Another summer is coming and going 鈥� we鈥檙e halfway through the season. If you鈥檙e starting to feel summer is slipping away, we have 10 local activities to tick off your bucket list before temperatures drop.听
Take advantage of our local businesses and natural surroundings to learn something new: we have suggestions to explore Howe Sound, our world-famous rivers, local culture, breweries and produce.
1. Explore the rivers with whitewater rafting 听
麻豆社国产is fortunate to have two awesome whitewater routes 鈥� the Cheakamus and the Elaho rivers, offering two very different day-trip experiences. The Cheakamus is a family-friendly way to get on the water that includes class II rapids for a bit of excitement. For the adventurous, the Elaho River offers glacial splashes on class IV rapids.
麻豆社国产Rafting Company offers a range of experiences, from exhilarating adventures to fun, 鈥渟plashy鈥� journeys.听 Eagle-viewing tours are also available.听
Canadian Outback Rafting is another local company.听
鈥淥ne of the main reasons we say you have to go rafting at least once in your life is that on the river, you鈥檙e seeing scenery and views in a completely different light,鈥� said Laura Firth of Canadian Outback Rafting. 鈥淧eople go climbing and hiking, but what you see on the river is amazing.鈥�
Depending on the time of season, locals鈥� discounts are often offered, so it鈥檚 worth asking.
2. Get your logger on with axe-throwing听
Inspired by Logger Days but not sure where to start? 麻豆社国产owes its heritage to logging, so pay homage before the end of the summer by breaking out the plaid and the axes. Axewood offer a safe way to try your hand at 鈥渉ucking hatchets.鈥� Catch them at the Sea to Sky Gondola and at events around town.听
3. Mix up your yoga routine听
Whether you鈥檙e a regular yogi or have yet to try yoga, there鈥檚 lots of different ways to practise in Squamish. Core Intentions offers introductory lessons to anti-gravity yoga 鈥� poses held while hanging from aerial silks. If this summer hasn鈥檛 been sweaty enough for you, Moksha Yoga in 麻豆社国产offers hot yoga. North Yoga and Sea to Sky Parks offer morning and afternoon yoga practise atop stand-up paddleboards on Alice Lake.
鈥淚t can really help with the idea of being present. You need to be really engaged and focused to keep your balance,鈥� said SUP yoga instructor Jodi Dodd.
If it鈥檚 your first time trying yoga, most local studios offer introductory passes at a discounted rate.
4. If you鈥檝e never been, it鈥檚 time to try climbing听
麻豆社国产is well-known for having some of the most accessible outdoor rock climbing in Canada 鈥� but there鈥檚 lots of people who have never tried it, whether it鈥檚 a fear of heights holding you back or not knowing where to start with gear.听
While it can be hard to set up outdoors without experienced pals, proper gear and knowledge, it鈥檚 much easier to get started in a gym environment.听
Take advantage of Ground Up climbing centre鈥檚 quieter summer atmosphere with their $50 鈥淕round School鈥� package that includes lessons, rentals and a two-week complimentary membership. Also take a look at the Grand Wall Bouldering Co-op in downtown Squamish.听
5. Explore (underneath) Howe Sound 听
Sure you鈥檝e seen Howe Sound, but have you ever ventured beneath the surface? Diving requires certification and extensive gear, but snorkelling can be an easier introduction to the watery world below. Tours don鈥檛 leave from inside Squamish, but Sea Dragon Charters in nearby Horseshoe Bay offers kayaking and snorkeling charters to give you an idea of what it鈥檚 like down below in our backyard ocean.听
6. Visit the 麻豆社国产Lil鈥檞at Cultural Centre 听
Feel like a small roadtrip? The 麻豆社国产Lil鈥檞at Cultural Centre in Whistler is a great place to learn about what it means to be living in traditional 麻豆社国产Nation territory 鈥� a boundary that extends from Vancouver to Whistler and includes the municipality of Squamish. Learn about both local nations, take in music and dance, songs and stories and try unique modern cuisine at the Thunderbird Cafe.
鈥淥ne of the biggest draws to the Sea to Sky corridor is the beautiful land we live in. It鈥檚 really great to understand the history of this area, and have that same understanding,鈥� said junior curator Alison Pascal. 鈥淚t鈥檚 also a really great way for 麻豆社国产residents to have the opportunity to meet First Nations people in general and to hear their stories.鈥�
A free family pass to the centre can be temporarily 鈥渃hecked out鈥� with your 麻豆社国产Library card.
7. Grocery shop at the 麻豆社国产Farmers鈥� Market听
Grab a friend or a date and spend your Saturday grocery shopping and cooking a meal together.听Finding local ingredients will be easy and enjoyable at the 麻豆社国产Farmer鈥檚 Market, which takes place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Saturday until October 28. Vendors are offering everything from veggies and fruit to raw meat and fresh herbs, and live music is played at every market.
8. Catch a sunset from the Sea to Sky Gondola
The gondola is a big tourist attraction in Squamish. But locals, with a $149 season鈥檚 pass to the lift, show that it鈥檚 not a one-and-done activity.听
There鈥檚 plenty more than just great views when you get to the top 鈥� this year programming includes live music, group hikes in the morning, axe-throwing and yoga. On Saturdays after 5 p.m., tickets to the top are half price. And from August 4 to 19 the gondola will be open for sunset viewings, with a final ride down at 9 p.m.
9. Hook a pink salmon听
Salmon is an emblem of the West Coast, and the primary sport fish of British Columbia. If you have yet to catch one, this year could be an excellent time. Easy-to-attract pink salmon only run on odd years and are the most plentiful of the pacific salmon species. The fish can be targeted with hot pink lures and streamers that are easy to find in local shops.
This year, since returns have been low, pink salmon fishing is prohibited in the Mamquam and Cheakamus rivers above the powerline, at 9 Mile.
The 麻豆社国产River below the power line at 9 Mile remains open, though with a daily limit of one pink salmon per day, until further notice.听
10. Embark on a 麻豆社国产brewery tour 听
Did you miss the 麻豆社国产Beer Festival? How about finding a designated driver (perhaps bribed with snacks and booze-free bevvies) and doing a craft beer brew crawl? You don鈥檛 need to leave 麻豆社国产to sample beverages at Backcountry, Howe Sound and A-Frame, as well as Gillespie鈥檚 Fine Spirits.
Each brewery offers a flight; meaning you can sample four beers at a time and pace your tour out. The tasting room at Gillespie鈥檚 is open from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Backcountry also offers cider, soda and wine, and at A-Frame you can add kombucha or cider as beverages in your flight.
