Come try it for yourself

BY JULIE CHENG

When Brad White retired in 2021 as the Windermere physical and health education department head, his dream was to leave a legacy of fitness and health for the community. It was the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, and opportunities for indoor exercise were limited.

“I believe that creating an outdoor fitness park at the edge of the school campus that is easily accessible to everyone will be a valuable community asset,” he wrote in the March 2021 issue of the Renfrew-Collingwood Community News.

“Everyone in the community, from students who are missing their school clubs and sports, to seniors who are having to forego their usual group exercise sessions, will be able to visit a dedicated outdoor fitness facility.”

Now Brad White’s dream has come true. With the support of the Windermere Parent Advisory Council and donations from local residents and businesses to funders from all levels of government, the Windermere Community Fitness Park was opened in August 2022. It’s located at Lillooet and East 27th Avenue on the grounds of Windermere high school.

The fitness park is designed to fit 30 students during class hours. Outside of school hours, all residents are invited to make use of it in the fresh outdoors. Best of all, it’s free.

Fundraising continues for additional amenities including signage, seating, landscaping and a table tennis court.

To donate or to find more information, visit https://windermerefitnesspark.com/.

Stay on track with cross-country skiing

BY JULIE CHENG

Feeling cooped up with the provincial COVID restrictions and the non-stop Vancouver rain? When I used to be cooped up all day with my young kids, I’d hand them off to my husband at 6 pm and escape by myself for a night ski at Hollyburn Ridge on Cypress Mountain. Often when it was raining down here, it’d be snowing up there.

I don’t mean downhill skiing or snowboarding, but the immersion-with-nature experience of cross-country skiing.

Each winter more than 2.7 million Canadians and 240,000 Vancouverites take to cross-country trails, according to the Canadian Ski Council (Facts + Stats 2017–18).

A winter workout

Cross-country skiing is a great way to stay energized and keep fit while enjoying the outdoors.

It’s a whole-body winter sport that improves circulation, strengthens the immune system, detoxifies the body and relieves stress. I find the combination of exercise and fresh air gives me a good night’s sleep. Best of all, cross-country skiing is easy on the knees and joints.

Sport for all ages

The whole family can enjoy cross-country skiing.

My youngest was three when she started. We’d head to Hollyburn Lodge for a hot chocolate and vegetarian chili to warm up. Just remember to bundle up with layers and keep everyone’s hands and feet warm and dry.

Enthusiasts pull their toddlers in a special sled and get a great workout at the same time. Many older skiers who fly by me are in terrific shape for their age.

It’s easy to start learning with classic cross-country skis – just think walking/gliding on skis in groomed tracks. Once you become more advanced, you may want try skate skiing, which can be an even better cardio workout.

Nature’s magic

The quiet swish of skis over snow is one of the great joys of winter. It’s peaceful and rejuvenating to wind along mountain trails and breathe in the fresh forest air. The scenery can be breathtaking.

I always end my ski on Cypress by going down the Powerline trail where, on a clear day, you can see all the way to Vancouver Island.

One afternoon, the clouds lifted and the sun peaked out, revealing Nanaimo in the distance. The sun glowed red then disappeared over the horizon. It was magical.

As I drove down the mountain, I slipped below the clouds and back into the dreary city. But I wasn’t feeling cooped up anymore.

Local cross-country ski trails are found on Hollyburn Ridge’s nordic area on Cypress Mountain – a 40-minute drive from Vancouver. There are 19 kilometres of trails for beginner to expert skiiers, including 7.5 km of trails lit for night skiing. If you want to get away from the crowds, especially during these COVID times, ski to the top. The initial uphill burn on your lungs and legs will be worth the effort when you catch all the trails going downhill the rest of the way. These days you need to purchase tickets and ski rentals online and wear a mask on site. Visit cypressmountain.com/cross-country-skiing.