Favorite Experiences Outside the City in Vancouver
- Snowboarding on Cypress Mountain: Site of the Winter Olympics’ snowboarding events, this small but mighty ski hill is only about 20 minutes from downtown Vancouver.
- Ziplining on Grouse Mountain: Soar across the peaks and canyons at this popular ski hill in the North Shore Mountains, and enjoy the views of the city sprawled below.
- Hiking the Lynn Loop: Lynn Headwaters Regional Park offers a number of hikes through meandering old-growth forest and alongside rushing Lynn Creek.
- Doing the Sun Run: This annual 10km (6-mile) run, held in April and organized by the Vancouver Sun newspaper, is Canada’s largest 10K, with nearly 50,000 participants running through downtown.
- Snowshoeing on Mount Seymour: The North Shore’s third ski hill has a snowshoe center and offers snowshoe tours, lessons, and rentals, making it an ideal place to try this fast-growing sport.
- Kayaking in Deep Cove: Head up the scenic inlet called Indian Arm and you will find pretty, placid Deep Cove, one of the area’s favorite places to paddle a kayak or canoe.
- Biking the UBC Endowment Lands: The University of British Columbia is surrounded by forests that are crisscrossed with quiet trails, perfect for an afternoon of mountain biking.
- Racing in the Gastown Grand Prix: Canada’s oldest 1-day cycling classic has been rolling through this historic urban neighborhood every year since 1973.
- Riding the Peak 2 Peak Gondola at Whistler Blackcomb Resort: Considered by many the best ski resort in the world, Whistler Blackcomb offers unforgettable experiences year-round. It does, after all, have more than 200 ski runs and a world-class mountain-biking network. But perhaps the most memorable experience is taking the record-shattering Peak 2 Peak Gondola between the two mountains.
- Whale-watching off Steveston Harbour: The pretty little fishing village of Steveston is a great day trip from Vancouver, and getting out on the water to frolic with the porpoises and orcas is an unforgettable way to spend an afternoon.
- Discovering Pacific Rim National Park: Vancouver Island’s west coast is a world of old-growth temperate rainforests and surf-pounded beaches. It’s also a place where you can experience both the primal glories of nature and the luxury of a first-class resort.
- Meandering through Vancouver Island’s wineries: Just 45 minutes north of Victoria, the Cowichan Valley is home to vineyards, cideries, cottage farms, and art studios. Touring it is as easy as following the burgundy-and-white Wine Route signs.