Wherever you’re headed this winter in BC, plan ahead so you can travel safely and responsibly and experience the best of what the season has to offer.
Parts of British Columbia have experienced unprecedented winter conditions, which are causing disruptions along some of BC’s major highways. It’s important to understand how your travel plans may be affected, to plan your route before you leave, and to check what you need to know before you go.
By Ferry
BC Ferries is operating between Victoria (Swartz Bay) and Tsawwassen as well as between Nanaimo (Duke Point) and Horseshoe Bay.
Note that foot passengers can take public transit to BC Ferries terminals; for details, visit Translink, West Vancouver Blue Bus, and BC Transit, depending on where you are travelling from.
Before you sail, please check for any travel advisories, as well as road conditions and affected routes, including Hwy #17 (to/from Tsawwassen) and Hwy #99 (to/from Horseshoe Bay). If you have not booked reservations ahead of time (recommended), check sailing status before you go.
By Coach
BC Ferries Connector offers coach service between Downtown Vancouver, Downtown Victoria, YVR Airport, and the Vancouver Cruise Ship Terminal. Adult fares cost between $32.50 and $60.50, depending on the route. Senior, Child, and Student discount fares are available.
By Plane
Air Canada, Pacific Coastal Airlines, and WestJet are operating direct flights between Victoria (YYJ), Nanaimo (YCD), Comox (YQQ), and Vancouver (YVR) for as little as $168 round trip. Pacific Coastal Airlines also provides scheduled flights to Tofino-Long Beach (YAZ), Campbell River (YBL), and Port Hardy (YZT).
For a city getaway, fly “Harbour to Harbour” from Downtown Vancouver to Downtown Victoria with Harbour Air for as low as $125 one-way, or direct from Richmond (YVR South) to Victoria’s Inner Harbour for as low as $93 one-way.
Seair Seaplanes operates daily scheduled flights from Vancouver Harbour (CXH) and Richmond (YVR South) to Nanaimo (Departure Bay). Harbour Air also flies to Nanaimo as well as Maple Bay on Vancouver Island. Indigenous-owned and -operated Iskwew Air (iss-kway-yo) offers scheduled flights between Richmond (YVR South) and Qualicum Beach Airport (CAT4).
Helijet provides regular flights between Vancouver Harbour Heliport to Victoria and Nanaimo harbour heliports.
By Ferry
BC Ferries provides scheduled sailings between the Lower Mainland and the Gulf Islands as well as services connecting the Gulf Islands. For details, visit BC Ferries.
Note that foot passengers can take public transit to BC Ferries terminals; for details, visit Translink, West Vancouver Blue Bus, and BC Transit, depending on where you are travelling from.
Before you sail, please check for any travel advisories as well as road conditions and affected routes on DriveBC.ca, including Hwy #17 (via Tsawwassen) and Hwy #99 (via Horseshoe Bay). If you have not booked reservations ahead of time (recommended), check sailing status before you go.
By Plane
Seair Seaplanes offers daily flights from Richmond (YVR South) to Ganges on Salt Spring Island, as well as Pender, Thetis, Saturna, Mayne, and Galiano islands (the latter routes can only be booked over the phone).
Harbour Air provides scheduled flights from Vancouver Harbour (CXH) and Richmond (YVR South) to Ganges on Salt Spring Island.
By Car
Expect reduced speeds, heavy traffic, and longer travel times as the Ministry of Transportation rebuilds highways between the Interior and the Fraser Valley that were severely damaged by flooding in November. Ensure you plan your route and check for the latest updates from Drive BC for the following routes, travelling between Vancouver and Hope:
By Car
For travel to Kelowna, make sure to plan your route before you travel to ensure you are aware of any current road events or disruptions along your journey. Check for the latest updates for major routes along your journey, including Hwy #1 (Trans-Canada) and/or Hwy #7 (Lougheed) from Vancouver to Hope. Expect reduced speeds, heavy traffic, and longer travel times as the Ministry of Transportation rebuilds highways between the Interior and Fraser Valley that were severely damaged by flooding in November.
The Coquihalla Hwy #5, (via Merritt) and Hwy #1 (through the Fraser Canyon) are now open to all traffic.
From Hope, Hwy #3 (via Princeton) requires extreme caution.
By Coach
Vancouver to Kelowna is serviced by Ebus, with stops in Surrey and Abbotsford; the route continues onward to Vernon; reservations required.
By Plane
Air North, Central Mountain Air (CMA), Air Canada, and WestJet are operating direct flights from Vancouver (YVR) to Kelowna (YLW).
Swoop Airlines has extended its Air Bridge service with additional direct flights between Abbotsford (YXX) and Kelowna (YLW), operating three times a week (Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays) until January 9, 2022.
Pacific Coastal Airlines is operating a direct flight between Victoria (YYJ) and Kelowna (YLW).
Note that Harbour Air has temporarily suspended flights from Vancouver Harbour (CXH) to Kelowna (Hotel Eldorado).
By Car
For travel to Kamloops, make sure to plan your route before you travel to ensure you are aware of any current road events or disruptions along your journey, including Hwy #1 (Trans-Canada) and/or Hwy #7 (Lougheed) from Vancouver to Hope. Expect reduced speeds, heavy traffic, and longer travel times as the Ministry of Transportation rebuilds highways between the Interior and Fraser Valley that were severely damaged by flooding in November.
The Coquihalla Hwy #5, (via Merritt), Hwy #1 (through the Fraser Canyon), and Hwy #99 (Sea-to-Sky) between Pemberton and Lillooet are now open to all traffic.
By Coach
Vancouver to Kamloops is serviced by Ebus, with stops in Surrey and Abbotsford; the route continues onward to Sorrento via Salmon Arm; reservations required.
By Plane
Air Canada, Central Mountain Air and Pacific Coastal Airlines are operating direct flights from Vancouver (YVR) to Kamloops (YKA).
By Train
Check VIA Rail for the operation of its service between Vancouver and Kamloops.
By Car
Ensure you plan your route and check for the latest updates from Drive BC for travel along Hwy #99 (Sea-to-Sky).
By Coach
Skylinx (in partnership with BC Connector) offers daily shuttle service between Vancouver (YVR) and multiple locations in Whistler.
Whistler Shuttle also provides transportation between Vancouver and Whistler hotels, including “meet & greet” services at YVR Airport.
Epic Rides provides daily shuttle service between Downtown Vancouver and Whistler Village.
By Plane
Harbour Air provides access to Sechelt, Madeira Park, Egmont, and Blind Bay on Sunshine Coast.
Pacific Coastal Air offers flights between Richmond (YVR South) and Powell River (YPW).
Sunshine Coast Air has scheduled flights between Sechelt and Nanaimo until January 31, 2022.
By Ferry
BC Ferries operates a service from Horseshoe Bay to Langdale in Gibsons. Connect to northern parts of the Sunshine Coast, including Powell River, with services between Earls Cove and Saltry Bay. An alternate sailing route is via Comox on Vancouver Island to Powell River.
Before you sail, please check for any travel advisories, as well as road conditions and affected routes, including Hwy #99 (to/from Horseshoe Bay) and Hwy #101 for travel along the Coast. If you have not booked reservations ahead of time (recommended), check sailing status before you go.
By Public Transit
For foot passengers, BC Transit provides scheduled bus service to and from Langdale Ferry Terminal, servicing the communities of Gibsons, Roberts Creek, Halfmoon Bay, and Sechelt. Passengers can also take public transportation to Horseshoe Bay Ferry Terminal. For more details visit Translink and West Vancouver Blue Bus.
By Car
The Sunshine Coast Highway, Hwy #101, connects communities on the Sunshine Coast, from Port Mellon to Lund. Ferry travel is required to travel between Earls Cove and Saltery Bay.
By Car
Expect traffic delays and changing traffic patterns as teams on the ground continue to respond to conditions and monitor routes impacted by the recent flooding in the Fraser Valley and Fraser Canyon. Ensure you plan your route to Hope and check for the latest updates from Drive BC for Hwy #1 (Trans-Canada) and Hwy #7 (Lougheed).
The Coquihalla Hwy #5, (via Merritt) and Hwy #1 (through the Fraser Canyon) are now open to all traffic.
From Hope, Hwy #3 (via Princeton) requires extreme caution.
By Plane
Pacific Coastal Airlines provides direct flights between Richmond (YVR South) Canadian Rockies International Airport (YXC) in Cranbrook, as well as Trail Regional Airport (YZZ).
Air Canada provides flights between YVR and YXC , as well as between YVR and West Kootenay Regional Airport (YCG). And WestJet provides flights between YVR and YXC.
By Car
Plan your route to Williams Lake and onwards to Prince George via Hwy #99 (to Cache Creek) and Hwy #97.
The Coquihalla Hwy #5, (via Merritt), Hwy #1 (through the Fraser Canyon), and Hwy #99 (Sea-to-Sky) between Pemberton and Lillooet are now open to all traffic.
From Prince George, connect to Northern BC communities along Hwy #97, and onwards toward the Yukon, from Mile 0 of the Alaska Highway in Dawson Creek. Or, continue west on Route 16 to Prince Rupert.
By Ferry
Access the central coast of BC via Vancouver Island, taking a BC Ferries vessel from Port Hardy to Bella Coola on the mainland, and travelling along Hwy #20 to Williams Lake or further north to Prince George.
You can also take BC Ferries from Port Hardy to Prince Rupert to connect to Northern BC communities via Route 16, or take a ferry to Skidegate in Haida Gwaii.
Before you sail, please check for any travel advisories, as well as road conditions and affected routes. If you have not booked reservations ahead of time (recommended), check sailing status before you go.
By Plane
Fly direct with Air Canada and WestJet from Vancouver (YVR) to Smithers (YYD), Terrace (YXT), Prince George (YXS), and North Peace Regional Airport (YXJ) in Fort St. John; and to Prince Rupert (YPR) with Air Canada.
Pacific Coastal Airlines provides scheduled flights from Richmond (YVR South) to Bella Bella (ZEL), Bella Coola (QBC), Williams Lake (YWL), Masset (ZWT), and Prince George (YXS).
Central Mountain Air provides scheduled flights from Vancouver Airport South (YVR) to Williams Lake (YWL), Quesnel, Northwest Regional Airport (YXT) in Terrace, Prince George (YXS), North Peace Regional Airport (YXJ) in Fort St. John, and Northern Rockies Regional Airport (YYE) in Fort Nelson.
By Bus
Adventure Inter-City Bus service connects Prince George, Williams Lake, Kamloops, and Surrey, with many stops along the route. Surrey is connected to Vancouver and the Lower Mainland via Translink and SkyTrain.
BC Bus North offers service connecting Fort Nelson, Fort St. John, Dawson Creek, Mackenzie, Prince George, Smithers, Prince Rupert, and Valemont.
By Car
From Calgary, take Highway 1 (Trans-Canada) via Banff. Note that Hwy #1 between Lake Louise and Golden will have extended, 24-hour closures due to The Kicking Horse Canyon Project underway. Please see the up-to-date schedule of closures and be prepared to take detours via Hwy #93 and Hwy #95 (via Radium Hot Springs), which may add up to 1.5 hours to your journey to Golden.
You can continue south via Hwy #93 through Radium Hot Springs to Invermere and Windermere and onwards to Cranbrook, and nearby Kimberley and Fernie. Or, continue along Hwy #1 from Golden to Revelstoke, and take the free Upper Arrow Lake Ferry at Shelter Bay to continue south via Hwy #23 then Hwy #6 to Nelson and Castlegar.
You can also take a more direct route from Calgary to Fernie and Cranbrook via AB-22 and Hwy #3 (Crowsnest Highway). Continue via Hwy #6 to Nelson, and onwards to Castlegar via Hwy #3A.
By Plane
WestJet provides direct flights between Calgary (YYC) and the Canadian Rockies International Airport in Cranbrook (YXC).
By Car
From Calgary, take Highway 1 (Trans-Canada) to Kamloops (via the Shuswap), or take Hwy #97 to Kelowna (via Revelstoke and Vernon). Note that Hwy #1 between Lake Louise and Golden will have extended, 24-hour closures due to The Kicking Horse Canyon Project underway. Please see the up-to-date schedule of closures and be prepared to take detours via Hwy #93 and Hwy #95 (via Radium Hot Springs), which may add up to 1.5 hours to your journey to Golden.
By Plane
For flights to the Thompson Okanagan, fly direct from Calgary (YYC) to Kelowna (YLW) or Kamloops (YKA) with WestJet or Air Canada. WestJet also provides scheduled flights from Calgary (YYC) to Penticton (YYF) in the Southern Okanagan.
By Car
From Calgary, take Highway 1 (Trans-Canada) to Lake Louise, then Hwy #93 to Jasper and onwards via Route 16 to Prince George. From Prince George, continue west to Prince Rupert via Route 16, head north to Dawson Creek and onwards up the Alaska Highway, or head south via Hwy #97 to Williams Lake and Cache Creek.
You can also travel to Cache Creek from Calgary on Highway 1 (Trans-Canada) from Kamloops (through the Shuswap), through Vernon via Hwy #97, and through Kelowna via Hwy #97C (through Merritt).
To travel farther south, see routes To/From the Lower Mainland.
By Plane
Both Air Canada and WestJet operate flights to Prince George (YXS). Fly to North Peace Regional Airport (YXJ) in Fort St. John with WestJet.
By Train
VIA Rail operates a service between Jasper and Prince Rupert with a stop in Prince George.
By Car
From Calgary, take Highway 1 (Trans-Canada) to Kamloops (via the Shuswap), or Hwy #97 to Kelowna (via Revelstoke and Vernon). Note that Hwy #1 between Lake Louise and Golden will have extended, 24-hour closures due to The Kicking Horse Canyon Project underway. Please see the up-to-date schedule of closures and be prepared to take detours via Hwy #93 and Hwy #95 (via Radium Hot Springs), which may add up to 1.5 hours to your journey to Golden.
Check routes To/From the Lower Mainland to make the journey farther west.
By Plane
Flare Airlines provides a daily flight from Calgary (YYC) to Abbotsford (YXX).
WestJet has direct flights between Calgary (YYC) and Vancouver (YVR), as well as Victoria (YYJ), Nanaimo (YCD) and Comox (YQQ) on Vancouver Island.
Air Canada provides flights between Calgary (YYC), Vancouver (YVR), Victoria (YYJ), Nanaimo (YCD), with connecting flights to Comox Valley (YQQ) and Campbell River (YBL).
By Car
From Edmonton, follow Route 16 to the Okanagan via Hwy #5 (to Kamloops), or head south to the Canadian Rockies via Hwy #93. Remember to check conditions and highway updates at DriveBC.ca.
By Plane
For flights to the Thompson Okanagan, fly direct from Edmonton to Kelowna (YLW) with Flair or WestJet. For flights to Kamloops (YKA), connect through Calgary (YYC) with WestJet or Air Canada.
Fly via Vancouver or Calgary into the Kootenays with Air Canada or WestJet to Canadian Rockies International Airport in Cranbrook (YXC). Air Canada also services the southern Kootenays, operating flights via Vancouver into West Kootenay Regional Airport (YCG) in Castlegar.
Fly to Prince George (YXS), North Peace Regional Airport (YXJ) in Fort St. John, and Northern Rockies Regional Airport (YYE) in Fort Nelson with Central Mountain Air.
Air Canada provides flights from Edmonton to North Peace Regional Airport (YXJ) in Fort St. John.
By Car
From Edmonton, follow Route 16 to the Okanagan via Hwy #5 to Kamloops, and onwards through Vernon via Hwy #97 to Kelowna.
By Plane
Fly direct from Edmonton to Kelowna (YLW) with Flair and WestJet, or connect through Vancouver (YVR) with Air Canada.
Flights to Kamloops (YKA) will connect through Calgary (YYC) or Vancouver (YVR) with Air Canada, or through Calgary (YYC) with WestJet.
Flights to Penticton (YYF) will connect through Calgary (YYC) with WestJet.
By Car
From Edmonton, take Route 16 to Prince George. From Prince George, continue west to Prince Rupert via Route 16, head north to Dawson Creek and onwards up the Alaska Highway, or head south via Hwy #97 to Williams Lake and Cache Creek.
You can also travel to Cache Creek from Edmonton via Route 16 by heading south down Hwy #5 at Tête Jaune Cache and onwards via Kamloops on Hwy #1.
To travel farther south, see routes To/From the Lower Mainland.
By Plane
Air Canada has daily flights from Edmonton to Vancouver (YVR) where you can make a connecting flight to communities like Prince George (YXS), Prince Rupert (YPR) and Sandspit (YZP) in Haida Gwaii.
By Train
VIA Rail operates a service between Jasper and Prince Rupert with a stop in Prince George.
By Car
From Edmonton, follow Route 16 to the Okanagan via Hwy #5 to Kamloops, and onwards through Vernon via Hwy #97 to Kelowna.
Check routes To/From the Lower Mainland to make the journey farther west.
By Plane
Swoop provides low-fare flights between Edmonton and Abbotsford (YXX) as well as Victoria (YYJ).
Flare Airlines provides flights between Edmonton and Abbotsford (YXX) with more limited services in 2022.
Air Canada and WestJet both have daily flights from Edmonton to Vancouver (YVR). From Vancouver, connect to other coastal communities in BC such as Victoria (YYJ), Nanaimo (YCD), Comox (YQQ), and Campbell River (YBL) on Vancouver Island.
By Train
VIA Rail operates a service between Vancouver and Edmonton, starting at $169 per way.
By Car
From Seattle, the easiest way to get to Vancouver is by taking the I-5 and crossing at one of two border crossings:
Additional routes are available to access other parts of the Lower Mainland:
By Coach
Quick Shuttle provides scheduled bus service between Canada Place in Downtown Vancouver and SeaTac Airport with multiple stops enroute.
Cantrail Coach Lines provides scheduled bus service between Pacific Central Station in Vancouver, BC and Amtrak Station in Downtown Seattle.
Bolt Bus provides scheduled bus service between Pacific Central Station in Vancouver, BC and Greyhound Seattle Bus Station.
By Plane
For flights to Vancouver (YVR), fly direct with Air Canada, Delta, or Alaska Airlines from Seattle (SEA).
Connect through Vancouver (YVR) to fly to Victoria (YYJ), Nanaimo (YCD), and Campbell River (YBL) on Vancouver Island; Kelowna (YLW), Penticton (YYF), and Kamloops (YKA) in Thompson Okanagan; and Cranbrook (YXC) in the Kootenays.
You can also make a connection through Calgary (YYC) with WestJet, Delta, and Alaska Airlines to fly to Kelowna (YLW), Kamloops (YKA), Penticton (YYF) and Cranbrook (YXC).
By Train
Amtrak is working with federal agencies to resume cross border service on the Amtrak Cascades to Vancouver, in early 2022. Until then, Cantrail has resumed Thruway service from Seattle to Richmond and Vancouver, BC
See From Seattle to Vancouver, BC above, then check routes To/From the Lower Mainland.
See From Seattle to Vancouver, BC above, then check routes To/From the Lower Mainland.
By Car
See From Seattle to Vancouver, BC above, then check routes To/From the Lower Mainland.
By Ferry
The FRS Clipper fast ferry service between Seattle and Victoria has been suspended until Spring 2022.
Black Ball Ferry Line provides transportation between Victoria’s Inner Harbour and Port Angeles, 82 miles from Seattle via US-101.
By Plane
Fly direct from Seattle (SEA) to Victoria (YYJ) with Alaska Airlines, Delta, Air Canada, WestJet, and United offer connections via Vancouver (YVR) and Calgary (YYC).
See From Seattle to Vancouver, BC above, then check routes To/From the Lower Mainland.
By Car
In addition to the four US-Canada border crossings accessing Vancouver, BC and the Lower Mainland, you can access the Southern Okanagan directly from Washington State at two additional US-Canada border crossings:
By Plane
Alaska Airlines is operating a direct flight between Seattle (SEA) and Kelowna (YLW).
Connect to Kelowna (YLW) through Vancouver with Air North, Central Mountain Air, Air Canada, and WestJet; to Kamloops (YKA) with Air Canada, Central Mountain Air, and Pacific Coastal Airlines; and to Penticton (YYF) with Air Canada and Pacific Coastal Airlines.
By Car
In addition to the six US-Canada border crossings further west, you can more directly access the Kootenay Rockies in BC from Washington State at two additional US-Canada border crossings:
You can also access more eastern parts of BC via Spokane and cross the border from Idaho or Montana:
By Plane
Fly from Seattle (SEA) with connecting through Vancouver (YVR) or Calgary (YYC) with Air Canada, WestJet, Alaska Airlines, and Delta.
By Car
See From Seattle to Vancouver, BC above, then check routes To/From the Lower Mainland.
By Plane
Flights from Seattle (SEA) may connect through Vancouver (YVR) with Air Canada and WestJet to Smithers (YYD), Northwest Regional Airport (YXT) in Terrace, Prince George (YXS), and North Peace Regional Airport (YXJ) in Fort St. John; and to Prince Rupert (YPR) with Air Canada.
By Ferry
For travel on the Alaska Marine Highway System from Bellingham, WA to Prince Rupert, BC, check updates from Alaska State Ferries to ensure the port of call is open.
Whichever one of BC’s 13 ski resorts you plan on visiting this winter, check what you need to know before you go.
Be sure to go online well in advance to note restaurant operating hours, lift access information, lift ticket booking procedures, cancellation policies, and safety precautions. Expect to find unique safety protocols and operating procedures in place this season and rules may differ from resort to resort, based on regionalized public health orders.
In addition to planning your route, make sure you’re acquainted with any travel advisories, travel requirements, and entry requirements by checking updates on our Know Before You Go page.
For more information about how to reach your destination, or things to do when you get there, connect with a local tourism expert through BC’s expansive Visitor Centre Network.
Last Updated: January 25, 2022
