One of Vancouver’s oldest skateboard parks, China Creek has been around since the beginning. It was on the brink of being demolished in 2006, but the VSBC came to the rescue petitioning to save the park.

Although it has changed over the years with skaters building ramps, funboxes, rails, and quarters, the staples of China Creek remain the same: the tea cup and bathtub, both coping-less bowls. It has been updated (as of 2009) to include a playground and a public seating area where children from the nearby daycare often play (so watch out for toddlers running around). There are no light sources for night time skating, so when the sun goes down, you’ll have to pack it up. China Creek is definitely not the most well equipped skateboard park but it’s still worth a visit if you’re in the area.

China Creek Video

www.youtube.com/watch?v=l35JOHUvsio

How To Get There

Located within China Creek Park, closest to the intersection of Clark Dr. and East Broadway.

Shop Information

Shop Name: Street to Snow
Address: 3807 Hastings Street Burnaby, BC
Website: www.streettosnow.com
Phone: 604-299-7669
Store Hours: Mon-Tue: 11am – 6pm, Wed-Fri: 11am – 7pm, Sat: 10am – 6pm, Sun 12pm – 5pm

When and why did you establish the shop?

I established the shop in the summer of 2008. The reason I started this shop was to service the North Burnaby area and also offer customers a price-break on clothes.

What makes your shop unique in Vancouver?

What makes Street to Snow unique is that we are a skate shop with low prices. We sell all our apparel and shoes at 50 – 70% off everyday because the product might be a few seasons old.

What’s the best part of running your shop?

Best part is interacting with customers, getting to meet people and getting kids stoked on skating. We welcome anyone who is interested in skating and will help them get on their first board.

What products do you sell?

We sell everything on the apparel side from shoes to accessories at low prices. We also sell completes, pro decks, trucks, wheels, hardware, bearings, bushings, skate tools & longboards/cruisers.

Are there any particular products that you want to promote?

Since we’re still new to the North Burnaby area we want to promote that we carry everything to do with skateboarding and that we’re North Burnaby’s one-stop shop.

Who are your typical customers?

We get a wide range of customers due to us being a unique shop. We get everyone from the core skater to people who like the brands but don’t necessarily skateboard.

Any famous people visit your shop?

Haha, no unfortunately not yet. But who knows right? Maybe Stallone will walk through the door tomorrow. I’d be stoked to meet Rambo or Chico Brenes. Which ever.

Any parks/skate spots near your shop?

Yea we’re centrally located to Hastings Bowl, Lee Side, Confederation Park and Bonsor.

Do you have any shop riders?

Not yet, we’re still pretty new and are on a tight budget but we plan on putting one together in the near future.

Any other shout outs?

I want to thank all the customers and suppliers who have supported the shop and helped us get to this point.

Do you have anything else to say about your shop?

If you’re at one of the local parks or even ripping by on Hastings come by and say hi. We’re a no attitude shop and everyone is welcome. Brands we carry (that I can mention) are Zero, Mystery, Plan B, Independent, Ricta, Krux, Force, Bullet, Santa Cruz, Fallen, RDS, DC, Circa, Split and more…

Garden City Skateboard Spot is a little gem hidden inside an otherwise regular park. Although it only has a manny pad, a ledge, and a small round rail, this skateboard spot is purpose built for skateboarding. The ledge and manny pad have coping for smooth slides and grinds, the rail is solidly cemented in place, and the ground is skate park smooth. This is definitely a great place to get your basics down before stepping it up to the street or bigger skateboard parks.

If you do get tired of skating Garden City, the Minoru Park Skateboard Spot is also nearby for your skateboarding pleasure.

Garden City Video

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How To Get There

Located in Garden City Park in Richmond, near Garden City Rd. and Alberta Rd.

The skateboard spot located in Minoru Park is situated under a shaded pathway making it a great place to keep cool while getting some lines in. The spot features rows of concrete seats which make good ledge/manual pads, a couple of round rails, and a few sets of stairs for your skateboarding pleasure. Although the ground is tiled with brick making it a bumpy ride, once you get used to it, you can definitely have an awesome skateboarding session.

As well, the Garden City Skateboard Spot is a couple of minutes down Granville/Garden City Rd. If you feel like skating a spot more like a skate park, that’s your closet bet.

Minaru Video

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How To Get There

Located on Granville St. in Richmond, closest to the intersection of Minaru St. and Granville St.

A skate spot which has been around for quite some time, ICBC on Kingsway has earned its stay in skateboarding. ICBC features a few ledges, a couple of which are facing downhill, giving the spot some variety for your grinds and slides. After years of skate use, however, the ledges have been worn down and have become super chunky. If you want to have a good long grind or slide, bringing some wax is a must. As well, ICBC has security patrolling around during office hours so it’s best to come after work rather than risk getting hassled by security.

Also nearby (down the block) is the Charles Dickens Elementary Skate Spot. Why you wouldn’t skate there instead is beyond us as it has a larger variety of obstacles.

ICBC Video

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How To Get There

Located on Windsor St. in Vancouver, closest to the intersection of Kingsway and Windsor St.

Charles Dickens was completely renovated in 2009 coincidentally making it skateboard friendly. This skate spot contains a number of small ledges, a couple sets of stairs (3-5 stairs), and a planter waxed on both sides which makes the it perfect for getting the basics down. The only downside to Dickens is that the ground is textured, making it just a bit bumpy. The ICBC Skate Spot is also nearby if you’re done skating the school or want a change of place.

Charles Dickens School Spot Video

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How To Get There

Located on Windsor St. In Vancouver, closest to the intersection of Windsor St. and Glen Dr.

Richmond Skatepark is a little slice of concrete heaven for anyone looking for a good skatepark in Richmond. This park contains quarter pipes, a half-pipe, half-moon bowls, stairs, round and flat rails, hubbas, ledges and even a uniquely built pole-ride flat bar. There’s pretty much something for every type of skater, so there’s always something new to try out. For all those skaters used to perfectly flat skatepark concrete, you’re out of luck at Richmond Skatepark. The park is built with regular pavement and over the years it’s been warping, making things a bit uneven. Shouldn’t stop you from landing some steezy tricks though, right?

Richmond Skatepark Video

www.youtube.com/watch?v=tay3lHAnSpU

How To Get There

Located on River Rd. in Richmond, closest to the intersection of River Rd. and Lynas Ln.

Looking for somewhere dry to skateboard during the fall and winter months can be pretty tough in Vancouver. With the spots few and far in between, you’re better off just staying inside and playing some EA Skate. If you have to skate though, then T&T’s your safest bet. The lot is usually filled with cars until the shop closes at 10pm. There’s a strip of flat spanning the entire parking lot, which usually stays dry if it’s not pouring out. There’s waxed curbs, a manny pad, and even a bank. Why these things are here, I have no idea, but it’ll break up the monotony of skateboarding flat the entire time.

How To Get There

Quilchena Skateboard park is a quaint little neighborhood park located in the west-side of Vancouver. During the summer Kerrisdale Community Center holds what they call Skamp (skateboard camp) and when we went there in the early morning it was chock-full of kids. No worries though as their parents came to pick them up around noon leaving the park entirely empty.

The skateboard park features 2 identical hubbas for regular and goofy skaters, some pyramids and banks, a long mini-rail, some ledges, and our favorite, a granite-topped funbox.

Quilchena Skatepark Video

www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7t3PZp6dh0

How To Get There

Located at Quilchena Park at 4590 Magnolia St. Vancouver (access off Arbutus St. between 30th and 33rd Ave).