Casual Travel

I am not a ski aficionado but once in a while I feel like wanting to learn skiing.
When you pay premium for the opportunity to live in Vancouver or Lower Mainland, this is the least you can do to enjoy what the nature offers. People pay good money to come and enjoy British Columbia.

What can you find at a reasonable driving distance from Vancouver:

Hemlock Valley
It may be the ‘best kept secret’ but for the past two years it has been shut down when the ownership changed hands. According to the rumors I’ve heard, it’s going to be open this winter season. We went there once, about four years ago, to enjoy an afternoon of tubing. Yes, I know, how lame is that, right? I was scared out of my mind on the first run, when I realized that I don’t have much if any control on the gizmo. I could almost project an image of me crashing into a tree.
A two hour drive from Vancouver will take you there. It’s even closer if you are driving from Abbotsford, Mission or Chilliwack.
Activities: cross-country skiing, downhill skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, tobogganing and a tube park.
What’s New at Hemlock Resort this Season
Brand new Rental Equipment
Completely Renovated Cafeteria, Bar & Day lodge
New wider, user friendly off loading ramp on the beginner chair
All new educational components integrated into EVERY group program!
Summer Grooming & Glading on Slopes
More open days
New booking system and procedures to ensure a smooth, easy to manage group adventure
Upgrades done on all chairlifts
Source: http://www.hemlockvalleyresort.com
Current conditions: -10°C, snowing, base snow: 48 cm at lodge depts, 68 cm alpine depth
Accommodations: Check the info here for staying there, or drive to Harrison Hot Springs and spend an après skiing marvelous time at Harrison Hot Springs Resort & Spa.
My best memory : a wonderful evening in mid December, relaxing in the hot spring pool while the snow kept falling.

Manning Park Resort
Located in Manning Provincial Park, in the Cascade Mountains near the British Columbia/Washington border, http://www.manningpark.com offers downhill skiing and snowboarding, and is the premier cross-country and snowshoeing destination in southwestern British Columbia.
The drive from Vancouver is about 3 hours, making it an attractive weekend destination.
Activities: skiing and snowboarding on more than 140 acres of terrain, Nordic skiing on 30 km of groomed trails or on more than 190 km of backcountry trails with 2 warming huts, snowshoeing, tube park, skating and hockey, snowplay area, terrain park and a recreation center.
Resort Services: Ski & snowball rentals, ski & snowboard school, child care centre
Accommodations:
There is a minimum stay as following:
- Winter: 2 night minimum for all accommodations on weekends & holidays
- Winter Holidays/Spring Break: 3 nights minimum for all accommodations
Prices:
From $164 for a Queen Room (based on double occupancy) in the Manning Lodge to $364 (based on six) for a Tri-plex Chalet
Important note: the resort opens full-time on December 20, 2007