Winter is a great time for families to come together and create some unforgettable memories. The colder temperatures, shorter days and holidays make it an ideal time to spend more quality time at home and with your family.

Here's our Guide to Winter Activities in Vancouver.

Outdoor Activities in the Vancouver Area

Ice Skating: Outdoor or indoor rinks are all available in beautiful BC. Ice skating is a great way for parents and children to stay active. and enjoy an activity full of movement together.

For those rainy Vancouver days here are some indoor rinks in our region:

• City of Vancouver Ice Rinks: Link

• Richmond Ice Centre: Link

• Surrey Arenas: Link

• Planet Ice Coquitlam: Link

• Excellent Ice in Surrey: Link

Sledding: The feeling of racing down a snowy hill is incomparable. It is sure to be full of laughter and easy for all ages. Pack the sleds, head for the nearest hill, and return home tired and ready for bed! Just make sure to bundle up and plan for some hot cocoa on the way home!

Here are a few local hills for Tubing and Sledding:

• Grouse Mountain sliding zone: Link

• Mount Seymour Toboggan and Snow Tube Park: Link

• Gnarly's Tube Park at Cypress Mountain: Link

After enjoying tubing and sledding at local hills near Vancouver, here are some cozy spots to warm up with a delicious cup of hot cocoa:

• Grouse Grind Coffee Bar: Link

• Thomas Haas Chocolates & Pâtisserie: Link

• Mink Chocolates: Link

Snowshoeing: Snowshoeing is a great mountain activity allowing exploration across different types of snowy landscapes. You can snowshoe at night and take in the night sky or snowshoe in the day and enjoy the pacific northwestern landscape!

A few nearby hills that offer snowshoeing are:

• Cypress Provincial Park: Link

• Grouse Mountain: Link

Building a Snowman or Fort: The family can flex their competitive nature and get lost in imagination in some classic winter fun. Building snowmen, and creating snow angels are timeless winter activities.

It can be difficult to find snowy areas in the Pacific Northwest depending on what kind of winter we are experiencing.

You may need to take drive to one of these snowy spots:

https://www.onthesnow.com/british-columbia/skireport
https://www.snow-forecast.com/maps/dynamic/bcol
https://www.hellobc.com/things-to-do/ski-snowboard/snow-conditions/

Winter Hiking: Dress warm for a cold weather hike with your family. During our winter season, hikes can get us out of our comfort zone and provide us opportunities to appreciate the stillness of nature in the colder, rainier and snowier times of the year.

Here are some epic regional hike suggestions:

• Panorama Ridge -  A challenging 30 km round-trip trail rewards hikers with breathtaking views of Garibaldi Lake and the surrounding mountains. Link

• St. Mark's Summit - A moderately difficult 11 km round-trip hike located in Cypress Provincial Park. Link

• Tunnel Bluffs - A moderately challenging 11.5 km round-trip hike that provides hikers with stunning views of Howe Sound. Link

Indoors Activities at home

Board Games and Puzzles: Enjoy a little friendly rivalry or put your heads together for some teamwork at the table with board games and puzzles. This is a great way to develop strategic thinking and collaboration. Board games, cards and puzzles are simple and easy ways to bond as a family while keeping warm.

Baking and Cooking: Put on your aprons and have fun baking treats or cooking a big family meal together in the kitchen. Making cookie dough, a pizza, or trying new recipes is a super fun way to spend time together and teach your children something new along the way.

Arts and Crafts: Get creative by making decor, crafting, starting a DIY project, painting, or drawing. Arts and crafts are memorable and rewarding activities to do with your kids. These activities can provide keepsakes and memories to sift through later or hang up on your walls now.

Indoors Activities in the Vancouver Area

Science World: Explore hands-on exhibits, interactive displays, and exciting demonstrations at Science World. It’s a fantastic way to spark curiosity and inspire learning in children of all ages. Link

Vancouver Aquarium: Experience an incredible variety of marine life, from sea otters to jellyfish, and enjoy immersive exhibits like the Amazon Gallery at Vancouver Aquarium. Link

The Vancouver Art Gallery: Discover an array of contemporary and historical art pieces, with rotating exhibits from local and international artists at the gallery! Link

The Museum of Anthropology: Visit one of Canada’s largest teaching museums with faculty and staff teaching courses in museum studies, museum education, and conservation as well as Indigenous and world art. Link

Every season offers us new opportunities to spend quality time with our family. A combination of outdoor adventures and indoor activities can make the winter season unforgettable. Bundle up, embrace that chill, and make this one to remember. We hope you enjoyed this guide to winter activities in Vancouver!