Accessible Outdoor Adventures

For many visitors to Vancouver, a big part of their vacation is getting to explore the vast and spectacular natural environment that the city borders. Travellers with disabilities will find many of the outdoor adventures that they’ve read about are open to them, as Vancouver has a vast network of organizations that work together to ensure that our nature is accessible to everyone.

Vancouver’s Parks and Gardens

The emerald in Vancouver’s crown, Stanley Park is at the top of most visitors’ wish lists. The seawall pathway that runs around the outside of it (all 9 km / 5.6 miles) is wheelchair accessible and mainly flat. Wheelchair-friendly washrooms are available at Brockton Oval, Stanley Park Pavilion, and at Third Beach.

Queen Elizabeth Park is located at the highest point in the city, making it one of the best places to take in view of the downtown skyline against the backdrop of mountains. The entire garden is cross-crossed with paved pathways, including the Quarry Garden – a popular place for wedding photos! The Bloedel Conservatory, inside an iconic geodesic dome on top of the hill, is also wheelchair accessible, with loaner chairs available.

VanDusen Botanical Garden boasts 22.25 hectares (55 acres) of greenery divided into many smaller, specialized gardens. Most of the pathways are paved or made of compacted gravel, suitable for wheelchairs and scooters – a free map indicates wheelchair-friendly routes, so be sure to pick one up at the entrance. For those with limited walking ability, the garden offers guided cart tours three times daily, from April through October, and advance reservations are recommended for these.

Summer Adventures

For those looking to surround themselves with Vancouver’s towering trees and breathe in that fresh forest air, the British Columbia Mobile Opportunities Society makes the city’s outdoor recreation adventures accessible to anyone with a physical disability. Their custom one-wheel “Trailriders” are chairs that, with the assistance of two “Sherpas,” can tackle any terrain. Each summer, the organization runs a hiking program in Pacific Spirit Regional Park, and reservations are required. BCMOS also rents Trailriders for self-guided hiking adventures. Spinal Cord Injury BC also maintains a list of wheelchair accessible trails throughout the Greater Vancouver region.

In addition to the hiking program, BCMOS also offers an adaptive paddling program in False Creek close to Science World, using adaptive equipment including accessible kayaks and wheelchair paddleboards. Reservations can be made via their website. For those that enjoy time out on the water, the Disabled Sailing Association of British Columbia offers excursions using their fleet of Marlin 16 sailboats, which are designed to be used by all levels of ability using joystick controls or sip and puff technology. DSA has an electrical hoist and sling for those requiring assistance transferring to and from the boats. Bookings for sailing lessons can be made via their website. 

Another organization offering adaptive outdoor recreation is Power To Be, with programs offered in both Vancouver and Victoria. Their activities, mainly day-trips but sometimes overnight, are for anyone with physical or cognitive disabilities, and can include geocaching, canoeing, hiking, yoga, snowshoeing, indoor climbing and more.

Visitors using mobility devices can now easily experience Vancouver’s beaches. At both Kitsilano and English Bay beaches, “mobi-mat” non-slip pathways have been installed, allowing wheelchair users to move from the sidewalk down to the beach’s tide line in a regular chair. The City also has water wheelchairs available at no cost at 10 beaches and public pools, including Kitsilano and English Bay beaches. Water wheelchairs require advance reservations, and two attendants per chair for the beach, and one attendant per chair for use at a pool. In addition, some of the City of Vancouver public pools, such as Hillcrest Aquatic Centre and Templeton, offer aquatic pool lifts.

Winter Adventures

Sitting right at the foot of the North Shore Mountains, and just a two-hour drive to Whistler, Vancouverites like to get out and play in the snow! In the city, Vancouver Adaptive Snow Sports offers programs on all three of the city’s local ski mountains (Grouse, Cypress and Mt. Seymour), aimed making the mountains accessible to all. While their focus is on multi-week lessons, there are some drop-in opportunities for experienced adaptive skiers. Up in Whistler, Whistler Adaptive Sports Program offers skiing, snowboarding and sit-skiing lessons, as well as a huge range of other adaptive sports programs throughout the year. If you’re exploring further afield in the province, BC Adaptive Snowsports offers a map listing other adaptive winter sports programs.

As a world leader in providing barrier-free airport facilities, Vancouver International Airport wants to help bring awareness to accessibility issues. They are very proud to partner with Vancouver Adaptive Snow Sports to make the best backyard in the world accessible to everyone!

Other Recreational Organizations

BC Blind Sports and Recreation Association
604-325-8638 or 1-877-604-8638

BC Deaf Sports Federation
TTY: 604-526-5010

BC Wheelchair Sports Association
604-333-3520 or 1-877-737-3090