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Mar 21, 2016 | No Comments on Yukon Adventures: Dog Mushing
New Year, New You! A Sweaty Interview with Tynea Cottreau
Another year has come and gone and that means another chance to crush some new fitness goals. We want to help you with the most common New Years resolution of all, fitness. More than half of who are reading this have most likely made the get healthy and fit resolution before but we thought we’d help you get motivated and inspired by talking to personal trainer and bootcamp instructor at BodybyBrandt, Tynea Cottreau. She started out by just going to the bootcamp classes as a student but soon realized she wanted to help people with their health and fitness journey just like her coaches had helped her. Certified with the International Sports Science Association, Cottreau has been working in the fitness industry ever since. Here is my sweaty up close and personal fitness Q&A. What are the first steps to crushing a health and fitness New Year’s resolution? First steps to get started with your New Years resolutions for better health and fitness is to write them down! Have them somewhere you can see them... ...
The Commandments of Après Ski
In the good old days, skiers coined the term après that time of day when one had earned the right to indulge and share their passion for powder and sport. Resort towns like Whistler can trace the inception of après culture back to hippy ski-bum days circa 1967. Today, it is a globally recognized social phenomenon and universal celebration that takes place after sport. Clearly, certain things have evolved over the years but the core elements are consistent. It isn’t a full ski or sports day without après. Establishments like craft breweries and upscale restaurants capitalize on the continuous popularity and expansion of this cool sporting culture but overlook the basics. It’s not the atmosphere or the menu that make for great après but the following ingredients. Cause for celebration: The core vibe of après is a celebration. Traditions may vary but the term itself is universally understood. Après is permission to party, to let your hair-down, raise a glass and celebrate the fact that you have conquered another epic... ...
Jan 3, 2016 | No Comments on The Commandments of Après Ski
REVIEW: The Original Ugly Christmas Sweater Party at the Commodore
Another year, another Christmas, which means another Ugly Christmas Sweater party at the Commodore….14 years and going strong. Around this time of year, I always see multiple pictures posted on Facebook of what looks like everyone having a blast at this party yet have always been hesitant to go mostly due to the $35 price ticket. This is finally the year I’m biting the bullet in and effort to see just what all of this hype is about. Knowing that partial proceeds from the event go to a charity like The Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada is well worth the ‘ugly’ experience and the ticket price thankfully includes one free drink and unlimited cookies… I think I got my money’s worth in cookies. Who doesn’t love dressing up to look as ridiculous as possible this time of year, any excuse to throw on a costume and Vancouver is there! Some kept it simple in their Christmas sweaters and others went all out in from head to toe in red and green Christmas suits.... ...
Christmas Adventures: Festival of Lights at VanDusen Gardens
Van Dusen Gardens has mastered the art of Christmas lights and then raised it up another 20 levels. Mermaids, umbrellas, the Eiffel tower you name it, there is a display made out of lights here. I didn’t know if I was walking in circles or down different paths but everywhere I went I saw different decorations and light displays. The Festival of Lights runs until the end December. Over a million lights cover VanDusen Gardens. Although I struggled with my directions throughout the night, I highly suggest keeping track of where you are going and making sure you don’t miss any parts because every section is completely different with new themes and displays to see and each one equally as amazing. As you are walking around, make sure to stop and enjoy the Dancing Light show that is right in the middle, on the lake. Who knew lights could keep someone entertained for so long. It was like watching a live show as the lights on the water, trees and ground light... ...
Christmas Adventures: Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge
Thrill seekers looking for something to do this Christmas – Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge is the place for you. Nothing tops this combination of adventure and Christmas all wrapped up in one special holiday package. I thought I just had to walk across the suspension bridge to look at the lights but no, there was more. The treetop adventure and the cliff walk had my adrenaline pumping from the get go. I loved the excitement of the bridge swaying over the canyon. My friends, not so much but that is all part of the Canyon Lights ‘experience’. As little kids passed us completely unfazed by anything, we held on to the railing for dear life. Quite the epic outdoor sight, testing your boundaries at night, surrrounded by the glowing festive cliff face is a must do Christmas adventure in Vancouver. Once we safely made it across the bridge, the beauty of the sparkling tree lights and trails became the main attraction. The reflection of the lights on the water was one of the... ...
Rogers Santa Claus Parade
In true Vancouver fashion, it rained during the 12th Annual Rogers Santa Claus Parade, but that wasn’t enough to dampen the spirits of the thousands of spectators. I brought my seven-year-old sister Lauren with me. Once the rain started pouring down I asked if she wanted to go, but just like most of the children around us, she was willing to stick it out and get soaked for a chance at seeing Santa – and hopefully confirming a spot on the nice list. I was surprised to find out the parade lasted two hours because it certainly did not feel like I was out there for that long. There was constant entertainment, music and interaction with the crowd, which kept mine and Lauren’s attention the whole time. I mean the free chocolates and candy might have helped too. We were towards the end of the parade route and I am still amazed at the stamina of the dancers and bands that were able to keep dancing or playing an instrument... ...
Dec 11, 2015 | No Comments on Rogers Santa Claus Parade
Christmas Adventures: Vancouver Christmas Market
Christmas time is finally here. The first stop on my holiday adventures thoughout Vancouver was the 6th annual Vancouver Christmas Market. If I am being honest, I didn’t have very high expectations, I thought it would be just a little window shopping, walking (well more like shivering in the cold) past booth after booth of items too expensive for my ‘ just finished university’ budget, but I was pleasantly surprised. They managed to transform Queen Elizabeth Theatre Plaza into a picturesque little Christmas village. It had lights, candy canes, nutcrackers, a mistletoe and a sparkling christmas tree – which makes for a perfect holiday instagram post. All of my skepticism was put to rest; I wasn’t looking at overly priced goods while out in the cold. There was a lot to do. For kids, there was crafts to make, gingerbread men to decorate, and a scavenger hunt to win a free ride on the carousel. As for me, I followed my nose and ended up in the food section. I mean... ...
2016 Lincoln MKC: Luxury meets adventure
I’ve got the break-up blues now that my whirlwind, two-week love affair with the new 2016 Lincoln MKC is over. There was no courting phase, no get-to-know-you stage before jumping blindly into this dangerously sexy relationship. Don’t judge a book by its cover because beauty is in the eye of the driver when it comes to the new Lincoln MKC. From the exterior it is a standard deluxe SUV-utility but once you get up close and personal you realize this knockout is a keeper. Our affair lasted just long enough to take in every moment of the Whistler Cornucopia 2015 celebration. Cruising the Sea to Sky Highway between Vancouver and Whistler twice in two weeks, the drive was just as glorious and smooth as Matthew McConaughey swears it is. Horsepower and torque are awesome but it is the way this magnificent machine handles BC mountain roads and outdoor adventures plus a few killer cool features that really turn me on. Nothing says sumptuous feature like a leather-heated steering wheel. The... ...
Nov 17, 2015 | No Comments on 2016 Lincoln MKC: Luxury meets adventure