It’s Christmas time in the city. Vancouver city that is.

This Christmas season why not take the family out and enjoy all the Christmas sprit Vancouver has to offer. Take a tour of some amazing displays and light shows throughout parks around the city.

You can enjoy the “Sprit of Christmas Tour” in Vancouver by making a reservation with Vancouver’s Big Bus. This tour takes you around Vancouver to experience several different Christmas light shows on display around the city with each stop in support of various foundations.

You start your tour at the Pan Pacific Hotel at Canada Place with a beautifully decorated lobby that supports the Vancouver Children’s Hospital. There you will be picked up by the bus and start your tour off by heading past St. Paul’s Hospital where local businesses annually decorate the front of the hospital on Burrard Street.

After St. Paul’s Hospital you work your way to Canuck Place, which has been decorated with over 70,000 christmas lights. The display, which was assembled by volunteers, lights up the whole block.

The bus tour then moves through the city to one of the most spectacular Christmas light displays this year at VanDusen Botanical Garden.

VanDusen Botanical Garden has the “Festival of Lights” with 1.4 million lights spread over 12-13 acres of the park.

Festival of Lights at Vancouver’s VanDusen Botanical Garden

Here you will be able to see a dancing light show on the lake with millions of magical Christmas lights, along with Santa and Scandinavian Elves.

The “Festival of Lights” show is nothing short of spectacular. It begins each day at 4:30pm with shows taking place every half hour thereafter and a finale at 9:00pm.

Festival of Lights at Vancouver’s VanDusen Botanical Garden

Be sure to purchase a candle to help the Make a Wish Program while you are there.

Your last stop of the night Big Bus tour is 14th annual “Bright Nights in Stanley Park”. With over 2 million lights, the center of Stanley Park is transformed into a wondrous and magical display of the spirit of Christmas. Take a ride through the forest on Vancouver’s famous Christmas train as you listen to Christmas carols and festive music. All this is in support of the Vancouver Firefights Burn Fund.

So if your looking for something special to do over the holidays this year, be sure to take in the sights and sounds of Christmas by touring around the city.

Vancouver is all dressed up and decked out for the holiday season with many spectacular and dazzling Christmas displays.

Don’t miss out, check out how Vancouver celebrates the holidays with these fabulous light shows as part of your family’s Christmas this year.

So what do you call Canada’s largest demographic group of 14.5 million people that are 45+ year old as they pass through the life stage that defined them as the Baby Boom generation?

Well, we can thank the visionary Canadian media mogul, Moses Znaimer co-founder and former head of Toronto’s Citytv for identifying Canada’s most affluent demographic of “45plus as a Zoomer.”

Znaimer coined the innovative term as a totally different kind of Boomer, one who breaks traditional retirement stereotypes – it’s a Boomer with Zip!

Znaimer is so passionate about the subject that he formed ZoomerMedia, a multi-media company devoted to targeting the needs and interests of this coveted demographic with National and Regional Television Stations, Regional Radio, National Print Media as well as National Conferences and Tradeshows.

On November 19 and 20, 2011 ZoomerMedia hosted Vancouvers largest consumer show and lifestyle expo for men and women 45+ at the Vancouver Convention Center. The 2011 Zoomer show included exhibits and displays featuring health, travel, money and lifestyle all catering to Canada’s largest consumer market demographic – the Zoomers.

Attendee’s came prepared to listen, learn, try and buy among over 100 exhibitors at this year’s Vancouver 2011 Zoomer Show, covering everything from health and fitness to travel, lifestyle, and investment opportunities.

The show catered to Zoomers, which now represents 57% of Canada’s adult population, and provided information on a diverse range of products and services. The show also showcased a wide range of speakers, educational displays, and activities.

There was plenty of great entertainment at this years 2011 Zoomer show in Vancouver including main stage appearances by The Hot Mamma, Tenille, Liona Boyd, Pavlo, Naria, and a tribute to The Rolling Stones featuring Steel Wheels along with a tribute to The Beatles featuring Fab Fourever.

There was also a popular Agility Dog Show held four times a day over the two-day event, presented by the Little Paws Rescue Society.

The Vancouver 2011 Zoomer show also included an Active Zone with performances and demonstrations by Shimmy with Shivaun, the Fraser Valley Square Dance Association, Yoga with Padma, a blend of dance, martial arts, and yoga from Nia with Jasjit and an interactive Scottish dance demonstration by the Royal Country Scottish Dance Society.

The Zoomer Talk Theatre played host to:

• Dr. Kerstin Gustafson – Discussing bone health and tips on diet and exercise.
• Ron Toigo – Managing Director of Shato Holdings discussing the Tsawwassen Springs Development in Delta, BC.
• Glen Purdy & Emmanuel Belliveau – Discussing their new Triumph venture, building wealth through real estate.
• Dr. Angel Lee – Discussing experiencing better vision in your Zoomer years.
• Alice Jean Raffan – Discussing six things to think about for a healthy and well-balanced life.
• Gordon Clark – Discussing Taxes, market volatility, low interest rates and what you can do.
• Codi Shewan – Providing food for thought on celebrating legacy.
• Henri Neuendorf – Presented solutions for a better quality of life for men and women.

Major media sponsors for the 2011 Zoomer show included AM650 Radio along with The Vancouver Sun, Zoomer TV & Magazine, as well as JoyTV10, which had a special booth setup with the Vancouver Giants hockey team from the Western Hockey League.

The 2011 Zoomer show included a separate AM650 Zone which featured a special on-location live broadcast of the Radio Real Estate Show with host Tom Lucas and Sheri Brown on Saturday from 10-11am during the event.

According to recent studies, Zoomers control over 75% of Canadian wealth and account for over 64% of all homeowners in Canada. As most Zoomers where born in the post war baby boom era of 1946 to 1964, they are now hitting the age wave of retirement, giving them lifestyle choices with plenty of time.

The 2011 Zoomer show in Vancouver lived up to its hype. It catered to an audience of people that are quickly being recognized as the most influential consumer group in Canada today – the 45+ Zoomers.

The show demonstrated that the move from a “Boomer to a Zoomer” is a lifestyle that can be filled with high energy activities, health, wealth, and fun.

Last week, Cirque du Soleil brought THE IMMORTAL World Tour show to Vancouver, capturing the spirit of Michael Jackson like no one has been able to do since the King of Pop’s sudden and tragic death on June 25, 2009.

Initially premiering on October 2, 2011 in Montreal, the show has since made its way across Canada with several forays into bordering eastern US cities along the way. The show came to Vancouver’s Rogers Arena with three performances that were held between November 4 to November 6, 2011.

The three shows at Rogers Arena were an unprecedented and stunning visual representation of the very essence, soul, and inspiration of Michael Jackson’s magical spirit as an entertainer. The Cirque du Soleil production was definitely true to the magic that Michael brought to his music through his creative vision.

The extravagant shows were an elaborate spectacle of tremendous proportions. The hybrid theatrical production attempted to recreate the Michael Jackson concert experience with massive dance numbers, enthralling musical numbers, and Jackson’s own-recorded voice.

Over 50 of Jackson’s songs, including all of his number one hits was packed into the riveting shows. A fusion of visuals, dance, music, and fantasy, the show immersed the thousands of people in attendance for all three nights at Rogers Arena in Cirque du Soleil’s celebration of Michael Jackson.

A combination of Jackson’s original hit singles and remixes were played throughout the shows, including Beat It, Billie Jean, Thriller, Bad, Smooth Criminal, Black or White, Jam, Dangerous, and They Don’t Care About Us, among others. The performances also included songs from Jackson’s early years as a child star with the Jackson 5, through to his later years with The Jacksons and onto his time as successful solo artist that defined him as the “King of Pop.”

Costume designer Zaldy Goco was signed onto the tour by Cirque du Soleil to create close to 300 customized looks for the show’s performers. He was the original costume designer for Michael Jackson’s “This Is It” concert series that was supposed to take place at London’s O2 Arena in 2009 and 2010.

One of the highlights of the evening was when the show’s dancers performed the moonwalk to the beat of Billie Jean and their costumes lit up with neon lights, just as Goco had originally designed for Michael Jackson at “This Is It.”

There was also an appearance by Michael’s sister, Janet Jackson as the two were featured together in a video on the stage’s massive screens during a multimedia rendition of the hit single, Scream.

Smooth Criminal had the trademark 1930’s feel to it, on par with Michael Jackson’s vision, which also came with the dancers performing his signature lean movement on stage.

Thriller from 1982 featured everything everyone loves about it – horror, zombies, ghosts, and the entrancing dance moves that made this song one of the most recognizable Michael Jackson hits, even still to this day.

The formidable production included many awe-inspiring dance performances and acrobatic feats that you would expect from Cirque du Soleil including an impressive pole dancing display during the Dangerous song.

The shows underscored Michael’s global messages of love, peace, and unity through dazzling visuals and unforgettable performances. It weaved a story of Michael’s love for music and dance, fairy tales and magic, with a message of the fragile beauty of nature.

The audience in attendances in Vancouver were certainly pleased with the production value of the Cirque du Soleil shows as crowds from all three nights broke out in applause on many occasions and rose to their feet at the end in a standing ovation.

In 1984, the King of Pop came to Vancouver to perform three live shows of his own over three consecutive days at BC Place stadium during the Victory Tour, alongside his “Jackson Five” brothers. Setting a new Vancouver entertainment record, over 100,000 fans attended those concerts on November 16th, 17th and 18th, 1984.

Although he never returned to perform another concert in Vancouver, it can be said that with these three shows on November 4th, 5th, and 6th, 2011, Michael Jackson’s presence was felt in the city once more through the Cirque du Soleil show that can best be described as an elaborate tribute to Jackson’s life and musical legacy.

Following the three Vancouver shows, Cirque du Soleil takes THE IMMORTAL World Tour to Seattle on November 9, 2011 and throughout the United States with the final show planned to take place on August 21, 2012 in Salt Lake City.

A novel UBC study to measure the “bikeability” of Metro Vancouver municipalities is currently underway. A team of researchers from the University of British Columbia in Vancouver has created what they have dubbed as the “Bikeability Index.”

The UBC study is part of a broader “Cycling in Cities” research program that was initiated to investigate which factors encourage or discourage the use of bicycles for urban transportation and which types of transportation infrastructures are associated with increased or decreased risks of injuries to cyclists.

This five-part study is a multifaceted effort that is ongoing with several components already completed, while other sections are anticipated to be completed in the spring of 2012. Data was compiled using public opinion surveys, studies of travel behavior and focus groups.

One component of the study was an “opinion survey” that was both sent out in a web form and mailed out questionnaire to 1,402 adults in Metro Vancouver about 16 bike route types including 73 other factors, which may influence a respondent’s likelihood of cycling. This survey was a sub-set of a larger telephone survey that included 2,149 adults and included demographic information that will be used for an analysis called Mapping Cycling Trips.

The survey was aimed at adults in Metro Vancouver who identified themselves as regular, frequent, occasional, or potential cyclists. This comprises what is termed as the “near market” for cycling, which is those people most likely to increase the number of trips they take, by bicycle. This category represents about 31% of adults in the region, or about 500,000 people.

The vast majority of responses were from people who cycle once or twice a week, said Meghan Winters, the project’s lead researcher.

UBC Cycling in Cities – Survey Participants:

The survey found that of the 16 different types presented to respondents, the 5 most preferred route types are those pictured below.

Data evidence from the survey suggests that the top-3 route types most likely to encourage cycling use by individuals include:

• Paved off-street paths.
• Cycle paths next to major streets separated by a barrier.
• Residential streets marked as bike routes with traffic calming features.

The UBC opinion survey found that:

The order of route preference varied little across types of cyclists or other demographics, except that those who cycle most regularly (at least weekly) ranked unpaved off-street paths and residential streets without bicycle features lower than other cyclist groups. The opinions of this group may reflect the future opinions of others as they cycle more often, so these two route types might be considered less important in route development.

Overall scores of all route types were highest for regular cyclists, then frequent cyclists, then occasional cyclists, and finally potential cyclists. Women and people with children scored the low preference routes even lower than men and people without children. This evidence suggests that motivating those who cycle least often requires that the most desirable routes be the focus of development.

The survey also looked into 73 other factors that may influence a person’s likelihood of cycling in an area. The following are the top-10 “motivating” factors and top-10 “deterrents” to cycling according to the respondents.

Top 10 Motivating Factors Influencing Cycling in Metro Vancouver:

1. The route is away from traffic noise and air pollution.
2. The route has beautiful scenery.
3. The route has bicycle paths separated from traffic for the entire distance.
4. The route is flat.
5. Cycling to the destination takes less time than travelling by other modes.
6. The distance to my destination is less than 5 km.
7. I can make the trip in daylight hours.
8. I can take my bike on the SkyTrain at any time.
9. A 2-way off-street bike path has a reflective centre line for night and poor weather cycling.
10. Secure indoor bike storage is available at my destination.

Top 10 Deterrents Against Cycling in Metro Vancouver:

1. The route is snowy or icy.
2. The street has a lot of car, bus, or truck traffic.
3. The route has glass or debris.
4. Vehicles drive faster than 50 km/h.
5. The risk from motorists who don’t know how to drive safely near bicycles.
6. The risk of injury from car-bike collisions.
7. It is raining.
8. The route has surfaces that can be slick when wet or icy when cold.
9. The route is not well lit after dark.
10. I need to carry bulky or heavy items.

The teams “Bikeability Index” is an innovative mapping tool that is based on online color-coded maps corresponding to Metro Vancouver neighborhoods, scoring them on how accommodating they are to cyclists.

Our goal is to make research from the Cycling in Cities program, and elsewhere, into tools that are useful for policy-makers, planners, and the public.

“The team’s primary goal is to deliver the maps to the hands of urban planners, who can use them as visual aides to identify which areas of a city should be improved to promote a cycling breakaway.” said lead UBC researcher Meghan Winters.

“People just talk about the ‘walkability ‘of their communities and they assume that walkability and bikeability is the same thing,” Winters said. “But it’s not actually true. People need different things when they’re on their bikes.”

The Bikeability Index is based on five components identified in the UBC Cycling in Cities opinion survey as important to cyclists, then explored in focus groups and validated by travel behaviours.

The Five Components of the Bikeability Index Include:

1. Bicycle route density
2. Bicycle route separation
3. Connectivity of bicycle-friendly streets
4. Topography
5. Destination density

The Bikeability Index rates neighbourhoods and municipalities in Metro Vancouver based on the above five categories that cyclists look for before selecting bike routes. The UBC team used mapping software to compile the data onto a series of color-coded maps based on each category to provide a visual representation of the data.

According to the study, the design of communities directly influences people’s level of physical activity and motivation to use cycling. This UBC research is aimed at giving urban planners a tool to design more bike-friendly cities that promote a healthier lifestyle.

The Bikeability Index tool developed by UBC could make it easier for Cyclists to commute around the lower mainland while also providing city planners with a “scorecard” of the bikeability of their city. The color-coded maps from the study show which areas within the city are better than others.

According to the Bikeability Index, a dark green color indicates that Vancouver, New Westminster and Port Coquitlam ranked highest in the overall Lower Mainland “bikeability” ratings with a denser cycling infrastructure.

Other standouts in the region include, Burnaby, Richmond, Langley City, UBC University Endowment Lands and the District of North Vancouver all coming in at a light green.

Statistics Canada figures indicate that 37,370 British Columbia residents regularly commute by cycling, while City of Vancouver’s statistics show that 3,500 of those are downtown commuters. Vancouver also claims that about 60,000 bike trips are made every day.

“If you make cycling and walking the easier choice, then people will be more likely to choose it because it’s faster to get somewhere than sitting in traffic,” said Winters. “Then people will be less likely to choose their cars, they’ll be more likely to engage in physical activity, and that will reduce congestion in the city.”

What is the best part of the summer for any kid? The time off from school of course!

Well the months leading up to summer are just as awesome thanks to Playland at the PNE in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Playland officially opens each year at the end of April. With over 30 rides and attractions including The Corkscrew, Hellevator, and one of the most famous roller coasters, “The Wooden Roller Coaster,” Playland is sure to be a great weekend for the whole family.

Open on weekends, Playland has everything for the family. Including the unusually spelled Kids Playce, which provides the perfect setting for families with small children. This area for kids includes over 10 rides suited for younger children, and special grass picnic areas perfectly suited for families looking to enjoy a picnic.

For young guests over 42 inches tall, there are over 15 fun rides. From the hair-raising Crazy Beach Party to the Wet’n'Wild Flume (also known as the log ride), Playland has a variety of screaming options.

Atmosfear, the newest ride coming this summer in 2011, will be Playland’s tallest ride so far offering unparalleled panoramic views of the entire city. Atmosfear will swing 360°, while going 70km/hr, at 218 feet high!

The beloved Wooden Roller Coaster, Playland’s marquee attraction, remains the most popular ride in the park and is one of the most highly regarded wooden coasters in the world.

The legendary ride construction team of Carl Phare and Walker LeRoy designed it in 1958. The Playland Wooden Coaster thrills over half a million riders annually.

If rides like the ferris wheel are not your thing, don’t worry there is plenty of fun to still be had.

Playland offers 10 special attractions that do not include rides, including the Pacific Adventure Golf Park for the whole family, and the giant Climbing Wall, which stands a full 35 feet in height with three climbing stations.

In addition to many more attractions, there is also The Haunted Mansion, where you will experience the thrill of darkness and the sounds of terror that travel through all crevasses of this oversized mansion.

With 20 different fun filled games of chance to play in the park, you are sure to win a prize from Wac-a-Mole and ring tossing to the arcade and playing quarters. There are games for all different skill levels and all different size prizes.

With a White Spot Triple O’s Restaurant, Baskin-Robbins ice cream and more, you are sure to be able to fill that appetite after you’ve faced your fears on all rides. There is also The Goodz gift shop that you can visit, which carries all of the official merchandise of the Pacific National Exhibition (PNE), from t-shirts and hats to water bottles and postcards.

Playland has hosted millions of thrillseekers of all ages since it opened in 1910. 
In 1926 the park was named “Happy Land” at its original site until it was moved to its present day site in Vancouver and re-opened under the name “Playland” in 1958.

Playland was previously owned by a number of parent companies and in July 1993 it became a division of the Pacific National Exhibition family.

So if you’re just visiting Greater Vancouver or are a long time resident of the lower mainland, get out there and enjoy the day with your family at Playland.

Playland is open on every weekend from April 30 to July 16 this year, and then from September 10-25. During the summer days of July 17 to September 5, Playland is open daily

Five years after their Royal Wedding in 1981, Princess of Wales Diana and Prince of Wales Charles made their one and only visit together to Vancouver, British Columbia for the opening ceremonies of Expo 86.

On Friday, May 2, 1986 Prince of Wales Charles and the late Diana, Princess of Wales, officially opened the “World Exposition on Transportation and Communication” show or simply the Expo 86 World’s Fair in Vancouver, BC, Canada.

Princess Diana and Prince Charles’ visit to Vancouver also marked an important milestone for the city as the newly launched “Expo Line” SkyTrain rapid transit system was launched during the event.

The Expo 86 fair was held at two sites: the 165-acre main False Creek site and the 6-acre Burrard inlet site. The two sites were 4.5 km apart, but connected by a free ride on the newly built elevated SkyTrain rapid transit system.

Together, Diana and Charles rode the SkyTrain, which began operations on December 11, 1985 to commute a major influx of tourists expected to visit Vancouver during Expo 86.

While riding the SkyTrain, both Diana and Charles were greeted by many dignitaries and common people who where more than happy to play a part in this historic event as the Royals toured the city of Vancouver.

Accompanied by Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, Prince Charles and Princess Diana officially opened Expo 86 in Vancouver, BC on May 2, 1986.

Prince Charles had the honors of cutting the racetrack-like ribbon, to signify the beginning of the 1986 World Exposition on Transportation and Communication show, held in Vancouver from May 2 until October 13, 1986.

During her stay in Vancouver, Princess Diana also made it her duty to make several appearances at local charities and this even included a special visit to sick kids at the BC Children’s Hospital, as seen in the video below.

In the video, you will also see Prince Charles address rumors of his wife apparently fainting at one of the events in Vancouver.

“I’d just like to say that my wife is feeling much better now than she was earlier this afternoon,” said Charles while visiting the Gordon House in Vancouver. “It’s really entirely due to the advantageous conditions that pertain in British Columbia – the weather and the general fertile conditions.”

Jet lag and fatigue from the long flight between Vancouver and her home country of England was also said to play a part in Princess Diana’s apparent fainting.

Like Diana, Prince Charles also made personal visits to the local hospitals and charities in Vancouver.

Prince Charles and Princess Diana were not the only Royals in Vancouver for Expo 86. Crown Prince Harald and Crown Princess Sonja of Norway, who later both became King and Queen in 1991, also took part in the 1986 event.

Undoubtedly the late Princess Diana was the most famous and celebrated person in the world at the time of her visit to Expo 86 in Vancouver. However, there were many other famous figures that made appearances.

Some of the other notable figures in attendance at Expo 86 included Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher of the United Kingdom, former Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau, United States Vice President George H. W. Bush, Bill Cosby, Bob Hope, Joan Rivers, Howie Mandel, Johnny Cash, Honeymoon Suite, Smokey Robinson, The Beach Boys, Bryan Adams, and Roy Orbison, among others.

A total of 54 nations participated in Expo 86 with pavilions for Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Barbados, Belgium, Brunei, Canada, China, Cook Island, Costa Rica, Cuba, Czechoslovakia, Dominica, Fiji, France, Germany, Grenada, Hungary, Indonesia, Italy, Ivory Coast, Japan, Kenya, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, Montserrat, Nauru, Norway, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Romania, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Spain, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Thailand, Tonga, United Kingdom, United States, USSR, Vanuatu, Western Samoa, and Yugoslavia.

Expo 86 was attended by 22,111,578 people and generated $491 million in revenues for the city of Vancouver. It was one of the most successful world fairs ever and the last one to be held in North America to date.

The two most prominent figures of the over 22 million people that attended Expo 86 were without question, the late Lady Diana, Princess of Wales, and Charles, Prince of Wales.

As Vancouver approaches the 25-year anniversary of Princess Diana and Prince Charles opening Expo 86 on May 2, 1986, the world has just witnessed the fantastic spectacle of a Royal Wedding in London, England.

Today, April 29, 2011 marks the wedding day of the late Princess Diana’s oldest son, Prince William to Catherine Middleton as they become The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

As our local mountains transition from the winter to summer months, many people may wonder what the mountains around Vancouver have to offer in the changing seasons.

For over 70 years Mount Seymour has been the choice for outdoor enthusiasts in the lower mainland. A short and easy drive from Vancouver, the Mount Seymour experience is the epitome of the “West Coast” lifestyle.

The winter months have so much to offer on the mountain, with an average 1,000 cm / 393 inches of snow annually. All this snow can be enjoyed with the many winter activities that Seymour offers including ski and snowboarding lessons, tube and toboggan parks, and snowshoeing with of course a variety of lessons and levels from beginner to expert for everyone.

For the skiers and snowboarders, Mount Seymour’s terrain parks have become some of the most recognized in the area. In 1990, Mount Seymour provided Vancouver’s with its first endeavor into freestyle terrain with the first half pipe on local mountains and then again, with the region’s first terrain park in 1993.

With four different parks, Mount Seymour has something for everyone, from beginners and experts. The newest terrain park on the mountain is “The Nike 6.0 GREATEST HITS Park,” which includes features not found in any other terrain park in the world.

The new park includes boxes, kinks, picnic tables, down rails, jumps and more “GREATEST HITS” with custom made features that freestyle extreme riders will know how to use.

Mount Seymour’s Enquist SnowTube Park and Toboggan Park guarantees fun and laughs with your friends and family.

At the Tube Park, you will love the thrill of sliding down a hill in a specially designed tube, and you’re going to enjoy the easy ride back up by their custom tube tow.

The Toboggan Park is open to all ages, with no height restrictions; the area is where families can enjoy the excitement of tobogganing and the magic of playing in the snow.

Mount Seymour offers trails that are accessible exclusively for snowshoers, where you can go to a place of quiet and stillness amidst the vast trail system. The trail system has two scenic lakes and old growth forests where you can watch for animal tracks and listen for birdcalls.

The trail system has a terrain for everyone in the family, with many loop options for different levels of snowshoes.

In the warmer summer months, Mount Seymour transforms into a haven of natural sights and sounds. With a peaceful and beautiful setting that overlooks Vancouver and the Pacific Ocean. This mountain is a popular destination for sightseeing, nature walks, hiking, birding, and picnics amongst the wildlife.

While enjoying an active lifestyle on Mount Seymour, you can also stop and take in the breathtaking views of Vancouver, Mount Baker in Washington, the Indian Arms, and Vancouver Island.

With Vancouver’s beautiful views atop of Mount Seymour, and its all-round natural beauty, it’s no wonder why there is something to do year-around in this remarkable city.

What do Whistler, Nanaimo, Maple Ridge, and Victoria all have in common? Other than all being in the province of beautiful British Columbia, they are all home to WildPlay Element Parks.

The WildPlay Element Parks was first established in 2005 by Gord Ross and Tom Benson. They had a vision to expand and develop a full-service outdoor adventure destination on Vancouver Island.

The result is now four parks, all with different amenities such as:

• ZOOM Zip Lines: You and a friend go soaring side-by-side on an excursion through the trees. Zip lines traverse five dual zip lines connected by a network of trails and boardwalks. The largest line being over 1500 feet in length and 400 feet above the ground.
• Canyon Zip: A zip line that lets you fly across the Nanaimo River, and under a bungee bridge.
• Bungy Jump: You can pick from a dry jump or from a “plunge” into the Nanaimo River.
• King Swing: Guests are clipped and cinched to a cable over the 150-foot abyss – secure and ready for a thrilling slingshot ride, which reaches speeds of up to 140 km/h.
• Monkido Areal Adventures: Climb, swing, and zip through the forest. You will move at your own pace through a series of surprising and progressively challenging games – between six and 60 feet above ground. Conquer obstacles such as tightropes, missing plank bridges, swinging logs; soar on zip lines; climb on cargo nets, ascend tree ladders, and much more.

WildPlay Element Parks purchased the former Bungy Zone in Nanaimo, Vancouver Island, in March 2006. The Nanaimo location also offers Monkido Classic, Monkido Buddy, Monkido Kids, King Swing, and Canyon Zip.

Nanaimo is the most diverse WildPlay site for guests to play. The park amenities include barbecues, free parking, gift shop, lockers, picnic shelter, picnic tables, washroom facilities, vending machines, video recording, volleyball court, and walking trails.

Soon after the Nanaimo Park opened, WildPlay acquired the operating assets of Cougar Mountain Adventures, just minutes north of Whistler Village.

WildPlay Whistler opened in July 2009 with Monkido Classic, Monkido Buddy, Monkido Kids, and ZOOM Zip Lines.

“Whistler park is home of BC’s only side-by-side zip line system,” said Matt DesBrisay, General Manager. “We maximize our guest’s experience on ZOOM Zip Lines with on-site photographers who capture guests best ‘flying bat’ impersonation.”

Victoria also opened a site in 2009, with WildPlay enterting a partnership with West Shore Recreation & Parks to form WildPlay West Shore Victoria. This park offers Monkido Classic, Monkido Buddy, and Monkido Kids. They are conveniently located adjacent to the Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre.

“Our biggest claim to fame is our Black Course Section,” said Jenessa Baert, Activity Supervisor of WildPlay West Shore Victoria. “It’s the toughest in any WildPlay Park, and throws punch after punch from the first zip to the dreaded logs and spinning balls. What’s best is that West Shore Victoria is a park guests can visit again and again because we’re still growing!”

“There are ongoing improvements in facilities and amenities, as well as evolving games, that make our park a new adventure for guests who often want to play outdoors,” Baert added.

Just last year WildPlay opened their newest park in Maple Ridge in July of 2010. The newest site is just down the road from Golden Ears Park, along the Allouette River, where the Maple Ridge Campground was. This site offers Monkido Classis, Monkido Buddy, and Monkido Kids, as well as a barbecue zone, free parking, gift shop, picnic shelters, picnic tables, washroom facilities, and walking trails.

No matter if you are a kid or just wanting to hang out and have some fun, WildPlay Element Parks will have something for the whole family to enjoy.

Variety has chosen an unexpected hidden gem of a location for their grand prize show home in their 6th annual Variety – The Children’s Charity Lottery. The grand prize package worth over $2 million includes a 6,000 sq. ft. prize home in prestigious, Anmore, BC.

Variety – The Children’s Charity holds two lotteries per year, a spring edition and a fall edition. They raise funds and distribute grants throughout British Columbia to inspire hope, enrich lives, and build a better future for children who have special needs.

Variety’s lotteries started back in 2000. From the fall of 2002 to the spring of 2005, all of Variety’s lottery grand prize show homes were located in Port Moody within the Heritage Mountain community, only minutes away from Anmore.

In the spring of 2006, one of Variety’s other prize homes was also located on Panorama Drive in Port Moody. From the fall of 2006 to the fall 2010, all of Variety’s showhomes were located within South Surrey.

In an interview with BuyRIC.com, Carla Jones, Director of Marketing for Variety – The Children’s Charity said, “We wanted to go back to the original Port Moody/Anmore area. The village of Anmore is a beautiful place.”

The traditional location for the Variety Lottery Prize show homes was Port Moody and the Tri-Cities area of Greater Vancouver up to 2006 and then South Surrey to the end of 2010. Now, in the spring of 2011, Variety has chosen to come back to the Tri-Cities and locate their lottery prize home in Anmore.

“Anmore is an incredible location with wonderful recreation activities nearby: hiking, biking, horse trails. It is also a great area for picnics, swimming (Buntzen Lake is only minutes away), canoeing and fishing. While still very close to the city, downtown Vancouver is approximately 40 minutes away. This is great for commuters,” added Jones.

The Anmore Variety Lottery Prize Show Home located on a 1-acre lot, has vaulted ceilings, skylights, large kitchen with huge island, gas fireplace in the master bedroom, deluxe home theatre, and a triple car garage.

Is it just another typical lottery prize home?

“People think it is an absolutely stunning home,” said Jones. “Many have said it is the best prize home they have ever seen. It is a very large house – very family friendly. People also love the views – you can even see the Burrard Inlet!”

The Village of Anmore is nestled between Port Moody and Belcarra. Surrounded by majestic mountains and bordered by beautiful lakes, it’s a natural setting that offers an unparalleled west coast lifestyle.

While Anmore may be a secret to some, it’s not to Mark Jauck, President of Marcraft Homes. He started building homes in the Tri-Cities area in 1982 with his company Calais Homes and was Director of Sales and Marketing for Wesbild Developments, the developer of Coquitlam’s Westwood Plateau.

Marcraft Homes is currently one of the premier Luxury Custom Home Builders in Anmore with “The Terraces” development at Ridgewood Estates.

“Apart from the fabulous cause, we are very proud that Anmore was selected by Variety – The Children’s Charity for their latest lottery prize home,” said Jauck.

“Anmore has so much to offer, the ambiance of nature, stunning scenery, pure fresh lakes and some stunning home developments that most people in Vancouver have not yet been exposed to. It’s like a private oasis within the city.”

What has been peoples’ response to the new location? Jones said, “People love the new location and see Anmore as a hidden paradise.”

“They also can’t believe Anmore is so close to the city! It feels like you’re away on vacation if you live here,” added Jones.

There are two very good reasons to buy as many tickets as you can in Variety – The Children’s Charity Lottery this year. First and foremost, proceeds go directly to help BC children who have special needs. Secondly, every ticket you buy gives you a chance to win one of 4 GRAND PRIZE CHOICES WORTH MILLIONS!

Get tickets today by calling 604-697-8946 or toll free 1-877-WOW-UWIN (1-877-969-8946) or online at www.varietylottery.ca. You can also get your tickets in person at the Lottery show home located at 1455 Crystal Creek Drive in Anmore BC. Open daily between 12 pm to 6 pm.

With great snowboarding and skiing in the winter season, it’s a great time to start thinking about what else Vancouver’s beautiful mountains have to offer.

Grouse Mountain is a great place for everyone with all sorts of activities throughout the year. It is one a Vancouver’s premier year-round attractions.

From your own “Sno-Limo” Chauffeur in the winter to the Grouse Grind in the summer, Grouse Mountain has something to do for everyone at every time of the year.

The Grouse Grind is a steep trail that climbs 2,799 feet over a distance of 2.9 kilometres, which can be enjoyed during the warmer months of the year.

There are all sorts of snow related activities available to you on Grouse mountain during the winter season, such as:

• Snowboarding
• Skiing
• Snowshoeing
• Ice-skating
• Sleigh rides
• “The Peak of Christmas”
• Scenic Winter Wonderland Chairlift Ride

But when the snow is finally gone, that doesn’t mean that all the fun will be over, in fact a whole new world to explore begins once the snow has gone.

Throughout the year you will always be able to find something fun and exciting to do on Grouse Mountain in Vancouver, it’s not just all about the winter activities.

All year round you will be able to have a blast, weather it be zip lining, a helicopter tour, going on the Eye of the Wind Tour, having fun on the Skyride, exploring the natural mountain terrain or just relaxing and watching a movie at the “Theatre in the Sky.”

Grouse Mountain even offers a wildlife refuge where you can view grizzly bears in their specially built habitats. Many different educational programs are also offered on Grouse, giving you insight on how wildlife sustains longevity in the Vancouver area and the entire province of British Columbia. The Refuge offers leading-edge interpretative programs that make learning about nature fun and fascinating.

As soon as spring and summer hit, many more activities open up, such as:

• Grouse Grind
• Summer Scenic Chair Lift
• Birds in Motion Demonstration
• Paragliding
• Toured Eco Walks
• Lumberjack Shows (between May long weekend and September)

So no matter what time of year, you can always find something fun, adventurous and exciting to do on Grouse Mountain.

Whatever the season, once you get to the top of Grouse Mountain and look back over the city, you will understand why Vancouver has been called one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

In 2011, Vancouver has yet again been voted as the “Most Livable City in the World” for the fifth consecutive year.