Love Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge. Photo: Capilano Suspension Bridge
Head outside this Family Day. Get your heart racing on the ski slopes, chill out on an easy snowshoe walk, or treat your dog to a winter adventure. Here are our picks for the best outdoor activities around Vancouver for Family Day 2022.
Hit the Slopes
Family Day is a great time to go skiing or snowboarding. You can hit the slopes at Vancouver’s local mountains: Grouse Mountain, Mount Seymour, and Cypress Mountain. Or head north to Whistler Blackcomb to experience world-class terrain. For a more laid-back experience, head to Manning Park Resort or Sasquatch Mountain east of Vancouver.
Skiing at Grouse Mountain. Photo: Tourism Vancouver / Dave Delnea Images
Go Ice Skating
Vancouver has a few different outdoor ice skating options. Head to Grouse Mountain to skate on a mountain-top pond. Shipyard Skate Plaza in North Vancouver and Robson Square in downtown Vancouver both have covered outdoor skating rinks. And at Whistler’s Olympic Plaza you can skate next to the iconic Olympic rings. Get all the details in our guide to outdoor skating in Vancouver.
Skating at Shipyards Plaza. Photo: City of North Vancouver
Plan a Dog-Friendly Adventure
Pups are part of the family too. Get out in the snow with our list of dog-friendly winter activities near Vancouver. Or make a special trip to a destination-worthy off-leash dog park.
Photo: Whistler Olympic Park
Get Your Adrenaline Pumping
Extreme sports junkies have lots of winter options to choose from near Vancouver. You can go ice climbing, bungee jumping, bobsledding, ziplining, or snowmobiling. Check out our guide to adventurous Vancouver winter activities for more inspiration.
Zip lines in winter. Photo: Superfly Ziplines
Experience Love Lights at the Capilano Suspension Bridge
North Vancouver’s Capilano Suspension Bridge has been transformed into a romantic outdoor wonderland as part of the Love Lights event, on until February 28. The iconic bridge, Cliffwalk, and walkways throughout the park will be illuminated by Valentine’s-themed lighting displays.
Love Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge. Photo via Capilano Suspension Bridge
Go Snowshoeing
Snowshoeing is a great winter sport for beginners. You can rent snowshoes and hit the trails at the Sea to Sky Gondola, Cypress Mountain, Grouse Mountain, and Mountain Seymour. Use our list of easy snowshoe trails to find a route.
Snowshoeing on Grouse Mountain. Photo: Tourism Vancouver/Rishad Daroowala
Hit the Hiking Trails
There may be snow in the mountains, but down near sea level, it’s still hiking season. Our hike of the month for February 2022 is Admiralty Point in Belcarra. Or choose another trail from our list of recommended snow-free hikes.
View from the Admiralty Point Trail. Photo: F.L. May/All Trails
Go Sledding or Snow-Tubing
Celebrate Family Day by sliding through the snow. Head up to the local ski resorts to hurtle downhill on a sled or snow tube. Some hills have a conveyor belt or tube tow so you can take it easy and ride back uphill. Our guide to sledding near Vancouver has all the details.
Snow tubing at Whistler Blackcomb. Photo: Destination BC/Rick Collins
Ride a Gondola to Winter Wonderland
Step onto the Grouse Mountain Skyride or the Sea to Sky Gondola and let it whisk you up the mountain to a winter wonderland. At the top, you can go for easy walks through the forest to beautiful views, take a snowshoe tour, or just snap photos from the patio while sipping a hot chocolate.
Photo via Sea to Sky Gondola
Go for a Bike Ride
Biking is a year-round sport in Vancouver. We have lots of flat, car-free bike paths that are perfect for families and beginners. Use our list of Vancouver’s best easy bike rides to plan your day.
Biking on the Seawall. Photo: Tourism Vancouver / Destination Canada (CTC)
