Grouse Mountain
86 hectares, 33 runs in North Vancouver. Celebrating 100 years in 2026, closest resort to downtown Vancouver.
Season 2026 - 2027
Opens
18 Dec 2026
Closes
18 Apr 2027
Days open
121
Annual snow
9.2m
The Overview
Michael Fulton
Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.
Grouse Mountain's summit reaches 1,250 metres, dropping 369 vertical metres to a base at 881 metres across 33 runs spread over roughly 86 hectares in North Vancouver, British Columbia. Terrain splits 48 per cent intermediate, 30 per cent advanced, 12 per cent beginner and 10 per cent expert, with average annual snowfall of roughly 9.2 metres. Seven lifts, including one aerial tram, four quad chairs, one triple chair and one gondola, serve the mountain.
Grouse Mountain marks its 100th anniversary as a ski resort in 2026, having operated continuously since its inaugural season in 1926, and remains one of Vancouver's most visited natural attractions across all seasons. Its considerable proximity to downtown Vancouver has built Grouse's reputation as the city's most accessible mountain, drawing both dedicated skiers and casual day visitors.
The mountain was named in October 1894 by the first recorded hikers to reach its summit, who hunted a Blue Grouse along the way and honoured the bird in naming the peak. The Cromie family, then owners of the Vancouver Sun newspaper, purchased Grouse Mountain for 75,000 Canadian dollars in 1945, before Andrew Saxton Sr and a group of investors bought the mountain from the Cromies in 1964.
The McLaughlin family gained a controlling interest in 1974 and purchased the remaining shares in 1989 to achieve full private ownership. Grouse Mountain now operates as a Northland Properties company, remaining locally family owned. A new Grouse Gravity Coaster opened in spring 2026 as part of the resort's centennial celebrations. Adult daily tickets run from 89 to 109 Canadian dollars.
369m
Vertical
33
Runs
213 acres
Skiable
9.2m
Annual snow
The Terrain
33 runs across 213 acres skiable
Grouse Mountain is a compact city ski area above North Vancouver, with 33 runs over about 86 hectares and a 369-metre vertical between 881 and 1,250 metres. It skis steeper than the size suggests, with 48% intermediate, 30% advanced, 10% expert and 12% beginner. The Skyride aerial tram carries skiers up from the valley, and the mountain is built for short, efficient laps rather than long days of exploring. Around 9.2 metres of snow falls in a typical season, though a low base elevation means conditions can turn soft and wet.
The Cut is the signature run and is floodlit for night skiing, along with Peak, Heaven's Sake and several other favourites. Quad chairs such as the Olympic Express and Screaming Eagle move skiers around the upper mountain, and the Greenway chair serves beginner terrain. Grouse suits after-work skiers, intermediates polishing technique and beginners who want a short trip from the city. Experts and anyone wanting a full day of variety will tire of it quickly, so think of it as a local hill with a great view.
Terrain split
33
runs
33 runs across 4 grades
Beginner4 runs · 12%
Intermediate16 runs · 48%
Advanced10 runs · 30%
Expert3 runs · 10%
Time it right
When to visit Grouse Mountain
The 2025-26 season at Grouse Mountain ran from 22 November 2025 to 5 April 2026, a roughly nineteen-week season supported by average annual snowfall of around 9.2 metres. This season also marked Grouse's 100th anniversary as a ski resort, having first opened for skiing in 1926.
Midwinter, from December through February, typically brings the most consistent conditions to Grouse's intermediate-weighted terrain. Given its considerable proximity to Vancouver, Grouse draws a genuinely broad visitor base, from dedicated local skiers to casual visitors combining skiing with the mountain's other attractions.
Grouse's night-skiing programme continues to draw strong weekday evening visitation from Vancouver throughout the season. School holiday periods bring substantial family visitation given the resort's considerable proximity to the city and year-round attractions.
The resort's centennial celebrations, marketed as Grouse100, ran throughout the 2025-26 season alongside standard operations, including the spring 2026 opening of the new Grouse Gravity Coaster. Grouse Mountain continues to build on a full century of history since its 1926 founding under Northland Properties' family ownership. The resort's Vancouver proximity and centennial milestone remain central to its identity this season.
Season 2026 - 2027
18 Dec 2026
Opens
18 Apr 2027
Closes
121
Days open
9.2 m
Annual snow
The record
Historical snowfall at Grouse Mountain
Daily snow reports at Grouse Mountain go back to 2025, 3 winters on the books. Open the record to compare winters, lifts and piste.
41 cm
Snowiest day
7 Jan 2026
0 cm
This winter · 2026-27
so far
337 cm
Typical winter
average of complete seasons
Winter totals
cm
Past wintersThis winter
Getting there
Getting to Grouse Mountain, and where to stay
Grouse Mountain sits in North Vancouver, British Columbia, on the North Shore mountains, with a base elevation of 881 metres and a summit at 1,250 metres across a 369-metre vertical drop over roughly 86 hectares. This setting places Grouse within Metro Vancouver, closer to downtown than any other resort in the region.
North Vancouver and the broader Metro Vancouver region offer extensive lodging, dining and services within a short drive of the resort, given Grouse's position essentially within the city's boundaries.
Nancy Greene Way provides direct access to the resort's base, from where the Skyride aerial tram carries visitors up the mountain. Winter driving conditions on the approach road can include snow and ice at higher elevations.
Vancouver International Airport, roughly a 45-minute drive away, is the primary gateway for visitors flying into the region, with Grouse's considerable proximity to downtown Vancouver making it a genuinely convenient option for international visitors and local skiers alike.
Where to stay
Search all stays →Hotels and lodges near Grouse Mountain, powered by Stay22.
Latest News
From the SnowStash desk
Kitzbüheler Horn Summit Cable Car to Be Replaced After 70 Years
A Tyrolean summit lift that has been carrying guests up the Kitzbüheler Horn since 1955 is on borrowed time. Its licence runs to 2045, but a new inspection rule has made refurbishment uneconomic, so Bergbahn AG Kitzbühel will spend around €15 million on a replacement on the same line. It should hold roughly 100 people and keep running in winds that would stop today’s lift. Building starts in autumn 2027, which makes this winter and next summer the last chances to ride the old one.
30 Oct 2026
What’s New in Japan Skiing This Winter: Niseko Gondola, a Private Resort and a Bigger Ikon Pass
Niseko Village is replacing a lift from the early 1980s with an eight-person gondola, Tsugaike gets a six-person chairlift, Madarao joins the Ikon Pass and Togari opens Asia’s first private ski resort. Here’s what is actually new in Japan skiing for 2026/27, plus what is still a year or two away.
30 Oct 2026
Wolf Creek Opens on Halloween Weekend as Colorado’s Early Season Gathers Pace
Colorado’s early-season dominoes keep falling. Arapahoe Basin opened on Wednesday, Keystone follows on Friday, and now Wolf Creek is joining in on Saturday 31 October, just in time for Halloween. A storm on 23 and 24 October left 20 inches of natural snow in the San Juans, and three lifts will turn from 9:00 am, covering about 30% of the mountain. Expect rocks, unmarked obstacles and open water, but also Local Appreciation lift tickets at $73 for adults.
30 Oct 2026
Keystone Resort Opens for 2026/27 With More Than Two Miles of Skiing
Keystone is next. After Arapahoe Basin claimed the first chairlift skiing of the season on Wednesday, Keystone opens on Friday 30 October at 9:00 am with more than two miles of snowmaking-built terrain on Schoolmarm and Silver Spoon, plus free donuts, coffee and a live DJ. Last year the order was reversed, when Keystone squeezed in a three-hour afternoon session to beat A-Basin by a day. Snowmaking has been running since 15 October.
29 Oct 2026
Beaver Creek Installs 16 Automated Snow Guns on Birds of Prey Ahead of Record World Cup
Beaver Creek is getting ready for the biggest Birds of Prey ever, and this time it is not leaving the snow to chance. Crews started making snow on 27 October with 16 newly installed automated guns on the lower third of the course, after last December’s warm spell forced a downhill off the schedule. Seven races across two weekends run from 3 to 13 December, the most the course has hosted since its 1997 debut, and the guns start themselves whenever the weather allows.
29 Oct 2026
Arapahoe Basin Opens First for North America’s 2026/27 Ski Season
Winter has officially started in North America, and it is one blue run long. On Wednesday 28 October, Arapahoe Basin fired up the Black Mountain Express at around 10:30 am after a surprise announcement just hours earlier, becoming the first major North American resort open for 2026/27. Cold nights, a dusting of natural snow and a lot of snowmaking made it happen in the resort’s 80th winter. More terrain is promised as the snow guns keep running.
28 Oct 2026
Sulden am Ortler Pushes Its Season Start Back a Week to 7 November
Sulden am Ortler has called off its 31 October opening. The South Tyrol ski area has pushed its 2026/27 start back to Saturday 7 November, citing current weather and snow conditions and saying it will use the extra week to get the slopes in the best possible shape. The season is still scheduled to run through 2 May 2027. Elsewhere in Europe, around a dozen areas are already open, led by Sölden’s 30 kilometres of groomed runs.
28 Oct 2026
Pinheiro Braathen Wins Sölden Giant Slalom Opener by 0.48 Seconds
Two days at Sölden, two races decided by a hundredth somewhere on the podium, and one very quick Brazilian. Lucas Pinheiro Braathen led from the first run to win the men’s World Cup opener by 0.48 seconds, with Loïc Meillard second and Marco Odermatt third. River Radamus charged from 15th to fourth on a rutted course, and Britain’s Freddy Carrick-Smith banked his first World Cup points. Braathen still hasn’t lost a giant slalom since Olympic gold.
25 Oct 2026
Grouse Mountain Webcams
3 live angles across the mountain. Tap any camera to go full-screen.
About Grouse Mountain's live webcams
Check live conditions across Grouse Mountain with 3 real-time webcams showing snow, weather, and lift operations, updated every 10 minutes. Check high-elevation cams for powder visibility and base-area cams for crowd levels before you head up.
Camera guide
- Grouse Chalet1128m
- Get a live look at the heart of Grouse Mountain through this web cam overlooking the village area. This webcam captures the bustling scene around the Chalet and ice skating rink, perfect for checking current conditions and resort activities.
- City View1128m
- Experience one of Vancouver's most iconic views through this Grouse Mountain webcam. This live cam offers a spectacular vista of the city skyline and Burrard Inlet, showcasing why Grouse is known as the Peak of Vancouver.
- Snow Cam1128m
- Monitor snow conditions with this Grouse Mountain web cam positioned at the main base area. Looking towards Paradise run with the peak in the background, this live webcam gives you a perfect view of current snow coverage and skiing conditions.
Grouse Mountain snow cams FAQ
How often do Grouse Mountain snow cams update?
All Grouse Mountain snow cams and webcams update every 10 minutes with fresh images showing current mountain conditions. This frequent update schedule ensures you have access to near real-time conditions for planning your ski day at Grouse Mountain.
Which Grouse Mountain webcam shows the best powder conditions?
The high-elevation Grouse Chalet webcam at 1,128m provides the clearest view of powder conditions and snowfall. These Grouse Mountain webcams capture fresh snow accumulation and visibility better than base area cameras.
Can I see Grouse Mountain lift queues on the webcams?
Yes. Multiple Grouse Mountain snow cams specifically show lift queue areas and chairlift operations, helping you time your arrival and avoid peak queue periods.
When is the best time to check Grouse Mountain snow cams?
Check Grouse Mountain webcams early morning (7-8am) for overnight snowfall assessment, and mid-afternoon for current crowd levels and weather. The live cams are most useful after storm events to assess fresh powder.
How can I check current conditions before buying Grouse Mountain lift tickets?
Use our Grouse Mountain webcams alongside the live snow report to assess conditions before purchasing lift tickets. The webcams show real-time visibility, snow quality, and operational status.
Do Grouse Mountain webcams work on mobile devices?
Yes. All Grouse Mountain snow cams and webcams are optimized for mobile viewing, so you can check live conditions from anywhere using your phone or tablet.
More Grouse Mountain intelligence: snow report, lift tickets, trail map, resort overview.