Fifa World Cup, snowboarding, whale watching and grizzly bears

I’ve travelled to North America many occasions over the previous 30 years however in some way all the time ignored Canada whereas visiting that a part of the world. I’m nonetheless unsure why it took me so lengthy to rectify what was clearly a obtrusive oversight.

It may be as a result of Vancouver, the pure level of entry, is an hour’s flight longer than San Fran or Los Angeles, and so they have been already lengthy sufficient treks. That made town much less seen as a stopover en path to the brilliant lights of New York or the Latin attract of Mexico and Havana.

I now realise that I used to be taking a look at it the flawed approach. Vancouver shouldn’t be a stopover. It’s a vacation spot. Friends instructed me town was so much like Sydney – endowed with a big, scenic harbour, a temperate local weather and a vibrant out of doors life-style.

But that doesn’t do justice to its gorgeous array of nature’s items (snowboarding, climbing, whale-watching) and extra refined charms (indigenous tradition, historic buildings, fabulous meals). More importantly, Vancouver is an ideal measurement for a metropolis, with simply 700,000 within the downtown and adjoining areas, large enough to supply buzz and variety however with an intimacy that allows the whole lot to really feel shut, comfy and simple to get pleasure from.

In spring, for instance, Vancouver gives a peak expertise that can take some beating: you may drive as much as Grouse Mountain, simply quarter-hour from downtown, to see two grizzly bears get pleasure from breakfast of their eco-friendly sanctuary, then put in your skis for a few hours on the slopes earlier than returning to town within the afternoon for a swim at one in all its seashores.

The secret to this expertise is town’s distinctive geography. Vancouver sits on the Pacific coast however is enclosed by snowy peaks. This provides it a light local weather whereas permitting quick access to a variety of winter wonderlands. There are three skiable mountains near town and one other, the enduring Whistler resort, some 90 minutes away.

Along with its love of the outside, town exudes a robust sense of civic and political consciousness. Local outlets are sprinkled with “Made in Canada” banners and indicators, in an indication of defiance at US President Donald Trump’s risk to annex the nation. This patriotism will ratchet as much as fever pitch subsequent June when Vancouver hosts seven matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

It is one in all simply two Canadian cities, the opposite being Toronto, that can share internet hosting rights with the US and Mexico for the six-week fiesta of soccer that begins on June 11. The Canadians have all the time hated being mistaken for his or her American neighbours, and town is primed to social gathering exhausting to cheer on the well-regarded Canadian workforce. Preparations are properly superior to construct a everlasting tradition centre that can home the fan zone and stay a cultural hub for town lengthy after the final ball has been kicked.

This civic delight is mirrored by a visual environmental consciousness. Along the waterfront stands a tall residence constructing with a tree sprouting from the penthouse – the architect needed individuals to see the place the treeline would have been if people had not arrived and developed the world. I additionally see indicators telling vacationers to not feed the birds as a result of it’s thought-about harmful to their well being, and notices that warn of coyote dens on the foreshore.

While vacationers may admire these sensitivities, they arrive for the exhilaration of journey experiences, and Vancouver has them by the bucketful. There’s no higher place to begin than Grouse Mountain, town’s most visited year-round attraction.

In winter, the snowboarding is complemented by gentle installations on the Light Walk, an outside skating pond and snowshoeing. When the climate warms up, there’s a lumberjack present, lengthy dramatic zipline over the again valley and a wind turbine, the one one on the planet that means that you can catch a raise to the highest and stand inside a glass viewing sales space, metres from the rotating blades, to get pleasure from a panorama of town beneath you.

My spotlight, nevertheless, is assembly the grizzlies and studying about bear tradition and habitat. The pair on Grouse amble round a rambling refuge. They are each males, orphans who have been rescued after shedding their moms, and in accordance with the ranger we button-hole, wouldn’t have survived within the wild. Their sheer mass and bulk are astonishing, but I’m humbled at listening to how susceptible these large animals are.

A number of kilometres earlier than Grouse is one other jaw-dropper, the Capilano Suspension Bridge. Suspended 70 metres above the Capilano River and forest cover, the picket bridge spans 137 metres, and the quantity of vacationer visitors means it sways considerably as you stroll alongside and admire the view. Once throughout, you may stroll on a sequence of seven mini-suspension bridges excessive within the treetops. It’s a magical eco-kingdom, a Tarzan expertise with out the vines.

Back on the house facet there’s a dramatic cliff stroll, with a secure, sturdy picket observe perched on the facet with nice views right down to the valley. Our information regales us with the story of a younger man who proposed to his girlfriend on the stroll, however when he took out the ring it in some way slipped from his fingers and fell to the underside of the canyon. Park rangers responded to the ruptured romantic second by sending a workforce right down to search for the ring and, unbelievably, discovered it.

From deep canyons to deep water. Half an hour’s boat experience from the foreshore takes you to the Strait of Georgia and Howe Sound, the place we see humpback and orcas gambolling in massive numbers, sea lions on the rocks and bald eagles hovering overhead. The marine naturalists on board add one other dimension to what we see: the hassle expended by a humpback to throw its entire physique out of the water is akin to a human being working a marathon.

After all that bodily exertion, recent air and wind in your face, your physique craves replenishment. Vancouver’s fame for the good outside masks its fabulous meals scene. The Granville Island Public Market, which sits beneath an enormous bridge, gives an array of produce and native delicacies, together with smoked salmon jerky, and maple syrup glazed salmon nuggets.

With a various ethnic inhabitants, together with massive Chinese and Indian communities (it hosted an Indian movie awards occasion in its fundamental soccer stadium), Vancouver additionally boasts a variety of eating places and cuisines to fulfill probably the most devoted foodie.

One of the most important magnets is Tojo’s, run by Michelin-Star chef Hidekazu Tojo, who’s credited with inventing the California roll and popularising sushi tradition in North America. For fashionable wonderful eating, Five Sails on the waterfront is luxurious. Other nice eateries embody Vietnamese restaurant Anh and Chi, and L’Abattoir, which gives mouthwatering nouveau French fare in a former abattoir within the historic Gastown precinct.

When the World Cup whirlwind arrives subsequent June, among the best locations to look at matches would be the Como Taperia, a Spanish tapas restaurant with unbelievable meals and an excellent higher vibe. Their massive screens have been displaying European and different soccer throughout our meal. Between the sangria, garlic prawns and targets, the ambiance is irresistible. Then there are the bathrooms, each coated wall-to-wall with enjoying playing cards that includes photographs of the world’s biggest footballers, going again to the Nineteen Seventies.

Of course, the place to be subsequent yr would be the Vancouver soccer stadium referred to as BC Place, designed within the American type as a bowl with 4 big TV screens suspended in a field across the centre. The stadium, with a capability of 52,000, was constructed within the Nineteen Eighties and remarkably, is correct within the coronary heart of city, much more central than the SCG is to Sydney and MCG is to Melbourne.

Not solely is central and simple to navigate, however BC Place is simply two streets from the Yaletown bar and restaurant precinct. It’s a geographic cocktail made in soccer heaven and the locals will be capable to social gathering huge time when the groups sweep into city.

THE DETAILS

FLY
Air Canada, Qantas and Virgin Australia fly direct from Sydney to Vancouver, and from Melbourne with one cease.

See aircanada.com; qantas.com; virginaustralia.com

SEE + DO
The 2026 FIFA World Cup runs from June 11- July 19. Vancouver will host seven matches. Tickets on sale from September 10. vancouverfwc26.ca

The Whistler ski and journey resort is a 90-minute journey from Vancouver, and is serviced by buses. In summer season, ski runs change into filth bike tracks, and guests can even get pleasure from white-water rafting and grizzly bear excursions.

See whistlerblackcomb.com

Grouse Mountain, grousemountain.com

Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, capbridge.com

STAY
Vancouver boasts some opulent historic resorts, the grand dame is the Fairmont Hotel on West Georgia Street (from $337 an evening), and close by Hotel Georgia (from $630). They retain their Twenties grandeur, although each have been up to date with fashionable comforts. The Opus Hotel is a small boutique lodge within the coronary heart of the Yaletown restaurant space with fashionable, vibrant rooms and a preferred Italian restaurant.

See fairmont.com; rosewoodhotels.com; opushotel.com

MORE
 destinationvancouver.com