This summer was unbelievable with endless sunny days and adventures on the water, trails and mountains.
I hope you got out and enjoyed every minute of it.
This fall has also been spectacular with the sun peeking its head out for most of it. That's about to change as we charge into winter and I'm excited. How about you? Snow is slowly covering the fresh dirt on our local mountains and farther off into the backcountry the snow is piling up even faster. This winter you can sit in the rain in the city or head to the local peaks to downhill ski, snowboard, snowshoe or cross-country ski. Grouse, Cypress and Seymour offer tons of fun winter sports for the whole family, and what sets them apart from other mountains throughout the province is that the fun continues into the evenings under bright lights that let you ski, ride and snowshoe into the wee hours of the night.
Whichever winter sport you decide on, it's important to get in shape first. This will make it more fun and prevent shock and soreness in your body. A simple weight workout at one of the local recreation centres will suffice or get out on your road bike, runners or walking shoes. The Grouse Grind is one of my favorite get-into-winter-shape workouts.
Make sure you ease into the activity and go easy. Many people believe the way to get in shape is to lift heavy and go hard, but the best way to achieve positive results is to go often and easy and be consistent.
Your equipment will also need a tune-up or you'll need to purchase some new gear for that sport you've always wanted to try so be sure to pay a visit to your favourite local shop. If you're trying a sport for the first time then check the mountain for available rentals as this will allow you to see if you like the sport before you commit to it, and also let you try different gear so you can make an informed purchase when you do decide to buy.
I can't wait for the white stuff to start piling up.
Using this checklist above will ensure you'll be ready for the winter season that awaits.
Adventurer Dave Norona can often be seen travelling the North Shore trails at night with his bright lights, training easy and often. His night travels are supported by Powerbar, Columbia Sportswear and Genuine Guide Gear.
