Though the Canucks are playing away games this weekend, you can still get your hockey fix staying local by catching Friday and Saturday’s Great Northwest Showcase. It’s a two-day exhibition featuring top-level international university men’s hockey that takes place at SFU. Catch the SFU men take on UBC, Princeton University and University of North Dakota teams. Games take place at 4pm and 7pm respectively, both days.
Rise early on Saturday and head over to the North Shore for a bit of outdoors R&R atop Mount Seymour or Cypress Mountain. Grab some friends and make your way to the base with skis or boards in hand to make the most of the conditions and scenic view. Seymour has just opened their tobogganing park (for those who aren’t into downhill action), and Cypress has the scoop on tubing. Both guarantee a morning of fun.
In keeping with our health-minded theme, use Saturday as a great opportunity to hit up the Winter Farmer’s Market (Nat Bailey Stadium). Stock up on in-season goods from local producers and score the season’s fresh catch and creations courtesy of hundreds of vendors on site to guarantee your dietary resolutions get off to a good start. What’s more, this month the Winter Farmer’s Market will feature double the number of food trucks on site – so get ready to sample your way around all of them!
Also taking place on Saturday is the 5th Annual Spring Show. This one-day cultural event is worth checking out as it features plenty of live entertainment and activities under one roof – all focused on the Chinese and Canadian communities. It’s a non-profit organization that has worked to produce one of the city’s largest multicultural variety shows featuring music, dance, theatre and more.
Saturday or Sunday afternoon, make your way out to Stanley Park and over to the Bright Lights Train Plaza, where you can channel your inner kid for a picturesque ride through the forest. The festive season officially packs up on January 5th, so don’t miss this year’s edition that supports the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund. Once the ride is over, you can officially kiss the holidays goodbye in West Coast style.
Strap on some skates and enjoy free public skating in the heart of the city at Robson Square. It’s a great way to celebrate the winter season in traditional Vancouver style while fitting in a bit of a workout to boot! Once done, head over to The Bacchus Lounge and tuck into a table for two by the fire for a cozy cocktail, snack and plenty of people watching.
Given that Sunday is calling for a bit of rain, work out your pent up energy (and put the holiday indulgences in check) by heading to the local YMCA for a few laps – or perhaps a class or two. The Robert Lee facilities offer plenty of options for all athletic tastes and abilities with great drop-in rates – so there’s no excuse.
Another option we’re all over is Bikram Yoga’s First Annual Healthy Lifestyle Challenge. If you’ve never looked to sweat it out while striking an eagle pose, now’s your chance with their multi-tiered options that are fairly well priced. You’ll lean out and feel better in no time.
Wind down the weekend by adding a touch of culture to the mix and check out a performance of Uncle Vanya at The Blackbird Theatre (part of The Cultch). It’s the perfect blend of love story and drama with a masterfully woven 19th-Century storyline that will completely capture your attention. It’s on for a few more weeks, so don’t miss out.
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Top photo courtesy Bacchus Lounge
