Get Outside
Vancouver Activities Guide
From our beautiful beaches to our snow-capped mountains, Vancouver is an outdoor paradise.
The outdoor lifestyle is so important to Vancouver culture and Vancouverites, as well as a main attraction for travelers and visitors. There are few places in the world that offer such a wide variety of outdoor activities: in Vancouver, you can play at the beach, golf and hit the slopes all in the same day!
At Vancouver beaches, there are paved trails for walking and biking, facilities for beach volleyball and tennis, designated areas to chase the dog, and breathtaking scenery to enjoy.
Vancouver is an extremely bike-friendly city. Not only do separated lanes in downtown Vancouver make it easy for residents to commute via bike, there are lots of flat, easy, scenic routes for cycling throughout the city.
Vancouver golf courses offer a wide range of options for locals and visitors alike, from high-end, prestigious private clubs to scenic and challenging public courses to inexpensive, family-oriented Pitch & Putts.
Hiking is one of the most popular outdoor activities in Vancouver and one of the Top 10 Free Things to Do; many locals will do mini-hikes on any given day or use the weekend for longer hiking trips.
Let’s face it: mountain biking is in Vancouver’s blood. Kids grow up in the sport because it’s a legitimate extracurricular school activity. The city breeds world champs and medal-winning Olympians who probably eat dirt for breakfast.
There are three great ski resorts on Vancouver’s North Shore – all about a 30-minute drive from downtown. All offer great downhill skiing, as well as snowshoeing and other winter activities. Further up the coast is, of course, Whistler Blackcomb – one of the world’s premier skiing destinations.
For water sports enthusiasts of all kinds, Vancouver has plenty of to offer. Situated on the shores of Burrard Inlet, English Bay, and the Georgia Strait, the city boasts an impressive amount of coastline. The surrounding region has pristine lakes, beautiful inlets and coves, and mighty rivers, making Vancouver a paradise for anyone who loves getting out on the water.
