Skier at the top of Grouse Mountain over Vancouver
Vancouver is world famous for its natural beauty, outdoor lifestyle, food scene, shopping and all the amazing activities you can do in and around the city. Many people say that summer is the best time to visit this beautiful British Columbia city, and while those months are wonderful, winter is just as brilliant.
Vancouver's mild climate means you can explore all its attractions all year round, and with fewer people in the winter months, it's a great time of year to visit.
Here, we take a look at Vancouver in winter and reveal all the amazing things you can see and do in and around the city during this time of year.
The best things to do in Vancouver in winter
- Discover Vancouver's culinary scene
- Ski and snowboard in Vancouver
- Explore the mountains around Vancouver
- Enjoy the canyon lights from the Capilano Suspension Bridge
- Winter festivals in Vancouver
- Enjoy Vancouver's indoor attractions
Discover Vancouver's culinary scene
Discover Vancouver's world-class culinary scene
Vancouver prides itself on the quality and variety of its cuisine, and with good reason. From the freshness of home-grown tomatoes and carrots to the deliciousness of a shared dish of BC shrimp ramen, Vancouverites know good food when they taste it.
Whatever time of year you visit, just eat in one of Vancouver's best restaurants and you'll be spoilt for choice! The stars are shining brightly on Vancouver as the city's first MICHELIN guide was launched this autumn. Another 40 restaurants have been "recommended" by the MICHELIN Guide website.
Geena, one of the bloggers behind Beyond the Bucket List explainswhy Vancouver's food scene is one of the best in the world:
"I'm obsessed with Vancouver. The city is beautiful, ethnically diverse, cyclist (and vanlife) friendly and close to wild destinations like the Sea to Sky Highway in Whistler and Vancouver Island. But the real draw is the food. 40% of Vancouver's population is made up of immigrants, which is probably (definitely) the reason for its killer food scene."
Skiing and snowboarding in Vancouver
Vancouver is home to some superb ski resorts
One of the most popular things to do in Vancouver in winter is skiing and snowboarding.
Although the city itself enjoys a mild climate, you can head to the nearby North Shore mountains, around 30 minutes away, and ski at places like Mont Seymour, Mont Grouse and Cypress Mountain. These three ski resorts offer world-class skiing and snowboarding conditions and each has plenty of ski runs for you to enjoy.
Another ski resort you can enjoy from Vancouver, albeit just under 2 hours away, is the iconic Whistler Blackcomb ski resort. With all these famous ski resorts within easy reach, Vancouver is the perfect base for a ski holiday.
Of course, with so much activity, you're going to need a place to rest your head. Whether you're looking for something cozy and quaint, or modern and luxurious, you'll find a plethora of options in Vancouver. Look Hotels at tophotels.com to find your perfect accommodation match.
Josy, who has her own lifestyle blog called A Walk and a Lark, is a Londoner who moved to Vancouver, and she says she loved skiing Grouse Mountain: "Skiing Grouse Mountain is a fantastic option if you live in Vancouver and want to get to a ski resort with very little effort. It's incredibly easy to get to the mountain by public transport and on a clear day you get fantastic views of Vancouver and Burrard Inlet.
Explore the mountains around Vancouver
The Grouse Mountain gondola in winter
If you're staying in Vancouver but skiing and snowboarding aren't activities you'd like to try, there are plenty of other ways to explore the mountains around the city.
You can take the Skyride to Grouse Mountain, the largest aerial tramway system in North America, and enjoy spectacular views of Vancouver, the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf Islands. If you're a photographer, you'll be able to get some fantastic shots of the mountainous landscape.
Other activities you can enjoy on the mountain include ice skating, snowshoeing, tubing, cross-country skiing and tobogganing, to name but a few.
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Enjoy the canyon lights at the Capilano suspension bridge
Christmas lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
The famous Capilano Suspension Bridge is a must-see no matter what time of year you're in Vancouver, but in winter, during the run-up to Christmas, you can see the suspension bridge illuminated from end to end with a changing multi-coloured Display.
The Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park don't just light up the bridge, they illuminate the river below and the rainforest around the bridge is also lit from the treetops to the forest floor. You can walk through the forest and the 'Arc de Lumina' light tunnel, which winds along part of the Cliffwalk.
Winter festivals in Vancouver
Vancouver Christmas Market
Vancouver really comes alive during the winter months, with beautiful Christmas lights all over the city and lots of great events.
Here are some of the most popular winter festivals for you to enjoy.
Festival of Lights at VanDusen Botanical Gardens
The Festival of Lights is a must-visit as the 15 acres of the VanDusen Botanical Gardens are illuminated with over a million lights. You can stroll through the gardens and see unique themed areas and light features while listening to music and delicious treats.
Vancouver Christmas Market
If you're heading to the city during the festive season, you must visit the Vancouver Christmas Market. The German-inspired market is one of the largest traditional Christmas markets in North America. Here you can sample German and European cuisine, buy handcrafted gifts in the Kaufmannsgasse (shopping alley) or enjoy a drink at the Christmas Pyramid.
Denise Wegener, Chair of the Vancouver Christmas Market, told us why the festival is a great place for foodies to visit:
"Every year we know that more and more foodies are coming to the Vancouver Christmas Market to try new specialities from all over Europe.
This year, we're offering delicious and tasty European dishes such as Austrian Gulasch, Dutch Poffertjes, Swiss Raclette and German Schnitzel and, of course, the traditional Bratwurst. The Market also has plenty of options for those following a gluten-free, vegetarian or vegan diet.
VMF Winter Arts
The VMF Winter Arts Festival, held in February, is a free event that transforms downtown Vancouver into an open-air gallery and celebration of art, lights and entertainment.
There will be music, tours, lectures, dancing and food and drink celebrating Vancouver and its diverse communities.
PNE Winter Fair
At the PNE Winter Fair, you can enjoy a Christmas market and try your hand at ice skating at their indoor rink. There are also holiday theatre shows, a light exhibition and live concerts every evening of the fair.
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Enjoy Vancouver's indoor attractions
The Vancouver Science Museum
While Vancouver is a great city to visit if you love the outdoors, there are plenty of indoor attractions you can check out.
Explore the museums
Vancouver is a hub for museums and galleries, and we recommend setting aside a day to explore these iconic attractions. Here are some of the museums and galleries we recommend you visit:
-Vancouver Art Gallery - one of the most famous art galleries in North America, you can see photographs by masters such as Ansel Adams and Emily Carr as well as a large collection of British historical paintings and works by famous Canadian painters.
-Science World - with exhibits ranging from the human body and plants to dinosaur exhibits and art displays, you're sure not to get bored.
-Vancouver Museum - if you want to find out more about Vancouver's past, a visit to this museum is a must as you'll be taken on a journey to see the city as it was in 1900 right up to the present day.