Vancouver Skiing and Snowboarding
Vancouver is one of the only cities in the world where you can ski inside the city limits! Framed in mountains that are visible from the downtown core, there is a variety runs for all levels. The mountains within city limits are: Grouse, Cypress and Seymour. All are accessible by bus or car. Plan your trip and check the weather before heading out, weather can change rapidly at high elevations and you’ll want to be prepared. Public transit goes to all three mountains and you can plan you trip by going to: www.translink.ca
Vancouver Downhill Ski Hills
Grouse Mountain is also known as the Peak of Vancouver. At 1250 meters, Grouse is a Vancouver landmark.
Features:
There are 26 ski runs in total, 37 snow making machines, 2 high speed quad chairs, 2 regular quad chairs and a magic carpet. There is also night skiing.
Show shoe enthusiasts, bring your snow shoes, there are also 4 trails on Grouse.
There are several options for eating at Grouse, from fine dining to casual.
Location:
6400 Nancy Greene Way
North Vancouver, BC
V7R 4K9
604- 980-9311
Cypress Mountain is west of Grouse and towers over West Vancouver. It is the tallest mountain in Vancouver at 2010 feet!
Cypress offers freestyle skiing and snowboarding options.
Other features on Cypress: 2 High speed Quad Chairs, 2 regular speed quad chairs, Olympic Aerial Venue Handle Tow
Snow Tube Tow and a whopping 53 ski runs!
Hang out at the Cypress Creek Hill or the Crazy Raven Bar après ski to rejuvenate and recuperate!
Location:
8500 Cypress Bowl Road,
West Vancouver BC
49°23′46.04″N and 123°12′15.60″W
Seymour is located in North Vancouver. It offers 200 acres of downhill skiing as well as tobogganing runs and a provincial park for the non-skier. There are 39 trails and 3 terrain parks. Mount Seymour is 1265 meters. Night time trails are also open- check website for details.
Location: 3662 Mount Seymour Parkway
North Vancouver BC
604-986-2261
Vancouver Cross Country Ski Hills
Cross country skier hoping to ski cross country in Vancouver will have to head to Whistler or Manning Park for the best Cross Country Courses. Cross country skiing is limited on Grouse and better on Cypress and Seymour.
Manning Park is a 3 hour drive east of Vancouver and offers an incredible cross country skiing experience in pristine surroundings.
Details: 30 kilometers of trails and 190 kilometers of backcountry trails
Open December to early April
Location:
Manning Park
7500 - Hwy #3
Manning Park, BC
V0X 1R0
250-840-8842
Whistler Blackcomb is world renowned for skiing and cross country skiing is no exception. Whistler is a 2 hour drive north of Vancouver.
Details: 32 kilometers of trails
Open: November to March
Location:
Drive north on the Sea to Sky Highway 99.
Vancouver Ski Shops
Vancouver has many ski and snowboard shops to accommodate its skiing fanatics. Most are on West 4th Avenue in Kitsilano and in the Cambie Street and Broadway area.
The Boardroom
www.boardroomshop.com
604- 734-7669
Sports Junkies
102 West Broadway
Vancouver, BC V5Y 1P3
sportsjunkies.com
604- 879-6000
Snowcovers Sports
1701 3 Avenue West
Vancouver, BC
V6J1K7
604- 738-3715
www.skiisandbiikes.com
604- 738-3715
Valhalla Pure Outfitters
222 West Broadway
Vancouver, BC
V5Y 1P6
604-872-8872
www.vpo.ca
604- 872-8872
Peak Performance
118 West Broadway
V5Y 1P3 Vancouver BC
www.peakperformance.com
604- 915-7100
Vancouver Ski Teams
This is one of the oldest ski clubs in Canada. It was established in 1929. It trains all ages from 6-19.They are athlete centered and club supported.
Grouse has a ski team that practices on Cypress and Grouse, Whistler and Apex. Skiers must have a certain level of and have graduated from K2. The club offers training and financial substitutes to qualified athletes.
The Cypress Ski Club was formed in 1986. Their mandate is to provide "affordable ski programs where each child can develop to their full potential in a fun, friendly, safe environment." They offer programs for every age group and base their training on standards set by the APA (Alpine Canada Alpin).
By Melissa Montgomery