mt seymour trail

Vancouver is surrounded by marvelous mountains. Thera are three mountains easy to access from the middle of the city by bus. Usually the people, the radio, and the newspapper speak only about skiing or snowbording there. But not everyone likes skiing or snowbording and, most importantly, the lift tickets and the equipment are expensive, right?

So, if you like hiking, and you know about the satisfaction of getting to the peak (it doesn't matter if it is Hymalaya or lower!), or if you like the view of the city and the ocean, or simply if you want to spend a different kind of day with your friends, there are some awesome trails in those mountains.

Two hiking trails start gently at the base and west side of the chairlift of Mt. Seymour ski area . It is 7 km (return) to reach the first peak or 3 km (return) for the lake trip. For the longest trip, if you are in good shape it takes around 1 hour, but nobody's trying to catch you, so you can take it easy and enjoy the beatifull view that will be laid out for you after you pass the trees.


I suggest bringing some food and drinks with you and enjoying picnics with your friends and perhaps having a drammatic dinner on the peak.



After a big snowfall or generally during the winter season (seeing that on Seymour it snows frequently!) you need a pair of snowshoes. You can rent it the day before in some sports shop in the city. At MEC (mountain-equipment-coop) on Brodway avenue it will cost you around 10 dollars. You can also rent the snowshoes directly at the rental shop of Mt. Seymour but it's not cheeper.

In winter conditions you have to check the avalanche board at the beginning of the trail. By convention there are 4 different levels of avalanche risk: Low, moderate, considerable and high.

You must always be carefull but if you follow the trail in "low" or "moderate" conditions there is hardly any risk and you may even see some schools bringing children there!

I'm sure you will be awestruck by the unreal and magical atmosphere and by the "bubble snow trees"!!! So enjoy .........


ciao
Fabrizio