As we continue hiking south along rugged Grizzly Ridge, the spectacular heart of the Bugaboo Range draws ever nearer. The iconic peaks of Bugaboo Spire and Snowpatch Spire rise regally above the emerald green chasm of the Vowell Valley, showing more than 4,000 feet of relief. This 15 mile stretch of trail-less ridge crest may be one of the finest ridge walks in western Canada. And the best thing about this airy traverse is that it seems to go on forever, the view growing more sublime with each boot step.

Finally, at a minor summit along the many undulations in Grizzly Ridge, our guide Kellie points down to a small flat spot a few hundred feet below. 'That's our pick up point,' she tells our group of six fit hikers who have come from every corner of North America. 'We've done the entire ridge route, and that's rare. Time to head for the lodge.' Pulling out her radio, Kellie lets the Bugaboo Lodge helicopter pilot, Chad, know that we have reached the end of the trail.

In short order, the unmistakable drumbeat of the big Bell 212 reverberates among the peaks, heralding the appearance of the helicopter in the familiar red and white livery of Canadian Mountain Holidays. Chad deftly touches down on the ridge crest, and the six of us and Kellie pile in the big flying machine (we are old hands at safe and proper loading by now). In less than 15 minutes we're already enjoying a cold brew from the roof top hot tub of the company's Bugaboo Lodge. There's no escaping the obvious: even hard-core hikers eventually give in to the massive appeal of this kind of treatment. I'm thinking: it's truly irresistible. I could get used to this.

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Searching for life's inspiration, I find myself crossing the border into Canada at Osoyoos (O'sue:ews). I'm heading for the northern confines of the Okanagan Valley, British Columbia to challenge my skills in a Nordic Boot Camp at Silver Star Resort. Revered by enthusiasts, the mountain is known for its Interior BC feather-light powder, and a season that kicks off 3 weeks earlier than most in the region. For 4-6 weeks starting in November Nordic Camps attract skiers of all of ages, some with skills that range up to National Team and Olympic caliber. At an elevation of 6,000, Silver Star makes for the perfect aerobic training ground, which was the launching point for many hopefuls during the 2010 Olympics at Whistler/Blackcomb.

An easy flight from Seattle (1 hr) or Vancouver (38 min), I've chosen to drive in order to immerse myself in the visual impact of the country-side. A valley that in the summer months reflects the far northern reaches of the Sonoran Life Zone, it includes semi-desert landscape species found nowhere else in Canada. The Okanagan is considered by many the Napa Valley of Canada, and called by locals the Wine Country Center of the World. As I make my way past the towns of Oliver, Penticton (home of the Canadian Ironman), Summerland and Kelowna it's obvious that wine flourishes here as every side road boasts a vineyard or Estate Winery, some which appear to end at someone's home grown garage. A scene dominated by Lake Country, the tranquil up-valley passing of Osoyoos Lake, Vaseux Lake, Skaha Lake, and 70 mile Okanagan Lake keep me engaged with every twist of the shoreline.

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