The VPO Community

Ruffwear Gear Review: Taking Best Friends into the Backcountry

July 7, 2023

Gear Reviewer: Kevin Black @greatislandadventures Backpacking and exploring has been one of the most important things in my life the last few years and when I adopted my newest puppy Cedar …

An Interview with VPO Victoria Owner Mike Tkachuk

May 8, 2023

I grew up fishing, so being outdoors wasn’t anything new to me. But when we moved to Hinton, Alberta (right at the gateway to the Rocky Mountains), my wife Kara …

Galena Trail and Cable Car in the West Kootenays

April 12, 2023

Guest Authors: Shannon & Tyson Head (@restlesscrusade) This trail has been on our minds for a few years now. The full length consists of a 13 km historic railway line from …

Canyoning in the Okanagan

April 12, 2023

Guest Authors: Shannon & Tyson Head (@restlesscrusade) We found a hidden gem in the Okanagan where we could keep cool in this summer heat. Okanagan Canyoning is based out of Kelowna, …

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Exploring Rockwall Trail in Kootenay National Park

March 14, 2023

Guest Authors: Shannon & Tyson Head (@restlesscrusade) With time off arranged and no destination located we were in a bit of a situation. But as the universe would have it, we …

How to Get Started: Trail Running

March 8, 2023

Have you been running (or hiking) for awhile now and grown curious about combining the two? Hitting the trails gives you access to a whole new network of routes outside …

Behind the Scenes at Werner Paddle

March 6, 2023

Guest Authors: Nathan Slater & Sanesh Iyer from @alittlepaddle On the morning of November 11th, 2022, Sanesh and Nathan had the pleasure of touring the Werner Paddles factory and storefront in …

Snowshoeing with a Baby

January 12, 2023

Guest Author: Adrianna Skori from Kids Who Explore Layer Up! It’s all about dressing for the weather and keeping that warmth on the chilly trails. I layer my baby up with a …

Skiing is My Life’s Passion. It is my refuge: Braille Mountain Participant Mark Bentz

January 6, 2023

Guest Author: Mark Bentz Photos: Steve Shannon / @steveshannonphoto My name is Mark Bentz. Born and raised in Vancouver, I am the owner of one of Canada's largest multidisciplinary clinics. I have been an …

5-Day Trek in The Rockies…Blind: Braille Mountain Initiative’s First Backcountry Hike

January 6, 2023

Guest Authors: Lisa Odlan & Mark Bentz Braille Mountain Initiative’s first ever hiking trip in the Canadian Rockies was an absolute blast! This past August, we took 5 blind hikers along …

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An Interview with VPO Abbotsford & Vernon Owner, Brent Murdoch

October 27, 2022

I developed a love for the outdoors as a youngster. A few family camping trips and the passion was ignited. Nothing compares to the peace of the backcountry. We were living …

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