Visit Vancouver in Winter
image: Jon Ross Films (Destination BC)
The Team, July 2024
Vancouver is one of the world’s most beautiful modern cities. It couples perfectly with many ski resorts in British Columbia, but none as well as Whistler, as your transfer brings you back through the heart of the city. If you’re thinking it’ll be freezing, think again; temperatures tend to be reasonably mild. And during winter the city is in its low season, which means that not only do hotel prices reflect that, but it’s much quieter than you’ll find it in the summer months.
What's more, there's an amazing array of things to do over the winter in Vancouver, so you need to stay at least a couple of nights or more to do even a small amount of what Vancouver has to offer. Here's our guide to some of the best things to tick off your list.
Canucks Ice Hockey Match
Vancouver's NHL team (think Premier League of ice hockey for the USA and Canada), the Canucks, are based at an indoor stadium in the centre of downtown Vancouver. It’s worth tying in your dates to see them play - it's a true spectacle - and the schedule is already available for 2024/25 season. Here's a recap of their best moments from 2023/24:
Float Plane Sightseeing
Destination Vancouver/Harbour Air
We think this isn’t one to miss. Take off from the harbour right in the heart of the city. Sometimes you get to sit next to the pilot while you fly to see some of the Sea to Sky Highway by air, before circling the city and landing back. At around $170 a ticket we think it’s pretty good value too.
Visiting Granville Island
(by water taxi)
Image: Destination Vancouver/Hubert Kang
Granville Island is famous for its food hall, you can wander around looking at amazing local produce before getting something to eat at one of the many hot stalls. Eat outside on the benches with amazing views over the city, sometimes if it’s a weekend and sunny you’ll be serenaded by a busker. And the only way to arrive in Granville is by Water Taxi, they only cost a few bucks and are infinitely more fun than a bridge.
Easter Whales and Bears
Prince of Whales whale watching tours (Destination Vancouver)
Sadly they don’t deliver chocolate eggs, but if you’re visiting over April then whale watching excursions are running and (usually) the orphaned grizzly bears atop Grouse Mountain are up and about. If it’s wildlife you’re after we’d also have to recommend a visit to the aquarium at Stanley Park to see the sea otters.
Capilano Suspension Bridge
Capilano Suspension Bridge at night with Canyon Lights (Destination Vancouver)
A key Vancouver attraction we’d argue is better in winter than summer, mainly because for good chunks of the winter it’s lit up with over a million fairy lights. We particularly like the pink ones in February for Valentines Day.
Sea Wall Cycle
Stanley Park is 1,000 acres of temperate rainforest connected to the city, and there’s 10km of Sea Wall running around the outside. As it’s likely your legs are a little tired from skiing, we always recommend hiring a bike. It’s quite nice to do on the final day of your holiday and get some exercise prior to your flight home - it’ll help you sleep!
FlyOver Canada
Missed seeing the rest of Canada? No problem! Head to Canada Place and you can do a 4D ride across Canada in a matter of minutes. Sometimes over the winter it can get drizzly in Vancouver so it can be a great option then.
Kids covered
Vancouver Aquairum (Destination Vancouver/Kate Milford)
If you’re after things to do as a family then no problem. The Aquarium is one of our favourite attractions and our highlight is always the sea otters, so cute. Science World is a perfect way to let kids run amok while you sit down with a coffee. There's lots of shopping for older kids too, and the exchange rate is still being relatively kind to us. Plus there are lots of spots to ice skate; our favourite is getting the ferry over to North Van which has amazing views of the downtown skyline.
Adults sorted
Exploring the Museum of Anthropology in Vancouver (Destination Vancouver/Kindred & Scout)
We’d need another blog to write all about the food, there are great bars in each of the neighbourhoods in the downtown area. If you’re feeling flush then walk down Alberni Street, full of high-end retail. Plus the array of exhibitions, galleries and museums is excellent – we always recommend the Vancouver Art Gallery and Museum of Anthropology which has just reopened with the most amazing First Nations display.
Ski (more!)
Downhill skiers and snowboarders on Cypress Mountain with views of the chairlift and Vancouver (Destination BC/Kelsey Dennison)
There are three ski mountains around Vancouver. Now you’ll have probably got your ski fix by this stage, but if you want to tick another resort off and gain extra bragging rights then off you go. Plus we love the panoramic views of Vancouver Downtown from the peak of Grouse and Cypress Mountains.
Find out more about vistiing Vancouver before or after your BC ski holiday by speaking to us on 0131 243 8097 on Enquire Online