EMS  Annual Meeting 2006 : Vancouver , British Columbia, 

Recreation / Sports around Vancouver

Hiking

The Grouse Grind, on Grouse Mountain, occasionally called "Mother Nature's Stairmaster," is an unfrightening 2.9 km trail, rising a somewhat intimidiating 853 metres (2800 feet). For the so inclined (pardon the pun), that's an average 29% slope.
Average slope. Yeah. Sure.

It's also incredibly popular, and those who undertake it find others to pace or encourage them along the way. Bring water, oxygen, whatever.The start of the hike is easily found after driving or taking the bus up Capilano Road (stay right after crossing 
the Lion's gate bridge in Vancouver) to the base of the mountain, the road ends.Ride the Gondola down with other sweaty hikers for 5$. OR die it up and back rather than grind up the hill.

For a change of scenery try the Capilano Supsension Bridge. Good for a scare, and very beautiful.  

Cycling

False Creek / Seaside / Granville / PLanetarium / Kitsilano / Beaches / UBC
The seaside bicycle route is a 15-kilometre (9.4 mile) trek that begins at English Bay and continues around False Creek to the University of British Columbia. Some of this route follows city streets that are well marked with cycle-path signs. 
Lots to see and do along this route. The sights include: The Plaza of Nations, Science World, Granville Island, the Pacific Space Centre, the Kitsilano Pool and the Jericho Sailing Centre as well as the University of British Columbia which is home to Nitobe Japanese Gardens, Botanical Gardens and the lush Pacific Spirit Park.

Stanley Park
No visit to Vancouver would be complete without a ride around the Stanley Park seawall. The flat, paved path is 10 kilometres (6.2 miles) in length and circles the entire park. It offers spectacular views of the North Shore mountains and Lions Gate Bridge. 
Peddle beneath the giant trees in the park. Ride past the rose garden and the Vancouver Rowing Club. There are many places to stop and enjoy the scenery or to picnic on the beachside. Bikes of all sorts-tandem to mountain-can be rented at the entrance to the park.

Grouse / Cypress Mountain Mountain Trails

Strictly mountain biking, no road bikes need apply. There are three major mountain bike areas on the North Shore: Cypress Mountain, Mt Fromme and Mt Seymour. For a long time the mountain bike trails were kept a secret from outsiders. However, you can now purchase route maps at local mountain bike shops. Try HERE for more info.

Sports for Watching

BC Lions Football  The BC Lions ar ehte local Canadina Football League team. Some Vancouverites are fierce supporters, but your correspondent has been a semi-supporter for many years. Whenever it really counts, they hurt me.  I find the Felions an interesting diversion from the sadness I feel on bad game days. As of today (October 05) I can't verify if there is a home game during EMS week, stay posted.

Vancouver Whitecaps Football Club (soccer)  The Whitecaps are a longstanding professional team organization, supporting men's , women's, "reserves" and youth play in the pro and semi-pro lineage.  Part of the United Soccer Leagues.

Vancouver Metro Soccer League  Non-pro, but the Premiere division has upcomers and hopefuls, and these can be very competitive games.