A unique fairy-tale house with a tragic history is being sold at a discount in the mountains of British Columbia, and Metro Vancouver is preparing for record May heat up to 35°C. Meanwhile, the first weekend of the month promises to be busy: from a night market and baseball to congee and a documentary film festival.
A European fairy-tale house lost in the mountains of British Columbia: price falls
In the picturesque mountains of British Columbia, far from civilization, sits a house that looks as if it stepped out of the pages of a fantasy book or a European legend. This is not just real estate but a work of art created by a talented artist, yet its story is darkened by tragedy. Despite its uniqueness and breathtaking views, the sellers have repeatedly had to lower the price, trying to find a buyer who will appreciate the unusual aesthetic and seclusion.
According to Vancouver Is Awesome, the property is located west of Seton Portage, a small settlement northwest of Pemberton. The house overlooks Anderson Lake, offering a breathtaking view, but its main attraction is the architecture itself. The project was created by Zub Aylward, an artist known as the author of the famous “Mushroom House” in Whistler. This house on Highline Road, 20100, was built after that Mushroom House and executed in a similar, unique style. Many elements here look as if they were carved or sculpted by hand, giving the impression that the structure organically grew out of the rock or even slightly melted under the heat of the mountain sun.
Among the most striking details are a bathtub carved from a single piece of granite, a bathroom with a curved mosaic ceiling, stone walls that recall both a Tetris piece and a medieval castle, and a terrace with a canopy that balances between the image of a tree and a giant mushroom. It seems every corner is filled with the artist’s touches: from kitchen tiles to unusual wooden cabinets and an antique stove with an oven. This is a fairy tale embodied in wood and stone.
However, selling this fairy tale has not been easy. Initially the house was listed for an amount close to $3 million. Then, in 2024, the price was reduced to $2.7 million. It is now being offered for $2.25 million. For comparison, the article notes, that is cheaper than the average house in Vancouver. Two price reductions indicate either market difficulties or that such a specific property is searching for its connoisseur. Perhaps the tragic history plays a role: Zub Aylward died in 2018 at age 71. According to police confirmation, the artist was killed on the grounds of this very estate. To date, no one has been arrested in the case. Thus, a potential buyer acquires not just a unique house but also a part of the dramatic fate of its creator.
Hot weekend: Metro Vancouver prepares for record heat
Residents of Metro Vancouver, enjoying mild spring weather, should make the most of the opportunity, because the region is expecting true summer heat in the coming weekend. CityNews Vancouver reports that 1130 NewsRadio meteorologist Michael Kass predicts that the start of May will feel more like the beginning of August. “The wave of summer heat won’t linger long, but it will be significant,” Kass warns. He says temperatures could reach record values on Sunday and Monday.
On the coast the air will warm to a comfortable 22°C, but inland, away from the cooling influence of the ocean, thermometers will rise to 28–29°C. It will be even hotter in the interior of British Columbia — there the meteorologist expects “the mid-thirties,” that is up to 35°C. In his forecast for YVR, Michael Kass guarantees 18°C on Friday — part of the station’s daily Weather Guarantee, when any listener can win a growing jackpot if the forecast is off by more than two degrees.
With the heat comes dry conditions. Kass notes that April was “tinder-dry” — only 26 millimeters of precipitation fell, and rain fell on just 7 of the 30 days. “This dry weather will remain for at least a week, and possibly two,” the expert adds. Residents of the region should prepare for abnormal heat that, although short-lived, could break historical records. While Vancouver prepares for this heat surge, it’s important to remember precautions: drink more water, avoid prolonged sun exposure during peak hours, and be especially attentive to fire safety given the extremely dry ground after an almost rainless April. Full forecasts and live updates can be followed on 1130 NewsRadio Vancouver and on the CityNews Vancouver website (https://vancouver.citynews.ca/2026/05/01/hot-hot-weekend-weather-coming-to-metro-vancouver/), where fresh weather data is published every 10 minutes.
For context: the term “tinder-dry April” means the month was so dry that any spark could easily start a fire — a metaphor emphasizing the extreme lack of moisture. The Weather Guarantee is a radio promotion where listeners can enter a prize draw if the meteorologist’s forecast proves inaccurate. The main takeaway: although short-term heat may feel pleasant, it carries health risks and increases fire danger in a region already facing an unusually dry spring.
Vancouver welcomes May: from night market and baseball to congee and documentary film
The first weekend of May in Vancouver promises to be busy: the city offers dozens of leisure options for every taste. From May 1 to 3, 2026, residents and visitors can attend the White Rock night market, cheer on the Vancouver Canadians at Nat Bailey Stadium, try congee from a Top Chef Canada finalist, or celebrate Taiwanese culture at the TJ Fest. According to Daily Hive, this is just a sample of events that will make the first May weekend memorable.
The central music event will be a concert by Canadian performer of Punjabi descent Karan Aujla, who will take the Rogers Arena stage on May 2. Aujla, a former Vancouver resident, is currently on a major Canadian tour. According to Live Nation, his latest album “P-Pop Culture” set a record with 12.4 million streams, the highest figure for a Punjabi-language album in Canadian history.
For baseball fans, the home season of the Vancouver Canadians runs through the weekend until May 3. At Nat Bailey Stadium the team faces the Hillsboro Hops, and spectators can enjoy classic baseball hot dogs and beer. Those preferring quieter pastime will find something to suit them: a free open day at the lawn bowling club in Queen Elizabeth Park. The club, founded in 1912, invites everyone on May 2 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. to try the sport — organizers ask only that visitors wear flat-soled shoes to avoid damaging the grass.
One of the most notable culinary events will be a one-day pop-up dedicated to congee. Chef Dez Lo, runner-up in Season 10 of Top Chef Canada, has teamed up with seafood supplier EatFish and local sauce brand Holy Duck Chili Oil to serve guests at Shipbuilder's Square in North Vancouver on May 3. Visitors can choose between the classic “OG Seafood Jook” — fish congee with halibut broth and an assortment of fresh West Coast seafood — and the vegetarian “Shroom Jook” — a rich mushroom congee with XO sauce and pickled hon shimeji mushrooms. Each portion costs just $10.
The cultural program is also extremely diverse. In Burnaby, the 15th annual TJ Fest celebrating Taiwanese food and culture runs May 2–3. On the grounds of the Tianjin Temple there will be a food fair, a free kids’ activity zone, and live performances. In Richmond, Harry Point Park will host the “Ships to Shore: Kaiwo Maru” festival from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. A unique feature is the chance to see the famous Japanese training ship Kaiwo Maru, which will berth in historic Steveston for the first time in nearly a decade. Boarding costs $10.29, while the festival program itself (live music on three stages, Japanese crafts, and food trucks) is free. Also on May 2 is Free Comic Book Day — local stores will hand out free comics to anyone using a special location map.
For contemporary art lovers, the Vancouver Art Gallery offers a free evening — every first Thursday of the month from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. admission is free with prior registration. The weekend also begins DOXA, Western Canada’s largest documentary film festival, running through May 10. Its program includes the premiere of “Saigon Story: Two Shootings in the Forest Kingdom” by Oscar-nominated director Kim Nguyen. Also of interest is the Got Craft Spring Market at the Croatian Cultural Centre: 100 Canadian makers will present handmade goods, with food trucks and a mobile bookstore on site. Admission is $5, children under 12 free.
Nightlife fans will enjoy the opening of the White Rock night market, which will operate on May 2 (and then every first Sunday of the month through September), as well as a Cinco de Mayo party at La Casa Astilleros in North Vancouver. Saturday’s event promises special prices, an exclusive menu, a DJ set, and a piñata breaking at 9:00 p.m. Beyond entertainment, note that the BMO Vancouver Marathon will close key roads this weekend, and Atelier Munro House gallery opens downtown. Thus, the first weekend of May in Vancouver combines sports, gastronomy, art, and street festivals, offering something for everyone.
