Where mountains meet the beach ...
A visit to Vancouver during winter provides a refreshing balance to the usual ski holiday. Vancouver’s mild weather lets you sail in the morning, cycle the seawall after lunch, ski or board the local peaks at dusk, then come back down again to dine and dance the night away in one of the city’s hippest nightlife districts. No wonder Vancouver is one of the worlds top city destinations.

More to explore
A few days in the city offers a great contrast to time spent at one of B.C.’s ski resorts. The locals in Vancouver like to say that they leave the snow up on the mountains, where it belongs. The local mountains offer plenty of adventure aside from skiing and boarding, while the amazing natural scenery also forms a backdrop for unique attractions – such as the Capilano Suspension Bridge’s new Cliffwalk, or Western Canada’s only 4D theatre experience at the Vancouver Aquarium, and families love the First Nations history at the breathtaking UBC Museum of Anthropology. There is so much to see and do.

Shop to it!
If you’re looking for a little retail therapy, Vancouver is sure to please even the most ardent shopper. Choose from artisan markets, international designers, and unbeatable bargains through to decadent splurges – you will find it all downtown. The city also has many hip and trendy districts such as Gastown and Yaletown, where you can find galleries and designer boutiques.

Sip and savour
A destination as active as Vancouver gives you plenty of ways to work up an appetite, which is a good thing given the city’s justifiably lauded dining scene. A multicultural melting pot, there’s so many traditions and influences flowing throughout the city through an astounding number of restaurants for all budgets and tastes.

Night moves
Don’t let the evening end when your plates are cleared: Vancouver has a vibrant cocktail scene worthy of exploration along with nightlife options to suit all tastes. Chose a neighbourhood and explore your choices, from neon-lit Granville Street lined with clubs, through to sophisticated Yaletown and super-hip Gastown. No matter what your music scene is or atmosphere preference, you won’t be disappointed.

Take a peak
Vancouver’s Cypress and Grouse mountains are visible from just about anywhere downtown, and skiers and non-skiers alike will love that you can be up at the top of one in just 20 minutes. Grouse Mountain and Cypress Mountain are close by to downtown and offer a myriad of winter activities to enjoy, all just a short transfer from your hotel! Choose from skiing or snowboarding, snow-tubing, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trails that lead you to a historic rustic lodge in the woods, perfect for a warming cocoa mid-trek. For a truly unique alpine experience, try night skiing with a spectacular view of the sparkling lights of downtown Vancouver below you.

‘tis the season
One of the most enchanting times to visit Vancouver is Christmas. The city’s streets, hotels and shops twinkle with seasonal cheer, and the sounds, scents and excitement are all-encompassing. The Peak of Christmas at Grouse Mountain features sleigh rides, carol singing and Santa’s workshop, while light festivals in Stanley Park, VanDusen Botantical Garden and Capilano Suspension Bridge all combine thousands of twinkling lights with seasonal activities and performances for the whole family. In the centre of downtown at Robson Square, you can even lace up a pair of skates and take a seasonal glide around the outdoor ice rink.

Time out
Of course, a visit to laidback Vancouver wouldn’t be complete without absorbing the relaxed spirit of the locals. A walk along the beaches, joining your friends for a well-deserved cocktail, indulging in a natural spa treatment or just grabbing a coffee and taking in the view – it’s right here that you’ll understand why this city is regularly ranked as one of the most liveable places in the world. Combined with a ski/board trip, Vancouver is an easy place to visit but it’s much harder to leave!