6 Car-Free Winter Adventures Around Vancouver

January 10, 2022

4 min read

Yellow Mt Seymour shuttle bus with winter sports graphics parked in snowy landscape with snow falling and evergreen trees in background.

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.

Four people in ski gear on a snowy slope with a city and water body in the background, one person demonstrating skiing posture.

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.

Four people walking on a suspension bridge over a forest with snow-covered mountains in the background.

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.

Six people wearing life jackets in a yellow raft on calm water near snowy rocky cliffs and trees.

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.

Four people hiking on a snow-covered trail in a dense forest with tall trees and snow on branches.

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.

Long wooden suspension bridge with metal railings over a forested valley at sunrise or sunset.

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.