Creative inspiration is everywhere this time of year! If you’re starting 2025 looking for a muse to fuel your next project, the Lower Mainland is full of winter beauty that will surely boost your artistic mojo. From snow-capped mountains to soaring eagles, the seasonal sites of the area never fail to stir emotions and new perspectives. So, if you’ve been staring at a blank canvas since early December, maybe it’s time to leave the studio and look around a bit. Follow your sense of adventure to one of these local winter experiences, and you’ll be back working on your next opus in no time!
*Featured image by Mady Hart via Grouse Mountain
The snowy sites at the top of Vancouver will definitely keep you inspired through the season! Ride the gondola up along the tree line, and take in the majestic view from the summit—words can’t fully describe the sensation, but art can conjure similar emotions of the moment. Then enjoy a hot chocolate from the cozy cafe and go over a few sketch ideas.
Cross Country Skiing
Cut through snowy trails and discover the gorgeous winter scenes of our local nature! Cross-country skiing remains one of the most immersive and tranquil experiences you can do through the winter, and the peaceful quiet of the trail is unparalleled. If you’re looking to live in the moment more this year, bundle up and grab a few poles!
The Metro Vancouver and Squamish/Whistler areas have an incredibly robust eagle population! You can take a guided tour or do some solo birdwatching to see these soaring creatures in action. Seeing the full breadth of their wingspan as they take flight will leave you speechless and inspired. If you can’t decide on how to channel the experience, take some pics and start with a sketch of your best shots!
Burnaby Mountain is a snowy paradise in the winter! Wandering through the Playground of the Gods sculptures while taking in the sunset over the Vancouver skyline is one of the most beautiful and otherworldly views in the Lower Mainland. Pair that with a fresh dusting of powder, and you’ve got a scene you won’t soon forget. Pack a thermos and bring your little ones for some premium toboggan hills and make a day of it. Who knows, you may have found your next favourite brainstorming spot!
In the spring and summer, this North Shore waterfall is a destination for nature seekers looking to feel the raw power pounding water against the rocks below. But when winter arrives, and the falls freeze, it takes on a completely different character. Eerie and quiet, it’s a sight to behold. The ominous dripping of each icy crag will surely conjure images in your mind that you might want to express!
The quaint community of Crescent Beach is full of town character, teeming with stories to tell. Wandering past the beach houses, you might wonder about the interesting characters you’d find inside. The popular waterfront walkway weaves between homes and the shore, and wandering down the path during winter offers an incredibly unique ambience. Focus on the crash of the waves as your feet make soft tracks in the snow, and see how you would recreate the moment through your chosen medium.
