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Ready or not: winter is coming

ARE YOU READY? Last winter was amazing. The powder days were endless and every ski destination was off the hook. Well get ready because the weather gods are calling for this winter to be even colder and more epic.

ARE YOU READY?

Last winter was amazing. The powder days were endless and every ski destination was off the hook. Well get ready because the weather gods are calling for this winter to be even colder and more epic.

If you're a winter enthusiast like me then you're buzzing with anticipation.

If not, you may just need a few new ideas to get you out and enjoying the snow this winter.

If you're a skier or snowboarder then you might be buzzing around town already looking for some new gear to tackle the winter wonderland that's coming. Comor Sports just opened a new location in North Vancouver on Marine Drive and they're loaded to the rafters with all the latest ski and snowboard gear.

They also carry important avalanche gear for those who want to find powder in the backcountry.

Grouse Mountain, Cypress Mountain and Mount Seymour all have great deals on ski and snowboard lessons and all you need to do is show up with a smile and be ready to learn.

Cypress Mountain also has the best cross-country skiing around so if you're looking to get fit this winter then sign up for one of their skate ski or classic ski lesson packages.

Snowshoeing is another fantastic way to experience the beauty of our local mountains and if you can walk then you can snowshoe. Each mountain has great terrain and trails to enjoy with friends and family and it's an awesome workout.

There are a ton of helicopter and cat skiing operations in the province and if you're gonzo for powder this is something you have to try.

You can pay a lot or source out some amazing deals by going stand-by.

Whichever way you do it, you'll be blown away by what heli-skiing and cat skiing has to offer. Last season, Kim and I took a trip to Mike Wiegele's heli-skiing operation and it was one of our best trips ever. I suggest you save your pennies and do it.

There's also some terrific backcountry skiing locally and up throughout the Sea to Sky corridor.

That's where you earn your own turns and it's important to note that you're responsible for your own safety.

If you want to travel into the backcountry, you, and everyone in your group, need to have completed an avalanche skills course, be carrying all the proper avalanche gear and know how to use it.

The sky's the limit as to what you can climb and ski and a great way to explore is to hire a local guide as they'll get you to the goods faster and more safely. There are also a number of incredible backcountry lodges out there, like Sol Mountain (www.solmountain.com), where you tour each day with a guide.

You'll get access to loads of untouched powder with no one else around.

If you want to try something new this winter then put snowmobiling on your list of must-tries.

Ray Mason from Totally Awesome Adventures (www. totallyawesomeadventures. com) will get you deep into the backcountry outside Pemberton. You'll get powder face shots all day and see some of the most breathtaking scenery in the world.

Mellow or wild, in my opinion, Ray is the best guide in the Sea to Sky corridor.

There's a taste of what's out there; now sign up, join in and have the time of your life!

Adventurer Dave Norona hopes you explore more this winter; after all, that's how you find the good stuff! His explorations are supported by Mountain Hardwear, Ski-Doo and Genuine Guide Gear.