Winter in BC: 8 Fun activities you could do if you didn’t have knee pain

It may be cold out but that doesn’t mean you should stay at home and hibernate until spring. As a British Columbia resident, you’ve got loads of exciting winter events and fun outdoor activities right in your backyard. Not sure how to make the most of this snowy season? Check out these eight winter experiences you could have if knee pain wasn’t holding you back.

1) Learn how to ski or snowboard

Vancouverites are spoiled when it comes to ski and snowboard resorts. Grouse Mountain, Mount Seymour and Cypress Mountain are all located in Metro Vancouver and provide a variety of runs and great snow conditions. Drive further and you’ll reach the world-class slopes of Whistler Blackcomb, Big White, Sun Peaks, and Revelstoke Mountain Resort.

You can save money on lift tickets by taking part in Mount Seymour’s “Shred for the Cause” fundraiser. Every Monday from 5pm to 10pm, ladies can purchase an evening lift pass for just $15. Lift passes for men are $35. Proceeds go to The Bloom Group, a community-based charity providing social services in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside.

2) Ice skate for free at Robson Square

Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia (user: MGA73bot2)

Bring your skates and go ice skating in downtown Vancouver for free. The rink at Robson Square doesn’t charge an admission free and is open from Thursday to Sunday all winter long. Skate and helmet rentals are available if you don’t have your own.

3) Try bobsledding or the skeleton at the Whistler Sliding Centre

Adrenaline junkies can satisfy their need for speed at the Whistler Sliding Centre. This sports facility is a great place to try bobsledding or the skeleton. Whichever activity you choose to do, you’ll have a blast racing down an icy 1,450-metre long track with a vertical drop of 152 meters.

4) Watch the Chinese New Year parade

Head to Vancouver’s Chinatown to see the annual Chinese New Year parade. The parade usually begins around 11am and starts near the Chinatown Millennium Gate, continues up Gore Street, and then circles back along Keefer Street. Try to get there early to secure a good viewing spot.

5) Ride the Sea to Sky Gondola

Photo Courtesy of Flickr (user: Thomas Quine)

Board the Sea to Sky Gondola and ascend 885 meters above sea level. There’s so much to do at the top – trek across the Sky Pilot Suspension Bridge, go snowshoeing, try backcountry skiing, or speed down a powdery slope at the tube park. You’ll also find three viewing platforms offering 360-degree views of Howe Sound and snow-blanketed mountain ranges.

6) Explore the castle where the Deadpool and X-Men movies were filmed

Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia (user: DavidArthur)

Did you know the castle featured in Deadpool, X-Men, Arrow and Smallville is on Vancouver Island? Located in the greater Victoria area, Hatley Castle is a 565-acre estate that’s open to the public. Here you can admire spectacular views of the Olympic Mountains and take a stroll through stunning gardens and forest trails. The castle also does guided tours if you want to see the interior.

7) Zip-line through a winter wonderland

Photo Courtesy of grousemountain.com

Get your heart racing by doing Grouse Mountain’s zip-lining experience. The mountain has three and five line tracks so you can soar past snow-covered trees, icy cliffs and stark canyons at speeds of up to 80 kilometers per hour.

8) Go snow camping

There’s nothing more adventurous than spending a night in the snow. If you’re up for the challenge, there are a few tour companies based in Vancouver that will take you into the wilderness and teach you about winter survival and avalanche safety. You’ll also learn how to build an igloo and sleep in your creation.

Don’t want to miss out on these incredible experiences because of your knee pain? Our physiotherapists have you covered. Whether you want to get over an injury or need help managing a condition like arthritis, our physiotherapists are ready to support you on your recovery journey so you can have the best winter ever.