Grouse Mountain, Vancouver

...the city by going up Grouse Mountain?

Just 15 minutes from the city centre, the unassuming entrance gives no clue as to the spectacular views ahead, with the peak of the mountain (4,100 feet) still out of sight. The admission charge is currently $29.95 (Candian dollars) for adults which works out roughly at about £15, while children between the ages of 5-12 are $10.95 and 12-18s get in for $16.95. There's also a small charge for parking.
...gift-shop selling all sorts of Grouse Mountain souvenirs as well as your standard Canadian merchandise (maple syrup, cuddly bears, native Canadian crafts). In this building is surely the most welcoming log fire ever, but it may be wise to leave it until last and get out in the great outdoors first!

There's some impressive wood carvings (eagles, ospreys, bears) lining the many paths of the mountain, and boy are there some paths! If ... more

According to a recent survey, Vancouver is the best city in the world to live in. Having spent a wonderful holiday there last month, it is very difficult to disagree with this statement. Vancouver has it all - an enviable coastal position supplying a modern harbour, while it is also flanked by forests, dissected by a hundred acre park and is the gateway to the majestic Rocky Mountains.

So what is there to do in Vancouver? Well, why not get the best view of the city by going up Grouse Mountain?

Just 15 minutes from the city centre, the unassuming entrance gives no clue as to the spectacular views ahead, with the peak of the mountain (4,100 feet) still out of sight. The admission charge is currently $29.95 (Candian dollars) for adults which works out roughly at about £15, while children between the ages of 5-12 are $10.95 and 12-18s get in for $16.95. There's also a small charge for parking.

Before you pay your admission though, make sure you like heights! To get to the peak, theres a 5 minute trip on a cable car. This is very modern and spacious however, with plenty of room to move about and some great photo opportunities. To get these however, make sure you stand at the back of the car (facing away from the mountain) as you get in. Watch out for the bumps - when the car passes under the supports there's a small jolt, but the cable car guide does warn you about these!

Before you know it, you're at the Alpine Station and a breathtaking 3,700 feet abover sea level. The air up here is astonishingly fresh and clean, however it can get cold - we went up during a warm day but the temperature had dropped dramatically once we'd got up here, so I would recommend taking a coat on your trip.

This is one of the best photo opportunities you're ever likely to get - the city sprawls out below and you can make out many landmarks such as Stanley Park and the mammoth harbour., giving a real feeling of being on top of the world! This view does depend on the weather though - we got there on a cloudy day and the view was restricted, a thick white mist only dispersing on the trip back down the mountain.

Once you're up here, its time to wander around and explore. For many, the first stop will be the well-stocked cafe or restaurant, great places to pick up a warming hot chocolate or coffee. There is also a large gift-shop selling all sorts of Grouse Mountain souvenirs as well as your standard Canadian merchandise (maple syrup, cuddly bears, native Canadian crafts). In this building is surely the most welcoming log fire ever, but it may be wise to leave it until last and get out in the great outdoors first!

There's some impressive wood carvings (eagles, ospreys, bears) lining the many paths of the mountain, and boy are there some paths! If you like your walking then you'll love it here - although there are some less energetic pastimes if youre more like me!

For starters, there's the Lumberjack show, running three times a day (although not through the winter). This is huge fun - an enthusiastic compere splits the assembled crowd into two teams, each supporting their "home-town" lumberjack. The two skilled lumberjacks play it strictly for laughs, with their one-upmanship and one-liners but also show off some serious wood-chopping skills. Its a great laugh, and the 45 minute show flies by.

There's also a Bird of Prey show, however sadly this was not showing when we were there. An indoor cinema shows wildlife films for those looking for a respite from the cold!

A short walk from the main building is the refuge for Endangered Wildlife. This gives you a chance to see the 2 beautiful Grizzly bears, close enough but not too close! The bears are housed in a giant wilderness enclosure, fully secure. You may be lucky to see one - on the day we were there, we only got to see the head of a lazy Grizzly behind some bushes, seemingly intent on chilling and ignoring the crowds with cameras desperate to get a photograph! There is also a large enclosure housing a pack of stunning Grey Wolves - these seem to like the attention a bit more and will happily walk around in front of the sight-seers.

When the snows come, there is skiing on the mountain, and there can't be many better views worldwide while hurtling around on skis. For the very energetic and those up for a challenge, why not try walking up the mountain? The annual 'Grouse Grind' as its called attracts huge numbers of competitors each year, eager to test themselves over the 3km trail which rises to a height of 2,800 feet. I give this one a miss by the way (my shoes were rubbing me).

If you're in Vancouver, then Grouse Mountain is a must. If you arrive out of season however with the full programme of events not running, the admission fee will seem a bit steep (no pun intended). The same goes for a cloudy/misty day where the view is restricted.

On a clear, sunny day however it really does come into its own and is one of the best days out you're likely to have - great views, the chance to see some endangered animals, the fun of the lumberjack show and the chance to walk around breathing in some of the freshest air you're ever likely to. Those Vancouver residents, they're just too lucky!!!

 

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