Where to Ski in Vancouver, BC, Canada

Skiing the Slopes of Seymour, Grouse, or Cypress Ski Resorts

Oct 16, 2008

The mountains of British Columbia are more than a beautiful landscape: they offer great skiing and panoramic views for beginner to advanced skiers close to Vancouver.

Those interested in Vancouver ski options are onto something special. Look north from this Canadian city and there lies the city’s ever-present compass: the North Shore Mountains.

Here in the Coast Mountain Range, world-class (and soon to be Olympic-class) runs offer fantastic skiing just a quick trip from downtown Vancouver. Looking west to east, the nighttime lights of Cypress Mountain, Grouse Mountain, and Mount Seymour twinkle high above the city and are the main site of Vancouver ski life.

Vancouver ski hills generally open in late November to early December, but its easy to keep regular tabs on the snow conditions through The Weather Network's ski reports.

Vancouver Ski Trips: Getting Started

All three Vancouver ski hills are located just a 15-30 minute drive from downtown. The close proximity to the city means that beginners can head out for an evening or morning lesson while avid skiers will enjoy long days of exciting runs.

The hills offer ski and snowboard rentals on-site as well as lessons. In addition, gear rentals are available in Vancouver from Sports Junkies at 102 West Broadway, and in North Vancouver from The Destination Slope and Surf Outfitters at 1550 Marine Drive.

For the non-skiers and -snowboarders, other fun activities include tobogganing, tubing, ice skating, and snowshoeing.

Learn to Ski at Grouse Mountain

This transit-accessible Vancouver ski hill remains a popular spot for those who want to learn to ski. The 26 runs include 3 green and 15 blue runs (lowest and moderate difficulty). Conversely, Grouse features Vancouver’s only double-black-diamond runs. With nearly a 1 km vertical rise, Grouse Mountain’s winter slopes match the Grouse Grind’s reputation as a summer stair-climbing workout.

Although alpine enthusiasts built the first Grouse lodge in the 1920s, it was not until 1949 that the first double chairlift began hauling skiers up the mountain.

Deepest Annual Snowfall on Mount Seymour

Mount Seymour, the best-known peak in its namesake provincial park, first opened in 1937. With the North Shore’s highest base elevation, Mount Seymour also boasts the deepest annual average snowfall.

As half of the 200 acres of ski-able terrain lit for night skiing, the mountain makes a great evening outing from Vancouver. Seymour’s longest run stretches 2.4 km (1.5 miles).

Fantastic Rides on Cypress Mountain

With the highest top elevation, Cypress Mountain delivers a long and snow-filled season to Vancouver ski enthusiasts. The highest percentage of black diamond runs and the longest run at 4 km (2.5 miles) make Cypress Mountain popular with advanced skiers and boarders, plus the view from the top is incomparable.

Vancouver Skiing Weekend Getaways

East of Vancouver in Agassiz, Hemlock Resort enjoys good snowfall. The runs are relatively unknown, making this BC ski resort the perfect secret escape from the city.

Located three-hours north of Vancouver, Whistler Blackcomb is a skier’s paradise best-suited to a weekend expedition. The famous Whistler Blackcomb ski runs will host the alpine athletes for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games.

The copyright of the article Where to Ski in Vancouver, BC, Canada in British Columbia Travel is owned by Chloë Ernst. Permission to republish Where to Ski in Vancouver, BC, Canada in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.