Travel Deal for May 27, 2013
Burning Man sprang up spontaneously back in 1986 with Californians indulging in artistic self-expression. It now costs $650 for a ticket. Far from free, far from affordable for most artistic types and far from cool since some Silicon Valley enterprises send their execs to “clear their minds” at the annual week-long experiment of alternative society. (Read: clothing and moral optional retreat.)
If you would like to rekindle the spirit of the early days of Burning Man, you should head to Squamish, the British Columbia city often referred to as the Outdoor Capital of Canada. Halfway between Vancouver and Whistler on the glorious Sea to Sky Highway, Squamish has been holding its own version of Burning Man since 2002.
Burn In the Forest 2013 takes place from July 11-14 and operates “in accordance with the 10 principles of Burning Man.” Those principles include “radical self-expression,” “decommodification,” and “gifting.” Although “what happens at Burning Man stays at Burning Man” is not listed as a principle, it is an elemental aspect of the festival.
The same could be true of Burn In the Forest, which is held on campgrounds in the Squamish Valley and is organized by the Greater Vancouver Interactive Arts Society. Among the activities you can participate in and speak openly about later are: interactive art displays, fire performances, music and theatrical shows, and artistic workshops.
Discounted tickets are on sale now for $95. Full-price tickets go on sale on July 1 and cost $125.
Vacay.ca Names Wild Day Trips from Vancouver
You don’t have to push the boundaries of civil society to get the most out of a visit to the Greater Vancouver Area. Vacay.ca Outdoors Columnist Tricia Edgar recently listed six of the best day trips from Canada’s west-coast metropolis. Among them was a camping trek close to Squamish.
Edgar writes: “If you decide that a short-term camping trip is just your thing, there are a number of camp sites that are easily accessible from Vancouver. While they’re not quite within commuting distance, they’re great for an overnight or two. Alice Lake campground just outside of Squamish offers accessible, family-friendly camping. Visit scenic Newcastle Island, tucked away close to the Nanaimo Ferry, or take the Sea to Sky Highway (Highway 99) up to Porteau Cove, a campsite with great diving opportunities.
“In Vancouver, a trip to the wilderness is only an hour or two away. If you’re aching to explore beyond the boundaries of Canada’s largest west coast city, there are many ways to explore those tempting mountains and beautiful lakes, no matter the season.”
Read the rest of Wild Day Trips from Vancouver
To order tickets to Burn In the Forest: Visit the event’s website.
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