Take your date to Quesnel for winter fun and romance
#SkiNorthBC #ExploreQuesnel
Put a new spin on date night with a winter getaway in Quesnel - go ice-fishing, snowshoeing or cross-country skiing and enjoy some apres in this wintry wonderland. It's a great way to break the ice!
Quesnel, BC - Dinner and a movie is alright for date night, but if you’re looking to freshen up the script, try some winter activities in a new place, like Bevin and Mike Thompson did on a recent getaway to Quesnel. Some cross-country skiing, snowshoeing or ice-fishing - or a combo of all three - plus some food, and you’ve got a formula that will get your hearts pumping.
Quesnel is the ideal place to get outside together: there are endless trails in every direction, it’s all within a 10-minute drive from your downtown hotel, and you can simply rent all of the gear you need to play outside together.
Bevin grew up in Quesnel and after schooling and starting a family abroad, the pandemic surprised them by bringing them back to Quesnel for the winter. Bevin got a chance to show Mike her hometown assets, and to rediscover Quesnel on her own terms.
Hot Date Tip #1:
Snowshoe into a winter wonderland
Start off a sunny afternoon with a snowshoe around West Fraser Timber Park. The network of gentle trails takes you along the valley floor, past frozen ponds and wide, open meadows. If you don’t have your own, rent snowshoes at Rocky Peak Outfitters (337 Reid St) in Downtown Quesnel and ask for some trail tips while you’re there. (Full disclosure: Rocky Peak is co-owned by me, the author - so stop in and say hi!)
Get outdoors in Quesnel for winter fun together.
‘Snowshoeing is cool because you can go wherever you want to go! It’s a nice way to slow down, feel sure-footed and there is a strangely satisfying crunch sound as you walk on snow,’ Bevin commented.
Photo:
Bonnie Grenon
"Go wherever you want to go" with snowshoes in Quesnel.
Hot Date Tip #2:
Share some drinks and snacks at Barkerville Brewing Co.
Once you’ve worked for your appetite, cross the Quesnel River to the Barkerville Brewing Co. for some fresh, local brews and satisfying snacks. Anything with focaccia is a winner! Catch the golden hour from the heated patio and you’ll feel satisfied about making good life choices.
Golden hour, golden draft and baked snacks - a perfect apres at Barkerville Brewing Co.
Save on your winter date visit to Quesnel with #SkiNorthBC
Check out these awesome deals, just for you courtesy #SkiNorthBC, including:
- discounted lift passes
- savings on hotel rooms
- gear rental discounts
- apres specials
Find all the details here.
Rocky Peak Outfitters is a hub for the local outdoors community.
Hot Date Tip #3:
Break the ice with some ice-fishing
Pop by the Quesnel Visitor’s Centre (703 Carson Ave) on your way out of town to borrow a free ice-fishing kit (auger, rods, ice scoop and tackle box) and get the details on current ice conditions.
Pack some chairs and a warm beverage, then drop by the public boat launch on Dragon Lake. Settle in and test your skill at hauling up the freshest trout ever as the ice glows with another incredible Cariboo sunset.
Discover winter's beauty when you visit Quesnel.
Neither Bevin nor Mike had gone ice-fishing since they were kids and their dads bored the holes in the ice for them. ‘Drilling a hole in thick ice makes you feel hard core—and we caught the most epic…sunset,’ said Bevin.
Whatever you catch (or don’t catch), having time to chill out, pause and just talk together with only the sky to distract you is precious time.
Photo:
Bonnie Grenon
Here's the drill: grab ice-fishing gear at the Quesnel Visitor Centre.
Hot Date Tip #4:
Romance the Hallis Lake ski trails after dark
Continue up Hydraulic Rd for a ski under the lights at the Cariboo Ski Touring Club’s Hallis Lake facility, where 75km of trails, a lodge and rentals (classic skis, skate skis and snowshoes) make it easy for anyone to feel the glide. Four kilometres of trails are lit at night, or bring your own headlamp and ski any trail. For the most magical ski nights, go out on a full moon when the skies are clear, with only the moon to light your path.
No matter how much you’ve skied, doing it in the dark increases the ‘thrill factor’. Every downhill seems faster and more daring as you ski in the tunnel of your own light. The corners seem tighter and the trees glow and sparkle with frost. Night skiing inevitably makes you feel more badass.
Photo:
Bonnie Grenon
Bevin insists that nights are warmer, when the wind settles down and you can pause together to turn off your lights and ‘enjoy the moments of looking up at the sky and the stars.’
After this date, you'll be ready to warm up, snuggle close to that special someone... and have the best sleep ever.
Save with #SkiNorthBC
Get deals on lift passes, hotel rooms, gear rental and apres when you book a visit and tell them you found it on #SkiNorthBC. Find all the details here!
When you Go
- Find groomed ski trails and book lessons or rentals with Cariboo Ski Touring Club, in the Hallis Lake Ski Centre.
- For snowshoe, XC ski rentals, gear and outdoor tips, drop in to Rocky Peak Outfitters, at 337 Reid Street.
- Borrow ice-fishing gear and get a little local history at the Quesnel Visitor Centre & Museum, 703 Carson Ave.
- Hit Barkerville Brewing Co. for apres! Tasting room, snacks, growler fills and local ambiance at 185 Davie Street.
For more info and local tips, visit our partners at www.tourismquesnel.com.
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