Vancouver Further Distractions
Just 20 minutes to the north of the city and clearly visible from almost anywhere in downtown Vancouver, Grouse Mountain (website: www.grousemountain.com) as well as neighbours Cypress Mountain (website: www.cypressmountain.com) and Mount Seymour (website: www.mountseymour.com), beckons the visitor. The mountains offer skiing opportunities in the winter and spring, and the chance to hike, mountain bike or even paraglide in summer. The SkyRide gondola, North America's largest aerial tramway, offers a dramatic approach to Grouse Mountain - every 15 minutes the cable car makes the 1,100m (3,700ft) ascent. Rugged individuals usually do the ‘Grouse Grind' (a 1.5 to 2-hour hike up the slope) instead. At the top, trails branch out offering opportunities to explore, with impressive views of the city, ocean and mountains. Night-time skiing is a popular activity. There is also the Peak Chairlift, travelling right up to the 1,250m (4,100ft) summit with its 360-degree panoramic view.
Grouse Mountain SkyRide & Ski Resort
6400 Nancy Greene Way
Tel: (604) 984 0661 or 986 6262 (snow line).
Website: www.grousemountain.com
Opening hours: Daily 0900-2200; winter weekends from 0815.
Admission charge (SkyRide); free in summer (Peak Chairlift).
Capilano Suspension Bridge
High over the canyon to the west of Grouse Mountain is the Capilano Suspension Bridge, one of the world's longest (and highest) suspended footbridges at 140m (450ft) long, which offers a stomach-churning view into the gorge, some 70m (230ft) below. On-site attractions include a totem pole park, native carving centre and nature trails. Less impressive, but free of charge, is the suspension bridge between the Ecology Centre and network of trails in Lynn Canyon Park (website: www.dnv.org/ecology).
3735 Capilano Road, North Vancouver
Tel: (604) 985 7474.
Website: www.capbridge.com
Opening hours: Daily 0900-1700 (Jan-mid Mar, Nov-mid Dec); 0900-1800 (mid Mar-Apr, Oct-Nov); 0900-1830 (Apr-May); 0900-1930 (May-mid May); 0830-2000 (mid May-Sep); and 0900-1900 (Sep-Oct). (Closing times tend to coincide with dusk.)
Admission charge; discount coupon on the website.
VanDusen Botanical Garden
The VanDusen Botanical Garden is home to a variety of beautiful and exotic plants. The main attraction for many visitors, however, is the Elizabethan hedge maze, one of only six in North America. The best time for tourists to visit the gardens is during the month of December, when the grounds are lit by thousands of Christmas lights.
5251 Oak Street
Tel: (604) 878 9274.
Website: www.vandusengarden.org
Opening hours: Daily 1000-1600 (Nov-Feb); 1000-1700 (Mar, Oct); 1000-1800 (Apr), 1000-2000 (May); 1000-2100 (Jun-Aug); 1000-1900 (Sep).
Admission charge.
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