Vancouver winter travel shouldn’t be feared. There are plenty of things to do in Vancouver during the winter. I had an amazing trip to Vancouver in December. For some reasons, traveling to Vancouver, Canada during winter might even be better.
This quick Vancouver winter travel guide shares the highlights of my long weekend trip. This post shares places to stay in Vancouver, as well as things to do and eat in the city. If you are looking for inspiration to travel to Vancouver in the winter, you’ve come to the right place!
Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links. This means that I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products, hotels and experiences that I personally use, love and spend my own money on.
Things to Do in Vancouver in Winter
Explore Gastown
Make time to explore Gastown on your winter trip to Vancouver. Exploring this area is one of my favorite things to do in Vancouver in general. This is the oldest neighborhood in the city and it shines with unique architecture and details unlike the rest of Vancouver.
The cobble streets add to the allure. Gastown has great places to eat, cool shops and galleries, and plenty of spots to grab a drink. The steam clock is a must-see and shines beautifully amongst the holiday decorations and street lights.
Visit Capilano Suspension bridge Park
The Capilano Suspension Bridge is a must-see any time of year. I was very fortunate on my winter trip to Vancouver to experience the bridge in the most magical setting. Right as I arrived the snow started to fall, covering the entire scene surrounding the bridge in perfect white snow.
The one downside for me was that the weather did cause parts of the park to shut down. The other side of the bridge has more to be seen, but they kept it closed when the snow started coming down hard.
Capilano Suspension Bridge Park Self-Guided Tour: This ticket includes entry to the park as well as roundtrip shuttle service from downtown Vancouver. The suspension bridge is a must-see! Click here to check pricing and availability
See the Canyon Lights Festival
From late November through January the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park hosts a Winter Lights Festival. Thousands of beautiful lights cover the park for the festival of lights. In addition to the magical lights, the park gets into the holiday spirit with Christmas-themed decor and experiences.
Canyon Lights Festival Ticket: You can plan ahead and pre-purchase your entry ticket to the winter lights festival. You will have the option to ride the shuttle from downtown Vancouver to get to Capilano Suspension Bridge Park. Click here to see pricing and availability
Take A Brewery Tour
Vancouver has an impressive beer scene. There is a lot of great beer to try, so much that you will not conquer it all during one trip to Vancouver. Coming from the San Francisco Bay Area where we have a plethora of craft breweries, I really enjoy beer tours.
This guided brewery tour takes you to three different breweries, the perfect activity during winter in Vancouver. Additionally, there is this 3.5 hour craft brewery tour that takes you behind the scenes to see how craft beer is made.
Experience the Vancouver Christmas Market
If you visit Vancouver anytime from late November through Christmas Eve, check out the Vancouver Christmas Market. The Christmas market is modeled after the traditional German markets. Here you will find many of the same tasty meals, warm beverages, and gift items that are sold in European holiday markets.
I know, I know—it’s not the same. I’ve had a few comments come my way, sure to tell me that this market doesn’t measure up to those in Europe. And that’s fine if you feel that way—but let us have our moment over here on the other side of the world. It might be different, but it’s still a fun and festive way to get into the holiday spirit.
Skate at Robson Square Ice Rink
Of course Vancouver has an ice rink, making it even more of an appropriate winter travel destination. The Robson Square Ice Rink is open from late November through February, so it really spans the entire winter season in Vancouver. It’s a great activity for everyone—couples, families, groups of friends, and solo travelers.
Ascend Grouse Mountain
If you are a lover of snow spots then Grouse Mountain is the perfect thing to do during winter in Vancouver. There are reasons to visit Grouse Mountain year round, but during the snow season there are a number of activities available.
At Grouse Mountain you will find the opportunity to ski, snowboard, ice skate, snowshoe, or ride a snow sled. Truly something for everyone. There are some stunning views to experience here too.
This Grouse Mountain admission ticket will get you roundtrip transportation on the scenic Skyride gondola. Click here to check pricing and availability.
Enjoy the Vancouver Food Scene
You might be wondering how eating in Vancouver is in any way related to the season. Well if you’re a food-obsessed traveller like myself, then you know that offseason travel makes it so much easier to get into the restaurants you want to eat at.
Vancouver is such an excellent food city! It’s up there with Portland, Oregon and my delicious home city of San Francisco. Since many people tend to avoid winter travel, or simply stay inside, chilly days are the best days to snag a spot at restaurants that are generally crowded.
Make sure you show up hungry! There is so much to eat. Here are some of my favorite places to eat in Vancouver, along with my recommended experiences for foodies.
Gastown Food Tour
The Gastown area of Vancouver is so lovely. The charm and character of the neighborhood had me wanting to spend all of my time there. This Gastown food tour is perfect for traveling foodies who want to experience the variety of dishes in Vancouver’s oldest neighborhood. You will leave this tour with a full tummy and fully educated on Gastown’s history. Click here to check pricing and availability.
Gourmet Food Tour
This impressive food tour includes gourmet tastings paired with beer and wine. You also get to meet award-winning chefs and try some of Vancouver’s highly-rated restaurants. This includes Vancouver’s award-winning dim sum—that’s all I need to be convinced. Click here to check pricing and availability.
Go Fish
To this day I think the best fish and chips meal I ever had was from Go Fish in Vancouver. This takeaway food stand is at the docks near Granville Island. We went for an upgrade and got the halibut fish and chips—it is amazing. I cannot wait to visit Vancouver again so I can revisit Go Fish.
Where to Stay in Vancouver in Winter
Splurge-Worthy Accommodations
Wedgewood Hotel & Spa // This property an excellent choice for anyone looking for cozy, lavish vibes during a trip to Vancouver. My long weekend stay at Wedgewood Hotel & Spa took place in the month of December so I was able to enjoy the holiday decor at the hotel and was even lucky enough to wake up early one morning to falling snow outside of my window in Downtown Vancouver. Click here to check pricing and availability.
Rosewood Hotel Georgia // This five star property is located in downtown Vancouver. The guest rooms are luxurious and classic, and the indoor saltwater lap swimming pool is not to be missed. Click here to check pricing and availability.
Average-Priced Accommodations
Georgian Court Hotel // This four star boutique hotel is part of the BW Premier Collection. It has been fully renovated and is conveniently located in downtown Vancouver. It’s also near Chinatown which means quick access to some of the city’s best food. Click here to check pricing and availability.
Budget-Friendly Accommodations
Samesun Vancouver // This hostel is a great choice for travelers on a budget. Samesun Hostel is conveniently near the Skytrain and is centrally located in the city. The hostel hosts events at their bar so it’s a great place for solo travelers looking to meet people. Click here to check pricing and availability at Samesun Vancouver
Packing for Winter in Vancouver
Regardless of the specific destination, traveling during winter requires a certain level of care. There are products and items that I have come to faithfully rely on when it comes to cold weather travel.
After years of trying to find items that work best for me, I have a short list of things that I fell in love with and cannot travel without. Here are some of my favorite items that are essential for winter in Vancouver.
- This sweater jacket goes with me everywhere, every single day. It’s light enough to work as a day-to-day necessity, but great for layering underneath a heavier jacket in the cold.
- These cold-weather fashion boots, or anything from the brand, are a must for winter travel. The boots have cracked the code and are able to maintain a stylish look while also being functional and weather-proof.
- This down jacket is one of the better, pricier purchases I have ever made. This jacket keeps my core warm on the coldest days, but it is still so comfortable and easy to pack. I love all of their jackets and wish I could afford to own each one!
- This cute and cozy scarf is a must. It comes in a bunch of different colors and patterns, and it’s really affordable.
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Winter Weather in Vancouver
If you are looking for stunning mountains covered in snow, a winter trip to Vancouver is for you. One of the reasons Vancouver is such an incredible city is its access to nature. The city is surrounded by beautiful mountains, greenery, and access to water.
If you’re a fan of winter sports, then you have plenty of reason to travel to Vancouver during the winter. The city is about an hour and a half drive from world-class skiing in Whistler. You may recall that Whistler was home to the 2010 Winter Olympics.
Snow sports are admittedly not my thing. I don’t like falling on surfaces that are hard and cold—it’s really not for me. But where there are snow sports, there is snow. Looking at, and photographing, snow from the sidelines without risk of falling is my thing.
The beautiful, white, magical scenes full of snow in and around Vancouver are a dream. During my winter trip to Vancouver, it snowed within the city limits. It was amazing! The locals did tell me that this is not a regular occurrence—there was a lot of snow on the ground. The city was filled with layers of white, fluffy, fairytale-like snow.
I was told that usually, the snow doesn’t stay on the ground like that within the city, so that was special. But the city is immediately surrounded by mountains that do stay covered in snow, which makes for beautiful views and easy access.
Sensational photos Kristen. This looks like a tidy little 4 day itinerary too.