A magical winter BC road trip

Looking to explore magical Canadian winters without hitting the slopes? We’ve got you covered, this winter BC road trip will take you to all the iconic spots in Western Canada.

Winter is one of the most scenic times to visit western Canada. Meters of snow cover the mountains across British Columbia and Alberta, making it arguably the most beautiful time of year.

But driving through mountain roads in winter is no joke. Make sure you have a car with 3-peak snow tires, and ideally 4 wheel drive. We rent out 4x4s perfect for winter driving, check them out here!

Without further ado, let’s start this roadtrip!

Arriving in Calgary

Calgary, often dubbed “Cowtown” by locals, is one of our favourite cities in Canada. It’s a great place to start your trip. Nestled in the prairies just an hour east of the Canadian Rockies, it has a mix of rocky mountain vibes from Denver, friendly Canadian culture, and Texas country.

We recommend spending a night in this underrated city before heading off to the mountains. One of our favourite spots is 17th Ave, home to Calgary’s best restaurants and nightlife. Book yourself a hotel in the downtown core and toast the start of your trip before heading west to Banff.

Canmore to Banff

The next morning, you’ll start your road trip through the Banff pass on Highway 1, Canada’s most scenic highway. Once you enter the Kananaskis region, the roads will typically start getting snowy and icy pretty quickly, so you’ll be glad to have a 4×4 truck to keep you safe.

Your first stop of the day will be Canmore. This cute mountain time is an awesome stop on the way to Banff. In the town, you’ll find beautiful art galleries, amazing dining, cute local shops, and absolutely stunning views of the Rockies. Have lunch here before continuing onto Banff National Park.

Buy your National Parks pass before taking a scenic ride up the Banff Gondola. This gondola up Sulphur Mountain will give you stunning views of the most incredible peaks in the area. Enjoy a beverage in the lodge at the top of the gondola before heading down to the town of Banff for your second night.

Lake Louise to Golden

You’ll begin day 3 with a choice of activities at Lake Louise. Visiting the lake is a must-do activity anytime of year, and the crowds tend to thin out considerably during the winter months. You can ice skate on the lake, enjoy a coffee at the Fairmont lodge, or even walk to the far end of the lake – it’s usually frozen.

If you’re a fan of cross-country skiing, a day trip to Moraine Lake is also a fun winter activity. You won’t be able to get all the way to the lake due to winter avalanche danger closures, but you’ll see the iconic mountains that serve as one of Canada’s most famous backdrops (shown in the photo).

Afterwards, you’ll continue west on Highway 1 through the iconic Kicking Horse Pass, with views of Yoho National Park. Spots like Emerald Lakeshore and Peaceful Pond are great, avalanche-safe winter viewpoints to stop at on the drive.

Golden to Revelstoke

After a couple of days of adventuring, enjoy a quiet morning in Golden and have a mid-morning breakfast at Big Bend Cafe. This is the best breakfast spot in the Rockies. If you like it, there’s another one in Revelstoke for you to enjoy later on the trip!

The first stop of the day is Kicking Horse Gondola, part of the iconic Kicking Horse Mountain Resort. This offers the best mountain views you’ll see all trip. If you’re up for a mimosa or midday drink, the Eagle-Eye Restaurant at the top of the gondola is a great place to spend a couple hours.

Drink responsibly and make sure you have plenty of time to drive through Rogers Pass in the daylight. It’ll make the drive easier, but you also don’t want to miss the iconic mountain views this section of highway has to offer. You’ll cross a timezone halfway through the pass, gaining an hour as you end up in Revelstoke.

Revelstoke often has some fun late-night activities. After getting dinner out, hit up the Last Drop. It’s where the locals meet up in Revy, and it’s open late-night.

Revelstoke

You’ll enjoy a full day in Revelstoke today. Start your day at the Revelstoke Railway Museum, which focuses on the 1800s construction of the Trans-Canada railroad. It’s also a hallowing reminder about some of the darker parts of Canadian history, with the poor treatment and almost non-existent pay of Chinese immigrant railroad builders and black porters.

After stopping for lunch in town, make your way to Illecillewaet Greenbelt Park. It’s a great spot for winter walks along the Columbia River, offering views of Mt Mackenzie and other peaks in the area. This river flows all the way out to the Washington-Oregon border, almost 1,000km (600 miles) away.

In the evening, choose from one of Revelstoke’s best restaurants, like Parmajit’s Kitchen, before heading to a Revelstoke Grizzlies game. This is an authentic Canadian experience. These junior hockey leagues are a feeder league to the NHL. The level of play is amazing, and the energy is even better. Maybe it’s because the beers are only $4.

Kelowna

After another big breakfast at Big Bend Cafe, start your drive down to Kelowna. As you’ll remember from the Railway Museum, the Trans-Canada railway ended near Revelstoke. One of your first rest stops will be at that location, dubbed “The Last Spike”.

As you go south to Kelowna, the landscapes will change quickly and dramatically. While there will still be some snow, you’ll enjoy warmer weather and a more arid, desert-like climate. Kalamalka Lake, north of Kelowna, is a great stop. You can get a nice lunch at the Rail Trail Cafe and Market, then drive a couple minutes to park by the beach and walk around the lake.

Once you arrive in Kelowna, be sure to sample some of the Okanagan’s renowned wineries. This area BC has become well-known for its wine output. Finish the evening with a local glass of wine by a cozy fire.

Manning Park

You’ll continue west towards Vancouver today, driving by a few more Okanagan Lakes before stopping in Manning Park. This family-friendly resort is a great final stop before Vancouver. You can enjoy an afternoon exploring the majestic Lightning Lake, and enjoying the views of the Canadian Cascades.

The resort is the only option for accommodation, so you’ll get to experience the beautiful log-cabin style lodges. The Manning Park restaurant is one of the best resort restaurants we’ve ever eaten at, so be sure to have a good evening meal in the lodge.

When you stay at the resort, you get a free tobogganing pass. Take advantage of it! It’s fun to play in the snow like a little kid sometimes.

Vancouver

If today’s your last day, make sure you get an early start to enjoy a bit of time in Vancouver before departing. The last of the snow will probably melt away about an hour into today’s drive, as the Vancouver area enjoys mild temperatures year round. Be sure to stop at an iconic beach spot like Kitsilano or Jericho. They’re a short drive to the Vancouver airport, and a great spot to end your trip at. The Boathouse Restaurant at Kitsilano Beach, directly on the water, will offer some of the best views of the trip.

If you have an extra day, it’s 100% worth making the drive up the legendary Sea-to Sky Highway to Whistler Blackcomb. From spas, to mountain top dining, to shopping, Whistler offers several fun non-skiing activities for winter visitors. The drive up to Whistler, directly alongside the ocean, is one of the most beautiful