Holiday Thrills at the Capilano Suspension Bridge

The holiday season is upon us again and Vancouver, a city already known for its brightly lit skyline, is adding to its light total with seasonal displays around the city. One of the most impressive exhibitions of holiday lights can be found at the already awe inspiring exhibit at the Capilano Suspension Bridge. 

Canyon Lights

From Friday, November 22nd to Sunday, January 26th the bridge and surrounding park will be lit with close to a million coloured lights. The display, titled Canyon Lights, is an annual tradition at the Capilano Suspension Bridge. Features lit up include the bridge, Treetops Adventure and the chill-inducing Cliffwalk. 

The Treetop Adventure is built around eight massive Douglas Firs. The highest platform reaches 110 feet (33.5 metres). Lights decorating these tree are wrapped above and below the platforms on the tree walk. The attraction boasts that these trees are the tallest ‘Christmas trees’ in the world. The firs are considerably taller than the Rockefeller Centre Christmas tree which has an average height of 100 feet (30 m). 

The light display is a very popular event over the holidays. Organizers suggest weekday visits for those looking to avoid the crowds. And for those wondering about the attractions capacity, the bridge is said to be able to hold the weight of 96 full grown elephants. This is an odd quantification, as elephants are fairly rare in the Pacific Northwest, but if we were to compute it in human terms, with the average human being 137lbs (62 kg), the bridge could hold the weight of 3,503 people. 

Tickets

Tickets can be purchased in advance, or onsite. An adult ticket price is $53.95, seniors are $48.95, students $39.95, youths (13-16) $29.95 and children (6-12) are $16.95. Family passes can be purchased for $99.00. Locals receive an annual pass with the purchase of a ticket. 

A portion of the proceeds will be going to BC Professional Fire Fighter’s Burn Fund, the same charitable organization that hosts the light display at the Christmas Train in Stanley Park. 

Random Facts about the Capilano Suspension Bridge:

• Bridge is 460 ft long (140 m)
• Height from the canyon floor is 230 ft (70 m)
• Original bridge was built in 1889
• First bridge was built with hemp ropes and cedar planking
• Originally marketed as the 8th Wonder of the World
• The attraction has an annual visitor count of 1.2 million