This weekend promises plenty of excuses to get out and enjoy our city, whether you opt to stroll the streets or head over to the North Shore to partake in a ski and snowboard festival that celebrates our 2010 Olympic legacy. Whatever you do, we’ve got options that’ll have you feeling all aglow.
The annual Illuminate Yaletown kicks off right after work on Friday so ditch the desktop and head down to take in this free multi-day event that truly brings the street party to life Catch live music and stunning hand-crafted and innovative light installations courtesy of local artists.
Stick around this part of town for a late night bite and take advantage of special deals being offered by local restaurants, bistros and other much-loved watering holes before the DJs come out to play.
Roll into the rest of your weekend and be sure to check out Vancouver’s first City & Slope celebration (Feb. 9-12). This festival combines the best of the West Coast, bringing together a non-stop winter wonderland experience along the North Shore Mountains. Grouse Mountain’s 24 Hours of Winter is complete with sunrise/sunset snowshoe tours, hockey tournaments, an on-hill scavenger hunt and outdoor cinema playing non-stop ski and snowboard flicks – we’re so there.
Need more of an outdoors fix? Then simply venture on over to Cypress Mountain to take part in their first annual Canada Ski & Snowboard Festival running all weekend.
Looking for something indoors (and over-the-top entertaining) to do on Saturday night? Head over and catch a bit of vintage dinner cabaret as part of Vinyl Vaudeville. In town for four days only, this performance will leave you awe-struck with trapeze artistry, magic, live music, acrobatic performances and more – all while noshing on your own multiple course dinner while sipping wine. With limited seating, be sure to book your table online today.
Save Mount Seymour for Sunday and get over to their North Vancouver location early decked out in your very best 80s gear. That’s right, they’ve themed Sunday-funday celebrations around the best 80s skier and snowboarder gear with loads of contests, 80s music and slope-side eats to sweeten the deal.
Not feeling quite so mountain-minded on Sunday? Might we suggest that you consider heading over to check out the Vancouver International Boat Show for an afternoon of perusing (and perhaps dreaming about) the stunning watercraft on display? With two separate venues (BC Place) and a unique in-water venue located at Granville Island, you’ll find plenty of things to see and do. Take advantage of free boat rides, meet crew from Discovery Channel’s hit show Deadliest Catch, check out “Duma” the boat-driving dog, and be inspired by 16-year-old Zac Sunderland, who is the youngest person to circumnavigate the world solo by boat.
Photo courtesy Grouse Mountain Resort