BC Family Day Weekend
Destination BC | Kari Medig photo
Enjoy some winter fun this long weekend.
BC Family Day is right around the corner, and if you are looking for some last-minute inspiration, we have some exciting ideas that you can try. There are so many excellent and accessible outdoor activities to do within British Columbia.
Peel your kids off the couch this long weekend and get outside to enjoy that fresh winter air and take in the beautiful scenery.
Outdoor Activities:
Here are a few ideas to inspire your weekend:
The Lake Windermere Whiteway
Lace-up your skates, strap on your snowshoes or get your cross-country skis on! The Lake Windermere Whiteway is a must-do on the bucket list. A place that is certainly an enjoyable one for the whole family. The Tobey Creek Nordic Club maintains these trails and offers over 30km of multi-use trails for snowshoeing, ice skating, and groomed skate/classic cross country ski trails. The trails connect the communities of both Invermere and Windermere during the winter months.
2. Prince George Ancient Forest
Take a walk through Chun T'oh Whudujut/Ancient Forest. This provincial park is a protected area 120km east of Prince George. Within the traditional territory of the Lheidli T'enneh First Nation, the park protects a portion of the only inland temperate rainforest in the world. Enjoy a winter stroll through the ancient forest trail surrounded by thousand-year-old western red cedars.
3. Vancouver Island Storm Watching
Do you want a break from the mountains? Head over to Vancouver Island and visit places like Ucluelet and Tofino on the island's west coast, prime spots for watching the winter storms and seeing the waves crash in. You can avoid the crowds during the colder months and enjoy some lovely walks on the beaches or seaside trails. There are many hidden gems along this coast to explore.
4. Fat Biking in Smithers
Don’t let the snow stop you, enjoy a fat bike ride through town and down to the nearby Riverside Park. Riverside Park is an enjoyable place to pedal through snow-coated tree arches and take in the views of the Skeena River. If you don’t have your own, pick up a bike from one of the rental shops in town. Be sure to check out Twin Falls, about 4 km from the visitor center, only a 15-minute hike till you get to the falls.
5. Snowshoe Mount Seymour Provincial Park
Are you looking for dog-friendly activities as well? We got you covered; Dog Mountain is a fairly easy and accessible trail for all in Mount Seymour Provincial Park. It’s a beginner-friendly trail with some ups and downs but doable for somebody with average fitness levels. The trail is well-marked and easy to follow. Remember to keep your dogs on the leash.
6. Okanagan Ice Fishing
Grab your fishing rods and set up a nice quiet spot to enjoy some ice fishing on one of the Okanagan lakes. Step up the experience by visiting Idabel Lake, located 20 minutes from Kelowna, a great spot for a family wilderness adventure. Please make sure to double and triple-check whether it’s safe to be out on the ice before you go. Temperatures have been varying and relatively mild, so thawing may be possible.
There are many other activities to enjoy, including cross-country skiing, winter camping, star-gazing, wildlife tracking, snowmobiling, skiing/snowboarding, tobogganing and more! Enjoy your weekend in British Columbia’s natural playground!
Resources:
Recreation Sites and Trails BC
Destination BC
BC Parks
BC AdventureSmart
The Lake Windermere Whiteway
