August 2019 Issue #32 August 2019 Issue #32 | Page 185

8. Cypress Mountain
Located a 30-minute drive away from downtown Vancouver, Cypress Mountain Ski Area is a ski resort
featuring 53 named alpine ski runs and 19 km of cross-country ski trails. Snowshoeing is also very
popular in the area. Located at the resort you will find snow schools, rentals, Cypress Creek Grill,
Gold Metal Cafe, Crazy Raven Bar and Grill and a Big Bear Sports retail shop right on the premises
of Cypress Creek Lodge. It features six lifts and terrain accommodating different skill levels with about
15% beginner, 35% intermediate, 35% advanced, 8% expert and 7% freestyle. The area is well-known
for hosting the 2010 Winter Olympics Freestyle Skiing and Snowboarding events making it an exciting
location of Canadian sporting history. For a winter destination, Cypress Mountain Ski Area can’t be
beat anywhere else in Canada.
The oldest amusement park in Canada, Playland is located in Hastings Park in Vancouver. They are
constantly upgrading and changing attractions here, so it’s a place you can visit more than once with-
out getting bored. They feature roller coasters – namely, the Wooden Roller Coaster, Corkscrew and
Kettle Creek Mine. Some of the other main rides include AtmosFear, Breakdance!, Crazy Beach Party
and Enterprise, to name a few. There are several children’s attractions including Balloon Explorers
featuring eight hot air balloons rising 42 feet in the air and moving in a circular motion, Dune Buggy
rides, Flying Elephants – a circular elephant ride, KC’s Raceway – a motorized car ride and much
more. There’s a haunted house, a glass house, climbing wall, miniature golf course and more. The
midway games are too numerous to mention, but whether you love the rides, the games or the atmo-
sphere, you can’t beat Playland.
7. Playland
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VANCOUVER