Snowshoeing in Vancouver Overview

Snowshoeing--the sport of walking on snow-covered trails in snowshoes that you strap to your own boots--is one of the best winter activities in Vancouver. Not only is snowshoeing fantastic exercise--it burns 1,000 calories an hour--it also lets you explore some of the most scenic mountain vistas around Vancouver and can be done by anyone at any skill level, even someone who has never worn a snowshoe!

Like skiing and snowboarding, Vancouver's Top Snow Sport Resorts offer a wide range of snowshoeing options; many snowshoe trails are just a short drive away from downtown Vancouver and accessible via public transit.

Snowshoeing on Mount Seymour - Beginner, Intermediate & Expert Trails

Located just a half-hour drive from downtown Vancouver, Mount Seymour is a local favourite for snowshoeing in Vancouver. Not only are Mount Seymour's trails scenic--passing by picture-perfect lakes and old-growth forests--they're historic, too: Mount Seymour created their Discovery Trails system from trails originally used by the Alpine Club of Canada in the 1920s.

For beginners, Mount Seymour is the top spot for snowshoeing. The Dog Mountain trail is an ideal starter, offering an easy, clearly-marked trail that runs from the Mount Seymour parking lot to a mountain viewpoint that overlooks all of Vancouver. There are more challenging trails, too, for intermediate and expert athletes.

Mount Seymour also offers a variety of guided snowshoe tours, including Baby & Me (parent must be able to carry the baby for at least 90 minutes), Group Tours, and Twilight Tours.

Mount Seymour Snowshoeing: Rates & Information

Snowshoeing on Grouse Mountain - Beginner & Intermediate Trails

Located just 15 minutes north of downtown Vancouver, Grouse Mountain is year-round resort that offers lots of snow sports in the winter months, including snowshoeing. Grouse Mountain's Munday Alpine Snowshoe Park has four groomed snowshoe trails for beginner- and intermediate-level snowshoeing. There is also a beautiful scenic trail for intermediates that circles Dam Mountain and Thunder Ridge.

Grouse Mountain Snowshoeing: Rates & Information

Snowshoeing on Cypress Mountain - Intermediate & Expert Trails

West Vancouver's Cypress Mountain is home to some of the most challenging snowshoeing in Vancouver; there are self-guided snowshoeing trails for other skill levels at Cypress, but beginners would be better off at Mount Seymour (see above). For serious athletes, Hollyburn Mountain's snowshoeing trails offer an uphill workout that skirts the edges of the cross-country ski area and boasts fabulous city and mountain views.

Cypress Mountain Snowshoeing: Rates & Information

Snowshoeing in Whistler - Beginner, Intermediate & Expert Trails

As Vancouver's famous neighbour to the north, Whistler is well known for its skiing and snowboarding, but it's also a great destination for snowshoeing, too. There are trails for all skill levels at Whistler, as well as guided tours and snowshoeing tours that combine a snowshoe adventure with other winter activities, like snowmobiling.

Whistler Snowshoeing: Rates & Information

Want to combine a snowshoeing adventure with a weekend getaway? Snow Sports in Sun Peaks, BC