If you think Vancouver is only worth a visit in the warmer months, it might be time to think again. The popular west coast city is a great year-round destination and there’s no reason to give it a pass when winter hits. If you’re thinking of taking a vacation between now and spring, add Vancouver to your list. If you need some added incentive to start looking up flights, here are 27 reasons why Vancouver is an awesome place to visit – right now.
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1. Go for a skate on the Robson Square Ice Rink. Skating is free with your own skates, or you can rent a pair for $4.
2. You can ski or snowboard at three different mountains – Cyprus, Grouse and Seymour – all of which are a mere 30 minutes from the city.
3. You can take a Snow Limo tour. For anyone who doesn’t ski or snowboard, but still wants to feel what it’s like to be on the slopes, a Snow Limo tour is for you. Essentially, you get chauffeured around in a sled-like device, making it easy to get a feel for the trails – without strapping on a pair of skis.
4. So long as you don’t have to drive in it, a dusting of snow makes Vancouver prettier than it already is.
5. You can go for a sleigh ride at Grouse Mountain.
6. You can sip hot chocolate at the Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival, which runs until Feb. 14.
7. You can shop at the Vancouver Winter Farmers Market for local, seasonal and artisanal goods.
8. You can head to LunarFest from Feb. 20 to 22. The free event celebrates Asian art and culture.
9. You can have a glass (or two) of wine and discover some new favourites at the Vancouver International Wine Festival happening Feb. 20 to 28.
10. You can watch the Vancouver Whitecaps play. The Whitecaps are Vancouver’s major league soccer team and their preseason is just starting.
11. You can try winter ziplining at Grouse Mountain (weather permitting).
12. You can check out the Winterruption Festival on Granville Island Feb. 19 to 21. The eclectic winter fest is a mix of music, art, performance and food.
13. You can take a snowshoe tour through trails at Mount Seymour or find a scenic snowshoe spot at Cyprus Mountain.
14. If you really like to snowshoe, you can challenge yourself to the Snowshoe Grind at Grouse Mountain. The trek takes you 4.3 kilometres up to a 215-metre elevation.
15. You can slide down the slopes in a snow tube at Cypress Mountain.
16. You can act like a kid again by careening down a snowy hill on a snow carpet at Grouse Mountain’s Sliding Zone. Snow carpet rentals are available for $5.
17. You can see Vancouver’s snowy mountain peaks from above with Skyride, North America’s largest aerial tramway system.
18. You can lace up your hiking boots and go for a scenic winter hike on well-maintained trails at Cypress, Grouse and Seymour Mountains.
19. If you dare, you can take a side trip to Whistler to try skeleton, a head-first ride down the fastest sliding track in the world at Whistler Sliding Centre.
20. You can take a scenic winter walk across the Capilano Suspension Bridge.
21. You can enjoy fewer crowds at popular Vancouver attractions, which always makes for a more enjoyable travel experience.
22. You can watch the annual Chinese New Year Parade happening Feb. 14 at 11 a.m. Vancouver’s Chinatown is one of the best places to celebrate Chinese New Year in Canada.
23. You can laugh until you cry at the Northwest Comedy Fest happening Feb. 18 to 27. The lineup includes the likes of Tim Meadows, Trevor Noah, Margaret Cho, Janeane Garofalo, Wanda Sykes and more.
24. You can take a winter walk on one of Vancouver’s beaches for a crowd-free way to experience the shoreline.
25. You can get some exercise while appreciating the great outdoors with some cross-country skiing at either Cyprus, Seymour or Grouse Mountains.
26. You can enjoy winter activities minus the harsh winter temperatures you often get elsewhere in Canada.
27. You can explore Aboriginal culture with a visit to the Talking Stick Festival happening Feb. 18 to 28.
Featured image: istock.com/waynerd
