Inline Skating Destination: Vancouver (FaSST magazine article): By Lorne Milne (www.inlineskatingvancouver.com; 604-708-1055);    As published in Florida’s ‘Fitness & Speed Skating Times’ magazine Spring 1999.

 ‘Inline Destination: Vancouver Spring’  

     ‘My inline addiction has taken me to a lot of great skating locations in the U.S. including Seattle, San Francisco, Venice Beach, South Beach, Portland, Ft. Lauderdale, Philadelphia & New York.  I’ve been awed by inliners I’ve seen & the camaraderie extended by U.S. skaters!’     Each of these spots has something special to offer from skating past the palm trees in South Beach to the Fellini’esque Friday Night Skate in San Francisco this past Halloween, from watching the amazing spinners & dance steppers in Central Park, to skating through wacky characters & breast implants in Venice.  Yet none has the varied geography & the beautiful views offered as you roll along the skate-friendly routes of Vancouver!

 VANCOUVER’S TOP 10 SKATE SPOTS:  Here’s a list of  places to hit if you can make it up to Vancouver with your wheels: 

SEYMOUR FOREST:  Nestled in the Valley between 2 ski mountains at the edge of Vancouver, you can skate a 2 lane road, which is closed to traffic, up to the dam- 7 miles each way through a pristine forest.  Beware! This is an advanced to expert route with lots of hills, some of which are double & triple black diamond difficulty, But if you are excited about ‘skate-to-ski’ (down-hill skiing style) technique, this is the place to scope out!  Some very exciting races have been held here & the Skate Patrol had 30 members out every weekend (in the 90’s). www.sfu.ca/city/PDFs/Pricetags/Price%20Tags%2042%20-%20Trailway.pdf

STANLEY PARK:   One of the prettiest parks in North America, it’s an isthmus surrounded by a 6 mile seawall, with the world’s largest skate patrol  (in the 90’s). 

ENGLISH BAY:   Connected to Stanley Park there is two miles of the most romatic rolls you’ll ever find. Check it out at Sunset & cruise by the Inukshut Eskimo stoneman statue, which muching a Gelati cone from ‘Mum’s Ice cream’.  This route connects up with Stanley Park. 

SUNSET BEACH Parking lot:   At the southeast end of English Bay you’ll see Vancouver’s hottest rail grinders, tricksters, & wheel addicts.  There’s a designated inline skate zone plus an adjoining roller-hockey area that’s in constant use. 

BURRARD ST. BRIDGE (North end):  This spot (east of & connected to Sunset Beach) has a great hill & slalom cones often set up.  Drop in & give it a go.   

FALSE CREEK’S North Shore:  This path continues east of the Burrard St. Bridge for 3 plus miles, down to Science World.  It’s got smooth skate trails winding around this inlet.   This was the site of the 1986 World’s Fair. 

SKY TRAIN TRAIL:   When you reach Science World jump on the sky train, ride it to Central Park, jump off & skate the winding trail to New Westminster (6 miles) where you can quickly jump back on the sky train & re-use your ticket if you cn make it ther within an hour. 

NORTH BURNABY GOLF COURSE:    A leisurely 5 mile skate on the north side of the gold course is a wise cruise to take.  This suburb is eat of Vancouver about a 15 minute care drive from Science World. 

PT. MOODY ROCKY POINT PARK:  Another 15 minute car ride (east of  the North  Burnaby Path to the next suburb), you’ll find a great trail through the wooded area around the bay (6 miles each way) down at the end of Burrard Inlet.  A must skate!   

TUGBOAT LANDING:   This river walk pathway went in during the late 90’s off Marine Dive in southeast Vancouver, along the Fraser River.  Currently there’s a few miles, but it looks like there will be more miles of trails added in the future. 

   This list only identifies some skate trails in Vancouver & neighboring suburbs.  There are a lot of great road skates (such around Deep Cove); super skating  at the University of BC (Parking lot B was used for lots of races in the  90’s; the north side of 16^th Ave. is great for race training & has a separate trail connecting to Marine drive);  & 1.5 hours away, Whistler offers miles of skate paths through the village.   Vancouver doesn’t have the year round weather of Miami & LA, but we’ve got a beautiful inline skating season from May 1st to September 30^th.  For info call 604-708-1055 & make your summer vacations plans! 

(Lorne Milne a multiple certified Inline Skating Instructor & National Skate Patrol founder/past director for Seymour Forest in Vancouver B.C.)