Travel West Coast

Canyon Lights and Winter Fun

Just because Christmas is over, doesn’t mean that winter fun is done too. We still have a few more days of winter break, and there are plenty of fun family activities left to do.

We’ve had an unusual amount of snow in Vancouver this year. Most winters we don’t get any snow at all, or just a light dusting that melts as soon as it hits the ground, but this year we’ve had snow on the ground for most of December. I can’t say I’m a big fan while I’m driving on icy roads, but the kids have been loving the wintry weather and our white Christmas. We played outside a lot, went sledding, made snowmen and snow angels, practiced making the perfect snowball, and toured some local Christmas lights.

We also rode the Bear Creek Park Christmas train, attended opening night at Enchant Christmas, and visited a new attraction for us this year: Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park in North Vancouver.

Canyon Lights

Photo courtesy of Capilano Suspension Bridge Park

I haven’t been to Capilano Suspension Bridge Park since I was a kid, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. I’m so glad we went – everyone had so much fun and the girls are still talking about it!

This is what I remember from elementary school field trips. Swaying back and forth on the 450-foot-long bridge and looking 230 feet straight down into the Capilano River. The girls were a little nervous when they first stepped on the bridge, but they were soon squealing and laughing while they looked all the way down and tried to keep their balance.

Since my last visit almost 30 years ago, they’ve added a lot to the park. On the other side of the suspension bridge is the Treetops Adventure area, but my kids are calling it the Ewok Village with good reason.

After clambering up a spiral staircase into the treetops, the kids loved racing along the seven suspension bridges through towering evergreens, swaying up to 100 feet up in the trees.

There was also a pond with a boardwalk and beautiful lighted floating orbs. The kids immediately thought of the lanterns in Tangled. I spent a lot of time here snapping photos of the magical lights against the night sky. This was my favourite part of the Canyon Lights.

See that owl swooping down towards the water? Kids can pick up a form at the start of the Treetop Adventure area to keep track of all the light-up owls they see throughout the park.

We also did the Cliffwalk, a series of cantilevered and suspended walkways jutting out from the granite cliff face high above the Capilano River. It was too dark to get pictures, but it was a really cool experience, especially standing on the glass platform looking down at the floodlit canyon. I wish we had done this one before nightfall to get the full effect.

Admission

Purchase tickets online or at the park. Adult tickets are $39.95, seniors $36.95, students $32.95, youth 13-16 years $26.95, children 6-12 years $13.95, and kids under 6 are free. Family packages are also available for two adults and up to two children 6-16 years for $85.00. If you’re local, one day’s entrance fee is the same price as an annual membership, so it’s a great investment in both summer and winter fun. Canyon Lights remains open until January 8.

Disclosure: I received media tickets to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are completely honest and my own. Your experience may differ.

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20 Comments

  • This has been on my things to do list since last year. I guess I need to get off my butt and take the family! I didn’t know that about the season pass and that’s a great deal!

  • OMG! That is so amazing! I love these pictures. The lanterns are so pretty and I love the lights. I want to visit someday.

  • Still have not had the opportunity to check this out! Look so amazingly fun – will have to put it on the list for this coming year as sadly we missed out this holiday season

  • We had sooo much snow this year, didn’t we! I love that your family embraced the weather and didn’t stay inside and complain! What a beautiful memory.

  • WOW this is the first I have ever heard of ” Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park in North Vancouver”

    I would love to make a trip their when the lights are on. Your picture is beautiful!

  • We went over Christmas a few years ago and the highlight for me was making a glass ornament with the Glass Blower… I was soooo terrified of the bridge! I had no idea of just how afraid I could be until I had kids, up until then I would do these things and not bat an eyelash.

  • All the colors are so pretty but I don’t think I could walk on that suspension bridge. Looks like a nice place to visit and have fun though.

  • What a great review of winter places to visit in the Vancouver area! I live in a Vancouver suburb and look forward to spending some of the winter season seeing the lights.

  • This is such a dreamy place! I love the beautiful lights and would love to visit here someday too.Your daughters are so very beautiful too.Thanks so much for this amazing post.

  • This December I’ll be getting myself an annual membership to the Capilano Suspension Bridge. Your photos are beautiful and the info regarding the tickets is much appreciated.