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Family-friendly ways to celebrate the new year in the Sea to Sky Corridor

Bye-Bye ballgowns, hello family fun
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Snowshoeing can be great family-friendly New Year’s Eve fun.

Children love to celebrate as much as anyone, but a meltdown at midnight from overtired kids can really mess with the New Year’s Eve magic.

So, say bye-bye to ballgowns and bubbly and celebrate the big day on Dec. 31 with your little people in a way that works for your family. Who knows, you might even have more fun!

Get messy

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Four-year-old Tyia Monopoli gets messy with paint and water at the Squamish‘s Happimess centre. - David Buzzard

If you want to keep the action close to home, there are plenty of fun options.

Indulge little ones’ senses at Happimess – a kid-friendly creative zone where getting messy is a given. On New Year’s Eve, there will be glitter, confetti, edible paint, sensory bins and a countdown for the balloon-popping “fireworks.” 

Happimess is open from 10 a.m. to noon and 2 to 4 p.m. All ages are welcome. 

Bring snacks, drinks and lots of spare clothes. Visit happimess.net for more information. 

Jump for joy this New Year’s Eve at Airhouse where the whole family can enjoy some energetic, freestyle fun together. 

Toddlers have the trampolines from 9:30 to 11 a.m., after which everyone is welcome. This freestyle trampoline centre is open until 3 p.m., with a New Year countdown at 2:30 p.m. Visit airhouse.ca.

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Luca Rogers jumps on a trampoline at Airhouse. - David Buzzard

For indoor adventure, head to Squishy’s Family Fun Zone. With a designated toddler area and three levels of play structure for the big kids, it’s a safe place for little ones to let loose. There’s also a climbing wall, ample couches, coffee and healthy snacks, in addition to on-site childcare ($12 per hour, book ahead of time). It’s open 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Visit squishysfamilyfunzone.com

Find a few moments of peace

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The Nuns of the Order of Preachers. - David Buzzard

For those seeking peace among the partying, a visit to the Queen of Peace Monastery in the Upper Squamish Valley provides a wonderful opportunity to escape and reflect. Visitors, including children, are welcome to share the space, stay for prayers and song or just take a moment in the chapel. There’s also a gift shop selling arts, crafts and honey that is made onsite. Visit dominicannunsbc.ca.

Step back in time 

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Source: Britannia Mine Museum

Bid a final farewell to the holiday season by stepping back in time with the Britannia Mine Museum’s miniature Victorian village, complete with snow-dusted streets and tiny toyshops. Don’t forget to stop at the miniature North Pole where you might glimpse a few of Santa’s industrious elves. Plus, there are daily underground tours, interactive exhibits and gold panning. The mine is open until 2 p.m. on Dec. 31. Visit britanniaminemuseum.ca.

Slip on snowshoes 

For some snowy, family-friendly adventure this New Year’s Eve, the Sea to Sky Gondola is a perfect option.

With some of the deepest snow in North America, it’s a region just waiting to be explored. So, slip on a pair of snowshoes, get out with the family and savour the mountain air and stunning scenery for one last time this year. With five marked trails, organized snowshoe tours and endless backcountry options, the adventures are aplenty.

For old-fashioned, New Year family-fun, head to the Tube Park to experience the exhilaration of sliding down slopes at speed. Climb back up again and repeat until you’re completely exhausted! 

The tube park is open from 10 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. and height restrictions apply.

After all the adventure, head indoors to reheat, refuel and reflect on the final sunset of the year with hot chocolate, holiday drinks and a little something from the après menu that is available from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. until Dec. 31. Family-friendly options include Belgian crepes, chocolate fondue, hearty stews and sharing plates from around the world. For the grown-ups among the group, a selection of celebratory sparkle is available with a bubbly tasting flight. Visit www.seatoskygondola.com.

Watch the bald eagles fly

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Bald eagles perch on a tree in Brackendale. - Chris Dale

Escape the crowds this New Year’s Eve and head to the water for a memorable eagle-watching journey with the whole family.

The adventure begins at 11:30 a.m. with fresh muffins and warm drinks in the lodge, after which a knowledgeable guide will take you down the river for an hour, seeking out all the best eagle-watching spots before heading back to base to enjoy a hearty bowl of homemade chilli with in-house smoked pulled-pork by the fire. Vegetarian options are also available and reservations are recommended.

New Year’s Eve is also about sharing good times (and, very often, good food) with loved ones, so hit the mealtime high-note with breakfast or brunch from Fergie’s Café. Known for its delicious variety of eggs benny and on-site smoked meats, it’s no wonder it’s been voted best breakfast in Squamish. With a professional barista behind the bar, there’s a speciality drink with your name on it, just the way you like it. Visit sunwolf.net

Explore the backcountry

With over 36 feet of snow, 130 kilometres of Nordic trails and pristine alpine backcountry, Ski Callaghan is an active, fun way to celebrate New Year’s Eve – even with little ones.   

The toboggan hills are great for kids of all ages and equipment is free to borrow from the Brandywine Lodge rental shop. 

With hot chocolate and warm meals available just around the corner, it’s a nice introduction to snow without venturing too far.

For New Year’s Eve thrills, try the newest Nordic sport, baseboarding. Simply climb aboard the specially designed boards, point your body downhill and let gravity do its thing!

Adventures further afield with the family (and sometimes the pooch) can be done on either skis or snowshoes, and can be a journey of your own design. 

From gentle snowshoe tours and shuttles that head towards deep-powder in the backcountry, there’s a memorable New Year snow scene for every skill level and budget.

Finally, for a truly magical New Year’s Eve, try a trip to Journeyman Lodge. Allow a full day to ski in and out to this full-service backcountry chalet. 

Or, better yet, extend the magic with an overnight stay. Deluxe dining awaits inside and, for New Year’s Eve only, candlelit tobogganing will be taking place outside. Visit www.skicallaghan.ca.

Homespun celebrations

You don’t have to go out to make New Year’s Eve memorable – celebrating at home can be just as fun.

 Here are a few ideas:

* Dress up and have a dance party (or dress down and celebrate in pyjamas!) with prizes for the best moves. Don’t forget to take photos.

* Get together and sing! It’s proven to be good for your health, feeds your soul and cheers you up

* Dig out family board games and enjoy some uninterrupted time together. For older children, try charades.

* Create a family time capsule to be opened next New Year’s Eve.

* Celebrate mock-midnight with an early countdown and kid-friendly fizz (such as sparkling apple juice), and go crazy with party bangers, streamers, sparklers, confetti, and balloons – what’s a little mess when you’re creating memories?

* Don’t forget the party food! Set up a table with your family’s favourite snacks, desserts, nibbles and drinks. Or try a fondue (see recipe below).  

Alternatively, cook something special together for your last meal or the year... or order your favourite takeout and make it a movie night. 

Create a hot chocolate station and allow your kids to customize their cocoa with yummy toppings before bed.

* Create a family wish jar, writing down your hopes for the new year (learning to ride a bike, writing your name or spending more time with Grandma). Open it in 12 months to see which came true or post your resolutions to the fridge as a reminder to turn them into reality.

Whatever you do, don’t forget to record your New Year’s Eve moments. You’ll love looking back at them in years to come.

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