While most think of the Coast as a summer destination, winters on the Sunshine Coast are mild, relaxed, and and full of great opportunities to escape the crowds. We partnered with our friends at All About Adventures to experience a winter escape to the Sunshine Coast.  

This 4-day, 3-night winter itinerary is built for the adventurous. It's for those who aren't afraid to get a bit wet (and maybe a tad chill) before getting cozy. We think it's worth the payoff but if you'd rather just soak it up at the spa with a luxury suite, the Sunshine Coast is great for that, too.

To kick things off, you'll need to travel to the Sunshine Coast with BC Ferries. If you're coming from Vancouver and beyond, start your trip using the itinerary below. If you're coming from Vancouver Island, you can travel this itinerary in reverse.

Day 1

Activity: Snowshoeing or Cross-Country Skiing at Dakota Ridge

Jump into winter and head up to Dakota Ridge for a day of cross-country skiing or snowshoeing. Rental equipment, shuttles, lessons, and tours are available from Alpha Adventures to help get you into the mountains.

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Snowshoeing Dakota Ridge. Photo: Errin Casano, @errincasa

Eat & Drink: Strait Coffee and Wobbly Canoe

Warm up after your winter adventure in the snow with a locally roasted brew at Strait Coffee. Strait is located at the turnoff towards Dakota Ridge, making it an easy stop for a jolt of caffeine. 

Once you've worked up an appetite, head to the Wobbly Canoe overlooking the ocean at Davis Bay. The view is perfect and the food is delicious. 
 

Stay: Backeddy Resort & Marina

After you've filled your day with adventure, good food, and great coffee, it's time to head north. Park it for the night at Backeddy Resort & Marina in Egmont. Cozy cabins overlook the ocean, and you're not far from local trails like Skookumchuck Narrows.

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Backeddy Resort & Marina. Photo: Brayden Hall, @braybraywoowoo

Day 2

After a cozy night in a seaside cabin, it's time to see it from the air. If you make arrangements ahead of time, Harbour Air will pick you up at the dock at Backeddy Resort & Marina.
 

Activity: Flight Tour 

Enjoy the Sunshine Coast from the air on a floatplane tour over Hotham Sound and Friel (Harmony) Falls with Harbour Air. If you've never been in a floatplane, this is the perfect chance.

Harbour Air
Flightseeing Tour with Harbour Air. Photo: Matthew Massa, @thismattexists

Eat & Drink: Backeddy Pub 

The Backeddy Pub is the prefect place to enjoy lunch or dinner between floatplane and hiking adventures. The restaurant is typically open Thursday through Sunday, and is located right beside the cabins. 
 

Stay: Backeddy Resort & Marina

Settle down for another night in your cabin.

 
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Totem at Backeddy Resort & Marina. Photo: Brayden Hall, @braybraywoowoo

Day 3

When you check out of the Backeddy Resort & Marina, you are only a 15-minute drive away from the ferry terminal in Earls Cove. A 50-minute crossing on BC Ferries will take you to Saltery Bay, just south of Powell River.

Stock up on supplies for an overnight backcountry adventure. The Sunshine Coast Trail is Canada's longest hut-to-hut hiking trail, with multiple sleeping cabins along the way. 
 

Activity: Snowshoe to Tin Hat Hut

Grab your snowshoes and head out for an overnight adventure to Tin Hat Hut. This hut is winterized and has a pellet stove to keep you warm. Enjoy 360-degree views from the hut of mountains, lakes, inlets, and the ocean. It makes for the perfect destination for a winter adventure. Contact Sunshine Coast Shuttle for shuttles, transportation information, and logistics.

Tin Hat Hut
Tin Hat Hut. Photo: Matthew Massa, @thismattexists

Eat & Drink: Pack Supplies

As with any overnight camping trip, you'll want to pack your own food and supplies. Shop ahead of time at Quality Foods or Save-On-Foods in Powell River.
 

Stay: Backcountry Hut 

The Tin Hat Hut on the Sunshine Coast Trail is available for visitors to stay overnight and it is operated on a first-come, first-served basis. You'll need to bring your own food, cooking supplies, pellets for the stove, sleeping bag and mat, first aid kit, and any other camping supplies you may need for your trip.

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Tin Hat Hut. Photo: Brayden Hall, @braybraywoowoo

Day 4

Enjoy a slow morning at Tin Hat Hut before hiking down. If you have time or want to extend your trip, spend some time exploring Powell River and Lund. Otherwise, begin your journey home south on Highway 101 to return to Vancouver and beyond, or take the ferry from Powell River (Westview) to Comox (Little River) on Vancouver Island.
 

Before You Go: Safe Trip Planning 

The following itinerary has suggestions for backcountry, winter snowshoeing, and hiking. Snowshoeing and hiking in winter conditions can be hazardous. If you are travelling through avalanche terrain, you and everyone in your group must be self-sufficient, carry all the proper gear (transceiver, shovel, and probe), have avalanche training. BC Adventure Smart is a great resource to help you get informed before heading outdoors. Remember the three Ts: trip planning, training, and taking the essentials.

 

What to Pack

The weather on the Sunshine Coast can change daily. Bring layered clothing, camping gear, overnight packs, snowshoes, hiking poles (if preferred), matches and lighter, a light cookstove (propane or white gas), sleeping pads and bags, waterproof gear, etc. Pellets and a fire starter for wood stoves are a must if you plan to spend the night at Tin Hat Hut. The Sunshine Coast Trail website has recommendations for backpackers on what to bring. This is not an exhaustive list, so be sure to do your own planning as well.