Sitting at the foot of the magnificent North Shore Mountains, West Vancouver offers visitors an enchanting blend of urban allure natural beauty. When it comes to accessing the hiking trails, mountain bike paths and old-growth rainforests of the North Shore Mountains, West Vancouver is an unrivalled choice.

Come winter the city is a hub for skiers, snowboarders and snowshoe enthusiasts wanting to carve up the runs at winter resorts like Cypress Mountain, Grouse Mountain and Mount Seymour. For those craving a more relaxed pace, Horseshoe Bay is a fantastic day trip. One of the major terminals connecting British Columbia to Vancouver Island, Horseshoe Bay is a picturesque town offering oceanfront cafes, native art galleries, boutique shops, small museums and great fish and chips.

Just a 20-minute drive from downtown Vancouver, the city is just a short jaunt across the iconic Lions Gate Bridge. Public transport also runs between the two cities, with scenic bicycle routes also meandering their way through West Van.

Despite its proximity to Vancouver, West Vancouver is technically an independent city. The municipality was incorporated in 1912 after the district officially separated from North Vancouver. Today, it’s one of British Columbia’s most coveted addresses, with luxury homes stretching along the waterfront.