If the sun is shining and there are no clouds in the sky (and it does occasionally happen in Canada) 7th Heaven is the only place to go. High up above the treeline at the top of Blackcomb mountain, this mix of blue and black runs is some of the best skiing there is.

www.whistlerblackcomb.com

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If you want a day outside of Vancouver there's only one way to travel - by float plane. Planes leave from the harbour next to Canada Place and take 20 minutes or so to fly across to Victoria on Vancouver Island, and the views from the tiny plane are stunning. Ask the pilot if you can sit in the front for the best view.

You can then spend an afternoon in Victoria for a perspective on what Canadians think Ye Olde England is like - tea on the lawn of the Empress hotel is a local favourite - or visit the quite fantastic Royal BC Museum, before wandering down to the harbour for your return flight.

Harbour Air, 1075 West Waterfront Road;
604 274 1277;
www.harbour-air.com

www.harbour-air.com

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What Grouse Mountain lacks in size it more than makes up for at night.

From late November to early April (depending on the snow, of course) this is the closest and most accessible of the downtown ski resorts. For the ultimate Grouse Mountain experience you have to go after dark. Take the 6pm cable car for cheaper tickets, rent your skis at the top and head off down The Cut for what is, in my opinion anyway, the most stunning night time view you will ever get from a ski run. Laid out before you twinkling away is the entirety of Vancouver and on a clear night you can see right out to the ships in the Burrard Inlet. Fantastic.

Follow it up with a few Rickards Reds in the great mountain-top restaurant before catching the last cable car down (about 11pm).

6400 Nancy Greene Way, North Vancouver, BC, V7R 4K9;
www.grousemountain.com

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This small live music venue plays host to many up and coming bands as they pass through Vancouver. A long gallery running right around offers great views of the stage and the tall mirrored bars add to the appeal. Check the website for who's playing next - many bands who are 'big in the UK' play their first Canadian gigs here.

1036 Richards Street, Vancouver B.C;
tel: 606 688 1099;
email: info@richardsonrichards.com;
www.richardsonrichards.com

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For the past couple of years the Canadian music scene has been flourishing with the likes of Arcade Fire, Broken Social Scene and Vancouver's own Black Mountain enjoying international success.

To keep your finger on the pulse there's only one record shop that matters in Vancouver - Zulu Records. The store is on the increasingly trendy West 4th Avenue and has a great selection of Canadian, American and international music. Take the headphones at any of the many listening posts around the store to check out the staff's selections split up by genre (including a great local talent selection). Alternatively take any record's you'd like to try out up to the counter, sit down on one of the stools and listen. If you're looking for a bargain then there is a great used records section upstairs.

1972 West 4th Ave
Vancouver B.C. V6J 1M5;
tel: 604-738-3232;
www.zulurecords.com

www.zulurecords.com

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Very little in Whistler is cheap. Shoestring Lodge is the exception. This aptly named hostel provides comfortable accommodation in four-bed dorms and private rooms, each with TV and bathroom, for a fraction of the price of a hotel. There's a free bus for the short trip to the lifts every morning and local buses stop just outside. Bars and restaurants are within walking distance if the pub/part-time strip joint attached to the hostel doesn't appeal.

7124 Nancy Greene Drive; www.shoestringlodge.com/

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