Weekend Getaways

The Ultimate Winter Staycation Guide 2023: 6 Great Places to Explore in B.C.

A guide to eating, drinking, shopping and exploring 6 awesome B.C. winter destinations.

By the Editors /

Go away. But not too far. British Columbia’s winter getaways are proving that less sun does not equal less fun: ’tis the season for whizzing down a mountain topped with fresh powder, getting lost in museums and art galleries and watching lightning strike from the warm comfort of your chalet. Read on for lazy wine tours, thrilling black diamond runs, Indigenous-focused experiences and the best new restaurants to take shelter (and have a beer) in.

The Pinte Restaurant at Tofino's Wickaninnish Inn. Photo: Jeremy Koreski
The Pointe Restaurant at Tofino’s Wickaninnish Inn. Photo: Jeremy Koreski

1. 48 Hours in Tofino

Okay, so you want to do Tofino in a weekend. It can be done—great restaurants, shopping, and beach walks included. Here’s your foolproof, play-by-play handbook for making the most of a weekend getaway. READ MORE

Creekside in the snow
Photo: Tourism Whistler/Just Jeskova

2. Everything You Need to Know About Whistler’s Creekside

Creekside has always been the day-tripper’s choice, and has historically suffered greatly in the vibe department. But with some big changes underway, this once-transitory area is making a serious case to be the destination of choice for your next extended stay. READ MORE

Corrugated metal buildings in district wine village
Photo: Jon Adrian

3. Oliver’s District Wine Village Is a Lazy Wine Taster’s Dream

The village is a collection of 12 small-batch and startup wineries (plus a brewery, distillery and restaurant), all occupying the same leased land from the Osoyoos Nation. Think: 16 sleek, corrugated metal-clad buildings arranged in a circle around an open-air pavilion. It’s beautiful from a design perspective, and even more beautiful from an ambitious—but lazy—wine-taster’s perspective: a dozen wineries, with only a few steps (and a couple of artistic water features) between them. READ MORE

The view from a Sunshine Coast Air float plane.

4. Indigenous-Led Tourism on the Sunshine Coast

A float plane guided by Candace Campo of Talaysay Tours, a museum with a digital recreation of a four thousand year old Shíshálh family and Indigenous artists to check out on your next trip to the Sunshine Coast. READ MORE

Elma

5. A Foodie Tour of Penticton’s Best Restaurants

My trip to Penticton in February 2020 (dun dun dun) stands as one of my last memories of pre-COVID life—and what a glorious, food-filled memory it is. While the weather outside was truly frightful, the offerings at these restaurants were more than enough reason to brave the snow. Here are the meals I’m still dreaming about. READ MORE

Photo: Emile Lavoie

6. What It’s Like to Ski Kicking Horse

As most avid skiers know, Kicking Horse is not a mountain you cruise. Nearly half the resort is rated as advanced terrain; another 15 percent is expert. It’s adored for the peak runs you access by boot packing—off come the skis, up you huff to reach fresh powder and incredible views. As one local told me, “At Kicking Horse, you have no choice but to get good, fast—and you do.” READ MORE