Living in the Lower Mainland means getting used to rainy days and cold weather once fall comes around. When the sun goes into hiding during the fall, the days become shorter, and the weather starts to get gloomier. It is important to look at what you can do to stay busy during the cold seasons and how you can find new activities that are worth partaking in!
Although the air becomes colder as fall commences, the autumn leaves provide a beautiful sight through local BC trails and hikes. Although people tend to enjoy being outside more often during the summer, taking a walk through nature during the fall can feel like an entirely different experience. Utilize the beautiful scenery around you and explore. Make sure to bundle up, bring your dog along, invite a friend, or just spend some time alone. My favourite places to go walking include:
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Lynn Canyon (North Vancouver)
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Golden Ears – Lower Falls (Maple Ridge)
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Quarry Rock (North Vancouver)
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Campbell Valley Park (Langley)
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Crescent Beach (Surrey)
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Lindeman Lake (Chilliwack)
Summer is a season when people tend to want to spend the most time outside. When the weather gets colder, it is less enjoyable to be spending long periods of time outdoors. Watching a movie can be an enjoyable time for everyone and can also help pass the time. As someone who thoroughly enjoys viewing films, being able to watch a show on Netflix or go into a theatre for a more immersive experience is very enjoyable. Reach out to your friends and family and find movies that they recommend. Create a ‘watch list’ and try to finish it this winter season! Watching movies is the best way to get away from the snow and stay warm and cozy inside.
As cliché as it may sound, spending time cooking or baking inside during the winter season can be a great way to fill your time when it’s too cold outside. As Christmas is approaching, learn how to follow some fun baking recipes and share them with the people around you. It’s never too late to take up a new hobby and spending time in the kitchen can be a fun and rewarding experience. Even finding new interesting drink recipes such as cocktails or hot chocolate is another way to unwind at the end of a chilly day. Here are some of my favourites:
As the fall season leads us to the holidays, there are so many beautiful winter festivals that are presented all throughout the cold season. These are great opportunities to hang out with others, explore the city and take photos. These attractions can be indoors and outdoors but usually including gorgeous displays of lights, vendors, amusement rides, and other interactive features. Popular festivals include Glow and Aurora. Make sure to visit one this season to explore the magic of winter!
Being surrounded by several different ski resorts like Manning Park, Whistler, Cypress, Grouse, Big White or Sun Peaks is one of the best things about Vancouver. As soon as the weather starts to get cold, the mountains fill with snow. Learning to ski or snowboard is an amazing skill and can be a great seasonal activity that helps you keep fit and stay active. You can even purchase a seasonal pass to save money and go up to the mountain multiple times during the peak season. If skiing or snowboarding doesn’t feel right for you, there are countless other activities to take part in at these resorts and it can be a great time to hang out with friends or family. Explore restaurants, go tubing/ sledding, or spend time skating on an ice rink.
The end of summer doesn’t mean that life must be put on pause. At the end of the day, there are plenty of interesting activities to partake in during the fall and winter season as the temperature decreases and the rain starts again. We are lucky to live in such a rich and diverse city like Vancouver, so take advantage of all the activities around you!
