What to Wear Hiking in Winter in Vancouver (from an adventure girl)

Q: Do I need special pants for Winter hiking?

Personally, I love wearing fleece - lined leggings like these but if you can get something that's both flexible and waterproof then I would opt for that!

If you’re planning to go winter hiking in Vancouver, the first challenge begins before you even reach the trailhead… What to you wear when the weather can’t make up its mind? One minute it’s raining sideways, the next it’s snowing and then… just to keep things interesting, the sun comes out and you’re suddenly overheating.

I’ve been living in Vancouver since 2021 and have spent the last 4 winters testing layers on every kind of local trail, from icy viewpoints to muddy forest loops. After years of trial and error, I’ve finally figured out my favourite winter hiking outfits. Now I have a solid winter hiking wardrobe that I’m excited to get outside and wear every time!

In this guide, I’ll walk you through exactly what to wear so you can stay warm, dry and comfortable no matter what the weather throws your way.

couple with puppy in the snow on a beach at sunset in Vancouver

girl standing on Quarry Rock in Vancouver in Winter at sunset

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What to Wear Hiking in Vancouver in Winter

Table of Contents

Quick Guide: Vancouver Winter Hiking Conditions

The hiking conditions in Vancouver will greatly depend on where you hike. If you are planning on going on a hiking trail up in the mountains like Pump Peak on Mount Seymour, you will be hiking on snow which could be slippery and the temperatures will be colder than if you were down at lower elevation on a trail like Lynn Canyon Loop.

Another difference between higher elevation and lower elevation is that the precipitation will more like be snow the higher up you are, whereas down in the forests near Downtown Vancouver, it doesn’t snow very often but rains in abundance. I can’t stress enough that when you hike in Vancouver in Winter, you are going to need some waterproof layers.

Top Half Layers

Layers are super important when hiking in Winter in Vancouver because of how much the weather can change. This gear list is broken down by layers.

Base Layers

Your first layer should be a sweat wicking top (either long sleeves or short sleeves) like the Icebreaker 200 Oasis Long Sleeve Crewe or the Icebreaker Merino 150 Tech Lite III Short Sleeve Tee. I always opt for merino tops when hiking because they prevent odours and help regulate body temperature.

girl standing at Garibaldi Lake at sunset

Mid Layers

When hiking in Vancouver in winter, you will want to start the hike wearing a fleece like the Patagonia Better Sweater 1/4 Zip Fleece. This sweater also comes in a jacket style.

If you run cold, you could also opt for a slightly warmer and cozier fleece like the Los Gatos 1/4 Zip Fleece Pullover. I find that this one does get hotter more quickly when hiking but it is great for camping and hanging out at a viewpoint. I have both of these Patagonia fleeces and alternate them both all-year-round.

👉 Tip: I recommend opting for a fleece without a hood as you can definitely have too many hoods! Instead, I use the hood on my puffer jacket or my raincoat if I need it.

Girl sitting at beach viewpoint in Tofino at sunset

girl drinking hot chocolate at Floe Lake

Outer Layer

A puffer jacket is a great item to have for when you reach a viewpoint because you will cool down quite quickly once you stop hiking.

My absolute favourite outer layer (which you have probably already seen me wear in the A LOT of my photos on social media) is my RAB Microlight Alpine Jacket. This jacket is a puffer that can be worn all-year-round. I bought mine shortly after moving to Canada and it is my go to hiking puffer. Not only do I love wearing it as my extra warm layer in winter, but I also wear it during the summer when I am up in the mountains hiking and camping.

This RAB is extremely lightweight and packable and has a really cozy hood that I often use if I don’t have a beanie with me. In Vancouver, if you have a fleece and a shell, you most likely will not need to hike in a puffer jacket as well, but it is super useful for when you reach the viewpoint and are hanging around in the cold.

Couple standing at Hollyburn Peak at sunset in Winter

Waterproof Shell

Vancouver tends to be pretty wet during the Winter (with both rain and snow) so it’s extra important to have a waterproof shell. Without this layer, you WILL be a soggy mess, so don’t forget it!

One of my favourite waterproof shells for hiking in Vancouver is the Black Diamond Fineline Stretch Rainshell. It’s lightweight, has breathable pit zips which, in my opinion are very important when hiking and I LOVE the colour choices!

girl wearing yellow raincoat in Vancouver in Winter

Hiking Pants

When hiking in Vancouver in winter, you are going to want to wear either pants that are water resistant with some insulation or just comfortable fleece lined leggings. Here are 2 options I recommend:

Smartwool Active Fleece Wind Pant – These pants are stretchy and made from soft-brushed Merino, but the best part? They have a windproof front panel, protecting you from the elements while you hike. I have had fleece lined leggings in the past that were not wind proof and I definitely used to get a little chilly from them so these are a game changer!

Runbold Winter Soft Shell Hiking Pant – These pants are water resistant, with 3-layer soft shell and fleece lined. They also have zippers for ventilation in case you get a little warm while hiking.

Footwear

In Vancouver, you don’t necessarily need to have insulated footwear because it doesn’t get as cold as some other places in Canada. I wear normal hiking boots with micro spikes attached if I am hiking in the snow.

The Lowa Renegade EVO GTX Mid Hiking Boots (shown in the photo below) are a great choice for the trails in and around Vancouver. They are waterproof and have a tough sole for those nasty BC roots and rocks to protect your feet. They are made from Nubuck leather so over time will soften and mould to your feet so that they feel almost custom made.

If you want a lighter footwear option, the Merrell Moab 3 Mid Waterproof Hiking Shoes are good for hiking in the snow around Vancouver as long as it is not super deep.

Winter Hiking Accessories

Micro spikes

When hiking in the local mountains in Vancouver in winter, micro spikes are a life saver because they stop you from slipping on snow and ice. I have these micro spikes which attach to the bottoms of my hiking boots and pack away nice and small to fit inside my backpack when I’m not using them.

Trust me, these are worth the investment as they will make your hiking experience SO much more pleasant!

Warm beanie / toque

Don’t leave home without a beanie when hiking in Vancouver in winter! I love pairing colourful beanies with my outfits for fun and they always save my ears from freezing while I hike or enjoy the views from the top of the mountain.

Socks

For socks, I love Smartwool’s hiking socks. They come in loads of fun patterns and colours and they are so comfy. You can choose between full cushion or light cushion.

Gloves

For hiking in Vancouver, you don’t need heavy duty gloves. Just something to take the edge off so that you can do things like use your hiking poles and take photos.

These Patagonia R1 Daily Gloves are perfect for Vancouver winter hiking and you can even still use your phone with them!

Neck gaiter / buff

A neck gaiter or buff is a nice to have on especially cold days in the mountains, but if you have all of your other layers and your beanie, you don’t absolutely need to have one. I only use my neck gaiter when it is super windy on an exposed trail in the mountains.

Backpack with rain cover

If you are hiking in winter in Vancouver, a backpack rain cover is extremely worth it! This one by Peak Design fits 15-20L backpacks.

Safety & Trail Tips for Winter Hiking in Vancouver

Check avalanche risk if you’re heading into higher elevations – check avalanche risk here.
Daylight hours are short – always pack a headlamp (with charged batteries).
Check the weather before you go and be ready for fast changes (especially when you are in the mountains).
Bring micro spikes for icy sections on popular trails like Dog Mountain, Hollyburn Peak and Bowen Lookout.
Stick to well-marked routes as winter can hide trail signage and make navigation harder.
Tell someone where you’re going and when you’ll be back.
Pack the essentials: extra layers, water, snacks, and a small first-aid kit.
Don’t rely on cell service – download offline trail maps.

frequently asked questions

Yes! In fact, the lower elevation trails are almost always snow-free in Vancouver unless there has been a fun snow storm. here is a list of my favourite Winter hikes in Vancouver (both snow-free + snowy choices).

I recommend waterproof boots with good traction for Winter trails in Vancouver because the trails are often muddy or rainy. Look for Gore-Tex models like the Renegade Evo GTX Mid Hiking Boots which I love for keeping my feet dry on wet trails.

The temperatures greatly depend on how high up in the mountain you are. Usually in the forests around Downtown Vancouver, day time temperatures will hover around 4 degrees Celsius to 8 degrees but if you are hiking up on one of the local mountains, it can quite often drop below 0 degrees.

Personally, I love wearing fleece–lined leggings like these but if you can get something that’s both flexible and waterproof then I would opt for that!

I recommend hiking during the day and preferably starting early, as the days as much shorter in Vancouver in Winter. The sun sets before 5 PM in mid-winter, and trails can get dark fast in the forests. Always bring along a headlight with you just in case.

My thoughts

I absolutely love hiking in Vancouver in winter. It can be so so beautiful both up in the mountains surrounded by snow-specked trees and down in the misty and moody forests near the city. It’s one of the best times of the year to explore, as long as you’re dressed for it! There’s nothing worse than being miserable and cold while trying to make the most of your time outside.

This guide is everything I’ve learned from my own winters on the trails in and around Vancouver, and I hope it helps you feel prepared and excited to get out there.

If anything feels unclear or you’re unsure what to choose for your own hikes, drop a comment and I’ll happily help.

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