SKIING, SNOWBOARDING, AND SNOWSHOEING
Cypress Mountain
The largest of the North Shore mountains, Cypress Mountain hosted several events during the 2010 Winter Olympics. You can ski and snowboard on the mountain’s 53 downhill trails. You can buy tickets for a full day, afternoon only (from 12:30pm-closing), or night (5pm-closing), and you get a discount if you purchase them online in advance. Check the Cypress website on the day you plan to ski or snowboard, since they offer a changing “daily discount” coupon, which might save you money on gear rentals, food in the on-site cafeteria, or purchases in the mountain shop. You can rent equipment and clothing on the mountain, and lessons are offered for both kids and adults.
Cypress has a separate Nordic area with trails for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Of the 12 miles (19 kilometers) of cross-country trails, nearly five miles (7.5 kilometers) stay open for night skiing. If you’re snowshoeing, unless you’re with a guide, you need to be off the trails before sunset (check website for hours). Several guided snowshoe tours are available, from a two-hour introductory tour to an evening excursion that wraps up with chocolate fondue.
Cypress also has a snow tube park, where both adults and kids (ages 6 and up) can slide down six chutes and let a tube tow pull you back up to the top. Tickets are good for two hours of tubing fun.
There is no public transportation to Cypress, but you can catch the Cypress Coach Lines shuttle bus (604/637-7669, http://cypresscoachlines.com) between the city and the mountain during the winter ski season. Check the website for schedules and pickup/drop-off locations. You can purchase round-trip tickets (adults $23, ages 13-18 $18) from the driver when you board (cash only). On the mountain, you can buy one-way tickets (adults $11, ages 13-18 $8) from the Guest Relations office in the downhill area or from the Nordic area ticket office. Up to two kids (ages 6-12) ride free with a paying adult.
MAP 9: 6000 Cypress Bowl Rd., West Vancouver, 604/926-5612, www.cypressmountain.com; hours and days vary by attraction; downhill: adults $46-69, seniors $30-44, ages 13-18 $37-52, ages 6-12 $24-32, ages 0-5 $6-8; cross-country: adults $18-22, seniors and ages 13-18 $12-14, ages 6-12 $9-11, ages 0-5 $5; snowshoe: adults $10, seniors and ages 13-18 $8, ages 6-12 $5, ages 0-5 $2; snow tube park: $20
Mount Seymour
Family-friendly Mount Seymour, the North Shore’s smallest ski area, has five lifts serving 40 downhill runs, with tickets available for a full day, afternoon (2:30pm-10pm), or evening (6pm-10pm) of skiing or snowboarding. It’s a good spot for snowshoeing, with easy trails through the forest, and there’s a snow tube park, too.
A shuttle bus (one-way $8) can take you between Mount Seymour and the Rupert SkyTrain station in East Vancouver. Buy a ticket from the shuttle driver when you board (cash only). Check the Mount Seymour website for shuttle schedules. From downtown to Rupert station, catch the Expo Line to Commercial/Broadway station, where you change to the Millennium Line for Rupert.
MAP 9: 1700 Mt. Seymour Rd., North Vancouver, 604/986-2261, www.mountseymour.com; downhill trails 10am-10pm Mon.-Fri., 9am-10pm Sat.-Sun. Dec.-Mar., snowshoe and snow tube park hours vary seasonally; downhill: adults $33-56, seniors $25-40, ages 13-18 $27-45, ages 6-12 $15-25, ages 5 and under free; snowshoe: adults $10, seniors and ages 13-18 $9, ages 6-12 $8, ages 5 and under free; snow tube park: $20-22
SHOPS
Highlights
Downtown and the West End
Gastown and Chinatown
Yaletown and False Creek
Granville Island
Kitsilano
Cambie Corridor
Commercial Drive
If you’re coming from a major city in the United States, you may be disappointed with the shopping options in Vancouver, since selections are typically smaller and prices higher than at similar stores south of the border. Of course, if the exchange rate is in your favor, shopping here may be a better value.
Regardless of your home base, products to look for in Vancouver include Canadian-designed clothing, local art, B.C. wines and beer, and local food items. Among the Vancouver-born brands that have gone international are shoe designer John Fluevog and yoga-wear maker Lululemon, which has a local “lab” store selling prototypes and limited edition clothing. Vancouver has a number of well-stocked outdoor stores where you can find outdoor gear for your Canadian travels.
Robson and Granville are the main downtown shopping streets, while a growing number of high-end international brands have opened boutiques on nearby Alberni Street. For local and independent labels, visit Gastown or Yaletown, or browse the storefronts along Main Street or in Kitsilano on West 4th Avenue. There’s a group of outdoor gear stores along Broadway between Cambie and Main, and another in Kitsilano.
Barefoot Contessa boutique on Main Street
If you’re in the market for art, Gastown and Granville Island are the most art-full neighborhoods, particularly if you’re interested in jewelry, crafts, and other works by aboriginal artists. Granville Island is also the top spot to find gifts for foodie friends or to locate your own delicious souvenirs.
HIGHLIGHTS
S MOST HISTORIC SHOPPING DESTINATION: The Vancouver flagship location of Hudson’s Bay, Canada’s original department store, is in a six-story 1914 building downtown (click here).
S WHERE TO FIND YOGA WEAR NO ONE ELSE HAS: Lululemon Lab, a concept store for the Vancouver-based yoga-wear maker, sells prototypes and limited edition clothing (click here).
S MOST UNUSUAL SHOE STORE: Resembling an art studio more than a shoe store, the shop of Canadian shoemaker John Fluevog is a stylish spot for funky footwear (click here).
S BEST DISCOVERIES: You never know quite what you’ll uncover at Fine Finds Boutique, a Yaletown shop stocked with casually stylish women’s clothing, hats, jewelry, and handbags (click here).
S WHERE TO SHOP FOR VANCOUVER’S MOST USEFUL ACCESSORY: The namesake items at The Umbrella Shop are helpful on the city’s frequent rainy days—and they’re fashionable to boot (click here).
S BEST BOOKSTORE FOR KIDS AND TEENS: With a huge selection of books and a bibliophile staff quick with advice, Kidsbooks is excellent for browsing (click here).
S EASIEST WAY TO MAKE FRIENDS WITH CHEESE: The friendly cheese mongers at Les Amis du Fromage will help you pick the perfect wedge (click here).
S BEST TRAVEL STORE: Need books, maps, or gear for your travels? Head to well-stocked Wanderlust (click here).
S WHERE TO FIND FRILLY, FLOUNCY FROCKS: The Barefoot Contessa boutique carries “all things lovely,” from dresses and blouses to sparkly jewelry (click here).
S MOST FASHION-FORWARD VINTAGE SHOP: Stylish shoppers check out Front and Company for good-quality vintage clothing (click here).
SHOPPING DISTRICTS
Robson Street
Vancouver’s main downtown shopping district is along Robson Street, between Jervis and Granville Streets. Mid-priced Canadian and international chains predominate; a few small shops sell trinkets and souvenirs. One block north of Robson, on Alberni Street between Burrard and Bute, look for luxury brands like Tiffany and Burberry.
MAP 1: Robson St. between Jervis and Granville Sts.
Granville Street
Department stores, outdoor gear shops, and mid-priced boutiques line Granville Street downtown, in between the nightclubs and tattoo parlors. The Hudson’s Bay flagship store is located on Granville.
MAP 1: Granville St. between Davie and Cordova Sts.
Gastown
Visit Gastown for smaller fashion boutiques and clothing by local designers.
MAP 2: Water and Cordova Sts., between Richards and Carrall Sts.
West 4th Avenue
On Vancouver’s West Side, the Kitsilano neighborhood mixes North American chains and local boutiques, centered along West 4th Avenue. There’s a collection of ski and snowboard gear shops on 4th at Burrard.
MAP 5: W. 4th Ave., between Burrard and Vine Sts.
Main Street
Looking for clothes you won
’t find at the local mall? Main Street is lined with independent boutiques, many carrying clothing by local and Canadian designers.
MAP 6: Main St., between E. 20th and 30th Aves.
Downtown and the West End Map 1
DEPARTMENT STORES
S Hudson’s Bay
The Vancouver flagship location of Hudson’s Bay, Canada’s original department store, is in a six-story 1914 downtown building, selling clothing and accessories for women, men, and kids, as well as housewares, luggage, and small appliances. One department carries striped Hudson’s Bay blankets and other Canadiana. The Hudson’s Bay Company opened their first Vancouver store in Gastown in 1887. They subsequently added a branch on Granville Street and then built this store, which has remained its Vancouver base for more than 100 years.
MAP 1: 674 Granville St., 604/681-6211, www.hbc.com; 9:30am-9pm Mon.-Sat., 11am-7pm Sun.
Holt Renfrew
For high-fashion designer clothing, with prices to match, visit Holt Renfrew downtown, built around a gleaming white atrium at the Pacific Centre Mall. You can book an appointment with their personal shoppers to help you navigate the chic designs.
MAP 1: 737 Dunsmuir St., 604/681-3121, www.holtrenfrew.com; 10am-7pm Mon.-Tues., 10am-9pm Wed.-Fri., 10am-8pm Sat., 11am-7pm Sun.
Nordstrom
Seattle-based Nordstrom has a sizable store at Vancouver’s Pacific Centre Mall downtown, in a multistory glass-clad space at the corner of Robson and Granville. This high-end department store chain got its start as a shoe retailer and still has a large selection of footwear. The store has three food outlets: Bistro Verde, a contemporary restaurant; Ebar for coffee and smoothies; and Habitant, a wine and cocktail bar.
MAP 1: 799 Robson St., 604/699-2100, www.nordstrom.com; 9:30am-9pm Mon.-Sat., 11am-7pm Sun.
Winners
You can often find deals on designer apparel, other clothing, shoes, and accessories at Winners, a discount department store that carries both men’s and women’s garments. In addition to their large downtown location, there’s a branch near Broadway and Cambie.
MAP 1: 798 Granville St., 604/683-1058, http://winners.ca; 9am-9pm Mon.-Sat., 10am-7pm Sun.
CLOTHING AND ACCESSORIES
Lululemon Athletica
The now-ubiquitous yoga- and workout-wear maker Lululemon Athletica got its start in Vancouver and still has its flagship store downtown, where you’ll find yoga pants, running gear, and clothing for other athletic pursuits or for just lounging around looking cool. There’s another location in Kitsilano.
Yoga-wear store Lululemon Athletica was launched in Vancouver.
MAP 1: 970 Robson St., 604/681-3118, www.lululemon.com; 10am-9pm Mon.-Sat., 10:30am-7:30pm Sun.
BOOKS AND STATIONERY
Bookmark
Run by the Friends of the Vancouver Public Library, Bookmark, the gift shop in the library’s central branch downtown, carries a small selection of gently used books, along with cards, stationery, T-shirts, and gift items with literary themes. Sales benefit the library and its programs.
MAP 1: 350 W. Georgia St., 604/331-4040, www.friendsofthevpl.ca; 10am-5:30pm Mon.-Fri., noon-5pm Sat.
DESIGN AND GIFTS
Designhouse
Cool furniture, housewares, and other fun design-y stuff, including watches, bags and backpacks, and gift items, fill Designhouse downtown. This sleek Scandinavian-style store carries packs from Vancouver-based Herschel Supply Company, stainless steel water bottles from S’well, and the “Anna G.” corkscrew from Alessi that resembles a smiling woman. The shop shares its space with Marimekko Vancouver (604/609-2881, http://marimekkovancouver.com), which stocks brightly patterned clothing, accessories, household items, and fabrics from the Finnish design company.
BEST SOUVENIRS
What should you bring home to remember your Vancouver visit? Besides a camera full of photos of this scenic waterfront city, look for the following souvenirs:
• Artwork, jewelry, or other crafts by aboriginal artists
• Locally caught cured salmon, packed for travel
• Clothing from Canadian designers
• B.C. wine or craft beer
• A locally made umbrella
MAP 1: 851 Homer St., 604/681-2800, http://designhouse.ca; 10:30am-6pm Mon.-Sat., noon-5pm Sun.
SPECIALTY FOOD AND DRINK
Ayoub’s Dried Fruits and Nuts
The aroma of freshly roasted nuts may draw you into Ayoub’s Dried Fruits and Nuts, which sells in-house roasted almonds, pistachios, cashews, walnuts, and more, attractively displayed in ornate silver tureens. They also carry dried fruits, vegetable chips, Mediterranean spices, and Persian-style pastries and candies. Try their unique lime-and-saffron seasoned nuts. In addition to this West End shop, you’ll find this nut vendor in Kitsilano and North Vancouver.
MAP 1: 986 Denman St., 604/732-6887, www.ayoubs.ca; 10am-9pm Mon.-Thurs., 10am-10pm Fri.-Sat., 10am-8pm Sun.
Viti Wine & Lager
Viti Wine & Lager, a compact shop at the Moda Hotel downtown, stocks an extensive selection of B.C. wines, particularly labels from the Okanagan region. They also carry more than 350 types of beer and a large collection of whiskeys. In the coolers lining the walls, they always keep a selection of chilled wine and beer, ready to drink.
MAP 1: 900 Seymour St., 604/683-3806, www.vitiwinelagers.com; 9am-11pm Mon.-Sat., noon-11pm Sun.
Gastown and Chinatown Map 2
CLOTHING AND ACCESSORIES
S Lululemon Lab
Operated by the Vancouver-based yoga-wear maker in a warehouse-style Gastown space, Lululemon Lab is a concept store that offers prototypes and other limited edition clothing not carried at the company’s regular retail outlets. Watch the designers at work while you browse for unique active and casual wear. The city is also home to several regular Lululemon locations.
MAP 2: 50 Powell St., 604/689-8013, www.lululemonlab.com; 11am-7pm Mon.-Sat., noon-6pm Sun.
Kit and Ace
Ready to upgrade your yoga look? Shannon Wilson, who’s married to Lululemon founder Chip Wilson, and J. J. Wilson (Chip’s son), founded Kit and Ace, which designs and sells hip men’s and women’s work-to-weekend clothing made from “technical cashmere” and other luxury fabrics, designed to dress up while still being comfortable. The soft, comfy garments may be too pricey for the gym, but they’d be lovely for the office or a casual evening out. They have a second location in Kitsilano.
MAP 2: 151 Water St., 844/548-6223, www.kitandace.com; 10am-7pm Mon.-Sat., 11am-6pm Sun.
Oak + Fort
Launched in Vancouver, Oak + Fort has a spacious Gastown store purveying stylishly relaxed, moderately priced clothing for men and women, along with jewelry and accessories. Both the monochromatic designs and the airy, high-ceilinged shop have a minimalist, almost Japanese aesthetic, and the well-spaced racks are comfortable for browsing.
MAP 2: 355 Water St., 604/566-9199, www.oakandfort.ca; 11am-7pm Mon.-Wed., 11am-8pm Thurs.-Fri., 10am-7pm Sat., 11am-6pm Sun.
One of a Few
This small but chic boutique in Gastown sells women’s clothing from emerging and established designers from around the world. Catering to the young, style-conscious, and well-heeled, One of a Few carries distinctive fashions that you might wear to work or for a night out at an of-the-moment bistro.
MAP 2: 354 Water St., 604/605-0685, www.oneofafew.com; 11am-6pm Mon.-Thurs. and Sat., 11am-7pm Fri., noon-5pm Sun.
Tees.ca
Pop into Tees.ca for funky T-shirts designed by local artists and other creatives. In this tiny storefront, piled high with tees, many have Vancouver motifs and would make fun souvenirs.
MAP 2: 227 Abbott St., www.tees.ca, 11am-6pm Mon.-Sat.; noon-5pm Sun.
SHOES
S John Fluevog
Canadian shoemaker John Fluevog started his funky footwear line in Vancouver, offering high-end, unconventional designs for both men and women, many of which feature bright colors and distinctive heel shapes. His two-level Gastown s
hop, with massive windows and a greenhouse-like ceiling, looks more like an art studio than a shoe store. There’s a second Fluevog branch among the Granville Street nightclubs downtown.
MAP 2: 65 Water St., 604/688-6228, www.fluevog.com; 10am-7pm Mon.-Wed. and Sat., 10am-8pm Thurs.-Fri., noon-6pm Sun.
BOOKS
The Paper Hound Bookshop
The floor-to-ceiling shelves at The Paper Hound Bookshop are crammed with a diverse array of used (and some new) titles, sorted into sometimes quirky categories that range from literature and Eastern enlightenment to “books with folding maps.” In this chockablock Gastown shop, kids’ books get the same tongue-in-cheek treatment, too, organized into sections from “indomitable orphans” to “the rodent as hero.” If you can’t find what you need, ask the helpful bibliophile staffers.
The Paper Hound Bookshop
MAP 2: 344 W. Pender St., 604/428-1344, http://paperhound.ca; 10am-7pm Sun.-Thurs., 10am-8pm Fri.-Sat.
HOUSEWARES
Ming Wo
This kitchenware shop was founded in Chinatown back in 1917, and Ming Wo is still jam-packed with anything you might need to prepare or serve a meal, whether you’re looking for pots and pans, dishes, utensils and gadgets, aprons, or tableware. They stock a sizable selection of woks, steamers, chopsticks, and other tools for Asian cooking. In addition to this location opposite the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, there are branches in Kitsilano and South Granville.
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