From festivals to tubing: Here are 7 exciting things to do outdoors in BC this winter

Ready to take full advantage of the winter season before the mountain snow (and your motivation) melts away? Consider adding these outdoor festivals and activities to your winter bucket list for the coming months. From snowy adventures in the mountains to charming small-town festivals, here are some exciting things to do outdoors in BC this winter.

Red Bull Homerun at Sun Peaks Resort

We’re just a week away from one of the most epic ski/snowboard events of the year in BC, and the good news is that anyone can compete in it! The Red Bull Homerun is back at Sun Peaks Resort for a thrilling day of racing down a ski course, followed by a massive après ski party. So whether you’re looking to ski or snowboard in the competition or take it all in as a spectator – this is definitely a weekend trip in the making.

When: Saturday, February 3rd
Where: Sun Peaks

High on Ice Winter Festival

Every year, the small town of Fort. St. John throws its signature High on Ice Winter Festival, which features professional ice carvings, exciting ice slides, and other winter-themed activities at Centennial Park. The 2024 festival will take place from February 16th to 19th.

When: February 16th to 19th
Where: Centennial Park, Fort St. John

Whistler Olympic Plaza, Whistler 

If you’re heading to Whistler for the weekend, a stop at the outdoor rink at Whistler Olympic Plaza is practically mandatory. As of November 24th, visitors can skate to their hearts’ content surrounded by mountain views and twinkling lights.

Note that The Snow Zone will open as soon as snow conditions permit, and guests are encouraged to bring their own skates. Admission is $2 per person without skate rentals, and $9 with skate rentals.

When: Open until mid-March
Where: 4365 Blackcomb Way, Whistler
Cost: $2 to $9 admission

Go snow tubing

From Mt. Seymour to the Cypress Tubing Park on Bowen Island, to Sasquatch Mountain, there are plenty of places to go tubing in BC. So grab your pals and loved ones and get ready for a snow day that’s equal parts family-friendly and thrilling.

Where: Ski resorts across BC

Snowshoeing & cross-country skiing

There’s nothing that gets us excited for the winter season like an afternoon of snowshoeing or cross-country skiing, and to that end, there are a ton of beautiful places to visit in BC to take advantage of the season. If you’re looking for a mix of popular mountain trails, hidden Nordic gems, and provincial park pathways, consider this list a solid place to start.

Where: See our picks above

Snowmobiling

From the scenic winter trails at Evanoff Park, to sledding hotspots like Revelstoke, Sicamous, and Wells, there are tons of opportunities to explore BC’s remote, often untapped, snowy terrain. There are snowmobile tour and rental companies across the province worth checking out if you want to cover more ground in a shorter time.

Where: Locations across BC

Go on a spontaneous winter road trip 

If you want to get out of the city for a bit, there are plenty of beautiful small towns with a lot of charm to explore in BC this winter. From Pemberton to Harrison Hot Springs, check out our list of some of the best spots for a spontaneous trip from Vancouver.

Where: See our picks above

And that’s a wrap on some winter fun and things to do outdoors in BC in the coming weeks. Enjoy!