Browsing “Unplugged”

BC PARKS SERIES: We’ve partnered with BC Parks to showcase a different provincial park each month. This month, our featured park is located just east of Rosedale. PLACE: Bridal Veil Provincial Park (CLICK FOR MAP) LOCATION: City of Chilliwack, B.C.

Photo by Arun Selvaraj (VIA Unplugged Flickr Pool)

Bridal Veil Falls is the 38th highest waterfall in the province and is named after its similarity to – you guessed it – a bride’s veil. The falls are the crown jewel of Bridal Veils Provincial Park, towering 122 metres (400 feet) down a giant rock face.

In the summer, the water rushes down, fueled by Mount Archibald. But, come winter, the waterfall turns to sharp shards of ice and can be quite a spectacle on especially cold days.

On the next nice day, grab a picnic lunch, then hit Bridal Veil Falls for some great views and peace of mind. Here’s a little video shot this spring at Bridal Falls:

THE TEMPERATURE IS DROPPING and winter is in the air. But, it’s this time of year that we are the most bored. Ski and snowboard season hasn’t started yet. It’s dark. And cold. And…we’re lazy. Better to hibernate and wallow in our boredom, right? Wrong! Next Thursday, get your shred on mentally with the Vancouver premiere of the ski and snowboard flick “Kill Your Boredom” by local film crew, Voleurz. PLACE: Lamplighter Public House LOCATION: Vancouver, BC.  Have suggestions for UNPLUGGED this fall? Tweet me @amberturnau.

The Voleurz film crew is anything but boring. Take the photo above, for example. Voleurz athlete Mack Jones (@MackerJones on Twitter) and Voleurz founder Darren Rayner (@Darren_Rayner) met Jersey Shore’s “The Situation” not too long ago. It created its own situation, judging by the photo.

Voleurz is a well-known in the ski and snowboard industry for infusing humour into their ski and snowboard films, which are largely shot in and around Whistler and feature well-known athletes.  Their latest film “Kill Your Boredom” has been premiering across the country and is due to hit Vancouver’s Lamplighter on Thursday, November 15. Here’s the teaser:

So, in addition to their usual high adrenaline antics, what can we expect from the film? The roster is stacked with athletes, including freeskiers Joe Schuster and KC Deane, and riders Jesmond Dubeau, Geoff Brown and Braden Dean. Among the heavy artillery of tricks, we’ll see some unique road gaps, a double cork in the backcountry and an infamous 5-kink elbow rail in Calgary.

Tickets are $10 and available online  or in person Pacific Boarder $10 (1793 West 4th Avenue). Follow @Voleurz on Twitter and Like them on Facebook. 

View VIA UNPLUGGED in a larger map

THE ONLY THING MORE BEAUTIFUL than Vancouver in the sun is Vancouver in the rain. And there’s no better way to celebrate our rainy, beautiful city than to go for a run in it. This week, I’m introducing you to Vancouver’s newest online running community and training crew: Runcouver. PLACE: Wherever you can run your heart out LOCATION: Vancouver.  Have suggestions for UNPLUGGED this fall? Tweet me @amberturnau.

Jillian Walker self portrait

Running is a like a life transfusion. The gentle sounds of your breathe and running shoes hitting the pavement or forest floor. The pitter pattering of rain on your waterproof jacket. The silence and focus that allows you to calm your mind and just be in the moment. Now, Vancouver’s running community will have place to gather online to share this passion. Meet Runcouver: an online community for local runners. The motto: ”The only requirement is that you gotta love our city to the moon and back. ”

I’m always amazed by go-getters. They have so much motivation and energy and they live with their hearts on their sleeves. Jillian Walker, an HR professional and outdoors enthusiast, is one of those people. You might know her as @JillianWalker on Twitter.  She founded Runcouver with the goal of bringing like-minded Vancouver-loving, run crushing people together to build the community.

Photo by Mr. Rogers1 (from VIA Unplugged Flickr Pool)

Since January, Jillian has completed 14 races in both Vancouver and Victoria, including her first half marathon. But, it hasn’t always been that way for her.

“I was always stick skinny and used that as an excuse not to be active,” says Jillian. “Over the last 10 years, I have learned a lot about healthy body, healthy mind.”

Jillian has only been running for a year, but it’s changed her life.

“Everyday I am out there I am grateful for my health (Scoliosis included) and that I live in this beautiful city,” Jillian muses. “It is absolutely motivating and inspiring to be pounding the pavement or frolicking through the trails. Running has taught me to be way more patient — both personally and professionally.”

Photo by wukevinc (from VIA Unplugged Flickr Pool)

…READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY>>>

AND JUST LIKE THAT the season has changed from the heat of an “Indian summer” to the cold of winter. Ski resorts across BC and into Washington State are reporting cool temperatures and snow. Here’s a ski resort snow round up to whet the appetites of skiers and riders out there. PLACE: Your Favourite Mountain  LOCATION: BC and WA. Have suggestions for UNPLUGGED this fall? Tweet me @amberturnau.

Snow fiends unite: #winteriscoming! The hashtag is popping up on Twitter and Instagram in full force. And, unless you are living in a cave, you would have seen a few eager Facebook posts by snow watching friends this week. Our once-green North Shore mountains are now covered with a nice white blanket. They – along with most other major resorts in BC and Washington State – received buckets of snow last weekend.  Seymour Mountain (pictured above) received 25cm in a 24 hour period.

All this snow is just in time for the Vancouver Snow Show, which runs October 26-27 at the PNE Forum. The show is the largest ski and snowboard swap in BC. They claim to have over $1 million in goods on the show room floor. Other animation includes exhibits from regional ski resorts, a rail jam, and a beer garden. Tickets are $8 at the door or $5 online.

Here’s a round up of snow at the local resorts:

Whistler Blackcomb - WB’s snow report won’t kick off for a little bit, but by the looks of things, Mother Nature is filling things in nicely. And, what she isn’t taking care of, the snowmaking team is covering. (Web Cam: Oct. 22.)

Cypress Mountain – They had a  7-day accumulation of 20cm with the temperature hovering around freezing this week, which means the snow guns are working overtime to supplement Mother Nature’s mother load.  (Photo: Oct. 21)

…READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY>>>

GETTING AWAY FROM IT ALL doesn’t have to be a big ordeal, nor does it have to cost any money at all. Sometimes, even a fall walk by the ocean is enough to recharge the batteries and remind you what is most important: breathing life into other things that breathe. We are surrounded by beautiful parks within a short driving distance or transit ride. So this fall, no matter what the weather looks like, get out and enjoy some fresh air. This week, we take you to a seaside park. PLACE: Barnet Marine Park (CLICK FOR MAP) LOCATION: Burnaby, BC. Have suggestions for UNPLUGGED this fall? Tweet me @amberturnau.

Many of us who grew up in Metro Vancouver have visited Burnaby’s Barnet Marine Park as children at one point or another.  But, I’ve just recently rediscovered this area and it’s now one of my favourite spots for a weekend walk.

Situated along the Barnet Highway on the way to Port Moody, it offers gorgeous views of Burrard Inlet and Deep Cove. The park has one of the best off leash dog parks in the area, which is great for our fur baby, Mickey.

…READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY>>>

UNPLUGGED is a state of mind. It’s that point in your consciousness where you can feel at one with nature, escaping the trappings of the day-to-day to an almost dream-like place where nothing else seems to exist besides you and your natural surroundings. It is our opinion here at VIA that Vancouver holds a unique place in the civilized world in that reaching this state often requires no more effort than simply pulling off to the side of the road, pocketing your keys and taking a few steps into the forest.

I had an out of town friend visiting Vancouver who wanted some outdoor action on her short visit. Quarry Rock was the perfect candidate. It is a viewpoint, which is accessible from the Baden Powell Trail. This is perfect for any newbies too intimidated by the Grouse Grind and great for you – a Grouse old timer who would rather the change of scenery.

…READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY>>>