Jack Frost

Winter has descended upon the Fraser Valley. Gently but steadily temperatures have been dropping over the last week to as low as -8 C. Canadians do not think much of it as they are used to thinking in degrees Fahrenheit. And then it is still 17,6 degrees. Luckily Jack gives us a bit of time to get used to freezing temperatures by letting us of the hook the coming week. But do not be fooled, winter is here to stay. Grouse Mountain has fully activated its snowmaking fleet and has blanketed the Mountain. Paradise bowl and Jib Park, I am talking ski-slopes here, were opened yesterday so the Winter Season has indeed started. This begs the question how you can prepare for winter, if at all? Well, you can do quite a bit actually. I have got a few tips to share:

Ditch your shorts: It is about time to consider swapping your shorts for proper trousers. The kind that also cover your 'milk bottles'. I for one have been walking around in my shorts up to this very moment. And I am not the only one at that. However, this is not always a good idea I concluded the other day when I found myself standing at the summit of the Coquihalla Highway in a howling wind and in temperatures that had dropped to -5 C. Got me rather quickly back into the warm embrace of my car. Not many photos were taken there and then.

Prepare your quad: While normally used for trips into the forest to chase bears, get work done on the farm or to mooch around with, quads do come in handy when snow is starting to fall. A few adjustments have to be made though. Like mounting a snowplow at the front and having heated handlebars installed.

Better still, get a snowmobile: There comes a moment when plowing snow is no longer feasible. Do not despair as this is the perfect moment to get your snowmobile out of its summer hiding and have some proper fun. British Columbia is the perfect spot for it as it has lots of space to play in.

 

So with only a bit of preparation and a few minor adjustments it is not that hard to stay out of the grip of Jack Frost. Or to take full advantage of everything he throws at you. 

A word of advise though: As with many things in life good timing is essential. Wait until there is a proper layer of snow on the ground and at least 4 inches of ice in the ditches and on the lakes. Or be prepared to find yourself bogged down...