Prince George winters offer mostly mild temperatures, blankets of fluffy snow, and sparkling blue skies, making them perfect for the outdoor adventurer. February is a shoulder season in the city, but there’s still plenty of snow left to enjoy outdoor activities and lots of urban spaces in which to warm up after. So grab your skis, snowboard, and snowshoes and get ready for three days of epic activities in the winter wonderland that is Prince George. Don’t have outdoor gear? Don’t worry: most facilities offer rentals.
Day 1: Hit the slopes then the breweries
194 km, 2 hr 10 min from Prince George
Start your winter adventure with a full day of skiing or boarding at Powder King, a ski hill known for, you guessed it, powder! Known as the “whisper of this north” due to its top notch conditions, this ski hill offers 37 runs ranging from easy to very difficult. New to skiing or boarding? Grab some lessons from their skilled instructors before hitting the slopes.
After a full day on the hill, you could hit the lodge to wind down, but better yet, head back to Prince George to refuel at one of the city’s local microbreweries. CrossRoads Brewing offers a full menu of delicious eats from pizzas to mouth-watering BBQ from their in-house smoker. Pair your meal with a tasty Sexy Beast Chocolate Raspberry Porter, Clearcut Lager, or Fast Lane IPA. If you want more of a light snack paired with a craft beer named after local attractions, check out Trench Brewing. Order some tacos and enjoy them with The Fang IPA, Viking Amber Ale, or Omineca Blonde Ale.
Day 2: Trade in downhill for cross-country skis then warm up at a local café
11.3 km, 15 min from Prince George
Pack up your cross-country skis, hope in your vehicle, and drive 15 minutes from the core of Prince George to the Caledonia Nordic Ski Club. Strap on your personal or rented classic or skate skis and start exploring the facility’s well-groomed trails. There’s a trail for every level of skier; make sure to pay attention to runs that are for classic skis only. Want to go at night? No problem! Many of the trails are lit by flood lights.
Depending on what time of day you head out, you might want to start it with a coffee or end it with a hot chocolate. Prince George offers multiple local coffee shops that offer unique drinks and freshly baked treats. Try a third-wave coffee and a cookie at Ritual, a dirty matcha and a cupcake at The Makerie, a doughnut bannock and a hot apple cider or chai latte at the House of Ancestors Café, or a cocoamochanut coffee and a cinnamon bun at Zoe’s Java House. Most of these cafes offer hot chocolate in addition to coffee! Make sure to check each café’s hours of operation before making your plan for the day.
Day 3: Wind down with a snowshoe and some retail therapy
5 – 18 km, 9 – 18 min from Prince George
Your legs might be getting a little sore by now, so a good option is to go for a leisurely snowshoe. Head to Moore’s Meadow if there’s a fresh blanket of snow, drive a little further to Ferguson Lake Interpretive Trail if there’s not, or head to Tabor Lake Recreational Area if you don’t mind a bit longer of a drive. All three locations offer the opportunity for a leisurely snowshoe through magical terrain.
Finish off your day by hitting local shops for some retail therapy. Stroll down 4th Avenue in downtown Prince George to browse local boutiques that feature everything from clothing, to rocks and gems, to household items. Branch out and explore the rest of the downtown to find a unique bookstore, consignment stores, Indigenous arts, and used and new records.
About the author: Christina was born and raised in Prince George and lived in the Lower Mainland for a couple of years while attending school before returning home to start her career. She worked first as a radio journalist and then a public relations specialist in Prince George for almost a decade before transitioning into her current role of Workforce Development Officer in the Economic Development Division at the City of Prince George. She has a passion for storytelling and for providing support to local businesses to help them grow and thrive. When not working, you can find her outdoors hiking, kayaking, paddle boarding or snowshoeing, getting creative, enjoying local events, shopping at the Farmers’ Market, socializing at local restaurants and breweries, or taking in live music.
