Winter Sports
Gazing at the nearby snow clad peak you can feel the bite of the sharp wind whipping snow pellets against your rosy cheeks. With the soul of an artist the wind relentlessly carves the snow into a geometric sculpture reminiscent of Picasso's cubist period with jaw dropping arrangements in black and white. Just what you'd expect in a Canadian winter landscape but surely not on the Sunshine Coast otherwise known as 'The Canadian Riviera'. The coast is a small postage stamp of a peninsula in south western B.C. solidly ensconced in the moderate temperatures and luxuriant growth of the Rain Forest. The feet of the Coast Mountains come right to the shores of the Sunshine Coast hemming the salt chuck in a circle of ancient beings of wisdom. These silent sentinels sitting comfortably in their sharp rising skirts of foothills create bays, inlets and geographic forms of all heights and depths out of solid granite. Soil has evolved over time and the rain forest carpets the pitched slopes. In the higher altitudes snow flies early coinciding with the last falling leaves and the migrations of geese and humming birds. Soon the snowy peaks will glisten in blood red sunsets and decisions will have to be made...winter sports or water sports. For as cold as it is in the higher slopes it remains moderate by the ocean and a well coordinated plan makes it possible to do both in one day...you can swap your snow goggles for diving goggles in jig time. Call it snorkeling in the snow, sailing on skids or fishing in 1000 crystals - the choice is yours! It is a truly impressive experience to wander on the snow's thick carpet on a cold wintry day right after a long walk on a warm shell strewn beach in bright sunshine high-lighting gnarled red arbutus trees hugging the shoreline.
Back to the snowy slopes where the treetops seem closer to you than usual and you realize the depth of snow has raised the ground level. The thick blanket of snow provides a cover and protection to a multitude of guests, sheltering a dormant world from tiny mosses and lichens to the magnificent bear family. You thank your lucky stars that there is such a lot of snow between you and the bears for as much as you might want to see them you definitely don't want to be stalked by them! The team you are with has more than an adequate store of equipment and high levels of expertise to guarantee safety. Last but not least it is the scrumptious winter picnic with cups of hot coffee and tea that make you forget your cold nose. Talking about picnics, take a couple of peanuts in your pocket and see who comes to dine...you'll be amazed!
Melodious names like Tetrahedron Park, Caren Range and Dakota Ridge invite you to explore this winter landscape on cross country skies, Telemark skies and snow shoes . Between 1000 and 2000 meters the landscape is a mixture of rain forest, alpine regions of meadows and wetland. Creeks and lakes abound in this natural habitat for bears, cougars, mountain goats , Roosevelt elk and red deer. The only access is on foot, a four wheel drive, on a snowmobile or by helicopter. There are no modern ski resorts with ski lifts. You will have as much time as you would like to spend enjoying these wintry pleasures and it is highly recommended you take a course in avalanche training which will stand you in good stead in you explorations worldwide not just a useful tool on your Sunshine Coast holiday. Still another option is to allow yourself a couple of days to go on the only Coast Mountain hike from cabin to cabin in the Tetrahedron. Four rustic cabins are waiting to make you a friend for life...well stocked with firewood and everything else for a cozy evening. Surprise your guide with a sample of mulled wine made from a typical European recipe. With this end in mind, the red wine is so much easier to pack and cross cultural communication is guaranteed. After enjoying the days in the powder snow and the rustic atmosphere of the cabins, nothing can surpass the thoughts of the steamy immersion of your body into an outdoor hot tub on your return to your base B&B. You smell the sea salt in the air and the arbutus trees reappear as you descend. Your anticipation grows by leaps and bounds as you are getting closer to the sea and your B&B. Finally your well toned legs are prickling in the well earned hot tub and you face has the pleasant glow of health and contentment...what could be more satisfying?
