Backyard wonderland

Visitors to Vancouver are offered a supporting cast of stellar attractions within easy reach of the city. Although it's easy to spend several days feasting on the inner-city sights, a cursory glance at the surrounding alpine scenery is a constant reminder that a journey beyond the city limits can't be overlooked.
On a recent trip to British Colombia, the most striking impression was just how accessible Vancouver's backyard wonderland was, and the fact that it's powder-packed with indelible visitor activities.
Venturing north from the city centre is a day-trip in its own right. One of the region's most popular attractions is the Capilano Suspension Bridge, which has been wooing crowds since 1889.
Seventy metres above the floor of the Capilano Canyon, the steel-cable supported bridge swings high above the cedar-scented rainforest and the cascading waters below.
Spanning 137m, the bridge walk delivers majestic views across the wider area. Recent additions to the nature reserve include a tree-top walk that traverses the dense canopy of Douglas fir and cedar trees. Capilano also features exhibitions showcasing the stories of the area's First Nations people, and an array of log-cabin stores selling local produce and souvenirs. Be sure to sample the home-made fudge.
Just 10 minutes from Capilano is Vancouver's much-admired peak, Grouse Mountain. Perched 1250m above greater Vancouver, the skyline views are to die for. The Skyride cable car is a multi-use transporter for ski bunnies and sightseers alike.
The ski trails will seduce adventure seekers. Grouse boasts 25 ski and snowboard runs plus an outdoor ice skating rink to boot. (Many "North Van" locals will head up to the skifield after work for a few hours of flood-lit night skiing.) A range of alpine walking tracks are also available for the fit and intrepid. More passive pursuits include the lumberjack show, alpine restaurants and the grizzly bear refuge - the highlight for me. But be sure to immerse in the panoramic splendour as the views are truly breathtaking.
For an easy connection to North Vancouver's star attractions of Capilano and Grouse Mountain, don't take a taxi - they are pricey.
Vancouver's popular hop-on, hop-off, double-decker sightseeing bus not only weaves a thread through the inner-city's major sights, but provides a feeder connection to the North
TOP TIPS
A  cost-effective option for Whistler adventure-seekers is to book a site at the nearby
campgrounds. Campsites start at $20 a night. www.discovercamping.ca
Ecotours operates   expeditions between  Whistler and Blackcomb mountains. www.ziptrek.com