skiing/boarding
swimming
hiking
biking
fishing
diving
sailing
surfing
canoeing
kayaking
golfing
etc...

You name it.

Which cities around the world offer the best selection for this sort of thing and the closest to a complete package, with all the urban conveniences and whatnot?

(A little deja vu for SSP'ers, but reposted here in hopes of getting a more global assortment of responses.)

BOULDER, COLORADO!!!!!!!!

Zurich - what else ;)

- highest density of covered and open swimming pools
- many sporting facilities (indoors and outdoors) in every neighbourhood
- three major rivers and four bigger lakes with optimal water quality for swimming, fishing, surfing, diving and sailing in metro
- skiing and hiking mountain areas one hour by public transport from the center reachable
- several hills and forests for recreation as jogging, hiking, grilling etc. in the city

What other city can compete with that? Well you may say Vancouver, but the water quality is not the best there ;)

What other city can compete with that? Well you may say Vancouver, but the water quality is not the best there ;)
Have you been reading the SSP thread on this, or has Vancouver become that famous for it?

I don't know what you mean by water quality there, but I have yet to find a piece of poo floating in any natural swimming areas around here. ;)

The one other place in North America that seems to get a lot of mention and gives us a run for the title is Los Angeles. They seem to be better for aquatic recreation, whereas we are for alpine. But over there, there are actually public advisories against going in the water. :D

Hamilton Ontario

Hiking (HQ to the 500-mile Bruce Trail)

Sailing

Rowing

Home of the 'Around the Bay' race, the oldest running race in NA

Mountain Biking and Road Racing (hosted 2003 World Championship)

Ice Climbing (over 60 waterfalls within the city limits)

Vancouver is quite well known for its outdoor recreation, due to its location between the ocean and the mountains, and the giant Stanley Park right downtown. I can't comment on that personally though, never having been there. Calgary is another good one, with the mountains (Banff and Jasper National Parks, plus Yoho just a little further in BC) just half an hour a way.

Basically, any city with nearby forests, mountains, oceans, etc. is going to be good, especially if there are parks and protected areas.

Well, as i said in the SSP thread, In Los Angeles, you can do every single one of those activities within a hour of downtown Los Angeles, and on a very high level. Because of the amazing topography and geological features of LA, you can snowboard on 10,000 foot peaks, surf 7 foot waves, go camping in an alpine forest, or go to a desolate desert. You can also kayak through amazing caves at Catalina Island or go snorkeling there, of course all the ocean activites, or go to one of our many lakes around here, as well as go fly fishing or deep water fishing, or go to a river, etc etc etc.

whatever your choice, you can do it in LA.

other cities that have a wonderful variety would be San Francisco, Vancouver, San Diego, Seattle, and some of the Cities in Colorodo.

SEATTLE - you can ski, kayak, hike, fish, go crabbing/clamming, hunting, and all that fun stuff.

But most cities in the Pacific Northwest (of the USA) and Vancouver, Canada are nice outdoorsy kind of cities.

Well, as i said in the SSP thread, In Los Angeles, you can do every single one of those activities within a hour of downtown Los Angeles, and on a very high level. Because of the amazing topography and geological features of LA, you can snowboard on 10,000 foot peaks, surf 7 foot waves, go camping in an alpine forest, or go to a desolate desert. You can also kayak through amazing caves at Catalina Island or go snorkeling there, of course all the ocean activites, or go to one of our many lakes around here, as well as go fly fishing or deep water fishing, or go to a river, etc etc etc.

whatever your choice, you can do it in LA.

other cities that have a wonderful variety would be San Francisco, Vancouver, San Diego, Seattle, and some of the Cities in Colorodo.

I agree with LA. It's more a city for outdoor recreation especially the beaches.

HK on the other hand is dense but the city has alot of nice places for outdoor recreation. We have alot of beaches like Repulse Bay or Sai Kung. The city also has alot of hiking trails and country parks.

Probably LA, for reasons stated above...

You cant do half of the stuff listed here...

Probably LA, for reasons stated above...

You cant do half of the stuff listed here...

LA has alot of beaches and it's just LA but also Orange and Ventura counties. And I think LA is more the city where you spend more of your time outdoors. Not just recreational activities and sports but shopping as well. Ok, the city has alot of malls but alot of shopping centres are outdoors as well like Melrose, Third St. Promenade in Santa Monica or Oldtime Pasadena.

Beaches are not exactly hard to come by in many cities around the world. Even more northern cities such as New York have beaches (Coney Island, Staten Island), as do Toronto and Vancouver.

Beaches are not exactly hard to come by in many cities around the world. Even more northern cities such as New York have beaches (Coney Island, Staten Island), as do Toronto and Vancouver.

Yes but I can't imagine going to the beach there especially at winter!

Have you been reading the SSP thread on this, or has Vancouver become that famous for it?

I don't know what you mean by water quality there, but I have yet to find a piece of poo floating in any natural swimming areas around here. ;)

The one other place in North America that seems to get a lot of mention and gives us a run for the title is Los Angeles. They seem to be better for aquatic recreation, whereas we are for alpine. But over there, there are actually public advisories against going in the water. :D
No, I am never in SSP but I know people from Vancouver - and one working in the environmental studies - and they didn't say the best about it. Clear the city is still one of the best in the world, but the only negative aspect it has is the water quality and it seems to be even worse than what the media says...

SYDNEY, or just about all the other Ozzy cities

Singapore's bayfront right in the heart of the city provides extensive space for all forms of water sports, which are popular here.

http://www.singaporecanlah.com/singapore_today/kallang/small/22nd_june_01.jpg
http://www.singaporecanlah.com/singapore_today/kallang/small/22nd_june_02.jpg
http://www.singaporecanlah.com/singapore_today/kallang/small/22nd_june_05.jpg
http://straitstimes.asiaone.com/STI/STIMEDIA/sp/PLAN/PLAN.jpg

http://files.photojerk.com/RafflesCity/newd.jpg

There are also several amenities like golf courses and driving ranges here.
In particular, the new Marina East Golf Course is next to the CBD.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v133/RafflesCity/SB5.jpg

In Australia: PERTH

Yes but I can't imagine going to the beach there especially at winter!
Their summers are warm enough for people to have a good time at the beach.

Hong Kong's Outdoor Recreation Options

Beach

http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong/20030414/RIMG6049.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong/20030414/RIMG5974.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong/20051018/IMG_2685.jpg

Hiking

http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong/20051011/OCT11-S01-092.jpg

Boating & cruising the waters

http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong/20051018/IMG_2763.jpg

Scuba diving and roaming the reefs
http://skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=382640

http://www.pbase.com/elijahip/image/57589394.jpg