Tis’ the Season for BC Adventures

Destination BC | Northern BC Tourism | Ryan Dickie photo

BC turns into a winter wonderland for all ages to enjoy.

The days may feel colder, darker, and shorter, but there are plenty of fun adventures to immerse yourself in during the winter months ahead. As the holidays are on the horizon, BC turns into a winter wonderland for all ages to enjoy. With the varying temperatures, weather conditions and terrain, there are outdoor activities everywhere from the coast to the not-so-far mountains.

Storm watching

The coast offers incredible storm watching that you can witness during the winter season. Tofino and Ucluelet are prime spots for viewing the powerful winter storms sweeping across the Pacific ocean and also a great chance to watch the surfers catching the big waves. Grab your waterproof jackets, head to the shoreline and watch the waves crashing into the rocks. Be mindful of coastal safety and tides while viewing.

hit the snow

British Columbia has some of the best world-class terrains for skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing and snowmobiling. Roger’s Pass, the Bugaboos, Kootenay Rockies, Sugarbowl (Sugarbowl-Grizzly Den Provincial Park), Longworth Lookout, and Diamond Head (Garibaldi Provincial Park) are just a few key places to name if you’re chasing that powder. Keep in mind that these areas consist of avalanche terrain, so you should be knowledgeable and prepared about the backcountry. If you prefer to ski inbound, you might want to consider Revelstoke Mountain Resort, Big White, Whistler-Blackcomb or Fernie Alpine Resort.

Sledding or ski touring not your thing? Hit your stride with cross-country skiing. There are over 50 cross-country clubs that maintain a network of nordic trails across the province. Many places offer lit trails for a nighttime skiing experience, including Sovereign Lake, Cypress Mountain and Stake Lake by Kamloops. The Callaghan Valley also offers a great selection of dog-friendly trails; grab your skis and your furry pals for a fun adventure. 

enjoy the frozen lakes

Lace up your skates as the lakes turn into a natural outdoor ice rink. Take it up a notch with your friends and try some ice fishing, it really doesn’t get more Canadian than that. Ice fishing requires minimal gear and is a peaceful way to enjoy the winter season. Dress warm and enjoy the wait. Be sure to triple-check the thickness of the ice before you venture out on it. Safety comes first.

try a polar bear dip

Join in on an increasingly popular activity of wintertime swimming. Wake up your senses by experiencing a cold dip into one of your local lakes or the ocean. Many love the winter pastime for the sense of community, the high of adventure, and building your immunity. Believe it or not, but once you start, it typically seems to become part of one’s routine pretty quickly. Be sure to ease into this activity slowly and build up your tolerance to the cold water.

check out the night sky

Winter is dark and darkness offers optimal conditions for studying stars, constellations, and constellations in the sky. On clear evenings, escape the city’s hustle and bustle, find an optimal viewing spot outside and look up at the sky. There’s nothing quite like star-gazing and seeing so many twinkling stars. Bring binoculars or a telescope so you can see the sky more clearly, dress warmly and give your eyes some time to adjust to the darkness.

Cozy up by the fire with some blankets, and a delicious hot chocolate to end the day. British Columbia has all the outdoor adventures waiting for you.  

Shovel, shovel, shovel

The winter season can bring snowstorms that may require some shovelling. It can be an enjoyable activity to do with kids, especially if you live in an area prone to snow. Younger children love mimicking adults feeling like they’re helping move the snow. It may be short-lived, but it’s an excellent opportunity to start teaching them early.

resources:

• Explore: 10 of the Best Cross-Country Ski Trails

• Recreation Sites and Trails BC: Resource

• Destination BC: Resource

• BC Parks: Resource

• Avalanche Canada: Resource

• BC AdventureSmart: Resource

• BC Adventure Guides: Resource