Vancouver 
With winter in full swing and quarantine keeping you close to home, you might be feeling a little pent up. We’ve all developed our quarantine routines for exercise, fresh air, and getting outside of the house, but here are a few safe alternatives to shake up your routine. There are a few fan favourites and also some seasonal treats that will help shake the quarantine blues.
Enjoy the reimagined Vancouver Mural experience, sip your way through a delicious assortment of Vancouver’s finest hot chocolate, and float downstream to admire the stunning views of the Bald Eagles that call our backyard home.
**Please follow all B.C. Health restrictions. Do not travel to nearby regions. Some activties mentioned in this article might not be available during the course of the winter season due to Health restrictions.**
Enjoy Winter Walks
Get out and see the beauty of the winter landscape at any of the green spaces in Vancouver.
The 310 acres Queen Elizabeth Park is a great place to enjoy a relaxing stroll. The Chinese Gardens has long been a place to enjoy tranquil nature and experience a moment of silent Zen. Or head to West Vancouver’s Whytecliff Park to enjoy scenic views of Howe Sounds.
The English Bay is a magnificent place to enjoy the outside even in winter with spectacular views of the Burrard Inlet.
25 Bucket List Worthy Nature Attractions In and Around Vancouver
Hot Chocolate Festival
The Hot Chocolate Festival is an excellent way to explore the city and indulge in delightful chocolate concoctions. Restaurants and cafes throughout Vancouver participate in the festival. Grab a cup of hot cocoa and explore the city.
Enjoy a Forest Walk
Enjoy a leisurely walk in Pacific Spirit Park. The whole route is 10 km, roughly 3 hours, but there are multiple access points so that you can plan the best way according to your needs and time. It is a great route to take if you want to stretch your legs and get some fresh air without heavy exertion. It’s also lovely, even in the rain.
Visit Stanley Park
Drive down to the historical Stanley Park to explore the unforgettable experiences offered by this 400-hectare natural area.
Snowshoeing
Get in a winter workout with an assortment of snowshoe trails just outside the city. Located just outside the city are many snowshoe trails that provide an extraordinary winter experience. Snowshoes can be rented at many places in Vancouver.
- One of the prime places in Vancouver to enjoy snowshoeing is Mt. Seymour. Mt. Seymour was named the #1 Resort for Snowshoeing in North America by Snowshoe Magazine in 2012 for its many easy and challenging hikes.
- With 11 km of self-guided trails that runs through snowy mountain forests, the snowshoe trails at Cypress Mountain’s Nordic Ski Area provides an extraordinary experience like no other.
- Over 30 km of easy to moderate snowshoes trails can be enjoyed at the Whistler Olympic Park. If you are new to snowshoeing try the private snowshoe tour offered by Whistler Sport Legacies.
- The four different groomed and single tracks at the Grouse Mountain will take you to a winter playground that will call you back time and time again.
BC Bird Trail
If you’re an expert birder or just getting started, the bird trail is a fantastic way to explore Metro Vancouver and Vancouver Island. There is a beautiful assortment of native or migrating bird species. Choose from three trail options, Central Vancouver Island, Fraser Valley, or Richmond/Delta. You will also find local businesses highlighted along the way to stop for a coffee, snack, beer, or even a souvenir
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Explore Winter Arts from the Vancouver Mural Festival
The Vancouver Mural Festival is elevating its immersive cultural experience by “Blurring the line between the real and virtual world, VMF Winter Arts will transform public space across the core of Vancouver into an interactive, open-air gallery featuring Augmented Reality art to safely engage, connect and inspire.”
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The Grouse Mountain
Starting from a skyride to the Peak to Vancouver, your day unfolds with a range of activities including sliding, snowshoeing, skating, skiboarding, and a whole lot of other fun activities. Enjoy an enchanting light walk amongst the fir and spruce around Blue Grouse Lake.
Where: Grouse Mountain Resorts, 6400 Nancy Greene Way North Vancouver
Go Ice Skating
There is no doubt skating is Canada’s favourite winter activity. Head over to Robson Square to enjoy a fun time with your family. Skating can also be enjoyed at Grouse Mountain and the region’s largest rink at The Shipyards.
Slide down
For a fabulously fun time in the snow, wear your toques and mitts and get ready to slide. There many places to enjoy tobogganing in and around Vancouver like the Grouse Mountain Sliding Zone, Mount Seymour Toboggan and Snow Tube Park, Gnarly’s Tube Park at Cypress Mountain, and others.
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Enjoy Skiing/Snowboarding
Vancouver is fortunate to have three local mountains, Cypress, Seymour, and Grouse, a short drive from the city. If you want big runs, then hit up Cypress. If you prefer smaller runs with a low-key vibe, then Seymour is your mountain. Lastly, if convenience is a factor, Grouse has public transit access and a mix of runs and parks. All three have stunning views of Vancouver and the surrounding area. Night rides are always a great way to see the city by night, and the hills tend to be quieter. Make sure to book your tickets in advance.
You might like: 25 Must-Visit Ski Resorts in British Columbia if You Are an Avid Skier
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Cross-Country Skiing
There are several cross-country ski spots for the outdoor and fitness enthusiast to get your fix: Cypress Mountain, Whistler Olympic Park, Lost Lake, Whistler, and the Squamish Training Center.
You may like: Winter Bucket List: Go on a Northern British Columbia Heliskiing Adventure
Island Escape for the Day
A short ferry ride from Horseshoe Bay takes you to Snug Cove on Bowen Island. You can walk, ride, or drive onto the ferry. It is so convenient about Bowen that you can take the express bus from downtown Vancouver to Horseshoe Bay and then walk on to the ferry. Once on Bowen Island, the hiking trails accessible from the ferry dock. Explore Bowen by foot and take in the gorgeous viewpoints from several vantage points.
Where: 257 Express Bus to Horseshoe Bay
Go on a Cruise
Where: 1333 Johnston St, Vancouver
Have a Spa Day
If you need to unwind, book a spa session at Scandanavie Spa and enjoy the outdoor pools with stunning mountain views.
Where: Scandinave Spa, 8010 Mons Road, Whistler
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Have a Treetop Adventure
If you love being outdoors, you’ll love being up high with a unique vantage point in the trees of the beautiful west coast forest. Treetop Adventure at Capilano Suspension bridge is a great activity for kids and adults alike. If you like to take a walk on the wild side, then you’ll enjoy the Cliff Walk that provides stunning views of the Capilano River and surrounding forest.
Where: 3735 Capilano Rd, North Vancouver
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Explore Lynn Valley
Lynn Valley, with its many hiking trails and the suspension bridge over the canyon offering stunning views, are a great place to spend any time of the year. Ticketed parking is available.
Tour on a Bike
If you want to see the city by bike, this is an excellent tour company to choose from. Young, friendly, and professional, with small groups. Choose from three tour options for this time of year:
Where: 646 Hornby Street, Vancouver
Wilderness & Bald Eagle Viewing Floats
If you want stunning views of the outdoors and a chance to see eagles in their natural habitat, this tour is for you. Hop in a raft and float down the Squamish river to see the miraculous bald eagles and other wildlife in the area.
Where: Squamish Rafting Company, 101-40446 Government Road, Squamish
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Eagle Walk
Want to catch a glimpse of the wintering bald eagles in Squamish? A short drive from Vancouver will take you to Squamish, and its neighbouring district Brackendale, which is home to some of the best spots to view bald eagles. The best place to see these stunning creatures is Eagle Run dike and viewing shelter.
Where: opposite the BC Easter Seals Camp, 41015 Government Road, Squamish.
