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Getaways from Vancouver · Winter 2026–27

Winter getaways from Vancouver

Sixteen ways out of the city between December and March, from a 55-minute drive to Squamish's wintering eagles to a 35-minute seaplane into Victoria's Inner Harbour. Each is sorted by how you get there, with the event worth timing it for, where to stay and one thing to know before you go.

  • 16trips
  • 8by car
  • 1by train
  • 7by air
  • Facts checked 21 October 2026

16 winter trips from Vancouver, sorted by how you get there: 8 by car, 1 by train and 7 by air. The quickest to reach is Salt Spring Island, 30 min away; the longest trip is Tofino, 5 hr. Each one lists the travel time, the dates worth timing it for and where to stay.

At a glance

GetawayFrom VancouverBest forTime it for
Squamish 55 min Outdoors, Family Winter, which Tourism Squamish calls the prime time for eagle viewing
Harrison Hot Springs 1 hr 30 min Spa, Family, Romantic January to March midweek
Sunshine Coast 1 hr 40 min Spa, Romantic, Outdoors March, when the Lagoon Restaurant reopens
Whistler 2 hr Ski, Festival, Family Whistler Pride and Ski Festival, 24–31 Jan 2027
Parksville Qualicum Beach 3 hr Spa, Romantic, Outdoors January and February midweek, for a quiet spa stay
Sooke 3 hr Romantic, Outdoors, Food & wine December to February, for storm watching
Ucluelet 4 hr 45 min Outdoors, Spa, Festival Pacific Rim Whale Festival (2027 dates TBA)
Tofino 5 hr Outdoors, Romantic, Spa December to February, when the Wickaninnish Inn says storm-watching season peaks
Seattle Passport 4 hr City break, Festival, Food & wine Argosy Cruises Christmas Ship Festival, 27 Nov – 23 Dec 2026
Salt Spring Island 30 min Romantic, Food & wine, Spa January to March, for a quiet island weekend
Victoria 35 min City break, Food & wine, Romantic Dine Around and Stay in Town (2027 dates TBA)
Kelowna 1 hr 15 min Food & wine, Romantic, Spa Taste Around Kelowna (2027 dates TBA)
Sun Peaks 1 hr 30 min Ski, Family, Food & wine Sun Peaks Winter Okanagan Wine Festival (2027 dates TBA)
Vernon and Sparkling Hill 1 hr 30 min Spa, Romantic, Ski January to March, pairing spa days with SilverStar
Big White 1 hr 55 min Ski, Family January to March
Revelstoke 3 hr 30 min Ski, Outdoors January to March

By car 8 trips

55 min
Photograph · Tourism Squamish
Sea to Sky, British Columbia

Squamish

About 55 minutes (64 km) from downtown Vancouver, per Tourism SquamishTourism Squamish lists the Squamish Connector, BC Connector and Skylynx shuttles from downtown Vancouver and YVR (1 hr 20 min from the airport by car).

Squamish is under an hour from downtown, and every fall bald eagles arrive with the salmon runs; Tourism Squamish calls winter the prime time to see them. The Sea to Sky Gondola above town adds a tube park, snowshoe trails and a summit lodge for a short, low-effort winter escape.

Do
  • Eagle viewing in Brackendale Tourism Squamish points to the Eagle Run viewing shelter in Brackendale, Eagle Run Park and the Mamquam Blind Channel trails; the Squamish Adventure Centre has maps.
  • Sea to Sky Gondola An eight-minute ride to 885 metres; in winter Tourism Squamish lists a tube park, snowshoeing and Nordic skiing at the top, with hot drinks at the Summit Lodge.
  • Craft Tasting Trail Pick up a passport at the Squamish Adventure Centre and start at Howe Sound Brew Pub.
Stay
  • Howe Sound Inn & Brewing A twenty-room inn above the Howe Sound brewery in downtown Squamish, with views of the Chief, Mamquam Mountain and the Tantalus Range, and room service from the brewpub.

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Winter tip Pick up a viewing map at the Squamish Adventure Centre before heading to Brackendale; the eagles follow the salmon, so ask there where they are feeding that week.

1 hr 30 min
Photograph · Tourism Harrison River Valley
Fraser Valley, British Columbia

Harrison Hot Springs

About 90 minutes east of Vancouver by car (allow 2 hours from YVR), per Tourism Harrison River Valley

Ninety minutes from Vancouver, Harrison is the closest hot-springs soak to the city, and the resort's five mineral pools run from a 38 to 40°C sitting pool to a cooler outdoor lap pool. Tourism Harrison also lists lodging beside the slopes of Sasquatch Mountain Resort for a ski day.

Do
  • Harrison Hot Springs Resort pools Five mineral pools, two indoor and three outdoor, including an adults-only (18+) outdoor pool; the indoor pools open 8 am to 1 am.
  • Sasquatch Mountain Resort The ski hill at Hemlock Valley; Tourism Harrison lists lodging a five-minute walk from its slopes.
Stay
  • Harrison Hot Springs Resort The resort says hotel guests get unlimited access to its five mineral pools, with adults-only hours in the indoor pools from 10 pm to 1 am.

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Winter tip The resort's own summary and detail listings give different temperatures for several pools; the indoor Sitting Pool is the hottest at 38 to 40°C.

1 hr 40 min
Photograph · Shayd Johnson / Sunshine Coast Tourism
Pender Harbour, British Columbia

Sunshine Coast

About 1 hr 40 min from West Vancouver: a 40-minute BC Ferries crossing to Langdale, then a 60-minute drive to Madeira Park, per Painted BoatPacific Coastal flies YVR to Sechelt, per Sunshine Coast Tourism; Painted Boat's 20-minute floatplane option runs in summer only.

A 40-minute ferry from Horseshoe Bay puts the Sunshine Coast within easy reach, and Painted Boat's 31 villas and hydrotherapy spa sit on the water in Pender Harbour. In winter the draw is the spa, the water views and a slower pace.

Do
  • The Spa at Painted Boat Hydrotherapy, body rituals and ocean-inspired treatments, with a Spa Serenity Garden and outdoor hot tub.
  • Skookumchuck Narrows BC Ferries' Sunshine Coast getaway lists the tidal rapids at Skookumchuck Narrows (stl'ikwu) near Pender Harbour.
  • Gibsons Public Market A stop 10 minutes from the Langdale terminal on the way up the coast.
Stay
  • Painted Boat Resort Spa & Marina Thirty-one two-bedroom and loft villas with water views on five acres in Madeira Park, with a spa and the waterfront Lagoon Restaurant.

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Winter tip Painted Boat's Lagoon Restaurant is open March through December, Tuesday to Saturday, so plan dinners elsewhere on a January or February stay.

2 hr
Photograph · Justa Jeskova / Tourism Whistler
Sea to Sky, British Columbia

Whistler

About 2 hours (120 km) up the Sea to Sky Highway, per Tourism WhistlerTourism Whistler lists coach, floatplane and helicopter options from Vancouver and YVR but publishes no times for them; the organiser of Whistler Pride offers discounted VIP Whistler Limo rides from the airport.

Whistler Blackcomb is targeting a 20 November 2026 opening, and the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola, which Tourism Whistler bills as the world's highest lift of its kind, links the two mountains 436 metres above the valley floor. Winter evenings have their own draw: a free Fire & Ice Show in the village every Sunday from January to March.

Time it for Whistler Pride and Ski Festival 24–31 Jan 2027

A week of free guided ski and snowboard groups, daily après, nightly parties and a Rainbow Ski Out and Pride Parade on Friday 29 January, with host-hotel packages at the Aava Whistler Hotel. Tourism Whistler lists the festival as 24 to 30 January; dates here are the organiser's.

Do
  • PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola Links the Whistler and Blackcomb gondolas 436 metres (1,427 feet) above the valley floor, with 360-degree views of the Coast Mountains; sightseeing runs from opening day to mid-April.
  • Fire & Ice Show Skiers and riders flip through a ring of fire to a live DJ, ending in fireworks, at Skier's Plaza at the base of the Whistler and Excalibur gondolas; free, Sundays at 7:30 pm from January to March 2027, plus 8:30 pm on 31 December 2026.
  • Ski Whistler Blackcomb Opening is targeted for 20 November 2026 (subject to change), with most lifts running 9 am to 3:30 pm through 15 January.
Stay
  • Fairmont Chateau Whistler At the base of Blackcomb Mountain with ski-in, ski-out access, a slope-side ski valet that stores skis overnight, and the in-house Vida Spa, per the hotel; its new Wildflower Grill opens in December, per Tourism Whistler.

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Winter tip Pride festival tickets go on sale 12 November, and accommodation booked through the festival site by 30 November comes with early ticket access and a dining credit of up to $225. Fire & Ice dates depend on valley snow, and Tourism Whistler will confirm the schedule in late fall 2026.

3 hr
Photograph · Jlabrie / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)
Vancouver Island, British Columbia

Parksville Qualicum Beach

A little more than 3 hours door to door off-peak by BC Ferries and car, per Visit Parksville Qualicum BeachThe Hullo passenger ferry runs downtown Vancouver to downtown Nanaimo in 75 minutes, and Parksville is a half-hour north of Nanaimo's ferry terminals, per Visit Parksville Qualicum Beach.

About three hours from Vancouver door to door, Parksville is an easy island spa weekend, and Visit Parksville Qualicum Beach pitches winter as a season of rest, when the air is crisp and the tides are high. Tigh-Na-Mara's Grotto Spa is the reason to go.

Do
  • Grotto Spa at Tigh-Na-Mara A two-hour, self-paced circuit with a mineral pool styled after a natural stone grotto, a cool splash waterfall, cedar barrel saunas and a fireside garden patio.
  • Treetop at Tigh-Na-Mara Above the spa, a curated 9-course Chef's Tasting Menu.
Stay
  • Tigh-Na-Mara Seaside Spa Resort Home of the Grotto Spa, with a mineral pool, whirlpool, cascading waterfalls and a sauna garden of four eight-person saunas.

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Winter tip If you are not bringing a car, the Hullo passenger ferry gets you from downtown Vancouver to downtown Nanaimo in 75 minutes.

3 hr
Photograph · Sooke Harbour House
Vancouver Island, British Columbia

Sooke

About 3 hours: 1 hr 35 min on BC Ferries from Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay (Tourism Victoria), then through Victoria and 30 to 40 minutes west on Highway 14 (Sooke Harbour House)Fly to Victoria's Inner Harbour in 35 minutes by Harbour Air or Helijet, then drive 38 km west.

Sooke is Victoria's wild edge, 38 kilometres west on the Juan de Fuca Strait, and Sooke Harbour House says winter here is famous for dramatic storm watching. It works as a quiet two-nighter on its own or as an add-on to a Victoria weekend.

Do
  • Storm watching on the Juan de Fuca Strait Sooke Harbour House says winter is famous for dramatic storm watching and suggests packing binoculars.
  • Whiffin Spit and East Sooke Regional Park Coastal walks that Sooke Harbour House recommends near the hotel; the Galloping Goose Trail runs back to downtown Victoria.
Stay
  • Sooke Harbour House Thirty rooms, 28 with ocean views and wood-burning fireplaces, overlooking Whiffin Spit and the Olympic Mountains, with an on-site restaurant and wine cellar.

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Winter tip Bring binoculars: the hotel suggests them specifically for winter storm watching.

4 hr 45 min
Photograph · Kevstan / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Vancouver Island, British Columbia

Ucluelet

About 4 hr 30 min to 5 hours: just under 2 hours from Horseshoe Bay to Nanaimo on BC Ferries, then 2.5 to 3 hours by road, per Black Rock Oceanfront ResortTsawwassen to Duke Point takes a little over 2 hours; Tofino's airport is 20 minutes from Black Rock, per the resort.

Ucluelet sits on the same open coast as Tofino with fewer crowds, and Black Rock Oceanfront Resort sells it for winter storm watching from floor-to-ceiling windows on a rocky headland. From February, the gray whale migration starts passing the coast, which is what the Pacific Rim Whale Festival celebrates.

Time it for Pacific Rim Whale Festival 2027 dates still to be announced; the festival's site lists no dates yet

The Pacific Rim Whale Festival Society's annual festival marking the gray whale migration on the west coast of Vancouver Island.

Do
  • Wild Pacific Trail Four sections along the outer coast (Lighthouse Loop, Big Beach, Brown's Beach and Ancient Cedars), with views of storms over the surge channels.
  • Gray whale migration Black Rock says the gray whale migration runs from February through May.
  • Drift Spa The spa at Black Rock Oceanfront Resort.
Stay
  • Black Rock Oceanfront Resort 133 studio, one- and two-bedroom suites with floor-to-ceiling windows on a rocky headland, about 15 minutes' walk from Ucluelet village, with Drift Spa.

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Winter tip The whale festival organiser puts the west coast 2.5 to 3 hours from Nanaimo and 1.5 to 2 hours from Port Alberni; if you would rather fly, Tofino's airport is 20 minutes from Black Rock.

5 hr
Photograph · Jeremy Koreski / Tourism Tofino
Vancouver Island, British Columbia

Tofino

About 5 hours: just under 2 hours on BC Ferries from Horseshoe Bay to Nanaimo, then about 3 hours by road, per the Wickaninnish InnPacific Coastal flies from YVR to Tofino Long Beach Airport, and Harbour Air runs a seasonal seaplane from Vancouver Harbour; Harbour Air does not say whether it flies in winter, so check its schedule. The Hullo passenger ferry reaches Nanaimo from downtown in 75 minutes.

Tofino turns winter into the main event: Tourism Tofino says storm surges bring waves of up to 20 feet onto beaches like Wickaninnish and Cox Bay. The Wickaninnish Inn, built for watching weather from indoors, says storm season peaks in winter and often lingers into early spring.

Do
  • Storm watching at Wickaninnish Beach The beach faces southwest and typically gets some of the largest waves, per Tourism Tofino.
  • Florencia Bay viewing platform A viewing platform 200 metres down the trail from the parking lot; Tourism Tofino says to avoid the wooded path on high-wind days.
  • North Chesterman Beach Typically smaller waves because of the shape of the bay, with dramatic spray at the north end.
Stay
  • The Wickaninnish Inn The inn says storm-watching season peaks in winter, and Tourism Tofino suggests it as a place to storm watch in a comfortable, dry setting.

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Winter tip There are no lifeguards on Tofino's beaches or in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. Stay off tidal rocks, keep above the high-tide line and watch for driftwood carried in on the waves, per Tourism Tofino.

On Not An Atlas: Tofino’s Storm Season, Plated

By train 1 trip

4 hr
Photograph · Argosy Cruises / Visit Seattle
Washington, USA Passport needed

Seattle

About 4 hours from Vancouver to Seattle by Amtrak Cascades, per WSDOTAmtrak's timetable shows a 4:55 pm departure from Pacific Central arriving at King Street at 9:10 pm, plus a morning train and connecting Thruway buses.

Since June 2026 the Amtrak Cascades no longer stops in Blaine for a second customs check, and WSDOT puts the Vancouver to Seattle run at four hours. December is the month to go: Visit Seattle's holiday calendar runs from the Christmas Ship Festival to Winterfest and the Seattle Christmas Market.

Time it for Argosy Cruises Christmas Ship Festival 27 Nov – 23 Dec 2026

Lit, carolling ships sail from Seattle, Kirkland, Edmonds, Everett and Des Moines; Visit Seattle says the festival marks its 77th year.

Do
  • Seattle Center Winterfest A holiday village with a winter train in the Armory and Saturday ice sculpting, 27 November to 31 December 2026.
  • WildLanterns at Woodland Park Zoo Custom lantern displays across the zoo grounds, 13 November 2026 to 17 January 2027.
  • Seattle Christmas Market A European-style market at Fisher Pavilion and South Fountain Lawn, 20 November to 27 December 2026.
Stay
  • The Edgewater Atop Pier 67 at 2411 Alaskan Way, with gas-burning fireplaces in every room, over-water king rooms with balconies and Six Seven Restaurant.

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Winter tip Since 8 June 2026, US-bound Cascades trains no longer stop in Blaine for customs agents to board, per WSDOT. Carry a passport or NEXUS card for the border.

A short flight 7 trips

30 min
Photograph · Harbour Air
Gulf Islands, British Columbia

Salt Spring Island

30 minutes by seaplane into Ganges Harbour, per Hastings HouseHarbour Air flies from downtown Vancouver and YVR South, and Seair from YVR. BC Ferries from Tsawwassen to Long Harbour takes 1.5 to 3 hours, per Hastings House.

Thirty minutes by floatplane puts you in Ganges Harbour, and Harbour Air pitches Salt Spring as a winter getaway of cheese tastings, cider and forest saunas. Hastings House, a minute from Ganges, sends a shuttle to meet the plane.

Do
  • Salt Spring Island Cheese Cheese samples at the island's cheesemaker, per Harbour Air's winter guide.
  • Salty Pear Sauna A Scandinavian-style sauna tucked into the forest.
  • Arbutus View Thermal Spa Harbour Air's pick for a spa session on the island.
Stay
  • Hastings House At 160 Upper Ganges Road, about a minute's drive from central Ganges, with a complimentary shuttle for guests arriving by air, boat or ferry.

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Winter tip Harbour Air advertised up to six daily winter flights from Downtown Vancouver and YVR South last season; check the 2026-27 schedule before planning a same-day return.

35 min
Photograph · Tourism Victoria
Vancouver Island, British Columbia

Victoria

35 minutes downtown to downtown by Harbour Air seaplane or Helijet, per Tourism VictoriaBC Ferries sails Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay in 1 hr 35 min; Seair seaplanes take 30 minutes, and YVR to YYJ flights take 30 minutes, per Tourism Victoria.

A 35-minute seaplane lands you in the Inner Harbour, where Tourism Victoria's weekend itinerary starts with floating saunas on a restored barge. Winter is when Victoria runs Dine Around and Stay in Town, its 17-day set-menu promotion with more than 60 restaurants and hotel deals alongside.

Time it for Dine Around and Stay in Town 2027 dates still to be announced; ran 23 January to 8 February 2026

Tourism Victoria's annual set-menu promotion; 2026 drew more than 60 restaurants and 15 hotels with stay-in-town rates.

Do
  • HAVN Saunas Nordic-style saunas, cold plunges and ocean-view hot tubs on a restored floating barge at Ship Point on the Inner Harbour.
  • Royal BC Museum Galleries on Indigenous culture, dinosaurs and wildlife across more than 10,000 years of human history in BC.
  • Afternoon tea at The Butchart Gardens Tea in The Dining Room at the National Historic Site garden; Tourism Victoria strongly encourages reservations.
Stay
  • Inn at Laurel Point A waterfront hotel at 680 Montreal Street on the Inner Harbour, with Aura Waterfront Restaurant; in 2026 it offered Dine Around menus at $35 for lunch and $65 for dinner.

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Winter tip Floatplanes fly only in daylight and Harbour Air runs fewer flights in winter, so check the schedule before booking a late arrival.

On Not An Atlas: Summer School Holidays 2026–27: When Families Fly · Melbourne Cup Week 2026: A Practical Race-Day Guide

1 hr 15 min
Photograph · Darren Hull Studios / 50th Parallel Estate Winery
Okanagan, British Columbia

Kelowna

About 1 hour by air to Kelowna International, which is 15 minutes from downtown, per Tourism KelownaAbout 4 to 4.5 hours by car via the Okanagan Connector; Tourism Kelowna gives both figures.

Wine country in winter means fireside tastings, icewine and cellar tours without summer crowds, and Tourism Kelowna lists more than a dozen wineries running winter experiences. Big White and SilverStar are close enough to pair a ski day with evenings in town.

Time it for Taste Around Kelowna 2027 dates still to be announced; Tourism Kelowna says it runs every year from January to February

A winter promotion of wine and dining across the city, per Tourism Kelowna.

Do
  • Winter wine touring Icewine tastings at Summerhill Pyramid Winery and Grizzli, après by the fire at CedarCreek and a seated tasting in Mission Hill's holiday-decorated cellar.
  • Löyly Floating Sauna A Nordic-inspired sauna on Okanagan Lake.
  • Myra Canyon Trestles Snowshoeing on trestle-lined trails; rentals from Play It Again Sports, as none are available at the trailhead.
Stay

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Winter tip Many wineries cut hours or close for parts of winter, so Tourism Kelowna advises checking ahead before you set a tasting route.

1 hr 30 min
Photograph · Kelly Funk / Sun Peaks Resort
Thompson Okanagan, British Columbia

Sun Peaks

About 1 hr 30 min: a 45-minute flight via YVR to Kamloops, then a 45-minute drive, per Sun Peaks ResortSun Peaks says the drive from Vancouver takes about 4.5 to 5 hours; Air Canada, WestJet and Pacific Coastal fly to Kamloops.

Sun Peaks spreads more than 4,400 skiable acres and 144 runs over three peaks, with a walkable village where many lodgings are ski-in, ski-out. Kamloops is a short hop from YVR, so it competes with Whistler on door-to-door time.

Time it for Sun Peaks Winter Okanagan Wine Festival 2027 dates still to be announced; Sun Peaks' own pages describe only past editions

A multi-day festival of tastings with Okanagan wineries around the village; the resort describes past editions with around 16 events, including a progressive tasting.

Do
  • Ski three peaks Tod Mountain, Sundance Mountain and Mount Morrisey: more than 4,400 acres and 144 runs.
  • Nordic skiing from the village Groomed, track-set trails that start in the village, with lessons and rentals.
  • Holiday fireworks Christmas and New Year's celebrations in the village include fireworks.
Stay
  • Sundance Lodge True ski-in, ski-out at the base of the Sundance Express chairlift in Sun Peaks Village, with hotel rooms, lofts and one- and two-bedroom suites.

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Winter tip Sun Peaks strongly recommends booking airport shuttles in advance in winter; Kelowna's airport is an alternative at 2 hr 45 min by road.

1 hr 30 min
Photograph · Tourism Vernon
Okanagan, British Columbia

Vernon and Sparkling Hill

About 1 hr 30 min: 1 hour by air to Kelowna (Tourism Kelowna), then 30 minutes to Sparkling Hill (the resort)Vernon is 441 km and about 4.5 hours from Vancouver by car, and Kelowna Concierge runs scheduled shuttles from the airport to SilverStar, per Tourism Vernon.

Sparkling Hill is an adult-oriented wellness resort with a 40,000-square-foot KurSpa, seven themed steams and saunas and a cryo chamber set at minus 110°C. It is 30 minutes from Kelowna's airport, with SilverStar nearby for ski days.

Do
  • KurSpa 40,000 square feet with seven themed steams and saunas and a heated outdoor infinity pool open year-round.
  • Cryo Cold Chamber A room set at minus 110°C; the only part of the spa that non-guests can book.
  • SilverStar Mountain Resort Reachable by Kelowna Concierge's scheduled shuttle from the airport, per Tourism Vernon.
Stay
  • Sparkling Hill Resort A 16-plus wellness resort (rooms are for guests 19 and over) at 888 Sparkling Place, Vernon, whose KurSpa is reserved for overnight guests.

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Winter tip KurSpa access comes only with an overnight stay; day visitors can book the cryo chamber but not the saunas or pools.

1 hr 55 min
Photograph · Big White Ski Resort
Okanagan, British Columbia

Big White

About 1 hour by air to Kelowna (Tourism Kelowna), then a 55-minute shuttle to the resort (Big White)Big White is 56 km southeast of Kelowna; drivers can park free in Happy Valley and ride a free gondola to the Village Centre.

Big White calls itself totally ski-in, ski-out, so families can walk out of the door and onto the snow, with what it bills as Okanagan Champagne Powder. An hour's flight and a 55-minute shuttle from Vancouver makes it a realistic long weekend.

Do
  • Ski the village Ski-in, ski-out lodging across the village, per Big White's first-timer's guide.
  • Happy Valley Adventure Centre Free parking and a free gondola up to the Village Centre.
  • Tubing Listed among Big White's non-ski activities in its first-timer's guide.
Stay
  • Chateau Big White Ski-in, ski-out access to three chairlifts in Central Village, a large outdoor hot tub and the Black Diamond Bar and Grill.
  • Stonebridge Lodge One- to three-bedroom executive suites in the heart of the village, with ski-in, ski-out access and private hot tubs in many units.

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Winter tip Book the airport shuttle when you book flights; Big White's page puts the ride at 55 minutes.

3 hr 30 min
Photograph · Tom Poole / Revelstoke Mountain Resort
Kootenay Rockies, British Columbia

Revelstoke

About 3 hr 30 min: 1 hour by air to Kelowna (Tourism Kelowna), then about 2.5 hours by road or shuttle (Revelstoke Mountain Resort)Driving from Vancouver takes about 6.5 hours (565 km) per Tourism Revelstoke, or 7 hours (631 km) per the resort. Revelstoke Transfers runs up to five daily winter departures from Kelowna airport.

Revelstoke Mountain Resort has 3,121 acres and a 15.2 km longest run, and it bills itself as having the most vertical in North America. Add heli-skiing from town and it is the serious skier's pick on this list.

Do
  • Ski Revelstoke Mountain Resort 3,121 acres, a 15.2 km longest run and a 10.5 m average snowfall, per the resort.
  • Heli-skiing The resort points to Selkirk Tangiers for heli-skiing to untracked powder.
  • Downtown Revelstoke Shops, cafés, craft breweries and galleries, linked to the resort by a $2 daily shuttle.
Stay

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Winter tip Winter tires are required on the routes in from 1 October to 30 April; check DriveBC before you set off, per Tourism Revelstoke.

The season

The winter calendar

The dates that make a winter trip, as the organisers have announced them. Events still waiting on 2027 dates are listed with their trip, not here.

November 2026

  • 27 Nov – 23 Dec 2026Argosy Cruises Christmas Ship FestivalSeattle

January 2027

  • 24–31 Jan 2027Whistler Pride and Ski FestivalWhistler

Vancouver School Board schools break for winter from Monday 21 December 2026 to Friday 1 January 2027. Spring break runs 15 to 25 March 2027, running straight into Good Friday and Easter Monday, so classes resume 30 March. BC Family Day is Monday 15 February 2027, after a district Pro-D day on the Friday. Ski lodging, ferry reservations and island seaplanes book up early around all three. School holidays in British Columbia →

Questions

Quick answers

What are the best weekend getaways from Vancouver in winter?

Whistler is about two hours up the Sea to Sky Highway and Harrison Hot Springs about 90 minutes east. Victoria and Salt Spring Island are 30 to 35 minutes away by seaplane, and Kelowna is about an hour by air for winter wine touring.

When is storm watching season in Tofino?

The Wickaninnish Inn says storm-watching season peaks in winter and often lingers into early spring, and Tourism Tofino says waves can reach 20 feet. Wickaninnish Beach typically gets some of the largest waves. Tofino is about 5 hours from Vancouver by ferry and car.

Where can you ski near Vancouver?

Whistler Blackcomb is about two hours away by car, with opening targeted for 20 November 2026. For a short flight, Sun Peaks is a 45-minute flight to Kamloops plus a 45-minute drive, Big White is a 55-minute shuttle from Kelowna, and Revelstoke is about 2.5 hours from Kelowna's airport.

What are the most romantic winter getaways from Vancouver?

Sooke Harbour House has 28 ocean-view rooms with wood-burning fireplaces; Hastings House on Salt Spring is 30 minutes away by seaplane; Painted Boat on the Sunshine Coast has a hydrotherapy spa; and Sparkling Hill near Vernon is an adult-oriented wellness resort with a 40,000-square-foot spa.

Is it faster to get from Vancouver to Victoria by ferry or seaplane?

Harbour Air and Helijet both fly downtown to downtown in 35 minutes, and Seair in 30, per Tourism Victoria. BC Ferries takes 1 hr 35 min from Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay, plus the drives at each end, but lets you bring a car.

When is Whistler Pride and Ski Festival 2027?

The organiser lists 24 to 31 January 2027, with the Rainbow Ski Out and Pride Parade on Friday 29 January. Tickets go on sale 12 November, and accommodation booked through the festival by 30 November gets early ticket access.

What are the best winter getaways from Vancouver by car?

The closest are Squamish (55 min), Harrison Hot Springs (1 hr 30 min), Sunshine Coast (1 hr 40 min), Whistler (2 hr). Times are the tourism boards' own figures from downtown in normal conditions; allow more in snow.

Where can you go from Vancouver by train in winter?

By train: Seattle (4 hr). Rail skips winter driving entirely; book early for school-holiday weeks, when trains sell out.

Do I need a passport for these trips?

Only for the US picks: Seattle. Canadians need a passport or NEXUS card to fly to the US; by land, a passport or NEXUS card also works. Everything else on this list is in Canada.

Sources (64)

Checked 21 October 2026. Dates change: confirm with the event or hotel before you book. Spot something out of date? Tell us via our corrections policy.

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