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Snowshoe Trails around Vancouver
Just because it’s cold and rainy in the city doesn’t mean you can’t get outside and enjoy nature.
There are many great hikes available below the snowline so you can stay active during the winter. But snowshoeing allows you to get up into the mountains and enjoying a different type of adventure all-together.
We call these snowshoe trails, but because these are popular routes the snow is often packed down and hiking with trail crampons can actually be easier than using actual snowshoes. Local brand Hillsound is our preferred crampon maker, but Kahtoola MicroSpikes are also good.
This isn’t an exhaustive list of all the snowshoe trails around Vancouver, but it’s a collection of our 14 favorites.
If you want even more snowshoe trail ideas, we suggest looking at the detailed suggestions from Happiest Outdoors. They have posts for Vancouver, Squamish, Whistler, Fraser Valley, and Manning Park.
A word to the wise before we begin. Safety is always the most important consideration when hiking, and it is even more important when you’re in the mountains during the winter. Hypothermia, tree wells and cornices are dangerous. And avalanches can always occur, even on some of the well-marked winter routes in this guide.
We have some basic winter and avalanche safety guidelines on our site, but your best bet will be to take an Avalanche Safety Training course if you plan to explore the backcountry during the winter.
You should also read the post by local Search and Rescue Manager, Michael Coyle, How to Kill Yourself Snowshoeing.
Make sure to know the trail conditions before you head out, follow standard safety practices, and always carry the Ten Essentials.
Now, let’s look at these winter hikes!
Sea to Sky
1. Whistler Train Wreck
Where: Whistler
Time needed: 1 hour
Dogs Allowed?: Yes
Details: The Whistler Train Wreck is a popular, low elevation hike in Whistler. A short trail with minimal elevation change takes to a neat suspension bridge over the Cheakamus River, and to the site of the wreckage: 7 colorfully graffitied train cars scattered throughout the area.
Link: Read more here.
2. Brandywine Falls
Where: Whistler
Time needed: 1 hour
Dogs Allowed?: Yes
Details: Brandywine Falls is an iconic landmark along the Sea to Sky Highway, located in Brandywine Falls Provincial Park. A short and easy trek to the viewing platform is all you need to tackle to view this incredible sight.
Link: Read more here.
3. Alexander Falls
Where: Whistler
Time needed: 2 hours
Dogs Allowed?: Yes
Details: Normally viewed from the viewing platform off Callaghan Road, Alexander Falls makes for a spectacular sight when frozen, later in the winter. The are two trails you can take to reach the base of the waterfall, which requires a day-pass from Callaghan Valley.
Link: Read more here.
4. Elfin Lakes / Red Heather Hut
Where: Squamish
Time needed: 4 hours – overnight
Dogs Allowed?: No
Details: For those looking for a nice half-day outing with moderate difficulty, the Red Heather Hut in Garibaldi Park makes for a great trip. For those wanting something longer, and with more rewarding views, continuing on to Elfin Lakes is a local favorite. Elfin Lakes can be done as a very-long day hike, but is commonly down as an overnight sleep in the Elfin Lakes Hut (permit required).
Link: Read more here.
5. Panorama Trail / Sea to Sky Gondola
Where: Squamish
Time needed: 1 Hour
Dogs Allowed?: No
Details: There are several snowshoe trails available at the top of the Sea to Sky Gondola but and the Panorama Trail is one of the easier and more popular ones.
The trip up costs money, but has the benefit of getting you quickly to elevation, and the possibility of enjoying a beer at the restaurant after your trek.
Note: The Sea to Sky Gondola is closed for repairs until Spring 2020.
Link: Read more here.
Metro Vancouver
6. Bowen Lookout
Where: West Vancouver
Time needed: 1.5 Hours
Dogs Allowed?: Yes, on-leash
Details: The Bowen Lookout at Cypress Mountain is a nice short snowshoe trail, and has a fantastic vantage point at sunset, making it an after-work hiking option depending what time you can get up the mountain. The hike is free but requires a snowshoe access pass from Cypress Mountain Resort.
Link: Read more here.
7. Hollyburn Mountain
Where: West Vancouver
Time needed: 4 Hours
Dogs Allowed?: Yes
Details: Hollyburn Mountain in Cypress Provincial Park is one of the most popular winter trails around Vancouver. On a sunny weekend day, hundreds of people flock to the trail to get some fresh winter air and soak up the spectacular view of the city and surrounding mountains.
The Hollyburn Peak Trail is marked by B.C. Parks and takes you 2.5 km to the end of the Cypress Mountain Nordic ski area and up to an amazing look-out of the city of Vancouver
Link: Read more here.
8. Grouse Mountain / Snowshoe Grind
Where: North Vancouver
Time needed: 1 hour
Dogs Allowed?: No
Details: The Snowshoe Grouse Grind is a well-marked and beginner-friendly place to try out snowshoeing. The terrain will give you a solid workout, and on a clear day the views are amazing. However, there is the cost of the gondola to consider, and the trail can be quite busy.
Link: Read more here.
9. Dog Mountain
Where: North Vancouver
Time needed: 2 hours
Dogs Allowed?: Yes
Details: Dog Mountain is the perfect place for an easy afternoon snowshoe. The short distance and lack of serious elevation change makes it a popular trail for beginner showshoers and for children.
On a clear day, epic views of Vancouver can be had.
Link: Read more here.
10. Mount Seymour / Pump Peak
Where: North Vancouver
Time needed: 4 hours
Dogs Allowed?: Yes
Details: On a clear winter day, the scenery along the trail to Pump Peak is breathtaking. The hike is steep and offers a good challenge for snowshoers. The only drawback is crowds, particularly on a sunny weekend.
The snowshoe route is marked by B.C. Parks and is a nice alternative to the snowshoe trail to Dog Mountain for those looking for a more challenging hike.
Link: Read more here.
Fraser Valley & East
11. Elk Mountain
Where: Chilliwack
Time needed: 4 hours
Dogs Allowed?: Yes
Details: A Chilliwack favourite year-round. It’s hard to find a hike that can be completed in only 4 hours, yet provides such tremendous views. The entire hike is enjoyable, and provides unbeatable views of the Fraser and Chilliwack River Valleys.
Link: Read more here.
12. Zoa Peak
Where: Coquihalla Summit Recreation Area
Time needed: 6 hours
Dogs Allowed?: Yes
Details: Zoa Peak requires a long drive to the Coquihalla Summit Recreation Area, but rewards with a quieter trail and spectacular views. This is one of the more challenging winter trails on this list.
Link: Read more here.
13. Falls Lake
Where: Coquihalla Summit Recreation Area
Time needed: 1.5 hours
Dogs Allowed?: Yes
Details: Falls Lake is a beautiful subalpine lake in the Coquihalla Summit Recreation Area. The trail starts at the same place as Zoa Peak. Winter or summer, Falls Lake is the perfect place to take a quick break during a long drive along the Coquihalla Highway.
It’s a short and easy hike into a rewarding view across the expansive lake.
Link: Read more here.
14. Lightning Lake Loop
Where: Manning Park
Time needed: 4 hours
Dogs Allowed?: Yes
Details: The Lightning Lake Loop is one of the most popular trails in Manning Park in both the summer and the winter. This 9km loop is relatively flat and peaceful, and offers the opportunity to see the Rainbow Bridge.
Link: Read more here.
Map of the hikes
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