Lights to the Lodge at Cypress Mountain. Photo: Cypress Mountain
Valentine’s Day celebrations might look a little different this year, which makes it a great time to celebrate outdoors. Here are six fun and totally romantic outdoor Valentine’s Day date ideas around Vancouver.
Until further notice, in line with the public health order, non-essential travel into, within, and out of BC is not recommended. BC residents, let’s do our part by continuing to stay small and support local with your immediate household, in accordance with the latest guidelines.
Walk Through a Snowy Forest of Twinkling Lights
Take a romantic snowshoe stroll through a snowy forest past thousands of twinkling lights hand-in-hand with your Valentine. Both Grouse Mountain and Cypress Mountain offer enchanting snowshoe light walks this winter.
Grouse Mountain’s Light Walk experience starts with a tunnel of lights and leads you around Blue Grouse Lake. Warm-up afterwards with hot chocolate and s’mores at Altitudes Bistro. Book your gonola tickets in advance. You don’t need reservations for snowshoe rentals or the Light Walk.
At Cypress Mountain, Lights to the Lodge is an easy snowshoe trek to the historic Hollyburn Lodge. The trail is lit up with LED lights strung through the old-growth forest. Take a break at the lodge to enjoy hot drinks and treats, then follow another lit trail back to the parking lot. You must reserve tickets (which include snowshoe rentals) in advance.
Grouse Mountain Light Walk. Photo: Tourism Vancouver / Rishad Daroowala
DIY Hot Chocolate Crawl
Get some exercise while enjoying sweet treats with your love this Valentine’s Day. Plan a DIY hot chocolate crawl for your Valentine to sample some of the creative variations of hot chocolate on offer during the Hot Chocolate Vancouver festival. Use this handy map to plot a walking or biking route between some of the 39 chocolatiers, pastry shops, bakeries, and cafes. All vendors offer takeout options so you can stroll or pedal while you sip.
Photo: Beaucoup Bakery
Plan a Sunset Picnic
Grab takeout from your favourite local restaurant, pack a blanket and some warm clothes, then head out to enjoy a sunset dinner for two. What could be more romantic than watching the sun go down together? If you’re looking for a great sunset spot, Sunset Beach is a no-brainer but Stanley Park’s Third Beach and West Vancouver’s Whytecliffe Park are also great options. Just don’t forget a flashlight to light the way back to your car afterward!
Sunset at Sunset Beach. Photo: Tourism Vancouver / Nelson Mouellic
Take a Snowshoe Fondue Tour
Experience an enchanting moonlit snowshoe trip and apres fondue feast with your Valentine. Grouse Mountain offers private fondue tours that include snowshoe rentals. A guide will lead you through the snowy forest by headlamp, then you’ll head into the Altitudes Bistro for a romantic fondue dinner. The menu includes chocolate, broth, and cheese fondues.
Snowshoeing on Grouse Mountain. Photo: Tourism Vancouver/Rishad Daroowala
Walk Through the Treetops at Capilano Suspension Bridge
Hold hands as you wander along elevated paths through the treetops at Capilano Suspension Bridge. This year, their popular Canyon Lights display of sparkling lights has been extended until February 15th and will remain on during the day, making the experience even more enchanting. The thrill of walking 70 meters above the Capilano River on the suspension bridge is a great excuse to cuddle even closer!
Photo: Tourism Vancouver / Rishad Daroowala
Ice Skate on a Frozen Pond
Head up to Grouse Mountain to skate in a winter wonderland. Their ice skating pond is extra magical when it’s lit up at night. It’s also right next to the lodge so you can duck inside to warm-up or grab hot drinks. Book your gondola tickets in advance. You don’t need reservations for ice skating or skate rentals.
Photo: Grouse Mountain
