It can be tempting to hibernate during the winter months, but your dating life doesn't have to suffer because of the climate.
In fact, there are a few winter date ideas in B.C. that simply aren't available throughout the rest of the year. Similarly, there are a couple of date ideas that simply aren't as magical once the weather warms up.
So, whether you've just starting dating someone amazing, or you simply want to show your long-term sweetie how special they are, here are some suggestions that will make the season sparkle.
Winter Date Ideas
Snowshoeing
Active couple snowshoeing up a mountain slope / Shutterstock
Snowshoeing offers a much different perspective of the mountains than downhill skiing or snowboarding. While you won't reach the same exhilarating speeds, you will appreciate the peace of the forest. Further, this alpine activity offers an incredible workout in a place where you wouldn't be able to hike.
Ice Skating
Closeup skating shoes ice skating outdoor at ice rink / Shutterstock
While there may not be a great deal of outdoor skating rinks in the Lower Mainland, there are a few indoor rinks to enjoy. However, if you do prefer to skate outside, then the outdoor rink at Grouse Mountain offers a magical winter setting that is hard to match. In addition, admission to the rink is included in a lift pass, so it comes as an extra perk if you plan to go skiing or snowboarding.
Igloo Sleepover
Wintry scene with snowy igloo and milky way in night sky / Shutterstock
Want to have a romantic sleepover with your sweetie in a pure winter wonderland? A company called Westcoast Adventures takes guests to the Callaghan Valley for a unique wintry escape. First, you are swept away on an exhilarating snowmobile ride through the forest before they are met by an ‘igloo team.’ Next, you are invited to build your own igloo in a breathtaking snow meadow using an ancient method passed down to us by the Innuit. Afterward, you enjoy delectable food, fine wine, and a star spangled sky overhead as well as a sleepover in your ice castle.
Cold Weather Hike
Nature landscape of a waterfall and river flowing in a canyon. Picture taken in Widgeon Falls / Shutterstock
There are a number of year-round hikes for residents in the Lower Mainland to enjoy. Whether you are looking to see some cascading waterfalls, scope a stunning city panorama, or you simply want a short stroll for a little bit of fresh air, the region has it all. A brisk walk can be a great way to get some exercise in the colder months with your significant other or someone new.
Sip Vodka in an Ice Room
https://www.instagram.com/p/BbUvEJNHgKc/
Since dating can be a nerve wracking venture, sometimes a little bit of alcohol may help the experience feel a little less tense. If you are looking to have a drink while trying something new and exciting, the Ketel One Ice Room in Whistler offers a sub-zero experience you won't find anywhere else. Not only do they offer 50 vodkas from across the globe, but their tasting room reaches temperatures of -32°C. They also offer Canada Goose, Arctic-ready parkas, so that you don't freeze your behind.
Hot Chocolate Festival
Hot chocolate flight using the at-home squares (Lindsay William-Ross/Vancouver Is Awesome)
The Hot Chocolate Festival's month-long offerings are undoubtedly the yummiest way to count down to Valentine’s Day. Restaurants, cafes, and treat shops will celebrate the sweet affair by revealing inspired new creations or by perfecting fan favourites. And, if you miss out on the festival, you can always use the guide as a reference for places to plan your own cocoa journey through the city.
Ski or Snowboard
snowboarding / shutterstock
While you might not be able to talk or hold hands a great deal as you fly down the mountain, the lift back up provides ample time to do so. What's more, it is simply a beautiful, exhilarating experience to share with someone that you love. You'll catch stunning alpine vistas and get a great workout, too.
Go Stargazing
The ghostly colors of the aurora borealis captured above an unidentified person standing on a frozen lake in northern Canada / Shutterstock
You can go stargazing at anytime of year - and it can be wonderful to lie down on the beach in the summertime and soak in a moonlit sky. With that being said, there is something profoundly magical about seeing a dark sky bursting with stars on a perfectly cold, crisp night. And, if you are somewhere where it is possible to see the northern lights, you will behold one of nature's most breathtaking manifestations.
Dogsledding
dog sledding under the northern lights / Shutterstock
B.C. is home to a number of places that will put you in the driver’s seat of one of the most exhilarating experiences on earth. You and your date may join the musher for the “harnessing and staging” of the dogs before you set out on your journey. Feeling the powerful pull of the pack as you the fly across the frozen earth and the cold wind hits your face is an experience you won't soon forget.
The Eye of the Wind
Photo: Grouse Mountain
The view from Grouse Mountain is beautiful on its own; however, the mountain’s Eye of the Wind attraction offers a view that can’t be beat. The viewPod is actually the highest vantage point in the Lower Mainland that is accessible to the public. So, if you are looking for a jaw-dropping winter view from way up high, this is the place to be.
