Skiing in Vancouver - What Are My Options

Vancouver, BC is the most accessible major city in Canada when it comes to skiing and snowboarding and when you look further afield to North America, Salt Lake City is the only other major city which exceeds Vancouver’s access. Skiing in Vancouver is an old pastime for anyone who is lucky to call the city home with access to 3 different ski resorts all within 30 minutes of the downtown region. Vancouver is also the gateway city to many of the world class ski resorts found in British Columbia including Whistler Blackcomb which can be found 2 hours north of the city.When it comes to skiing in Vancouver there are three resorts found on the mountains which overlook the city and surrounding harbour. The great thing is that whilst the ski resorts are practically neighbours, they are all different in size, lift offering, terrain offering and all have their own charm. This makes skiing in Vancouver a great option if you are looking for a winter city holiday where you can easily access the mountains. It's the perfect place for those looking to get in some turns whilst holidaying with others who might not ski or ride.We have compiled a list of the best resorts which all offer great skiing in Vancouver as well as a few resorts all within a few hours drive from the city.

Cypress MountainCypress Mountain Resort is the quintessential ski resort when it comes to skiing in Vancouver. Cypress Mountain has the largest collection of lifts (local resorts), longest vertical and spread out over two mountain peaks. Thanks to a great annual snowfall Cypress Mountain feels like a great mid sized ski resort situated high above the 3rd largest city in Canada.Visitors looking for the best skiing in Vancouver should look no further than Cypress Mountain Resort.As always, there are great aspects and not so great aspects to every ski resort. We have listed out what we believe these are for Cypress Mountain ski resort for anyone looking to put together their skiing in Vancouver holiday action plan. Pros: ✅Great terrain options - largest terrain when skiing in VancouverLongest vertical out of the three Vancouver local ski resortsLong operating hours every day of the seasonTwo mountains to choose fromExceptional views on a bluebird dayAverage snowfall of over 400” / 1000cm2010 Winter Olympic host venue for many eventsAccess available on the Ikon Pass Cons: ❌Only two chairs taking riders out of base areaLong lines on weekendsSnowfall can be heavier due to proximity to oceanJan/Feb can include a large amount of rainSmaller resort wont support a season of ridingNo on mountain accommodation options and one restaurant Distance from downtown Vancouver: 28km / 17 milesTravel time from downtown Vancouver: 25 minutesMode of transportation from downtown Vancouver: Visitors to Cypress Mountain Resort who have access to their own vehicle can easily drive up to the mountain resort however snow tires or chains will be required to enter the resort boundaries.Those who don’t have access to their own vehicle can take the Cypress Mountain Resort direct bus service which departs from a number of locations across downtown Vancouver and North Vancouver direct access to Cypress Mountain ski resort. These services run from the crack of dawn till 10pm and offer riders return trips for around $20 CAD.We used this service when we visited Cypress Mountain in Feb 2018 and found the experience and service exceptional. Summit Elevation: 1,440m / 4,725ftBase Elevation: 830m / 2,723ftVertical Drop: 610m / 2,001ftBeginner: 13%Intermediate: 43%Advanced: 38%Expert: 6%Number of Runs: 53Number of Lifts: 7Avg Annual Snowfall: 1,123cm / 442"Resort terrain: 243 ha / 600 acresPass Type: Ikon Pass

Credit: Cypress Mountain Facebook Explore Cypress Mountain Cypress Mountain Snow Cam Cypress Mountain Trail Map Grouse MountainGrouse Mountain Resort is the epicenter of winter fun for visitors to Vancouver and is normally the first ski resort that comes to mind when thinking about skiing in Vancouver. Grouse Mountain is the most accessible ski resort and is likely to be the most visited of the three ski resorts above Vancouver. Thanks to a great annual snowfall, an incredible snow making system and a stellar mountain ops team who keep the mountain in tip top shape all winter Grouse Mountain Ski Resort supplies a great option for skiing in Vancouver. We visited Grouse Mountain three times during our trip to Vancouver in Feb 2018. Each time we found great snow, full coverage over the resort and exceptional customer service from every staff member we interacted with. The only drawback is that the resort is quite small and after a day we had practically explored every ski run. If you want to ski high above the city of Vancouver with sweeping views of the city, the harbour and surrounding mountains get on over to Grouse Mountain. As always, there are great aspects and not so great aspects to every ski resort. We have listed out what we believe these are for Grouse Mountain ski resort for anyone looking to put together their skiing in Vancouver holiday action plan. Pros: ✅Nearest to Vancouver and also the easiest resort to access thanks to the Aerial tramwaysAll season mountain resortOptions for visitors who are not looking to ski or snowboardMain beginner run is long, wide has has some of the best views of downtown Vancouver Night riding available to much of the resort every nightSome expert terrain available off the Olympic Express ChairAward winning terrain park options (best in Vancouver) Cons: ❌Resort can get very busy on weekends with visitors of all kindSnow can be wet and heavy due to proximity of the oceanOnly way up and down is Aerial Tram, can create delays on busy daysWhen there is too much snowfall the beginner area can get snowed underNo on mountain accommodationSingle restaurant on mountain, can get very busy on weekends and holidays Distance from downtown Vancouver: 13km / 8 milesTravel time from downtown Vancouver: 21 minutesMode of transportation from downtown Vancouver: There are many options to get to Grouse Mountain from Vancouver and the surrounding area. The base area of the Aerial tram is located 980ft / 300m where visitors can access the car park without the need for snow chains or snow tyres. Visitors who have their own vehicle can take the easy drive up to the base area and park at the base of the resort.Visitors who do not have access to their own vehicle can opt to take an Uber or Lyft ride share otherwise they can take public transport all the way to the base area of the tramway. There are two bus routes which make their way up to the mountain resort and they connect with many other forms of public transport.When we visited Grouse Mountain Resort our accommodation was located in downtown Vancouver, each morning we were able to easily get on a bus from the front of our hotel and take a direct service to the base area of the resort, snowboards and all with a total cost of $2.60 each way. Summit Elevation: 1,250m / 4101ftBase Elevation: 881m / 2891ftVertical Drop: 369m / 1,211ftBeginner: 12%Intermediate: 48%Advanced: 30%Expert: 9%Number of Runs: 33Number of Lifts: 7Avg Annual Snowfall: 915cm / 360"Resort terrain: 86 ha / 213 acres

Credit: Grouse Mountain Facebook Explore Grouse Mountain Grouse Mountain Snow Cam Grouse Mountain Trail Map Mt Seymour ResortMt Seymour ski resort is the last of the three ski resorts found high above the city of Vancouver. Mt Seymour remains a little off the beaten track and is overshadowed by Cypress and Grouse when people speak about skiing in Vancouver, however the locals of North Vancouver and Burnaby prefer it that way as it keeps their local ski hill with a richer community vibe. The smallest of the three local ski resorts, Mt Seymour is a great place to learn how to ride and also notches up an impressive annual snowfall of over 400” (10m) which is actually higher than many of the inner province resorts.Being a ski resort 30 minutes from the centre of Vancouver there is no need to offer overnight accommodation as all the amenities of any traveller can be found in the central business district or suburbs of Vancouver. As always, there are great aspects and not so great aspects to every ski resort. We have listed out what we believe these are for Mt Seymour ski resort for anyone looking to put together their skiing in Vancouver holiday action plan. Pros: ✅Seen as more a local hill when compared to the other resorts which makes Mt Seymour much quieterGreat annual snowfall of close to 400”Great place for beginners to learn to ride and progress to intermediate Views from the summit include Vancouver, harbour, ocean and surrounding mountains Cons: ❌No on mountain accommodation Snow can be heavy and wet due to close proximity of the oceanAccess is limited when compared to other ski resortsLimited number of restaurants on mountain which get very busy on the weekend and holidays Distance from downtown Vancouver: 29km / 18 milesTravel time from downtown Vancouver: 39 minutes Mode of transportation from downtown Vancouver: Mt Seymour is not as easy to access when compared to Grouse Mountain or Cypress Mountain however that plays to the resorts advantage in keeping the number of visitors lower. On powder days we wont hear anyone complaining about having more of the mountain to themselves.By VehicleFrom Downtown Vancouver, cross the Second Narrows Bridge and take Exit 22B. Stay right and follow the signs for Mt Seymour Parkway. At Parkgate Village, turn left and continue up Mt Seymour Road for 13km. Please read our Road & Parking Info before heading up the mountain.Ski Area Weekend & Holiday ParkingAll Mt Seymour Ski Area guests and season pass holders will need to reserve a parking allocation if they are intending to drive to the resort on weekends & holidays. Remember to only reserve one parking allocation per vehicle if you are travelling in your bubble. Your vehicle will be turned away if you don't have a parking reservation.Ski Area Weekday ParkingMt Seymour Ski Area guests and season pass holders do not need to reserve a parking allocation on weekdays as parking is on a first come first served basis. Remember that all Mt Seymour activities need to be purchased in advance and cannot be purchased on the mountain.Shuttle BusMt Seymour operates a regular shuttle bus service during the winter months from Parkgate Community Centre and from opposite the Rupert Skytrain Station in East Vancouver. Mt Seymour Unlimited & Value Season Pass Holders can use the shuttle service for free. Summit Elevation: 1,265m / 4,150ftBase Elevation: 935m / 3,068ftVertical Drop: 330m / 1,083ftBeginner: 40%Intermediate: 40%Advanced: 20%Expert: 0%Number of Runs: 40Number of Lifts: 5Avg Annual Snowfall: 963cm / 379"Resort terrain: 81 ha / 200 acres

Credit: Mt Seymour Facebook Explore Mt Seymour Mt Seymour Snow Cams Mt Seymour Trail Map Whistler BlackcombWhistler Blackcomb is and will always be in a league of its own. A little further out from Vancouver than the other three resorts but the extra 1.5 hour drive is well worth it. Vancouver is the entry point for many keen skier or snowboarding enthusiasts and Whistler is normally the first stop or only stop on their journey. When speaking of skiing in Vancouver this ski resort normally tops the list and the mountain resort shot to global fame after hosting the 2010 Winter Olympics.Whistler Blackcomb is a huge ski resort, actually the largest in North America and will take you days to explore with two very distinct mountains which are connected at the high alpine by the world record breaking Peak to Peak Gondola. On our visit to Whistler Blackcomb in Feb 2018 we spent 2 days riding the mountain and feel as though we barely scratched the surface of the resort. Whether you are a beginner, an expert, a lover of sharp groomers, a powder hunter or a terrain park junkie you will be more than satisfied with everything Whistler Blackcomb can offer. Make sure you grab your Epic Pass before you visit as daily lift ticket prices can soar to $160 CAD if you leave it to the last minute. Whistler Blackcomb has many many key factors that make the ski resort legendary which we have listed below, however with every mountain resort there are always some cons, so we added them too. Pros: ✅Largest ski resort in North AmericaOver 10m (420”) average snowfall which is consistent powder snowTwo distinct mountains to choose from - connected by high alpine Peak to Peak GondolaMost expansive lift system in Canada and top 5 of North AmericaVertical drop of 5,279ft (1,609m) - true vertical as riders can continually ride from the summit of the resort to the base villageLarge base village with countless restaurants, hotels, apartments and barsWorld class Apres scene at the base of the mountainLargest terrain park offering in British Columbia found on both mountainsHome to 2010 Winter Olympics Collection of other activities including tubing, bobsled, hot springs for non riders of riders looking for a day off the mountainUnlimited access to back country and the famous Whistler Heliski operationsKey resort on Epic Pass and good value if visiting for more than 5 daysLong season normally running through to May and sometimes JuneContinual transport to and from Vancouver with shuttle busses running every 1-2 hours Cons: ❌Can expensive as Whistler Blackcomb is an Olympic Resort DestinationLift tickets purchased on the day of riding can be above $160 CADHotels in the village can average $400 per nightNo night riding possibleNo other resorts nearby to explore, however with the terrain on offer and size of this resort you probably won’t need another resort. Distance from downtown Vancouver: 122km / 76 milesTravel time from downtown Vancouver: 1.5 hours Mode of transportation from downtown Vancouver: Visitors to Whistler Blackcomb have two main options when it comes to transport. Visitors who have access to their own vehicle can take the 1.5 hour drive up to the mountain resort. This is a wonderful drive along the sea to sky highway with many key stops along the way if you are interested in the tourism side of things. Drivers should note that the weather conditions are unpredictable and snow tyres / chains may be required to be installed, one other note is parking is available for day visitors. Overnight parking will need to be organised with your accommodation provider.Visitors who do not have access to their own vehicle can jump on the the shuttle busses that run from downtown Vancouver to Whistler or the Vancouver Airport (YVR) direct to Whistler Blackcomb. We recommend checking out Epic Rides who have the best and most consistent shuttle service available.We rode up to Whistler from downtown Vancouver and found the end to end experience wonderful. Summit Elevation: 2,284m / 7,494ftBase Elevation: 675m / 2,215ftVertical Drop: 1,609m / 5,279ftBeginner: 18%Intermediate: 40%Advanced: 35%Expert: 7%Number of Runs: 234Number of Lifts: 23Avg Annual Snowfall: 1080cm / 425"Resort terrain: 3,307ha / 8,172 acresPass Type: Epic

Credit: Whistler Blackcomb Facebook Explore Whistler Blackcomb Whistler Blackcomb Cams Whistler Blackcomb Trail Map Sasquatch Mountain You might be thinking to yourself, where or what is Sasquatch Mountain Resort? We thought the same and it was not until we actually started building out our ski resort database for SnowStash that we uncovered this hidden gem only 2 hours from Vancouver. Now when we plan our next skiing in Vancouver trip this smaller ski resort is the #1 on our list. Sasquatch Mountain Resort is the complete opposite from what you will find at Whistler or even Cypress Mountain as their whole makeup is small local ski resort with a great community vibe and where you are likely to be loaded onto a lift with your friend or the local who runs the bar.Two main lifts rise to the summit of each mountain in the resort and give riders access to 34 trails covering 299 acres of terrain. What really makes Sasquatch Mountain Resort a must visit destination is the 500” (13m) of fresh powdery snow they get each season. Thanks to being more inland than the other Vancouver ski resorts Sasquatch is able to hold more powder and due to the lower number of visitors there is a high chance you will be pumping our fresh turns late into the afternoon. As always, there are great aspects and not so great aspects to every ski resort. We have listed out what we believe these are for Sasquatch Mountain ski resort for anyone looking to put together their skiing in Vancouver holiday action plan. Pros: ✅Smaller resort further from downtown VancouverLess daily visitors when compared to the city resortsCharming ski resort with community vibeOne of the highest annual snowfalls in Canada - 20/21 season saw over 13m / 540” of fresh snowPowder snow last longer and fresh turns can be found into the afternoon Whole resort is between two mountains that connect together in the middle - you can let the kids run wild in the resort knowing they won't get lost Cons: ❌Smaller resort with two lifts - if you are looking for a mega resort then head to Whistler BlackcombTough mountain road to get to resort - 4x4 highly likely to be requiredLimited food and beverage offering available at the resortLimited accommodation options available which are on mountain and in the village area. Distance from downtown Vancouver: 129km / 80 milesTravel time from downtown Vancouver: 2 hours Mode of transportation from downtown Vancouver: Visitors to Sasquatch Mountain Resort will need to drive themselves and also be confident with mountain / snow driving. Your vehicle will need to be fitted with snow tyres, be a 4x4 or have the ability to fit snow chains - it's worth noting that many rental car companies do not allow you to or recommend you fit snow chains in their vehicles. There is also no public transport to access the ski resort, because of this it means daily visitors are not likely to be filling the lift lines. They always said if you want the best skiing in Vancouver you are going to have to work for it. Summit Elevation: 1,317m / 4321ftBase Elevation: 980m / 3,215ftVertical Drop: 337m / 1,106ftBeginner: 20%Intermediate: 34%Advanced: 46%Expert: 0%Number of Runs: 34Number of Lifts: 4Avg Annual Snowfall: 1,359cm / 535"Resort terrain: 121ha / 299acresPass Type: Indy