48 Hours in Vancouver

City & Ski: 48 Hours in Vancouver

Experience the ultimate blend of city life and mountain adventure on a trip to Vancouver. Nestled between the ocean and striking peaks, this city is the perfect addition to your ski holiday in Canada. The districts that make up this unique destination are buzzing with culture, world-class dining and beautiful sights. Vancouver prides itself on being a foodie’s haven, with copious amounts of restaurants, food markets, and artisan eateries. Its hallmark is its laid-back and friendly atmosphere. Spending 48 hours in Vancouver is simply not enough, but here’s a guide on how you should explore this colourful city.

Day One

Morning

After a long journey, there’s nothing better than starting your day off by exploring the area on foot. Take a walk around the magnificent Stanley Park, 1,000 acres of temperate rain forest and the largest of Vancouver’s 230 green spaces. If you want to cover ground, we recommend hiring a bike or taking a jog around. The Vancouver Seawall rightly stakes a claim to fame, drawing plenty of visitors daily to the 10km walk wrapping around the park.

On one side of the path, there is lush greenery which sometimes forms great golden cliffs. The landscape is particularly unique in the evening, watch the sun come down across the horizon. You can continue your walk or cycle along the 28 km of Seawall, taking you past English Bay beach, around False Creek and onto Granville Island. Here, you can pause for a bite in the Public Market or join a food tour to sample an array of local treats.

If you’re visiting between the middle of January into February, fuel up at the renowned ‘Dine Out Vancouver’ food festival after your walk. The weeks-long festival schedule is jam-packed with delicious events from cocktail masterclasses and wine brunches to street food markets and global guest-chef collaboration dinners.

Afternoon

After lunch, visit Vancouver’s oldest neighbourhood, Gastown. The area is made up of intriguing Victorian streets, overflowing with independent galleries, quirky clothes stores, and décor boutiques. Alone or with a guide, wander Water Street, lined with vintage lamp posts and past the fairy tale steam clock which spouts steam every 15 minutes, the perfect place to stop for a selfie.

For an incredible viewpoint of the city, make sure you take a trip up the Vancouver Lookout. The glass elevator whisks you up in 40 seconds to take in the 360° panoramic views over this incredible city; keep your eyes peeled, on a good day you can even spot Vancouver Island, just off the Pacific Coast. If you’re looking for another unforgettable perspective, you can take a short float plane tour which can easily slot into any day on your trip. The views from above are breathtaking, and at $159 (approximately £85-£90), it’s more affordable than you may think.

Evening

You can’t visit Canada without watching an iconic hockey game. The NHL (National Hockey League) is an institution here and part of the cultural fabric of the country, so you must squeeze in a game.

The Vancouver Canucks host home games on weekends and weeknights throughout the season. There’s nothing like watching professional ice hockey; as the atmosphere in the stadium soars to support the locals, you’ll find yourself hooked. Enjoy traditional game grub at the Rogers Arena, with ice cream, burgers, poutine, and hot dogs.

Day Two

Morning

Start your morning perusing the galleries and restaurants on Denman Street, which leads into English Bay. Sample one of the city’s best coffee at Delany’s Coffee House, established in 1993 and still a go-to for many Vancouverites. For a great brunch spot, Hook Seabar has fantastic blueberry pancakes and omelettes. The West Coast lobster and crab cakes are next level.

Once you’ve refuelled, wander towards Robson Street for some of the city’s best shopping. Here, you’ll find high-street staples while nearby Alberni Street offers luxury boutiques – perfect for taking advantage of the favourable exchange rate, something many UK visitors enjoy.

Culture seekers won’t be disappointed either. Close by, The Roedde House Museum features the restored interior of a charming red-brick in the Queen Anne revival style. Down the road on Hornby Street stands the grand Vancouver Art Gallery, celebrating creatives from around the world. Just around the corner, the Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art is dedicated to contemporary indigenous work. The Museum of Anthropology is another great spot offering a world-leading collection of over half a million artefacts, shining a spotlight on the art and culture of First Nations.

For a more exhilarating activity, strap on some skates and visit the nearby Robson Square ice rink for some good old-fashioned fun. The outdoor ice rink provides the perfect wintery atmosphere in downtown Vancouver.

Afternoon

In the afternoon, take a trip to North Vancouver to the famous Capilano Suspension Bridge Park. The path is suspended 70m up above the forest below and is the perfect peaceful escape from the city. If you’re visiting between November and January, make sure not to miss the Canyon Lights festival, where hundreds of thousands of winter lights transform the park; stay until dusk to experience the beauty of these winter lights as they come to life when the sun sets.

Evening

Enjoy a last stroll around the city and enjoy dinner with a view to celebrate your stay. Bask in the city’s riotously colourful sunsets with a window seat in Seasons in the Park, at Vancouver’s highest point in Queen Elizabeth Park. Perched up in the greenery, sample West Coast cuisine: mussels Provençal, whole lobster, crab cake, fried artichoke, and a slice of pecan pie to finish. If Stanley Park stole your heart, head back up to The Teahouse. With a terrace just a stone’s throw from the water, it’s a romantic note to end on. The mouth-watering menu includes bison carpaccio, baked feta, and grilled octopus.

If you’re looking for something a little different, there are plenty of alternatives to enjoy around Vancouver. Winter boat trips, including exhilarating zodiac excursions, let you experience the dramatic coastline from the water. And if you want to continue skiing beyond your Whistler ski holiday, the city is surrounded by three local mountains, each offering a more off-the-beaten-path experience and incredible views of the city and beyond.

To find out more about how to spend 48 hours in Vancouver, call our ski experts about Vancouver ski holidays on 020 7471 7700.