Celebrate all things hiking with free guided hikes, backcountry education and fun, educational family activities on Sunday, September 18th during Hike Fest at the Sea to Sky Gondola.
Hike Fest: Registered Activities
Registered activities include a Sea to Summit Trail Hike, the Via Ferrata Experience, Al’s Habrich Trail (full version to pond), Half Version of the Sky Pilot Hike, Sparky’s Spin, a First Nations Talking Trees Tour, and Wonderland Lake Loop Hike. Register online here.
Hike Fest: No Registration Required Activities
11:00am – 4:00pm is the Hiking Fair. Various organizations will be present to provide you with valuable hiking and safety information as well as fun kids activities:
- Sea to Sky Gondola: Hiking the Sea to Sky Gondola Terrain
- Mountain Skills Academy + Adventures: What is Via Ferrata + Who Can Do It
- ARC’TERYX: Backcountry Education/Gear + Shoe Demos
- Federation of Mountain Clubs of BC: Protecting Backcountry Access
- Squamish Search and Rescue Prevention Team: Get Informed + Go Outdoors
- The North Face: Hiking Essentials
- WildSafeBC: Information and Tips on Recreating Safely in Wildlife Country
Throughout the day you can join in on The North Face Family Tour on Alpine Alley and General Information Tours. Enjoy live music from Cam Salay, take family pictures with an eagle or owl, and more.
For registration, inquiries or cancellations call (604) 892-2551. Access to general Hike Fest activities is free with your purchase of a lift ticket or your season pass.
Follow the Sea to Sky Gondola on Facebook and Twitter for more information about this beautiful attraction and special events.
This season you’ll be able to get your Glühwein and Spätzle (and more) near the Olympic Cauldron as the Vancouver Christmas Market moves from its original location at the QE Theatre Plaza, over to Jack Poole Plaza near the Vancouver Convention Centre. The city’s signature yuletide celebration will expand its revelry with more than 50,000 square feet of space, and more than 70 huts in which to savour the abundance of authentic German flavours.
Rendering for the 2016 Vancouver Christmas Market
Vancouver Christmas Market Moves to Jack Poole Plaza
- Where: Jack Poole Plaza (Vancouver Convention Centre West)
- When: November 26 to December 30, 2016 11:00am to 9:00pm (Closed at 600pm on December 24 and closed on December 25).
- Admission: See website for latest prices. All online ticket purchases will receive a complimentary Season Pass.
A limited number of 7th anniversary VIP Experience packages for two are currently on sale, while quantities last. The VIP Experience packages are $75 and Adult Admission for two includes: 2 x Carousel Rides; 2 x Collector Mugs; 2 x Glühwein or Beer; 2 x Pretzels; 1 x Take-home Gift Bottle of Bavarian Glühwein; 1 x Commemorative Photo Hut Session w/ 2 Prints + Digitals; Express Lane Access + 2 x FREE Season Passes.
New Space New Features
This year’s bigger and better market will offer visitors an abundance of new highlights including Canada’s first-ever Christmas Pyramid (a 23-foot tall, multi-level German Christmas tradition); an Alpine Haus, or warming tent accommodating more than 250 people where patrons can enjoy breathtaking views of the North Shore; and daily demonstrations of the Feuerzangenbowle (literally, ‘Fire Tongs Punch’), a mulled wine and rum beverage whose ceremonial preparations include caramelizing a large sugar cone over the concoction.
In total, the market will boast more than 22 food and drink huts –12 of which will appear for the first time in 2016. In addition to Deutschland delicacies, rousing entertainment, and returning favourites, such as the beloved Christmas Carousel, visitors can wander throughout the market’s quaint twinkling pathways of huts, discovering lovingly crafted, one-of-a-kind gifts and treasures that cry out to be slipped into stockings and placed under Christmas trees.
Follow the Vancouver Christmas Market on Facebook and Twitter for more information this season.
This post has been contributed by Michael Murray, Communications Volunteer with the Stanley Park Ecology Society (“SPES”). I have been following SPES since I moved into the West End over a decade ago and I have been a member for four years. I wanted to offer the team an opportunity to share their news, events, and work so I have created “SPES Saturday” where they contribute and share stories with my audience once a month.
The Fungus Among Us
Mushrooms in Stanley Park
Chicken of the Forest on a tree
in Stanley Park. Photo by Peter Woods
The fungus is definitely among us, and this fall is a great time to get out and discover the vast array of mushrooms that Stanley Park has to offer. From the edible to the poisonous, over 60 different species of fungi have been observed in the Park and offer amateur mycologists a great chance to get out and explore amazing specimens.
One of tastier mushrooms found in the Park at this time of year is Chicken of the Forest or Laetiporus sulphureus. It is aptly named because when cooked it resembles and tastes like chicken. Often found in the trails around Beaver Lake, this yellow orange mushroom grows in wide shelves on the bark of conifer trees and can measure up to 25 cm in length.
Chanterelles are another sought after mushroom that grows in Stanley Park, often found amongst the base of Douglas fir trees. They grow between 10 and 15cm tall with a yellow and white stock with fork- like edges.
Chanterelles in Stanley Park.
Photo by Peter Woods
These elusive mushrooms are considered a delicacy and are extremely nutritious with high levels of Vitamin C and D. They are most abundant between July and October, so keep an eye out next time you’re walking the trails. But, control yourself: collecting any plants in city parks, including Stanley Park, is forbidden. You will have to content yourself with the thrill of the hunt.
Another common mushroom found in the Park is Amanita muscaria or Fly Agaric. These are the toadstools of fairytales with their white stocks and vibrant orange and red caps flecked with white and yellow.
Amanita muscaria can be found growing amongst both coniferous and deciduous trees and are most prevalent during the summer and fall months. While they may look appealing, they are considered toxic having unpleasant psychoactive effects on those who consume them.
Amanita mushroom in Stanley Park
With fall just around the corner it is a great time to get out and explore the various species of mushrooms that are found throughout Stanley Park. For some expert guidance, consider SPES’ November mushroom walk and workshop. Check out their November Events Calendar soon to learn more about these programs and to register.
Special thanks to Robin Kort for her invaluable mushroom information!
The Vancouver Alpen Club has been Vancouver’s main location for the Oktoberfest for over 30 years, serving traditional Bavarian cuisine. Of course there’s also beer and the Alpen Club has partnered with two German breweries, Krombacher as well as Erdinger, the world’s largest wheat beer brewery, founded in 1886.
Since the early 19th Century in Munich, Germany, Oktoberfest has been held during late September to early October. The Vancouver Alpen Club is Vancouver’s most popular venue for celebrating the event, with guests returning each year (often in their own Dirndls and Lederhosen) to enjoy the authentic German atmosphere, beer, pretzels, German food, music and Oktoberfest traditions.
Oktoberfest at the Vancouver Alpen Club
Where: Vancouver Alpen Club (4875 Victoria Dr, Vancouver)
When: September 23 & 24; September 30 & October 1; October 14 & 15
Tickets: Available online now for all three weekends. The regular ticket $35 includes the cover charge to Oktoberfest. The $75 VIP ticket includes the cover charge and entrance to the special VIP area with a server along with a delicious German buffet.
Each day of the Oktoberfest festivities at the Vancouver Alpen Club usually sees over 400 visitors, with over 7000 liters of beer being consumed in the course of the three weekends!
Win Tickets
I have the opportunity to give away a prize pack for opening weekend of Oktoberfest at the Vancouver Alpen Club! This includes: 2 tickets on Friday, September 23rd at 8:00pm, 2 beer flights (including 4 different German beer types) and 2 classic schnitzel meals to top off the German experience. The Continentals will play a live set, and a DJ mixing fun German Schlager songs will follow, so guests can dance into the night for many entertaining hours.
Here’s how you can enter to win:
- Leave a comment on this post (1 entry)
- Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Thursday, September 15, 2016. Must be 19+. Please enjoy responsibly. Follow the Vancouver Alpen Club on Facebook and Twitter for more information.
Update The winner is @glencue!
