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Winter Meetings

Winter Meetings in Vancouver - Know Before You Go!

If you’re attending a meeting in Vancouver this winter, you’re in for a treat! You’ll want to make sure that you allow a little time to see the city while you’re here, but even if you have a two-hour break between sessions, we’re here to help you make the most of your time in the destination. There’s snow on the mountains (but rarely on our city streets!), festive celebrations, and plenty of delicious delicacies to sample.

 

 

Weather

Temperatures in Vancouver over the winter months of December, January and February are relatively mild (at least, by Canadian standards), and while there’s a good chance you’ll encounter rain, snow is a rare sighting in the city. Temperatures hover between 5˚C – 10˚C (40˚F – 50˚F) during the day, dipping a further 5˚C (10˚F) overnight. If you’re heading up to Vancouver’s local mountains, expect snowy conditions and the temperature to be colder than downtown. Check Vancouver’s current and historical weather conditions online here.

What To Wear

Because the temperature is quite mild, it’s best to dress in light layers, so you can easily adjust for a sunny day. Make sure to pack a rain jacket and an umbrella. If you’re thinking about heading up to the local mountains, make sure you bring warmer layers (or your ski gear) as well as gloves, scarf and a hat. Bring some good walking shoes – Vancouver is a great place to explore on foot!

Canada Line

Getting Around

  • You’ll most likely be flying into Vancouver International Airport, and you’ll find that the easiest way to get to downtown is by hopping on the Canada Line light-rail service – just look for the “Trains to the City” signs. The 30-minute trip is CAD $9.25, and tickets can be purchased by credit card on the platform. Alternatively, taxis are available and charge a flat fee from $31 - $35 for downtown zones.  
  • Once you’re downtown, walking is often the best option in our compact, very walkable city, even in the middle of winter. Most hotels are within a 10-minute stroll of the Vancouver Convention Centre, and you can easily walk to many downtown attractions including those in Gastown, Stanley Park and Robson Street. Just ask your concierge for a map.
  • Taxis, Lyft and Uber are also available in Vancouver.

Convention Centre

Grab A Deal

Your delegate badge comes with perks! When you’re out exploring the city, shopping and dining, remember to bring it with you to enjoy exclusive discounts and offers. You’ll save on admission to some of our top attractions, enjoy special offers at some of our favourite restaurants, as well as savings at spas, boutiques and on tours. See a list of offers here.

Light walk

Vancouver's Winter Highlights

Capilano Lights

Top Sightseeing Options

  • Even with a couple of hours of free time during your stay, you’ll have plenty of time to get an authentic Vancouver experience. Grab a False Creek Ferries mini-tugboat over False Creek to Granville Island. The spot is famous for its public market, but you’ll also find plenty of tempting cafes, artisan studios and other souvenir-worthy diversions. And while it might not be the ideal time of year to stroll Stanley Park, make sure that you at least take a drive around the perimeter or board a hop-on, hop-off bus to catch a glimpse of this huge, green space right downtown.
  • Most of Vancouver’s attractions are open year round, but there are some spots that top our list during winter. Just 25 minutes from downtown, Grouse Mountain offers more than just skiing and snowboarding. Along with the impressive views from the Eye of the Wind, check-out skating, light walks, and the Snowshoe Fondue tour. Stanley Park is also a great choice for a rainy day, as is the 4D movie experience, FlyOver Canada.
  • Organized sightseeing tours can be a great way to take in as much as possible in a limited amount of time. Hop-on, hop-off buses such as Westcoast Sightseeing’s tours have stops at most of Vancouver’s top attractions, and you get some entertaining commentary on your way. Tours offered during winter include Landsea Tours’ Vancouver Delights excursion which downtown highlights before heading over the bridge to the North Shore and exploring Capilano canyon. Or explore the multitude of customizable private tours offered by ToursByLocals.
  • The city’s galleries range from the acclaimed Vancouver Art Gallery right on Robson, through to smaller, independent spaces such as Coastal Peoples Fine Arts Gallery and Uno Langmann, where you can pick up museum-quality pieces to take home.  Delve into the region’s First Nations culture with a visit to the Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art or the Museum of Anthropology at UBC.
  • Whether you need to pick up souvenirs for those at home, or treat yourself to something special, Vancouver’s shopping scene will not disappoint. Downtown shopping is centred around Robson Street, with Pacific Centre mall (home to both Holt Renfrew and Nordstrom department stores) anchoring one end. Stroll nearby neighbourhoods like Yaletown and Gastown for independent boutiques and shops, or hit McArthurGlen Designer Outlet (just two train stops from the airport) to fill your suitcase with deals.
  • Exploring Vancouver’s diverse neighbourhoods is a great way to spend the afternoon, hanging out with the locals. Grab a coffee and wander downtown areas such as hip Yaletown, the beach-side West End, or historic Gastown. If you’ve got some extra time to head further afield, check out our neighbourhood guide for other suggestions.
  • Vancouver makes a great starting point for exploring British Columbia. So you might want to extend your stay by a couple of days to see more of our province. The world-class ski resort of Whistler is just two hours from downtown Vancouver, and even if you don’t ski, attractions like the Peak2Peak gondola linking the two mountains and the lively, walkable village make it worth a visit. The province’s capital city, Victoria makes a charming day trip, especially if accessed via a scenic 35-minute float plane ride.
  • Looking for more ideas? Visit our Itineraries page for a suggested two-day schedule for getting the most out of Vancouver during your stay.

 

Need More Information?

 

We’re looking forward to seeing you in Vancouver really soon, following your adventure and hearing about the memories you make while you’re in our city. We know there’s a lot of information to absorb here, but perhaps you’re looking for something more specific. In that case, check out Inside Vancouver – Destination Vancouver’s blog dedicated to what’s going on the city and tips from locals. Follow us on social media for further trip inspiration or to ask a questions or two: