So I received a job offer last week that would entail a move to sunny (ha!) Vancouver. I don't generally make any life decisions without first searching the SP forums, but in all the location pissing contests on ethics spray and slander there wasn't a thread comparing Santa Cruz to Vancouver. So here I am in the completely unbiased California forum.
What should I do? I have recently gotten hooked on rock and ice climbing. I enjoy alpine climbing. I also ski. To a lesser extent, I mountain bike. Importantly I don't surf.
Here are what I see as the pros/cons of Vancouver as they relate to outdoor activities:
Pros:
Closer access to rock/ice/alpine climbing and skiing
Could ski after work
Patchouli smell less prominent, fewer bongo drums
Cons:
Rain
Fantastic mountain biking/trail running no longer outside my back door
Rain
Love the Sierra
Rain
In summary there seems to be a tradeoff between proximity and weather. Where would I be able to access climbing and the mountains more? Other thoughts?