11 Bad Weather Adventures Near Vancouver, BC
We all know the quote, “there’s no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing” (Alfred Wainwright). But sometimes, bad weather can be a drag—or even dangerous—so finding an alternative adventure is necessary.
When the forecast is full of rain, wind, storms and snow, your outdoor plans can be derailed. If you’re searching for an activity that still feels fun, inspiring and adventurous, here’s a mix of indoor and outdoor options to try when the weather is bad in Vancouver:
Climbing Gyms
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When rock climbing is out of the question, build your skills at an indoor climbing or bouldering gym. There are quite few options in and around the Lower Mainland, including The Hive in Vancouver, Port Coquitlam, Surrey and North Vancouver; Climb Base5 in North Vancouver and Coquitlam; Clip ‘n Climb in Richmond, The Aviary at UBC; Ground Up Climbing Centre in Squamish; The Rockwall in Maple Ridge and Project Climbing in Cloverdale.
Hike in the Rain
Alison Karlene Hodgins
If your plans to hike to a viewpoint were spoiled by overcast skies and threatening raindrops, you can still go on a mild rainy-day hike. My favourite trails to trek in a drizzle are in Belcarra Regional Park. Admiralty Point Trail and Woodhaven Swamp Loop Trail are easy trails with minimal elevation gain that take under two hours to complete, so you can dash back to the car if it starts pouring.
Snowshoeing, Skiing or Snowboarding
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You might be tempted to stay home and cozy up when the snow starts drifting down—and if you don’t have snow tires, that’s exactly what you should do—but if you can safely get to a mountain, this is the best way to ensure fresh pow for a ski/snowboard/snowshoe adventure. Grouse, Seymour and Cypress are affordable options close to the city.
Science World
Alison Karlene Hodgins
You can find a ton of interesting information about the Earth we love to explore inside Science World. With rotating exhibits, interactive kid-friendly areas and permanent galleries, there’s always something to discover inside the unique, spherical building on the edge of False Creek. Tickets cost $20-30 and hours of admission are Monday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Bloedel Conservatory at Queen Elizabeth Park
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Atop the City of Vancouver’s highest point, a dome-shaped conservatory is home to tropical birds and lush jungle flora. Hundreds of birds, plants and flowers thrive in the humid ecosystem replicated inside this unique heritage building. Admission costs less than $10 and hours of operation vary depending on the time of the year. If the weather outside allows, don’t miss a visit to the rose garden in Queen Elizabeth Park.
Extreme Air Park
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Venture to Canada’s largest trampoline park to get some air. These arenas of interlocking trampolines host adventurous activities like dodgeball, knockerball and basketball. There’s a basic climbing wall, a “foamzone” and glow-in-the-dark lighting. Admission covers access to the entire park; one hour starts at $21, but a day pass is only $6 more. Locations are in Richmond, Langley and New Westminster; Extreme Air Park is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
Axe Throwing and Archery
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Feel like a true outdoorsperson on this indoor adventure. Axe throwing is a fun event for friends or colleagues. Unleash your inner Viking as you chuck axes at a target. Don’t worry—you’ll be given a safety briefing first. If you’d rather build skills with a bow and arrow, archery might be the perfect martial art for you. At Axewood, you can sign up for an axe throwing and archery combo package.
Swimming Pool
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When the weather outside is dreadful, head to an indoor water park to simulate the beach, river or lake. Hillcrest Aquatic Centre is the largest facility operated by Vancouver Parks. It features a leisure pool with water toys, lazy river, three diving boards, sauna and steam room, hot tub and fitness centre. There’s an aquatic pool lift and aquatic wheelchairs for accessibility as well.
Escape Rooms
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My personal favourite indoor adventure, escape rooms are a series of locked rooms that you must solve puzzles to find your way out of. Often themed, these can vary from easy to difficult, and include decoders, word puzzles, mathematic equations and searching for clues. EXIT is a well-known escape room with several locations in and around the city; Bamboozled in Burnaby and Trapped in Coquitlam are other options.
Laser Tag
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Similar to paintball, but without the pain, laser tag is a fun sport where you can compete in teams to achieve objectives and win games. Participants use infrared-emitting light guns to hit targets. Some places to play laser tag in the Lower Mainland include Planet Lazer in Richmond, New Westminister and Langely; Laserdome Plus in North Vancouver and Stellar Play (outdoor forest laser tag) in Maple Ridge.
Indoor Sports
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Squash, tennis, volleyball and basketball are just some of the indoor sports you can play when the weather in lousy in Vancouver. You can book a court at recreation facilities run by the City. There are also classes at community centres, fitness centres with affordable drop-in fees and ice rinks for drop-in hockey, skating and lessons.
More Adventures in BC:
Nature Healing in the Harrison River Valley, British Columbia
10 One-Tank Road Trips From Vancouver, BC
10 Amazing BC Small Towns for Big Adventures
