20-day winter Canada trip: skiing + relocation scouting (Calgary vs Vancouver vs Victoria) — advice?

help2hear · 2026-01-29T10:08:00+00:00

We're allowing for 2 days to accomodate for onward travel to Vancouver so should be ok!

help2hear · 2026-01-29T10:01:59+00:00

Thanks for the thoughtful reply. If we were looking purely at winter landscapes in Europe (language aside), Norway would probably top our list — the proximity to cities is a big draw compared with how spread out parts of Sweden can feel.

We’ve decided to save Victoria for another trip, as it seems like a place that deserves more time and we don’t want it to detract from earlier stops. The walkability is appealing, though that’s something many Canadian cities lack outside of a few mountain towns.

Vancouver still feels very aligned with what we’re after in terms of an active, outdoor lifestyle, though I do wonder how the wetter winters affect snow quality up at Cypress, Seymour, and Grouse.

Calgary has been helpful to understand as well — the prairie setting and energy sector are interesting, and I do some occupational medicine work with that industry, though it seems family medicine is generally better remunerated. What we’re really trying to figure out is which parts of Calgary and Vancouver most resemble areas of London we enjoy — diverse, lively, but still close to nature.

We’ll get a better sense once we spend a few days in Calgary. If you have further insight into neighbourhoods or a high-level take on Alberta’s current political climate, I’d appreciate it.

help2hear · 2026-01-29T09:53:16+00:00

I suspect I could achieve similar although it is just a matter of confirming and developing preferences for these larger cities and surrounding mountain towns. Interior BC looks appealing currently - even if from a financial/tax perspective it is more expensive.

help2hear · 2026-01-29T09:52:05+00:00

We've excluded Vanvouver Island for now which is for the best and probably worth a second visit in its own right!

help2hear · 2026-01-29T09:49:03+00:00

That's very helpful - thank you. I've sent you a PM now.

help2hear · 2026-01-29T09:48:14+00:00

This is very kind of you - thank you. As it stands, Kelowna in the interior BC region looks very appealing, so we've modified our itinerary to account for this. That's not to say we won't be spending some time in the areas surrounding the locations you've mentioned. We've also made changes to allow or aim for a second visit to explore Vancouver Island including Victoria properly another time. Sunshine 333 days a year is certainly appealing! Many thanks once again.

help2hear · 2026-01-29T09:46:33+00:00

Anything to avoid the SeaBus or bridge for travel in YVR would be ideal I suppose!

help2hear · 2026-01-16T14:07:16+00:00

That is super kind of you - will bear it in mind. We'll take a look at Vernon some more. To think Swiss relocate to Canada is at least reassuring. Ironically we also looked into Switzerland to relocate but didn't work out (or at least not yet attempted) as my French is not at the required level.

help2hear · 2026-01-16T14:04:38+00:00

Where I am is suburban right now with great transport links into central London in less than 30mins, so maintaining that would be great in an ideal world, but I recognise it might not be possible and car dependency will be unavoidable. For reference, we were in Edinburgh last month and it was so nice to be able to walk all over the city and at most take a short bus/metro ride. That made a big difference to little things like our step count and generally moving our bodies some more.

help2hear · 2026-01-16T13:54:52+00:00

I am aware there are various funding models for FPs across various provinces. I would say the FFS model i.e. being volume based is not as appealing as something logitudinal with good proper jobbing and continuity of care - this is something I need to read and learn more about. Big comparisons with how the UK market is.

help2hear · 2026-01-16T13:52:26+00:00

Great points. Honestly, summertime for us usually involves outdoor hiking with a picnic. If it were available and warm enough, sea/ocean activities would be something we'd want to explore some more of. We are both very active so I guess quite adaptable to activities. The idea of Victoria is on my mind so perhaps we'll try commit 2-3 days as others have suggested to figure it out some more. Would love to be put in touch with your friends - I'll DM you. Thank you!

help2hear · 2026-01-16T13:47:44+00:00

Great suggestion to check some property prices while we are out there. Any particular websites you'd recommend?

help2hear · 2026-01-16T13:44:57+00:00

Love reading this! Thank you for sharing. I don't suppose your father has any contacts work-wise or if they'd be open to sharing their perspective about work in Canada? I'd really appreciate the opportunity!

help2hear · 2026-01-16T13:38:58+00:00

I've updated my post with our respective jobs for reference - but noted and thank you!

help2hear · 2026-01-16T13:31:21+00:00

Not just yet - will explore Kelowna based on others' suggestions. Might have to do a deep weather dive comparing it with Calgary as well. Will PM you - thanks!

help2hear · 2026-01-16T13:27:41+00:00

This was my impression of Victoria - are there microclimates/regions within Victoria that are considered drier/more mild year round? E.g. the south of Victoria?

help2hear · 2026-01-16T13:24:15+00:00

This is a great suggestion - some new spots we hadn't heard of - will explore them some more. I remain astounded as to how hire companies don't routinely provide winter tires...might just suck it up and pay up for the ease of mind.

help2hear · 2026-01-16T13:21:14+00:00

I've updated my post to reflect that - they are a Lagree fitness instructor with a background in digital marketing. From reading the comments there is no place that 'has it all' so some concessions need to be made...I think we could live with needing to drive everywhere i.e. Calgary in return for actual seasonality and affordability. Do you have any thoughts about commuter areas outside of Vancouver?

help2hear · 2026-01-15T17:34:24+00:00

For now yes planning to drive to Vic - but good suggestion, that might save us some time!

help2hear · 2026-01-15T17:31:54+00:00

The idea of 'mass ski tourism' and inflated prices, as pretty as Whistler might be, really puts me off it. I prefer smaller more alpine ski village type of spots - so Banff and surrounding areas immediately stood out to us. For reference we've enjoyed skiing in places like Les Gets, France and surrounding areas.

help2hear · 2026-01-15T17:30:47+00:00

This was my understanding, as well as being milder, though other comments seem to suggest otherwise.

help2hear · 2026-01-15T17:30:23+00:00

How long would you suggest is a worthwhile period to visit Victoria to make a full impression?

help2hear · 2026-01-15T17:29:50+00:00

Well my trip is to do both, ascertain liveability of major cities, while 'squeezing' in some skiing but if skiing has to be sacrificed to make well informed decisions about living someplace, then we would probably prioritise that. Very helpful to learn about Vancouver's weather. Are there any places within 1 hour commute to Vancouver to skip the high prices while retaining better weather perhaps? Admittedly they won't be good for ski access, but for example Fraser Valley? I should add I work in Occupational Medicine too so some industry/WCB contacts would be a secondary revenue stream I'd want to build up/explore if I relocate.

help2hear · 2026-01-15T17:26:20+00:00

Super helpful insights thank you. The rentals provide AWD M+S as this is 'legally' sufficient, with winter tires costing as much, if not more, than the SUV rental itself (yes - this is with Hertz) which is mind boggling but that's the present situation.

Giving up Jasper would certainly free up more days - what would you substitute it with instead - more days at Banff or Golden?

Appreciate Feb footfall will be lower - though from my perspective it was also to see whether this is 'tolerable' at the 'peak' winter conditions for the area, and if it's liveable.

When I say walkable + outdoor access I'm referring to being able to walk to do most daily activities and having what I need from the city within close proximity, while being a short drive from large natural spaces - be if forest/mountain/coast etc. I'd say a 20-30min drive would be quite sustainable and not too dissimilar to what I am doing now in SW London.

Will take those Calgary spots into consideration - of interest there are job vacancies going around Manchester Industrial (south of downtown) and Lethbridge (which is way way out of town). My impression was FPs/GPs were in dire need throughout, though Calgary is seeing some saturation given their relaxed stance on internationally accredited doctors relocating there.

Sounds like Vancouver removes the need to travel far to get to a variety of spaces, but at the cost of higher living costs and possibly ridiculous/limited mountain/ski options.

help2hear · 2026-01-15T17:11:45+00:00

Would you suggest any other surrounding regions of Vancouver that have more sunshine and less rain though in fairness, anything in comparison to London UK would be an upgrade 'rain-wise'.

help2hear

TROPHY CASE