Vancouver Winter Vacation
Vancouver winter vacation is a perfect time to visit the beautiful city of Vancouver. Through this article I am going to share with you some attractions that you should visit during your winter vacation.
Whether you already have a full-time job or want to save up to spend next year in the warm climates of Hawaii, Mexico, or even Thailand, Vancouver has something for you. Winter is one of the most beautiful times in Vancouver for many people and vacationers alike! If you love being outdoors then here are some great places to visit in Vancouver during winter.
Vancouver: the city that never sleeps! Vancouver is a great place for snow- and winter lovers. We’ve compiled the best of what this city has to offer: skiing, snowmobiling, sledding and a lot more.
It is the time of year when everyone who lives in the west coast starts thinking about the winter vacation. Traveling to various places, experiencing new things and meeting new people have become the new trends in vacations.
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There’s a lot to be said for visiting Vancouver, BC in the winter – namely, it’s a great time of year to experience many of the city’s best tourist attractions without the crowds. Unlike the rest of Canada, winter in Vancouver is relatively mild, so you can still enjoy a ton of outdoor activities. There is lots to do to keep you entertained in Vancouver in the winter, including the can’t-miss activities we’ve listed below.
You’ve probably heard that winter in Vancouver can be grey, dark, and rainy. It’s true – the days are short in December, and the city experiences a lot of rain, but there’s something to be said about grabbing a coffee and watching the drizzle from inside a cozy café. In fact, there are lots of indoor activities to enjoy in Vancouver – sometimes, a rainy day is the perfect excuse to head inside and check out a museum or gallery like the ones we’ve featured here.
Vancouver Winter Vacation
But that’s not to say that you should let a little rain stop you from enjoying the outdoors. As evidenced by the locals who can be seen biking, jogging, and walking their dogs in all weather conditions, Vancouverites never let a little rain stop them from spending time outside. And sunny days in winter in Vancouver are glorious.
Craving snow? We’ve got you covered. You may not find much of the white, fluffy stuff in Vancouver proper, but you won’t need to go far to ski or snowboard in the winter months.
Find out about the best places to visit with our list of the top things to do in winter in Vancouver.
Note: Some businesses may be temporarily closed due to recent global health and safety issues.
1. Catch a Canucks Game
Say it with us now: Go Canucks go! If you can master that chant, then you’ll fit right in at a Vancouver Canucks hockey game. The NHL regular season runs from early October to early April – and, depending on how optimistic you are, the Canucks could continue to play into the late spring, if they make the playoffs.
While hockey fans will get a thrill out of experiencing the action in person, you don’t really need to know anything about hockey to have fun at a Canucks game. The sights and sounds (and tastes and smells of the concession food) are entertaining for new fans and diehard Canucks devotees alike. Visit the Canucks website to see the schedule of games and matchups.
Official site: https://www.nhl.com/canucks
2. Visit the Vancouver Aquarium
When it’s a little wet outside, why not make like a fish and embrace all the water? The Vancouver Aquarium is a fun place to visit in the winter: many of the 30 plus exhibits are indoors, although it’s well worth checking out the outdoor pavilions (Sea lions! Otters! Penguins!) under one of the covered viewing areas. If you’re craving summer, be sure to pop into the Amazon rainforest exhibit for a bit of warmth.
Kids love checking out the marine life at the aquarium, but adults may be interested in scoping out the calendar of special events, which range from after-hours sessions with guest speakers to learning about sustainable seafood to a festive, open-to-the-public holiday gala that takes place every winter.
Official site: https://www.vanaqua.org
3. Ski and Snowboard near Vancouver
If you were hoping to experience a true Canadian winter – snow and all – you might be disappointed to learn that winter in Vancouver typically involves a lot of rain and very little (if any) snow. But the good news is that you don’t have to go very far to find some snow.
The North Shore mountains are just a bridge away from downtown Vancouver, and you can ski and snowboard at all three: Grouse Mountain (33 ski runs), Seymour Mountain (40 ski runs), and Cypress Mountain (53 ski runs).
If you’re willing to travel a little farther, Whistler Blackcomb is one of the top ski resorts in Canada. Roughly two hours from Vancouver, Whistler Blackcomb features more than 200 runs spread over a combined 8,171 acres of terrain. This is a must-do side trip for anyone who loves skiing or snowboarding.
4. Explore the Museum of Anthropology
Framed by the Pacific Ocean and the expansive Pacific Spirit Park, the University of British Columbia is one of the most beautiful campuses in Canada. It also happens to be home to the Arthur Erikson-designed Museum of Anthropology, a spectacular museum that explores the cultures of British Columbia, with an emphasis on its indigenous communities.
The building itself – built in 1976 – is a sight to behold, housing approximately 50,000 different pieces. Take your time wandering through the museum, or join in on an hour-long guided tour for a thorough orientation on the museum’s displays and exhibits.
Official site: https://moa.ubc.ca
5. Shop at the Riley Park Winter Farmers Market at Nat Bailey Stadium
Every Saturday through the winter, the winter farmers market takes place at the Nat Bailey Stadium and Riley Park Plaza. Even in the cold months, dozens of stalls fill the park, offering farm-grown and hand-made local goods.
The Winter Farmers Market is much more than just produce (although you’ll find some of that, too) – there’s local honey, salts, and spices; decadent desserts; fresh bread; and other locally-made treats, not to mention a vast array of non-edible goodies like jewelry, crafts, and yummy-smelling candles. This is a great place to find unique gifts and souvenirs unlike anything you’ll find back home.
Official site: https://eatlocal.org/markets/riley-park
6. Walk the Seawall
Exploring Vancouver’s seawall is an obvious attraction in the summer, but it’s just as worthy in the winter months. You may get lucky and catch Vancouver on a sunny winter’s day, but even on a gloomy, grey day, it can be nice to head outside and catch some fresh air.
Without the summer crowds, a stroll on the seawall is the perfect place to clear your head. While the section of the paved ocean-side trail that follows the perimeter of Stanley Park is popular with tourists, we recommend checking out some other parts of the seawall, like the stretch across the Burrard Bridge that spans from Kitsilano Beach or along Jericho Park.
Both Kitsilano and Jericho feature expanses of sandy beach and are especially peaceful in the quieter winter months.
The key to enjoying the sea wall is dressing for the conditions. Your best bet is a good pair of waterproof shoes and a rain jacket with a hood. An umbrella can do the trick, but it might not be the best line of defense on a windy day, when the rain can fall sideways and tends to flip umbrellas inside out!