Here we are heading into North Vancouver again. The weather has been cold and sunny lately, my favourite winter weather (apart from a light snowfall).
Every couple of years we go to Grouse Mountain around Christmas time to enjoy the festivities and this year, for us to see snow for the first time.
My favourite is the outdoor rink. When I think of skating in the winter, I fantasize about a frozen pond out on the prairies, skating outdoors in the crisp winter air with the wilderness as a backdrop. The local skating rink doesn't quite fit my image of great winter skating.
The only place close to that around here is Grouse Mountain. It's a ride up a gondola and there's lots of great skiing at Grouse as well.
We went mostly for the skating.
Myles was fascinated by the reindeer that they had up there. Dancer and Vixen to be precise.
Yes, Santa brought some of his reindeer and they were waiting just outside his workshop. We did get to visit with Santa as well, but I must say, he wasn't half as exciting as
the creatures that pull his sleigh.
The girls had a blast just sliding on their bottoms down the icy hills. They also discovered this "snow hole" that delighted them to no end.
Sometimes it's hard to put into words just how wonderful an experience is. Like running early in the morning on the dike with the sun piercing through the thick fog and the ducks on the channel in the background, or skating on the top of a mountain. It's like being transported to a completely different place and time altogether.
At Grouse, it didn't seem like we were only 40 minutes from our own home.
Ah mountains, ah snow, ah winter.
Chalet living is what I call this and I love it.
