Many BC Parks are open for the winter season. Parks across the province offer extraordinary opportunities for winter activities including skiing, snowshoeing, winter camping, snowmobiling, and ice fishing.
This page provides information on some of the most popular areas for winter activities throughout B.C. Whether you are looking for day trips to ski in the Lower Mainland or snowmobiling adventures in the North, start here.
Outdoor activities in winter weather demand extra care. Snow and ice can make trails treacherous, while avalanches and hypothermia pose serious threats. For practical guidance on staying safe, visit the winter safety page.
Click below for quick information on some of our most popular winter parks:
Click the links below for quick information on winter activities in these regions:
This page provides a sample of the winter activity destinations in BC Parks, but there are plenty more. To see a full list, visit the find a park page and, under ‘activities’, filter by ‘winter recreation’.
If you are interested in learning more about any of the parks listed below, click the park’s name. This takes you to that park’s webpage, which provides all the information you need for a successful trip.
Lower Mainland-South Coast-Vancouver Island
Cypress
Conveniently located next to West Vancouver, Cypress was the freestyle skiing and snowboarding venue for the 2010 Winter Olympics. The park is one of the area’s most popular downhill and cross-country skiing destinations.
Cypress also offers you a wide diversity of snowshoeing opportunities. Explore forested areas dotted with private cabins or climb Black Mountain for views of Vancouver, Howe Sound, and Mount Baker.
Mount Seymour
Just half an hour from downtown Vancouver, Mount Seymour Provincial Park includes a privately operated ski resort. The resort features 39 ski runs (12 lit for night skiing) as well as opportunities for tubing and tobogganing.
Seymour is also an ideal area for snowshoeing adventures, with trails for people of many ability levels. The mountain gives you spectacular views of Deep Cove, the Fraser Valley, and Mount Baker.
Garibaldi
Located in the heart of the Coast Mountains, Garibaldi sits 70km north of Vancouver. The park’s proximity to Whistler and a wealth of opportunities for adventure make it an extremely popular winter destination.
The Diamond Head and Black Tusk ski areas are within Garibaldi. Both are advanced-intermediate to advanced backcountry ski areas. Winter camping is also available in the park.
For information on booking a camping trip to Garibaldi, see the Garibaldi reservations page.
Strathcona
The oldest provincial park in British Columbia, Strathcona is a rugged mountain wilderness in central Vancouver Island. The park is adjacent to the popular Mount Washington Alpine Resort.
Within Strathcona itself, you will find many backcountry skiing and snowboarding opportunities, as well as cross-country trails. Snowshoe trails are available for a wide range of ability levels.
Golden Ears
One of British Columbia’s largest provincial parks, Golden Ears lies in the Coast Mountains, 11km north of Maple Ridge. Winter camping is available here and boating and horseback riding opportunities are available during the winter.
Sasquatch
Located north of Harrison Hot Springs, Sasquatch Provincial Park is known for its scenic lakes, forests, and mountain ridges. Winter camping is available, and boating is also popular during the winter season.
Tetrahedron
A mountainous area near Sechelt on the Sunshine Coast, Tetrahedron offers backcountry skiing and snowshoeing adventures to experienced outdoorspeople. Cabins with wood-burning stoves are available on a first come, first served basis.
Okanagan
E.C. Manning
Situated in the heart of the Cascade Mountains, Manning Park is within a three-hour drive of both the Lower Mainland and the Okanagan. Manning is one of the most popular provincial parks in the B.C. year-round.
Here you will find groomed backcountry trails for cross-country skiing, as well as backcountry ski touring and snowshoeing opportunities. Manning has abundant hiking trails, which are under snow during the winter season.
Graystokes
An area of significant biodiversity in the North Okanagan, Graystokes is a world-renowned snowmobiling destination. The park’s focus on snowmobiling means that opportunities for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are limited.
Myra-Bellevue
A dramatic landscape in the North Okanagan, Myra-Bellevue is a popular year-round destination. The park offers many opportunities to enjoy backcountry skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling.
Okanagan Mountain
Overlooking the shores of Okanagan Lake, this is a large, rugged area with a diverse range of recreational opportunities. Winter activities include hiking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and horseback riding.
Silver Star
Just 22km northeast of Vernon, Silver Star Provincial Park combines mild winter temperatures with dependable snow depths. Popular activities include snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and cross-country skiing.
Thompson-Cariboo
Tweedsmuir South
Located in West-Central British Columbia, Tweedsmuir Provincial Park South is one of the province’s largest parks. It is renowned for its exceptionally beautiful mountainous scenery.
There are downhill skiing opportunities, and the Tweedsmuir Ski Club operates a tow rope on Sundays during the winter. You can also enjoy approximately 15km of set cross-country skiing trails and some snowmobiling opportunities.
McConnell Lake
Situated 35km south of Kamloops, McConnell Lake Provincial Park is a popular spot for ice fishing. You can also snowshoe here and, at nearby Stake Lake, enjoy over 45km of cross-country skiing trails.
Walloper Lake
Just 37km south of Kamloops, Walloper Lake is an excellent little ice fishing spot. A wider range of winter activities, including more ice fishing opportunities, are available at nearby McConnel Lake.
Wells Gray
Accessible via Clearwater or 100 Mile House, Wells Gray has something to offer every outdoor enthusiast. In the winter, you can take advantage of backcountry skiing and snowshoeing opportunities as well as groomed cross-country ski trails.
North Thompson River
Often used as a base for exploring Wells Gray, North Thompson River Provincial Park has plenty to offer you. Winter activities include snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.
Ten Mile Lake
Just north of Quesnel, Ten Mile Lake Provincial Park offers a wealth of winter activities, including snowshoeing and ice fishing. At certain times, you may be allowed to skate on the lake, if the ice is thick enough to be safe.
Tunkwa
Sitting on the southern part of Thompson Plateau, Tunkwa Provincial Park is a popular fishing destination. During the winter season it is an ideal spot for ice fishing enthusiasts.
Kootenay
Nancy Greene
Tucked in the Monashee Mountains, Nancy Greene Provincial Park is a popular Nordic skiing destination. The park contains 5km of ungroomed trails. In the surrounding area, the ski club maintains tracked trails.
Wasa Lake
Located 40km north of Cranbrook, Wasa Lake is one of the regions longest-running destinations for a range of activities. In winter, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are available and downhill slopes are nearby.
Whiteswan Lake
This remote park, accessed by a gravel road, is known for its hot springs. While access can be challenging in the winter, it is an excellent ice fishing destination for experienced outdoorspeople.
The North
Babine Mountains
Located near Smithers, Babine Mountains Provincial Park offers you many winter recreation opportunities. Silver King Basin, Lyon Creek, and Harvey Mountain offer extensive cross-country skiing trails.
The park is a well-known centre for snowmobiling. Groomed trails and emergency shelters are maintained by the Smithers Snowmobile Association. You must pay trail fees to snowmobile if you are not a member.
Carp Lake
Sitting at the very centre of British Columbia, Carp Lake is a great destination for all sorts of winter activities. Backcountry skiing, snowshoeing, and winter camping are all available here.
The park is particularly popular for snowmobiling. In winter, this is the only way to reach the lake itself, which is a well-known ice fishing destination. But many people visit the park simply to see the beautiful scenery and take photographs.
Anderson Flats
A remote area in Northwest British Columbia, Anderson Flats sits at the confluence of the Buckley and Skeena Rivers. Winter activities you can enjoy here include cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
Beatton
Situated 13km northwest of Fort St. John, Beatton offers over 15km of groomed cross-country ski trails, covering all skill levels. While ski touring, you have a good chance of seeing deer, or moose, which often visit the park during the winter.
Crooked River
Crooked River is 70km north of Prince George. The park’s hiking trails are open for snowshoeing in the winter. Trek to Livingston Springs and you can bathe in warm waters. There are also opportunities for cross-country skiing and ice fishing.
Eskers
Situated 40km northwest of Prince George, Eskers offers a wealth of snowshoeing and cross-country skiing options. There are also opportunities for tobogganing, ice fishing, and, when conditions allow, skating.
Evanoff
Known for its extensive cave complexes, Evanoff Provincial Park sits in the Hart Ranges, 120km east of Prince George. In the winter, it serves as a popular snowmobiling destination.
Hai Lake - Mount Herman
Located 15km south of Terrace, Hai Lake - Mount Herman Park is known as a destination for snowshoeing and ice fishing. When Hai Lake and Herman Lake are safely frozen over and cleared of snow, skating may be allowed.
Kakwa
Adjacent to the Alberta border, Kakwa Provincial Park is a popular snowmobiling area. For multi-day adventures, you can stay overnight in cabins on a first come, first served basis. Backcountry skiing and snowshoeing are also available.
Lakelse Lake
Situated in the Skeena River Watershed, Lakelse Lake is surrounded by the mountains of the Kitimat range. Snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and ice fishing are all available. Skating may be possible when conditions are safe.
Ross Lake
Located near Hazelton, Ross Lake Provincial Park offers cross-country skiing and snowshoeing on existing hiking trails. You may be able to skate on Ross Lake itself, when the ice is thick enough. Ice fishing is also available.
Tyhee Lake
Just 10km east of Smithers, Tyhee Lake Provincial Park offers a wide range of winter activities. Cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and ice fishing are all popular here. Ice skating may be allowed when conditions allow.