Fancy a Winter Wonderland?

For nearly 100 years, snow-seeking Vancouverites have made their way to Grouse Mountain come holiday time. In 1926, bakery tycoon William Curtis eased the trek by funding an ambitious road up through the forest. Photographer Stuart Thomson captured some 1929 holiday scenes.

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Stuart Thomson. City of Vancouver Archives

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These days, be-hatted families heading the 1250 metres up Grouse will find much more elaborate offerings to compliment their snowshoeing, skiing, and Sunday driving. The Peak Of Christmas – scheduled to run until January 5th, 2020 – features an 8,000 square foot skating rink, Santa and his Reindeer, Gingerbread Village, Christmas movies at the Theatre in the Sky, and the Sliding Zone.

You can also listen to local musicians performing at the Chalet, and walk around Blue Grouse Lake amidst the fir, spruce and Christmas lights.

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For those of you who are not terrified of heights – *sits down* – Capilano Suspension Bridge Park features hundreds of thousands of Canyon Lights until January 26, 2020.

Another of our original landmarks, the Capilano Suspension Bridge was built in 1889 by Chief August Jack Khatsahlano, Scottish engineer George Grant Mackay, and a team of river-swimming horses. Their bridge was built with cedar logs, planks and hemp rope.

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Philip T. Timms. ~ 1906. City of Vancouver Archives

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The new bridge finds some formidable friends in Treetops Adventure: seven suspension bridges pitched above 250 year old Douglas firs. All these swinging bridges –  along with the canyon, cliffwalk and rainforest – are festooned with lights. Once your adrenaline has been sufficiently exercised, you can sing along with holiday carols or join a Snowy Owl Prowl.

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If you’re up for one more hit of holiday, visit the Park & Tilford Hi-Light Festival, just east of the Second Narrows Bridge. Now in its 30^th year, this show of more than 150,000 lights over 3 acres runs from 5 to 8 pm, until December the 31^st.

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Written by Elizabeth Newton
www.creatorsvancouver.com

Header Photo: Alejandro Luengo