It's official: my snowboard has been carefully tucked away for the season. All that I'm left with are the sweet memories of yet another fabulous winter season in Vancouver, Coast & Mountains - fresh tracks at Manning Park Resort, après ski drinks at Whistler, and snowboarding at sunset on the North Shore Mountains.
Lucky for me, I live in Vancouver, Coast & Mountains so my attention now turns to golf, gardening and walks in the park. I wave goodbye to ski season and say hello to sailing on the Sunshine Coast, hiking through Mighty Fraser Country, kayaking in Metro Vancouver, and riding my bike through Sea to Sky Country. And with the new season of outdoor adventures comes a new iPod play-list. On my spring play-list are Coldplay, Tom Petty, The Tragically Hip and, yes, even Jay-Z. I'm gearing myself up for the Pemberton Festival. What's the Pemberton Festival? Read on in the June issue of Story Starters to find out. Enjoy!
This June, enjoy the ultimate west coast experience: listen to the cool sounds of jazz from deep in the heart of a true west coast rainforest. For two weekends in June, Capilano Suspension Bridge will host the Vancouver International Jazz Festival. Guests can enter the park for free after 6pm for the special performances, which take place from 7pm to 9pm. As the largest music festival in BC, the Vancouver International Jazz Festival has been the winner of numerous awards and praised as one of the leading jazz festivals in the world. And what a venue! Capilano Suspension Bridge is Vancouver's oldest and most famous attraction, dating back to 1889. The bridge spans 450 feet across and 230 feet above the rushing waters of the Capilano River, and, without a doubt, is the world's greatest suspension footbridge. It is conveniently located a short 10-minutes from downtown Vancouver. Or, guests to the Jazz Festival can sleep soundly down the road at the North Vancouver Hotel. New to the Hotel is the 'Tour de Scoop,' a stylish scooter available to zip guests around to local attractions and downtown Vancouver. For more information visit www.capbridge.com and www.northvancouverhotel.ca.
Tom Patterson is on a mission: this well-known First Nations artist is setting out to carve a 20 foot cedar house post. While he carves, he hopes to interact with and educate the public about the artistic forms and traditions of the Coast Salish and Northwest Coast First Nations. Tom Patterson is the first artist-in-residence in the recently-opened 1200 square foot Artisan Centre at Xa:ytem Longhouse Interpretive Centre in Mission, BC. Pronounced "HAY-tum", this is the Halq'emeylem name for a giant rock situated on an ancient river terrace overlooking the Fraser River. Xa:ytem is the site of the oldest known dwelling site in BC, as archaeologists have found evidence of a large village that was here some 9,000 years ago. The magnificent Xa:ytem Longhouse, built in the traditional way with massive timbers and cedar planking, now stands near the rock. In the spring of 2008, visitors to Xa:ytem can watch as Tom Patterson carves the cedar house post. At the same time, visitors will learn about the culture of the Sto:lo First Nations through interactive displays and presentations. For more information visit www.xaytem.ca.
Just in time for summer, there's a new luxury property on the Sunshine Coast that's truly romantic. We're not talking red roses, satin sheets, and chocolate pralines. Romance takes many forms, and the new Painted Boat Resort Spa & Marina is romance at its very best. Imagine the intimacy of a seaside oasis nestled amongst five acres of Douglas-fir, red cedar and arbutus trees. Take a dip in the infinity pool, soak for hours in the hot-tub, or enjoy the stunning sunsets from the waterfront deck with a glass of wine and fresh seafood appetizers. Inspired by the fishing structures along the coastline, Painted Boat has a distinctly west coast feel that's evoked through the use of exposed timber construction and expansive windows. The extensive use of natural materials blends seamlessly with the woodsy setting. Painted Boat's enormous two-bedroom suites offer fully-equipped open kitchens, custom Canadian-made wood furniture and local artists' prints and ceramics. With lavish furnishings and an emphasis on comfort, you might forget to even notice the view. Visit www.crmr.com for more details.
If you had to choose one of the following acts to see live in concert, who would it be: Coldplay, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Nine Inch Nails, or The Tragically Hip? Great news! You don't have to pick just one. All of these acts (and over 50 more) will be part of the lineup for the inaugural Pemberton Festival. From July 25-27, 2008, Pemberton will host Canada's first European-style festival, designed along the lines of Glastonbury in England. A nation-wide search was conducted to find the perfect location for the festival before organizers decided on scenic Pemberton. Pemberton is a spectacular 20-minute drive north of Whistler, accessible directly off the picturesque Sea to Sky Highway. The festival will be held in a lush green hayfield with the snow-capped Mount Currie as the backdrop. Visitors can camp on the 500-acre site or stay in style in one of the many nearby accommodations. Come for the festival and stay for the outdoor adventure: world-class jet boating, paragliding, horseback riding, golf, canoeing, kayaking, ATV tours, mountain biking, gliding and fishing are just some of the adventures that await you. We've always know that Pemberton rocks! See the full lineup at the Pemberton Festival website: www.pembertonfestival.com.
Simon says touch your head. Simon says touch your toes. Simon says visit the Hell's Gate Airtram in the Fraser Canyon on June 26, 2008 for the unveiling of "Simon’s Wall." It’s been 200 years since the legendary Simon Fraser explored the Mighty Fraser River. Simon Fraser became the first European to travel along the river to its mouth during an incredible, risky journey in 1808. The hardest part of Simon's adventure was fighting his way through the 35 metre wide gorge at the narrowest part of the river. Here, over 200 million gallons of water per minute flow through at spring run off – that's twice the volume of Niagara Falls! Simon wrote in his journal: "this was a place where no human being should venture, for surely we have encountered the gates of hell." Thus, Hell's Gate got its name. On June 26, 2008 – 200 years to the day when Simon Fraser passed by the site – Hell's Gate Airtram will celebrate Simon's expedition and unveil "Simon's Wall." This fun, interactive photo exhibit will allow visitors to pose for a photo alongside the Canyon walls, ropes, and ladders – just as the early explorers would have looked. Simon says visit www.hellsgateairtram.com for more details.
