Winter in Vancouver is characterized by mountain snow, the bright lights of the city, and an abundance of seasonal activities. The city’s location means you can be skiing within minutes of downtown or walking through a festive light display the same evening. Outdoor events dominate the season, but there are also indoor and online options when you want to escape the cold. Here are ten activities that show how much there is to do in Vancouver during the winter of 2025.
City Gaming Experiences
Players have multiple options to choose from within the game world. The Rec Room is a major entertainment center which offers an extensive collection of arcade games that include traditional favourites to newer releases. It’s a great spot for a social outing, as it also has a restaurant, bar, and live entertainment. Mench is located in North Vancouver, and is a board game cafe and club that also has a dedicated video game room. It’s a great place to gather with friends for both board games and video games, along with coffee and food.
Online casino gaming is another great option to do from home. Slots continue to be the most popular choice since it has hundreds of themed options, including the basic three-reel slots to advanced progressive jackpot games. Table games, including live dealer options like blackjack, roulette, and baccarat, are available at various online platforms, allowing you to pay with Interac, crypto, or e-wallets (source: esportsinsider.com).
Explore Vancouver Virtually
If neither streaming nor gaming appeals, there are plenty of other indoor options. Vancouver’s movie theatres screen everything from big-budget releases to independent films. The Vancouver Art Gallery and Science World provide cultural and educational outings. The Vancouver Aquarium streams live animal cams where playful otters and penguins can be seen in real time. On YouTube, 4K walking tours of downtown and Canada Place provide an immersive sense of the city’s energy without leaving home.
Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and Crave bring movies and series straight to your screen, perfect for winding down in a hotel room or at home. Crave, a Canadian platform, adds a local touch with HBO and Starz programming.
Skiing and Snowboarding on the North Shore Mountains
Vancouver’s trio of local ski resorts are just a short drive from downtown, making them a favourite for both day trips and longer stays. The highest point in Vancouver is Grouse Mountain, which provides scenic views and hiking trails for every ability level. This ski season is expected to stretch from late November through April, with the added appeal of night skiing under the city lights.
Cypress Mountain has the widest terrain of the three, with 53 runs and a history as a venue for the 2010 Winter Olympics. Mount Seymour rounds out the group with a relaxed atmosphere, well-suited to beginners, and plenty of space for tubing or snowshoeing.
VanDusen Festival of Lights
The garden becomes a bright winter paradise when winter arrives ahead of time. The Festival of Lights has become an annual celebration which many look forward to every year. Over one million lights are arranged in themed displays, and the “Dancing Lights” show returns each year to music and applause. The 2025 event will take place from late November until early January, with new installations that will surprise both returning visitors and first-time attendees.
Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge
The Capilano Suspension Bridge Park is beautiful year-round, but during the Canyon Lights event, it becomes unforgettable. From late November through mid-January, the bridge itself, the towering trees of the rainforest, and the Cliffwalk glow with millions of lights. Walking across the suspension bridge at night, surrounded by illuminated evergreens, feels like stepping into another world. It’s one of the city’s signature holiday experiences, combining nature with artistry.
Ice Skating at Robson Square
Downtown Vancouver comes alive in winter with the Robson Square Ice Rink. Free to access and open until late February, the rink attracts everyone from office workers on their lunch break to visitors lacing up for the first time. Skate rentals are available on site, and the rink’s location near restaurants and shops makes it an easy addition to an evening out. With music and the backdrop of city lights, it’s a quintessential Vancouver winter outing.
Vancouver Christmas Market
For a touch of Europe on Canada’s west coast, the Vancouver Christmas Market at Jack Poole Plaza is the place to go. Scheduled to open in mid-November and close on Christmas Eve, the market brings wooden stalls filled with handcrafted gifts, German delicacies like schnitzel and bratwurst, and steaming mugs of glühwein. The festive atmosphere is heightened by live music and holiday decorations, while the setting next to the Olympic Cauldron gives it a distinctly local character.
Snowshoeing on Grouse, Cypress, and Seymour
Snowshoeing has grown steadily in popularity on Vancouver’s mountains, partly because it requires less skill than skiing yet delivers the same stunning winter scenery. Grouse Mountain’s “Light Walk” takes visitors through a snowy forest lit by lanterns and fairy lights. Mount Seymour is often highlighted as one of North America’s best resorts for snowshoeing, thanks to its extensive trail network. Cypress also offers guided tours that showcase the alpine environment. Whether you go solo or join a group, snowshoeing is one of the most tranquil ways to enjoy the mountains.
Sea to Sky Gondola
Vancouver has many local, but hidden spots. Located in Squamish, less than an hour from Vancouver, the Sea to Sky Gondola is a year-round attraction that takes on a special charm in winter. The ride offers sweeping views of Howe Sound and the coastal mountains, and at the summit you’ll find snowshoe trails, lookout platforms, and a suspension bridge. On clear days, the scenery stretches endlessly, while snowy conditions add to the sense of adventure.
A Winter Walk on the Stanley Park Seawall
The Stanley Park Seawall is iconic in every season, and in winter, its scenery takes on a quieter, more reflective quality. Snow-dusted mountains provide a backdrop to ocean views, while the city skyline glitters on crisp evenings. Walking or cycling along the seawall in December can also coincide with holiday events inside the park, such as the Stanley Park Christmas Train. For those who prefer a gentler activity, it’s one of the best ways to experience Vancouver’s natural and urban beauty in one place.
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