In Canada now for 3 and a half weeks, managed to ski (first time in 24 years), and surf within the space of 2 weeks!
Skiing was great, spring skiing on Blackcomb mountain (next to Whistler, which was closed), a little icy in the morning, a ittle slushy in the afternoon, but fun nonetheless! Got the bug again, bought a pair of ski boots, hope to go back next winter.
Surfed in Tofino, Canada's primo surf destination. Surf wasn't great this time of year: small, a little onshore, all beach breaks with so-so banks, and frigid water 
11 degrees. But pleasantly surprised that felt pretty toasty kitted up with 5/4 steamer, 5 mm booties, hood and gloves. So much so that went out on the 2nd day without hood or gloves.......................big mistake. Instant ice-cream headache when I got caught inside & had to duck under a few. Hood went back on the next day.
Didn't see any orcas but an old-timer told me that he used to surf in the 60's with orcas in the water frequently, and they were curious but never harmed any of the surfers. He said they used to go out in boardies with footy jumpers!! That's hard-core! Another local told me that they get great waves in winter, & that it "wasn't that cold". Water temp only differs by a few degrees, but snow on the beach, 2-3 degrees 
apparently you can surf in the morning & go for a ski/snowboard in the afternoon on Vancouver Island, might try it next time 
Saw bears too, from the safety of a boat. Everyone told us "they're harmless", but 2 guys have been attacked by bears since we've been here! Google "man attacked in outhouse by bear"; pretty funny, although it wouldn't have been at the time for the poor guy who sustained scratches & was scared "**less"!!
Highly recommend Canada, it's our first trip, paddle-surfing above the 49th parallel was a huge buzz 
Kitted up with more rubber than the Michelin Man! Owner of place where we were staying lent me his 12' Hobie. What a beast! Tides are incredible there, had to walk a coupla hundred metres at low tide to get to the water. Frickin' Hobie was so heavy had to stop 3 times & just about dislocated my shoulder!!!
Borrowed a Whopper for last couple of days. got a few fun waves, but no photos, too cold for her to stand on the shore taking photos
Bear butt.
Bears cruise along the rocky shore at low tide, flip the boulders over, & find themselves a nice little feast of fresh crab. This bloke, who was staring at us with his beady eyes (gulp), has a crab between his paws.
What a great experience, would love to go to western Canada. On the 'bucket list'.
Best place in the world! Lived there on and off for over 7 years and as a tourist spring is the best time of year, you can still ski/board on Blackcomb, mountain bike probably the best lift accessed trails in the world on Whistler, lakes have thawed so you can fish and the golf courses are in prime condition. As a local October/November is the best time of year as there is no one around. A couple of photosofmtn bike trails:
This is how you keep them warm while you surf. This was taken at Tofino in March,water was only 4 degrees but sun was out so it was nice.
The black bears really are harmless,especially the ones in Whistler, you can literally chase them and they run away and after a night out it happens more than you think. When I lived in Fernie though, different story as they have Grizzlies and Elk.
Not that harmless, even in Whistler! All the locals said the same thing to us, but check out this report from a few days ago: www.nationalpost.com/m/wp/news/blog.html?b=news.nationalpost.com/2012/06/04/b-c-black-bear-destroyed-after-swatting-man-in-whistler-hot-tub
Being from Coquitlam the guy was probably poaching the hot tub and the bear had just come along to his usual spot for a dip and wanted him to get out.
Bears are all over the place in Whistler, they walk through the middle of town and the amount of times I came home at night only to see a bear in the garbage room were too many to count.
The guy who got eaten in Kelowna was already dead and was on trial for murder or something similar.
Radio talkback here claimed that the spa, or spa cover, had formaldehyde in it, bears love ants as a snack food so the Formic acid-like smell attracted it. Personally I felt sorry for the bear, apparently they used to re-locate them, now they just blow 'em away 
