Vancouver over Xmas
 

We are travelling to Vancouver on 20/12/07 with our 2 children 13 & 10. We are staying in Robson St at Times Square Suites and would like to go to grouse mountain & see the Capellano Suspension bridge. What is the best means of travelling to these places? Are then any other things we should see like Xmas lights or displays in Vancouver the week before Xmas?

Times Square Suites has a terrific location, just minutes to English Bay, Stanley Park, etc.

Lots of people pooh-pooh Capilano Suspension Bridge and the top of Grouse Mountain, but I think they are great tourist sites.

I drove past the Suspension Bridge last night and the Christmas nights looked very pretty from even the street.

I would say, however, go up Grouse when it's a clear night - the view is spectacular. Lots to do up there - I've ice skated and taken a sleigh ride (I would contact them to see where you should pre-book). Picked up my son from night boarding last night, and lots of families were coming off the tram.
www.grousemountain.com/Winter/

So, to go to Cap Bridge and Grouse you can either walk two blocks to Georgia and Denman and catch the 236 bus (doublecheck the bus # with TSS) which will take you, first, to the Lonsdale Quay bus hub, and then on, or walk maybe ten minutes along the seawall to the SeaBus station at the foot of Granville Street, SeaBus it to Lonsdale Quay, and then pick up the 236 bus. I would definitely do the latter as the seawall is very pretty and you'll get to see some of Vancouver and the North Shore from the water.

TrankLink's Trip Planner website is down but here's the link to look at later - http://tripplanning.translink.bc.ca/...mp;.s=1587904c

There are over 1M Xmas lights put up in an area of Stanley Park, and the Christmas train is a great experience. Make sure you pre-book to avoid long lines.
http://vancouver.ca/parks/events/brightnights/index.htm

See http://www.bigbus.ca/ for the Hop On/Hop Off city experience.

Depending on how many days you are in Vancouver, I'd suggest taking a daytrip to Whistler. One tour company's web site -
www.vancouvertours.com/

Have a great holiday!

Thank you all of that info is fantastic! We are actually spending a week in Whistler after leaving Vancouver.

Hi there,
will there be snow at this time of the year?
We are looking at Dec 08 and are wanting a White Christmas.
We are from Australia.
Thanks
Donna

Hi, Lordy,

You're wondering whether there will be snow in Vancouver itself over Christmas '08? Vancouver itself does not get a lot of snow, ever, and who knows these days how the weather will change? Now, Vancouver had a weekend of snow a week ago, and you could have it for Xmas 08... If you're wanting a snowy Christmas, I'd suggest Whistler or Kelowna area in the Okanagan Valley or Banff/Rocky Mtns. Does your family ski/board, or want to learn? If yes, then make that your focus for picking a location.

Definately recommend a Big White christmas !!

Thanks for your help.
We enjoyed our trip to Canada and some of the areas you suggested, but this was in Summer. We will be there for the views and white Christmas. My husband may ski but I won't.
Thanks again
Donna

The December issue of Sunset magazine has a v. good article on
Vancouver at Christmas - lots of great ideas.

I would not depend on snow in Vancouver - at least not at sea level.