Snowy Adventure: Snowshoe Trekking at Grouse Mountain!
January is my birthday month, and I was thrilled to venture from Seattle to Vancouver, Canada. To make the occasion even more memorable, we also celebrated my little one’s birthday, as we both share this special month. This is our family’s very first experience with snowshoeing at Grouse Mountain! The thrill of trekking through the snow-covered paths, surrounded by stunning winter scenery, was simply unforgettable. We visited in January, so we bundled up and ensured that we had all the essential winter gear, from head to toe, especially for our little ones. Let’s go!
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Travel Tips
- For flights, Skyscanner is excellent for comparing the best airline deals.
- For accommodations, our family trusts Booking.com for reasonable prices.
- Organize your trips easily with a Travel Planner.
- For tried-and-true travel and hiking gear, check out our Amazon Storefront.
Atrium Hotel Vancouver - Appreciate the essentials, such as the refrigerator and microwave, available in the room - a must with little kids!
- Check-in: Atrium Hotel Vancouver
- Address: 2889 E Hastings St, Vancouver, BC V5K 2A1, Canada
- 4 days, 3 nights: 347.92 USD
- Dining Options Across the Street
- Convenient Location: Just a short drive from grocery stores and only 10 minutes away from Downtown Vancouver
- Pay for Parking: Most hotels we looked into charged for parking; however, the parking fees at the Atrium Hotel were more reasonable.
- Attractions nearby: 15-20 minutes away from Capilano Suspension Bridge and Grouse Mountain
We were looking for a quiet spot away from the bustling city center. The area was peaceful, and they gave a discount for dining at the restaurant in front of the hotel. The pho restaurant was excellent.
The highlights of our trip featured a visit to the Capilano Suspension Bridge and snowshoeing at Grouse Mountain. Read more: Vancouver, Canada, in January with Little Kids
Ticket Prices
- Adult 19-64: 89 CAD
- Youth 13-18: 69 CAD
- Child 5-12: 49 CAD
- Ages 3-4: 5 CAD
- Infants (ages 0-2): Free tickets available at Skyride or Blue Grouse Gondola
- Check Ticket Prices
Make sure to stop by the customer service office to collect your tickets. Even if you purchased them online, you’ll need to visit the office to convert them into valid gondola tickets.
The admission ticket includes round-trip travel on the Red Skyride or Blue Grouse Gondola. We were happy to find that our stroller fit inside the gondola without needing to fold it. As we went up the mountain under a clear sky, the gondola gave us an amazing view of Vancouver that was simply breathtaking. The ride was smooth, and the kids loved it!
Peak Chalet/Visitor Center
Dining options at Grouse Mountain:
- The Observatory Restaurant: Fine dining with 3 or 4-course dinners
- Altitudes Bistro: Lunch/dinner spot with patio; local cuisine, burgers, and cocktails
- Lupins Café: Quick-service salads, sandwiches, and hot entrées in Peak Chalet
- Grouse Grind Coffee Bar: Coffee, pastries, and snacks at hiking trail base
Shopping at Grouse Mountain:
- Essentials: A small shop offers apparel, gloves, and souvenirs—those little items you may have forgotten to pack. You can find it at the mountain base, conveniently located in Guest Services, close to the parking area and the gondola.
Two shops are inside the Peak Chalet/Visitor center:
- The Spirit Gallery Gift Shop: For unique products and souvenirs, including local artisan items, all available at the Mountain Top. We got our fridge magnet here.
- Outfitters: For branded apparel and accessories.
For Gear Rentals:
- Rental Outpost: For ski, snowboard, and snowshoe rentals along with essential gear, located at the mountain top near Peak Chalet.
- Fireside Hut: For snowshoe and ice skating rentals, conveniently located right next to the skating pond.
- If I recall correctly, the cost for snowshoes at the Fireside Hut, beside the skating pond, is 20 CAD for a full day or 15 CAD for two hours, applicable to both adults and children.
They offer snowshoe and ice skating rentals right on-site for your convenience. We opted for a short, easy trail near the rental area, just in front of the Peak Chalet and a short walk after getting off from the gondola. I noticed several families with children enjoying ice skating next to the rental office, and it was heartwarming to see everyone having such a great time.
The Trail
The trail begins right next to the skating pond. There were beautiful light installations along the trail, which were quite entertaining for my little one. The entire path was blanketed in snow, and using snowshoes made it much easier to avoid sinking in. We noticed a few people struggling to walk and finding it slippery on the snow; having the right gear truly makes a difference.
It's Magical!
Travel Packing Checklist
Here's a tip to make travelling with kids easier: I use a Family Travel Packing Checklist to simplify packing and avoid forgetting essentials, which reduces last-minute shopping trips. This tool is crucial for stress-free travel with kids, helping keep our trips organized.
Exploring North Vancouver: Where to Eat
Visit Edgemont Boulevard
If you’re coming from Capilano Suspension Bridge or Grouse Mountain, check out Edgemont Boulevard. A mountain village area in north Vancouver with lots of small shops, cafes and restaurants. Also notice the candy-cane designed lampost. We visited in January, and the street was very festive.
The incredible flavors at Tamarind Hill made me long for my days living in Singapore!
Dinner at Tamarind Hill
Dinner at Tamarind Hill, this is definitely a hidden gem in North Vancouver. They serve Singapore-Malaysian food; we hadn't had any, and it’s nice to find a really good one. We met a hiker on Grouse Mountain, and she recommended this place. It's small, but very worth finding. Hidden gem unlocked? I believe so!
Stroll around Lonsdale Avenue
Just be aware
If you're with kids, it's advisable to avoid driving around East Cordova Street or walking in Japantown for safety reasons. There are many homeless individuals in these areas. I witnessed one person shouting at a car and exposing themselves. East Hastings and Main Street are also not favorable with young kids.
Afterwards, we walk around Lonsdale Avenue, which is a long stretch of endless shops and restaurants.
The walk ends at a waterfront, and if you have more time at night, check out Lonsdale Quay. Here you’ll see the city lights by the water; this one reminds me of my trip to Hong Kong’s Waterfront Promenade.
Milk Tea at Bluemoon & a Sweet Surprise!
To end the perfect night, we had Milk Tea at Bluemoon, and they have the best Warm Ube Milk Tea ever! It wasn’t too sweet and just the right amount of flavor. That night, I was converted to loving warm milk tea, and once in a while, I get one at Happy Lemon in Washington. The staff at Bluemoon was really sweet and gave me a macaroon when they found out I was celebrating my birthday; it was the sweetest thing!
We passed by the popular CoCo that sells really good milk tea, two wonderful options if you love milk tea. After this, we went back to our parking spot, which was quite a walk, and by this time, our little ones were tired.
When visiting Vancouver, Canada, with young kids, the Capilano Suspension Bridge and Grouse Mountain are great and easy options. These places made my birthday extra special. Even though my little baby might not yet understand the excitement of celebrating his birthday outdoors, I hope the photos we took and the feelings in his heart show the wonderful experience we had. Until next time, Vancouver! We had a fantastic time, and we felt so lucky that it only rained on our last day.
Read full itinerary: Vancouver, Canada, in January with Little Kids
Have fun and be safe ^__^
Travel Packing Checklist Notebook: Say goodbye to "Oops, I forgot!" moments and last-minute shopping sprees!
Explore Ontario, Canada: Drives from Toronto
Do you want more adventure?
Where am I going next?
- My next adventure will take me to the sunny state of California, USA! Discover the best of Los Angeles with our Top To-Do List.
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