Vancouver is a city located in British Colombia, Canada. Vancouver is a beautiful city surrounded by scenic mountains and is a wonderful place to do some winter activities.
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Vancouver is located on the West Coast of Canada in British Colombia. It is known for its one-of-a-kind scenic views of both the city and the mountains. There are so many fun winter activities in Vancouver that you need to do.
This post will go over winter activities in Vancouver, things to do in the Vancouver winter months, Vancouver winter temperature, things to do in Vancouver Canada, and so much more.
Here you will learn about and be able to enjoy some fun winter activities in Vancouver like skiing in the mountains, skating at Robson Square, visiting Gastown, walking the Stanley Park Seawall, a day trip to Whistler, and so much more.
This post is all about Winter Activities In Vancouver.
The winter season in Vancouver is from mid-November to mid-March. The temperatures are anywhere from 36 degrees Fahrenheit to 43 degrees Fahrenheit. With the coldest month being December. Vancouver does experience a fairly mild winter compared to the rest of Canada. Vancouver also gets some snow as well. But if you love the outdoors, Vancouver is a great place to visit during the winter months.
Winter in Vancouver is very wet. Be sure to wear a winter jacket, a hat, gloves, a scarf, boots, and warm clothing. Maybe pack snow pants if you are planning on doing some skiing, tubing, etc. A good idea would be to pack waterproof hiking boots for times when it is super wet or rainy/ snowy or if you are hiking up in the mountains.
A great place to stay in Vancouver is Wedgewood Hotel & Spa – Relais & Chateaux. This luxurious hotel has a full-service spa, an amazing fitness center, a sauna, a luxurious lounge, a restaurant, and more. The rooms are very fancy and stylish. This hotel is located within walking distance of Robson Street, Canada Place, and the Vancouver Convention Centre.
Another amazing place to stay in Vancouver is The St. Regis Hotel. This hotel has 2 amazing restaurants on site, has a bar, and also serves complimentary breakfast in the mornings. The rooms are very clean and modern and the hotel is located in a prime location. The restaurants are the Gotham Steakhouse and Cocktail Bar which serves American cuisine and St. Regis Bar and Grill. Also close to the Vancouver Convention Centre.
Another great option for accommodation in Vancouver is the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel. This hotel is connected to the Vancouver Convention Centre and Canada Place Cruise Ship Terminal. It also offers spectacular views of Vancouver, the mountains, and the waterfront. The rooms have contemporary decor and are very cozy. The hotel also includes a gym, a hot tub, steam rooms, pool, patios, and more. Gastown is also just a short walk.
Skiing and snowboarding are some of the most popular winter activities in Vancouver. With all the mountains surrounding the city and the perfect weather where it is not too cold how could you not try skiing/snowboarding? The most popular mountains to do some skiing are the North Shore Mountains which include Grouse Mountain, Seymour Mountain, and Cypress Mountain.
Each mountain has its different terrains which is great for all types of skiing. Grouse Mountain has the least amount of runs but does include 5 terrain parks making it great for snowboarders. Seymour Mountain has more runs the Grouse Mountain and it is great for cross-country skiers and those who are new to skiing. Cypress Mountain has the most amount of runs and is the biggest of the 3. Cypress Mountain is great for experienced skiers and for those looking to be more adventurous.
If you are not much of a skiier or snowboarder then tubing is for you. With tubing, you could still enjoy the beautiful mountains of Vancouver. Tubing at Cypress Mountain is the best at Gnarly’s Tube Park. The best would be to buy tickets ahead of time in case there is no more availability before you head up. There are 6 tubing chutes which are about 100 meters long. For younger kids, there is also a sliding park that is super safe. Super fun for everyone.
Snowshoeing is a unique activity to try. The best place to try snowshoeing is nowhere other than Vancouver’s North Shore Mountains. There are flat beginner trails and advanced mountain summit trails. Both are truly amazing to experience and try. Some of these trails can be hour-long trails or up to 5-hour-long trails, choose what is best for you.
Snowshoeing takes a lot of effort so slow and steady is the way to go unless you’ve done this before. While snowshoeing make sure you take in the amazing views of the beautiful mountains and get some amazing photos.
Located in the centre of the city Robson Square is a great place to do some ice skating when visiting Vancouver in the winter. Skating at Robson Square is free and the ice rink is also covered by a dome so it is good to use in any weather. The ice rink is open in the winter months and during Christmas time it is decorated with Christmas and holiday decor.
The walk at the Stanley Park Seawall is absolutely amazing. The brisk walk on a winter day is very relaxing while you take in the amazing view of the Ocean, Coal Harbour, and the Vancouver skyline. The walk is best done early in the morning for sunrise or at night for sunset. The view at sunrise or sunset is just breathtaking. The walk could take anywhere from 2-3 hours to complete the whole thing. There are also many great spots for photos like Brockton Point Lighthouse, the Lions Gate Bridge, Siwash Rock, and more.
Gastown is one of the most famous neighborhoods in Vancouver, British Colombia. Gastown is also home to the historic steam clock, one of very few left in the world. It is powered by steam and whistles to tell time. Gastown is a neighborhood with beautiful cobblestone streets and many historic buildings. This area is great to explore during the winter months.
Gastown’s scene is very trendy and hip and you can find a mix of art galleries, souvenir shops, trendy food and cocktails, unique fashion trends, hip cafes, and much more.
Granville Island is known for its famous public food market, artisan shops, seafood meals, and much more. Granville Island is a peninsula close to downtown Vancouver. To reach Granville Island you can take the Falso Creek Ferry, the Aquabus, or walk along the Granville Street Bridge. Be sure to enjoy some seafood while here as it is known to be amazing.
The Stanley Park Train is also another popular attraction in Vancouver. Stanley Park is located right in the centre of Vancouver with amazing views of the city and ocean. The train has over 200,000 passengers that ride it every year. The train ride is approximately 15 minutes and it goes through tunnels, a forest, and during the winter it also has a seasonal festive theme with millions of lights. The Bright Nights Train is the train that runs throughout the holidays and it is an amazing experience.
The Sea To Sky Gondola is a 10-minute very scenic gondola ride that takes you up to the Summit Lodge. The Summit Lodge has a beautiful viewing platform where you can see the amazing nature and mountains from above. An absolutely stunning panoramic view. The Lodge also has 2 restaurants and a gift shop for souvenirs. You can also go for a hike up here or even try snowshoeing. There is also a Sky Pilot Suspension Bridge up there that you can walk over if you are feeling adventurous.
The Capilano Suspension Bridge crosses over the Capilano River in North Vancouver. The Bridge is 140 meters long and about 70 meters above the River. From the bridge, you can see amazing views of the forest, the treetops, and the Capilano River. If you love nature then this is a must-see for you. During the winter months around the holidays from November until January, the Park has a Canyon Lights Winter Festival where the trees are decorated with lights to bring that true Christmas spirit.
An amazing activity you have to do when visiting Vancouver is the Zipline at Grouse Mountain and Dam Mountain. This zipline has a 5-circuit tour which will take you through the treetops of Grouse and Dam Mountains which last about 90 minutes. The view from up here is just mesmerizing and needs to be on your Vancouver Bucket List.
A fun and relaxing winter activity in Vancouver is exploring the Christmas Markets and the Winter Markets. One of the best ones is held at the Jack Poole Plaza. These markets are filled with beautiful lights, decor, little shops, art vendors, food venues, bars, cute cafes, and much more. A great way to get in the Christmas spirit.
Whistler is located just North of Vancouver and should be on everyone’s Bucket List. Whistler is home to the Whistler Blackcomb Ski Resort which is the largest ski resort in all of North America. There are so many fun things to do besides skiing here like snowshoeing or tobogganing. The Whistler Blackcomb was also a venue for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. You could also enjoy the restaurants and cafes in the beautiful village located at the bottom of the mountains.
The Vancouver Canucks is British Colombia’s NHL Hockey Team. The team plays at the Rogers Arena. If you are an NHL fan then this is a must for you.
A unique thing to do in Vancouver is to visit Chinatown. Vancouver’s Chinatown is known as the largest Chinatown in Canada. It has lots of amazing restaurants, and gardens, and also holds the annual Chinese New Year Parade which is held around late January into February.
The Museum of Anthropology is located at the University of British Colombia in Vancouver. It has the world’s best collection of the Northwest Coast Indigenous Antiques. The galleries show cultures from all over the world. Be sure to also check out the Piedra del Sol which is the famous sunstone associated with the Museum.
Science World is one of the most favored attractions if you are traveling with kids to Vancouver in the winter. Science World is a non-profit center that is open 7 days a week. There are so many cool and interesting things to learn and see inside. There are also live science shows daily and many interactive exhibits for kids. A great place for both kids and adults to visit.
The Vancouver Aquarium is located in Stanley Park in Vancouver and it is a very popular tourist attraction to visit especially in the winter when you are looking to stay warm for a few hours. The Vancouver Aquarium is also a center for marine research, climate study, and marine animal rehabilitation which is very important. During the holidays the aquarium also decorates for Christmas and has Christmas activities.
When visiting Vancouver in the winter be sure to enjoy a snack, meal, or drink outside on a patio. Vancouver has so many amazing patios that you can sit at during the winter while enjoying the beautiful mountains and ocean in the background. A perfect way to relax and take in the scenery.
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