Vancouver’s local hills offer plenty of options to enjoy the great outdoors in the wintertime. One of our favourites is to go snowshoeing. And when we think of picturesque snowy mountain scenes, we can’t help but to think of cozy cabins filled with people gathered over hot bevvies and cheese fondue (what can we say, we love cheese.) Last week, we got a chance to do just that.
Shoeshoeing tour at Cypress Mountain
We piled on our snow gear and headed up to Cypress Mountain for an evening snowshoe and fondue guided tour. Meeting at the Nordic area of Hollyburn Ridge, we strapped on snowshoes and headlamps, and off we went. Sixteen of us single-filed into the thick of the woods, treading softly over snow-covered trails, minding our step as we went over busy cross-country ski sections. Note of etiquette: watch the tracks, please! Paul, our seasoned tour guide of 16 seasons, led us through the dark forest. Along the way, he shared interesting facts, hilarious stories, and other fun things we won’t spoil for you.
Time for fondue at Hollyburn Lodge
An hour and half later, faces lit up as Hollyburn Ski Lodge came into sight. The timing couldn’t be more perfect as the weather had taken a turn and it was raining heavily. Inside, we warmed up with hot cider and wine. Then, we happily tucked into plates of roasted vegetables, meatballs, and bread, swirling each bite in bubbling cheese. Once the cheese was all gone, the dunking fun continued with platters of sweet nibbles and pots of warm chocolate. We ended the night with full bellies and good spirits.
Cypress Mountain offers a range of guided snowshoe tours of varying lengths. They are often paired with an après of food or entertainment. The Cheese & Chocolate Fondue Tour is a popular choice if you’re looking for a fuller night out. Plan for it to take 3.5-4 hours. For details on booking this tour and other activities, visit Cypress Mountain’s website.
A few pro-tips
Check the weather and dress appropriately – it can vary throughout the evening. Safety first, be alert! Listen carefully to your guide’s cautionary advice and trail signs. It can be dangerous out there, don’t get lost or fall into an icy-cold creek!
Big thanks to our friends Healthy Family Media and Cypress Mountain for hosting this event.
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