Photo: Mount Seymour
No car? No problem! It’s easy to have a winter in adventure in Vancouver without a car. Choose from skiing, snowshoeing, floating past eagles, heading to the Sea to Sky Gondola, and lots more. Here are our picks for the best car-free winter adventures around Vancouver.
Hit the Slopes
You don’t need a car to go skiing, snowboarding, or snowshoeing in Vancouver. You can get to Grouse Mountain’s base on public transit, using bus 236 or 232. Mount Seymour and Cypress Mountain both offer shuttle bus services from Vancouver. All three mountains have lots of ski runs and snowshoe trails.
Photo: Tourism Vancouver / Grouse Mountain
Visit the Sea to Sky Gondola
Book a shuttle and gondola package, then sit back and enjoy the view of the Sea to Sky Highway from your seat in the Squamish Connector shuttle. They’ll pick you up in Vancouver and drop you off at the Sea to Sky Gondola. Ride to the top, then explore the snowshoe trails, walk across the Sky Pilot Suspension Bridge, and enjoy incredible views of Howe Sound from the viewing deck.
Photo: Sea to Sky Gondola
Go on an Eagle Float Tour
Experience the largest winter gathering of bald eagles in the world as you float down the gentle the Squamish River on Squamish Rafting Company’s Wilderness Eagle Float Tour. Marvel at the snow-covered mountains, cascading waterfalls, and of course dozens of eagles roosting overhead. The trip includes cold-weather gear, hot drinks, and a chili lunch. They also offer a shuttle service to get you from Vancouver to Squamish.
Photo: Squamish Rafting Company
Snowshoe in the Backcountry with a Guide
Get off the beaten path and into some beautiful backcountry terrain with a guided snowshoe tour near Squamish or Whistler. Your trip includes pick-up in Vancouver, snacks, snowshoes, and an experienced guide to show you the way. Book with BeWild! Adventures & Wellness.
Photo: Be Wild! Adventures & Wellness
Experience the Capilano Suspension Bridge
It’s easy to get to North Vancouver’s Capilano Suspension Bridge by public transit. Just hop on the 236, 232, or 246 buses. The attraction also offers a free shuttle bus from downtown in the peak winter season. Once there, walk across the famous bridge, brave the Cliffwalk, and stroll through the forest canopy on the Treetops Adventure.
Photo: Tourism Vancouver / Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
Go on a Snow-Free Hike
There might be snow in the mountains, but you can hike year-round on Vancouver’s low elevation trails. You can take public transit to lots of different hiking trails. Some of our picks for winter hikes include Pacific Spirit Regional Park, Rice Lake, Cypress Falls, Deas Island, Velodrome Trail, Jug Island Beach, Lighthouse Park, and Buntzen Lake. Click through for info on how to get to each trail by bus or Skytrain.
Buntzen Lake. Photo: Taryn Eyton/ HappiestOutdoors.ca
