Rain’s Trans Canada Trail: Chasing Winter Joy Along the Sea to Sky Trail
Written by Rain Scott
In the winter, it rains in Vancouver quite a lot. Sometimes it feels like you’re taking a cold shower when you pop outside. This, combined with the very short days, is enough to give anyone a serious case of the winter blahs.
My partner, our dog and I mustered up the motivation one not very snowy weekend to take a road trip to Whistler. We decided to check out the Sea to Sky Trail, which is a 180-kilometre multi-use recreational trail that winds its way from Squamish to Pemberton.
Although many enjoy walking, running and cycling along the Sea to Sky Trail, not everyone realizes it is part of the Trans Canada Trail. We could have theoretically followed the Trans Canada Trail from downtown Vancouver, paddled up the Sea to Sky Marine Trail and then walked all the way to Whistler if we had been so inclined.
How this trail came to be
This type of long-distance travel is actually how this trail came to be. The Coast Salish and Interior Salish First Nations historically travelled this route as a way to move between the coast and the Interior.
In the summer, it’s usually very tricky to find parking along this trail in Whistler. The surrounding parks and lakes are full of people setting up elaborate picnics and pumping up paddle boards. However, on this wintry day, we had no problem finding a spot.
We bundled up and hit the Trail
We bundled up in warm clothes. We even packed our microspikes, but were pleasantly surprised to see that this section of the Trail is regularly plowed and salted. We wandered along the path, seeing where it would take us. Some sections were right next to luxury hotels. Others felt more natural and remote.
Even though it wasn’t exactly sunny, outdoor light is still significantly brighter than being inside. This light, combined with the beauty around me, was already starting to lift my mood.
A winter dip
As we rambled past the small lakes along this section of the Trans Canada Trail, II knew what I wanted to do. I’d packed my bathing suit and towel, just in case. I wasn’t sure if I would actually summon up the inspiration to go for a little winter swim. But the sight of the beautiful, calm water next to the snowy shore did the trick. My winter blahs were already being turned into winter ahhhs!
I am no stranger to dunking in cold water. I often visit local saunas in the colder months with friends, where we alternate between the heat of the sauna and the chill of a cold plunge. But it’s always a treat when you can do this surrounded by snow-dusted mountains.
I contemplated jumping into the lake from the dock but wasn’t sure how well I would tolerate this temperature on this particular day. There is a risk of experiencing cold shock when you first enter very cold water, meaning you may involuntarily gasp and breathe in water. Since I didn’t have a PFD with me, I decided to go for the much safer option of lowering myself in by the ladder.
It was definitely cold enough for me to yelp involuntarily. My toes and fingers started burning right away. I know the impressive thing to do is to make it seem like the cold doesn’t bother you, but that is really not my style. I like to get all the yelling out and then see how long I can handle being in there without too much discomfort.
My partner looked after our dog while I did this, having a little laugh at me from the dock. Although she has a much higher cold tolerance than me, she isn’t into winter swimming without a sauna in sight.
A lot to appreciate along the Trans Canada Trail
When I got out of the lake, the air was so cold that the water started freezing on my skin right away. I dried off quickly and got changed back into my regular clothes. I felt warm and happy.
There is some research to suggest cold water exposure triggers the release of brain chemicals that improve your mood. It also really helps me feel more confident, as I build trust in myself that I can tackle hard things.
Even if cold dipping isn’t your thing, there are a lot of things to appreciate along the Trans Canada Trail: sparkling snow, captivating views and connection with others. Get outside, breathe some fresh air and feel the power of the Trans Canada Trail.
Rain is a queer and trans person living on the unceded territories of the Squamish, Musqueam and Tsleil-Waututh Nations in Vancouver. They are passionate about helping more people feel safe and welcome outdoors, especially in high-barrier-to-entry sports like climbing, mountaineering and backcountry skiing. They are on the board of Mountain Mentors. You can find their writing at We Belong Outside and on Instagram at @west_coast_rain_.
Explore our interactive map to find more information about Sea to Sky hikes, hiking ideas in the Lower Mainland and beyond, and much more.
About Trans Canada Trail
The Trans Canada Trail is the longest multi-use trail system in the world and it is always growing. It reaches every province and territory, and connects all three of Canada’s coastlines. Each section of the Trans Canada Trail is managed locally and supports different activities and community needs. As a charity, Trans Canada Trail advocates for and stewards this nationwide system, helping ensure people can keep finding moments in nature that support their wellbeing. We support community-led trail projects through the Trail Catalyst Fund and we share reliable trail knowledge through the Centre for Trail Excellence.
View this post on Instagram
Main photo credit: Rain Scott
