12 Family-Friendly Adventures Around Vancouver This Winter

December 18, 2023

6 min read

Five people in winter clothing standing on a snowy platform with arms around each other, facing ski gondolas.

Keep the whole family entertained in the cold-weather months with fun activities like sledding, skating, winter hiking, museum visits, rock climbing, and much more.

Visit the Sea to Sky Gondola

Let the Sea to Sky Gondola whisk you up into the snowy mountains. From their summit lodge, you can venture across the Sky Pilot Suspension Bridge or walk the snowy Panorama Trail to a beautiful viewpoint. Or rent snowshoes and explore the trails. There is also a fun tube park.

Three people with backpacks and winter gear walking on a snowy mountain trail overlooking a lake and snow-capped mountains.

Go Sledding or Snow-Tubing

While it rarely snows in the city, Vancouver’s mountains are a great place to go sledding. There are seven sled and tube parks near the city where you can go sledding or snow-tubing.

Two people sliding down a snowy hill on red and black snow tubes with pine trees in the background.

Holiday Splash at the Vancouver Aquarium

The whole family with enjoy Holiday Splash at the Vancouver Aquarium, which runs until January 7. It includes seasonal decor, treats, and The Polar Express 4D Experience. You won’t want to miss Diving Scuba Claus (until December 24, of course!)

Person dressed as Santa Claus scuba diving underwater waving at a child watching through glass.

Go Snowshoeing

Snowshoeing is one of the easiest winter sports, so it’s perfect for families. Vancouver’s North Shore mountains have lots of great snowshoe trails and you can rent snowshoes on-site. Our guide to beginner-friendly snowshoe trails has all the details.

Two people snowshoeing uphill in a snowy forest with tall trees covered in snow.

Try Indoor Rock Climbing

Indoor rock climbing is great for the whole family – you can get fit while you have fun. Vancouver is home to lots of beginner-friendly indoor rock climbing gyms.

Two people climbing an indoor rock climbing wall with colorful holds and wearing harnesses.

Go Hiking

It might be snowy in the mountains, but the forest is still green closer to sea level. In Vancouver, you can hike all year. Use our list of snow-free Vancouver hikes to pick a trail. Most of our options are great for families.

A person wearing a blue jacket and pink backpack walking on a wooden bridge in a dense green forest.

Heritage Christmas at Burnaby Village Museum

Burnaby Village Museum is decked out for the holidays with lots of twinkling lights and decorations. The 10-acre museum includes a collection of historical buildings, many of which have on-site interpreters. Admission to the museum is free, but there is a small charge for rides on the beautifully restored antique carousel. Heritage Christmas runs until January 5.

Tree wrapped in yellow lights and gazebo decorated with blue and white string lights at night with snowflake overlays.

Go Skiing or Snowboarding

With six ski resorts near Vancouver, there’s a great ski hill for your family’s skill level. Kids enjoy discounted lift tickets and rentals. Lessons are a great way to help kids gain confidence on the hill. Enroll them in a morning lesson, then ski together as a family in the afternoon.

Eight people in ski gear standing on snow with ski poles, surrounded by trees and a blue sky with clouds.

Get Tropical at the Bloedel Conservatory

Head to the Bloedel Conservatory on a cold or wet day to warm up. The huge domed building is kept at tropical temperatures to suit the 500+ species of exotic plants that live inside. Kids will delight in watching over 100 free-flying Macaws, African parrots, and Chinese pheasants flitting from branch to branch.

Blue and yellow macaw perched with green leaves on the right and dark background.

Go Ice Skating

You can skate in the crisp winter air at four outdoor rinks around Vancouver. They each have skate rentals on-site. Our guide to outdoor skating in Vancouver has more info. You can also check out community ice rinks in Vancouver, Burnaby, and the surrounding municipalities for indoor skating. Most have family-friendly drop-in skating sessions.

Four people ice skating outdoors in winter clothing, holding hands and smiling on a snowy day with buildings and mountains in the background.

Visit Canyon Lights at the Capilano Suspension Bridge

Walk across the swaying Capilano Suspension Bridge and enter a forest filled festooned with lights. The Canyon Lights event lasts until January 21 and includes multi-coloured light displays on the bridge, through the forests of the Treetop Adventure, and on the Cliffwalk pathway. For a memorable winter evening,the Capilano Canyon Lights provides a seasonal experience that transforms the forest into a glowing nighttime walk.

Curved wooden walkway with railings lit by white string lights at night, surrounded by trees and colorful lights.

Visit Grouse Mountain

Take the Skyride up to the top of Grouse Mountain. The Peak of Christmas event runs until December 25th and includes live reindeer, Santa, and lots of festive decor. But there are great family-friendly activities on all winter including outdoor ice skating, a sledding hill, and the beautiful Light Walk.