Winter in Prince George BC? Yes, you heard right! Prince George is the perfect spot for a winter getaway! This charming city turns into a snowy playground filled with fun outdoor activities and more.
As someone who’s explored countless Canadian (including many BC destinations in the winter) destinations, I was surprised by the charm and diversity of activities Prince George offers during the colder months.
From sipping locally made wine (mulled wine to be correct 😉 to really get into the holiday spirit) under twinkling lights to skating across a faux-ice rink in the city center and introducing my son to cross-country skiing, winter in Prince George is anything but ordinary.
In this weekend itinerary, I’ll guide you through the best things to do in Prince George in winter, from family-friendly museums to fun outdoor activities.
Get ready to add Prince George to your next winter getaway!
Disclaimer: Just a heads up: this post was sponsored by Tourism Prince George, and we are incredibly grateful they hosted us for our stay. It allowed me to write a deeper and more quality review. But all opinions are my own. Also, this free article contains affiliate links. If you purchase after clicking one of these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost. Also, as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Your support helps me continue to provide helpful and free content for you.
Highlights of this Itinerary
⏭️ Or skip directly to the day-by-day itinerary
Caledonia Nordic Ski Club
Cross Country Skiing at Caledonia Nordic Ski Club is a great way to enjoy the snowy outdoors. The club has many trails for all skill levels, from beginners to experts. You can ski through beautiful forests. Don’t worry if you’ve never skied before – they have lessons too! It was my son’s first time, and he LOVED it.
Light Up the Orchard
Light Up the Orchard at Northern Lights Winery is a magical event to kick off the holiday season. The winery’s orchard gets covered in twinkling lights, making it look like a fairy tale. You can walk through the orchard and sip hot drinks. This event only runs until December 31st, so don’t miss out!
Betulla Burning Restaurant
The Betulla Burning restaurant is known for its wood-fired pizzas and tasty Italian food. The place is cozy, like eating at a friend’s house. After a day of fun activities, head to Betulla Burning for a delicious meal. The salumi & cheese board is a perfect appetizer to share (even the half portion is huge!)
📖 TL;DR? Here’s a recap of a 2-day winter adventure in Prince George, BC
Day 1 starts with a lunch at The Wall of Fame Sandwich Shop and an educational visit to The Exploration Place. The afternoon includes a scenic walk through Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park and ice skating at Canada Games Plaza. As evening falls, enjoy the magical Light Up the Orchard event at Northern Lights Estate Winery before dinner at Zen Noodle House.
Day 2 begins with breakfast at Aubree’s Breakfast Place and cross-country skiing at Caledonia Nordic Ski Club. After lunch at Ristretto Coffee House, visit the Central BC Railway and Forestry Museum and take a nature walk at Cottonwood Island Nature Park. The day ends with relaxation at the hotel pool and dinner at Betulla Burning.
Day-by-Day Itinerary for a Winter Weekend in Prince George
Here’s a day-by-day itinerary with key details for each activity:
Day 1: Arrive in Prince George
Arrive in Prince George
▶️ How to Get to Prince George, BC
The Prince George International Airport (YXS) is only a short drive from downtown. It takes about 15-20 minutes. If you need to rent a car, you can do so at the car rental kiosk near the baggage claim area at the airport.
Lunch at The Wall of Fame Sandwich Shop
- The Wall of Fame Sandwich Shop
- Famous for their delicious grilled cheese.
- Try the brie, apple & fig one
- Walking distance from downtown Prince George
The Exploration Place
- The Exploration Place
- Open until 5 p.m.
- Use your local science center card to get in for free (member of the Association of Science and Technology Centers).
- Kids can learn about science and have fun with hands-on exhibits.
- Don’t miss the slide from the upper to the main level.
- There’s a cool café called Origins Kitchen inside.
Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park
- Take a walk in this pretty park next to Exploration Place.
- Check out the historic school and train station.
- It’s a nice place to stretch your legs and learn some history.
Ice Skating at Canada Games Plaza
- Go ice skating on the outdoor faux-ice rink downtown. It’s in the Canada Game Plaza
- You can rent skates and helmets. The visitor center can give you more info.
Light Up the Orchard at Northern Lights Estate Winery
- Visit the Northern Lights Estate Winery to see the beautiful lights in the orchard.
- Buy tickets online before you go.
- It’s only open until December 31st.
- Kids will love the complimentary hot chocolate (and parents will love a glass of mulled wine – made with the Northern Lights Estate Winery wine).
Check-in at the Coast Hotel
▶️ Where to Stay in Prince George, BC
- The Coast Prince George Hotel is located in downtown Prince George, just next to the Canada Games Plaza.
- Check-in and relax a little before heading out for dinner
Dinner at Zen Noodle House
- It’s right across from the Coast Prince George Hotel.
- The tuna tataki and the fried chicken wontons are delicious.
Day 2: Explore more of Prince George
Breakfast at Aubree’s Breakfast Place
- Start your day with breakfast at Aubree’s Breakfast Place located inside the Econo Lodge Hotel.
- They open as early as 7 AM
- It’s a short walk from the Coast Hotel
- Try their tasty Breakfast Poutine.
Cross-country Skiing at Caledonia Nordic Ski Club
- Caledonia Nordic Ski Club has 55km of trails for all skill levels.
- You can rent skis, even for kids.
- They also have snowshoe trails if you want to try that instead.
- You can even ski at night.
Lunch at Ristretto Coffee House
- Warm up with lunch and coffee at Ristretto Coffee House.
- Ristretto Coffe House is located in downtown Prince George, walking distance from the Coast Hotel and next to EXIT, the Escape Game Room.
Central BC Railway and Forestry Museum
- Most indoor exhibits at the Central BC Railway And Forestry Museum are closed in winter.
- You can still walk around outside and see the outside of the trains. Kids usually love looking at the big locomotives.
- Make sure your children ask for the scavenger hunt.
- The museum is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays
Cottonwood Island Nature Park
- It’s located next to the Central BC Railway and Forestry Museum.
- Take a nice walk on the park’s trails.
- Try to spot all the wood carvings hidden around. It’s like a fun scavenger hunt for the kids.
Hotel Pool Time
- Head back to the hotel to relax and swim in the pool.
- It’s a great way to unwind after a busy day.
Dinner at Betulla Burning
- Call ahead to make a reservation.
- They make delicious wood-fired pizza.
- The salumi & cheese board is a perfect appetizer to share (even the half portion is huge!)
- The atmosphere is cozy, perfect after a busy day playing outside.
Day 3: Heading Home
Breakfast and Packing
- Wake up, pack your bags, and grab breakfast before leaving.
- We ended up going back to Aubree’s Breakfast place, because it was the only one open really early on a Sunday morning.
Return Rental Car and Fly Home
- Head to the airport to return your rental car and for your flight home.
- Make sure to leave enough time to get through security. But it’s a small airport, so not really crowded.
How to Get to Prince George, BC
Prince George is located in Northern BC. It takes quite a long drive if you’re from Vancouver or Calgary:
- It’s almost 800 km from Vancouver, driving through Fraser Canyon, then along Highway 97.
- Driving through the Icefields Parkways between Banff and Jasper is 800 km from Calgary (but it’s an unpredictable drive in the winter), or more than 1000 km if driving through Revelstoke and Kamloops.
Alternatively, you can take a quick 1-hour flight with daily options available from Vancouver International Airport (YVR) or a 1.5-hour flight from Calgary International Airport (YYC) to Prince George Airport (YXS). This is what we did and I’m so happy we flew instead of driving all the way.
Where to Stay in Prince George, BC
If you’re planning a trip to Prince George, I highly recommend staying at the Coast Prince George Hotel by APA. It was the perfect home base for our winter getaway, and here’s why:
- The location couldn’t be better. It’s right in the heart of downtown, so you’re within walking distance of some of the attractions and restaurants. We walked to local restaurants, the ice rink, and even the Festival of Trees during our stay. Not having to drive everywhere was a huge bonus, especially in the winter!
- The hotel itself is modern and comfortable. Our room had everything we needed to relax after a day in the snow—comfy beds, a living area, and even a fancy bidet (a little touch that made my son laugh a lot). The staff was friendly and helpful, which made the stay even better.
- They have a pool and fitness center if you want to unwind or keep up your exercise routine. And there is also an on-site restaurant (but we didn’t try it).
Our Thoughts on Visiting Prince George BC in the Winter
We were pleasantly surprised by Prince George. It’s not a destination on most “must-visit” lists, but it was an amazing trip. Staying at the Coast Prince George Hotel downtown was a great choice. It gave us a cozy home base and made it so easy to get around. We walked to everything—restaurants, the ice rink, and even the Festival of Trees. It felt so convenient to explore without hopping in the car every time…. Even as a road trip family, we love to walk around as much as we can.
One of our favorite experiences was trying cross-country skiing at the Caledonia Nordic Ski Club. It was a definite highlight and a great way to spend more time outside! The trails are amazing—vast, well-maintained, and with plenty of beginner-friendly options. Even though we passed a few people here and there, it still felt like we had the snowy forest to ourselves. It was peaceful and just stunning out there.
We also got to experience A LOT of snow during our stay. Watching it pile up was magical, but it made driving a little nerve-wracking, especially on our last morning. Just something to keep in mind if you visit during a big snowfall.
A small side note: While staying downtown was super convenient, we noticed quite a few homeless people in the area. It didn’t impact our experience too much, but it’s something worth mentioning if you’re considering staying in the heart of the city.
All in all, visiting Prince George in the winter gave us a mix of fun outdoor adventures and cozy, festive vibes. If you’re considering it, we’d say go for it!
