Hardly a Grind

New snowshoeing at Grouse provides a winter sport alternative

By Matthew Visser

his Christmas break, I took
| advantage of the incredibly
dry early December weather
and went to Grouse Mountain
to enjoy a cool winter pastime:
snowshoeing at the newly-created
Snowshoe Grind.
The Snowshoe Grind (SSG)
is anew attraction that spans
a5.1-kilometre trail across the
mountain and meets up with other
snowshoeing trails—which sadly
were closed during my visit. The
climb up the SSG is not as grueling
as its summertime counterpart,
the Grouse Grind, and the view
is even better. It takes a good 40

mountain for about $15-$20.

Aside from the cost of
snowshoes, the other major
expense for this activity is the
gondola—which (if you don’t
already have a year-round pass
up the gondola) will cost an adult
around $40 a round. If this price
is still steep for students, you can
find a group of friends to go up
and find out about group rates:
you can save around $10 dollars
each.

When it comes to clothing,
snowshoeing doesn’t really
require any special attire. You
don’t have to wear snow pants—
in fact, [recommend not wearing
them as you get very warm, and if

“Snowshoeing is a great outdoor activity that is a nice
alternative winter sport for students because it is relatively
inexpensive.”

minutes to an hour to snowshoe
to the top, where you will find
multiple trails that circle the
peak. At the top of the SSG,
you get a view of snow-capped
mountains, dipping mountain
ranges of tall deep-green trees,
and a view of not only Vancouver
and Downtown, but of the whole
Lower Mainland.

Snowshoeing is a great
outdoor activity that is a
nice alternative winter sport
for students because it is
relatively inexpensive. In terms
of equipment, a good set of
snowshoes costs between $90-
$150 and will last you up to 10
years. Choice snowshoes come
from brands like MSR, Outdoor
Research, The North Face, and
MEC. Those who don’t own their
own shoes can rent a set at the

the sun is out you can even break
a sweat. Instead, consider sporting
an outfit comprised of some
combination of the following: a
toque, a good pair of base-layer
pants, a long sleeve shirt, shorts
with pockets (to hold a snack or
your toque when you sweat), a
good pair of gloves, two layers of
socks, a mid-layer T-shirt, and a
shell or windbreaker to face peak
winds that can really chill the
body down. I don’t recommend
wearing running shoes because
snow gets in the ankles and chills
the feet down fast. Instead, wear a
good pair of winter boots: nothing
too big or intense, just something
waterproof. Sunglasses are also a
good bet.

And, no matter what you’re
wearing, don’t forget to bring your
camera: the views are amazing.

 

    

 

Sports.

By Josh Martin, Sports Editor

in a Western Hockey League

game between our very
own Vancouver Giants and the
Kamloops Blazers in a heated
battle at the Pacific Coliseum
at the good old PNE. Oh yes...
nothing like a White Spot burger,
a beer, and some fast, young
hockey to ease the pain of the lull
that develops in the few post-
Christmas days leading up to the
hustle and bustle of New Year’s
Eve.

reve had a chance to take

Check out your Vancouver Giants!

and the Giants following right
behind at 48 points and a 23-12-
1-1 record in 37 games. It was an
action-packed hit which featured
a respectable crowd of just over
7,000 people, great goaltending,
fast-paced hockey, three goals
apiece, an overtime frame, and a
shootout—which the Giants were
successful in, ending the game in
a 4-3 victory. All for only $25.
Now I know Canucks games
are on a totally different level in
an overwhelming, exciting, and
emotional sense of style...but
who can really afford the $100-

“You could literally see the players’ sweat dripping down their faces
and you could take in (up close) all of the interaction between the
players, coaches, and coaching staff—a pretty good deal if you ask
me.”

The last time I made it out
to a Giants game was five or
six years ago—so being at this
particular game was a treat. |
was able to get a sixth-row ticket
right behind the opposition’s
bench on the night of for only
$25. Yes, just $25. You could
literally see the players’ sweat
dripping down their faces and
you could take in (up close) all
of the interaction between the
players, coaches, and coaching
staff—a pretty good deal if you
ask me.

The game that I attended
was a battle between the top two
teams in the B.C. Division, with
the Kamloops Blazers leading the
pack with 51 points along with
a 24-9-1-2 record in 36 games

$200 price of tickets? Certainly
not me, along with many
struggling-to-even-afford-to-live
students that are going to school.
It’s just not that realistic (“unless
you somehow win tickets, get
invited by a friend, or someone’s
dad has access to a box because
of business and there just
happens to be leftover room for
you).

All of these reasons are
exactly why—if you are looking
for a live-action hockey fix—you
should hit up a Giants game.
You, and your wallet, will
definitely not regret it.

My seat: row six, right behind
the players bench.

7