ⟩⟩
The new year is here and so are plenty of events, attractions, shows, and family activities. This is also the last weekend to check out some great holiday light displays before they wrap up again for the year.
Things to do in Vancouver This Weekend
Events that run for longer than three days in a row are highlighted in green.
Friday, January 5, 2018
Sponsored by Miss604: Burnaby Village Museum Heritage Christmas
Sponsored by Miss604: Lights at Lafarge Lake in Coquitlam
Sponsored by Miss604: VanDusen Botanical Garden’s Festival of Lights
Vancouver Italian Film Festival
Sinbad, the Pirates and the Island of the Dinosaur
Vancouver Chinese Lantern Festival
The Arts Club Presents: Disney’s Beauty and the Beast
East Van Panto: Snow White & the Seven Dwarves
Christmas at FlyOver Canada
Peak of Christmas at Grouse Mountain
Bright Nights Christmas Train in Stanley Park
Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge Continue reading this post ⟩⟩
Tickets are on sale now for the 4th annual UBC Thunderbirds Winter Classic and they are sure to sell out! Enjoy action on the ice along with a festival atmosphere at the UBC Thunderbirds’ largest ever hockey game.
UBC Thunderbirds Winter Classic
Where: Thunderbird Arena at Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre
When: January 19th at 7:00pm (doors open 5:00pm)
Tickets: Available online now.
The UBC Thunderbirds Men’s Hockey Team will take on Lethbridge for this exciting event. Come early for the pre-game festival on the arena concourse (continues throughout game play). In addition to the main event hockey game, your ticket gets you access to:
- Outdoor festival zone in front of arena
- Live music & DJs
- Hockey skills games
- Mechanical bull
- Mascot hockey game during first period break
- Surprise 2nd period break show
- Lots of giveaways & prizes
- Face painting & poster making stations
- Food & drinks
Thunderbird Alumni can book a suite experience. You can skip the lines and enjoy the Alumni Blue Zone with great swag, upgraded private bar and concession, hosted snacks and exclusive seats for just $20.
Guest post contributed and written by Jen Murtagh..
Whistler for Beginners: Learning to Ski as an Adult
As a child of Irish immigrants, skiing wasn’t exactly at the top of our family activity list growing up, and although a classic Canadian tradition, I never felt like I was missing out. That all changed when I got to high school and my circle of friends seemed to spend every other weekend on a mountain. I was asked to join numerous times but always felt sheepish (actually downright embarrassed) that I hadn’t learned to ski.
In college, my FOMO reached an all-time high and I agreed to join a big ski trip with friends and overcome my fear. Unfortunately, I spent most of my time on my backside and was on the receiving end of one too many good spirited jabs from my friends to endear me enough to continue the sport. I decided I was fine with partaking in apres ski, cute toque and all and simply enjoying the clear, crisp mountain air. For years I have enjoyed coming to Whistler and hiking, snowshoeing, tubing and just being away from the city.
This year I felt something shift for me. I’ve realized that it’s been fear of failure that has been holding me back from learning to ski and I’ve decided my word for 2018 is going to be CHALLENGE. So I booked two days of skiing lessons and rentals in Whistler and accepted my internal challenge to get outside my fear bubble.
Whistler Blackcomb Snow School is regarded as one of the best ski and snowboard schools in North America and they offer a variety of lessons from first time skier to expert. I showed up to my lesson at the base of Whistler Mountain full of trepidation and a bit of skepticism. Was I really going to learn to ski in one or two days? Was it going to be me and a bunch of kids? As other adults began to show up I chatted nervously with a woman who was downright petrified, which actually made me feel a little better!
Our ski group resembled the United Nations with an American, Malaysian and Brit. Our instructor Rob had a lengthy 33 year skiing history and was a previous ski patroller. Nothing like having a leader with industrial first aid to guide you, just in case!
We skipped the gondola line-up and fast tracked up to mid-station on Whistler Mountain. The impressive and expansive learning area was full of every age group. To be honest, the four year olds might be the most terrifying part of the mountain as they go whizzing by you with no poles, or fear for that matter.
Before we hit the bunny hill, Rob walked us through a warm up and fundamentals of positioning. After much practice, we graduated to the magic carpet which guides you a little further up the hill so you can start putting your new techniques into action. We were moving from a V (snowplow position) into turns quite quickly and moved along to the “fantastic carpet” which is a little further up the hill. The learning area overall is not steep so you have ample opportunity to practice without picking up too much speed. I felt completely at ease as I looked around, marvelling at all the adults on the hill learning how to ski later in life, many of them in their 50s and 60s.
The lesson gave me the confidence and techniques I was looking for and the trepidation I was feeling earlier in the morning dissipated quickly into my lesson. Being out in the mountain air, surrounded by the beauty of Whistler with so many others gave me the sense of belonging to a real community and by day two, I was proudly able to glide down some green runs on my skis (and not my backside!) I am now looking into purchasing my own skis and will be returning to Whistler soon. Challenge accepted 2018!
Where to Après
Après-ski is a must. Dusty’s Bar & BBQ at the bottom of Whistler Creekside is a local’s favourite. Their ridiculously delicious nacho platters, beer specials and lively bands (check out The Hairfarmers) make this my must visit once your legs get too tired for any more runs.
If you’re skiing Blackcomb, give The Mallard Lounge at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler a try – apparently they have a child-minding room.
For Dinner
Once you wake up from your post Apries-Ski nap, check out Hy’s Steakhouse for dinner. Located in the heart of Whistler village, Hy’s has been voted “Best Steak” by Whistler’s Pique Newspaper and recently received ‘Best Server’ award as well. Their extensive cocktail list, Canadian prime steaks and mouth-watering seafood choices never disappoint. My personal favourites include their famous cheese bread, sautéed prawns and seared jumbo scallops.
One of our new favourite travel activities is joining in on a cooking class, where we can meet locals and learn to cook with ingredients from the region we are visiting. John and I have participated in classes in Oregon’s Mt. Hood Territory and most recently in Ottawa. It wasn’t until this past Christmas season though that I took my first cooking (baking) class in Vancouver, and it was delightful!
Cooking Classes with Tartine & Maple
Every year since my niece was born, my sister, mother and I have met before the holidays to do a big cookie bake. Sugar cookie dough is prepared, warm aromas waft from the oven, and we decorate with icing, sprinkles, and cheer. This year we were all so busy that when Valentine Kitamura of Tartine & Maple sent me her usual monthly event listings, I had a bright idea.
Valentine was hosting a series of cookie baking classes at The Uncommon Cafe where they prepare the dough, we roll and cut it, they bake it, we decorate it (after getting some pro tips) and we get to take all of our scrumptious treats home. It was the perfect solution for our little group of busy women.
Valentine offers a wide array of cooking classes, often with seasonal themes, and The Uncommon Cafe is a charming venue. You can participate as a couple or group, or individually, and learn how to make delicious sweet or savoury entrees, appies, snacks, or entire meals.
People tend to gather in the kitchen during parties and events, snacking, chatting, pouring a glass of wine and catching up with friends and family. Tartine & Maple‘s classes provide this same atmosphere — and you won’t have to do any of the dishes!
Check out their upcoming events:
Make Brioche
January 17, 2018 from 6:30pm to 8:30pm
Kensington Community Centre, 5175 Dumfries Street
Easy Moroccan Vegetarian Dinner
January 21, 2018 from 2:00pm to 4:00pm
Tout Lake Community Centre, 3350 Victoria Drive
French Gastronomy Series: East Country Pâtés
January 24, 2018 from 6:00pm to 9:00pm
The Uncommon Cafe, 477 Powell St
Chocolate Lover’s Ultimate Class – Desserts for Valentine’s
February 1, 2018 from 6:30pm to 8:30pm
Kensington Community Centre, 5175 Dumfries Street
Eclairs and Cream Puff – Valentine’s Special
February 4, 2018 from 2:00pm to 4:00pm
Tout Lake Community Center, 3350 Victoria Drive
Valentine’s Couples Cooking Demo & Dinner
February 10, 2018 from 6:00pm to 9:00pm
The Uncommon Cafe, 477 Powell St
Valentine’s Couples Cooking Demo & Dinner
February 14, 2018 from 6:00pm to 9:00pm
The Uncommon Cafe, 477 Powell St
Follow Tartine & Maple on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more information about upcoming events and classes.
