A vibrant and bustling place, Vancouver is one of Canada’s most populated cities with a large downtown area and an ethnically diverse array of restaurants and shops. Perfectly situated between the ocean and mountains, it rarely snows in the city: However, award-winning ski and snowboarding resorts are only a short drive away. With unique trails, high mountain elevations, and large amounts of snowfall, Vancouver is a must-visit location for all snow sports enthusiasts.
The largest ski resort in North American, Whistler Blackcomb is an incredible place to enjoy winter activities. Here you will find 8,100 acres of slopes, 16 alpine bowls, 3 glaciers, world-class parks, and over 200 marked trails. Whistler and Blackcomb are two side-by-side mountains and are home to one of the longest ski seasons in North America. Blackcomb mountain is the slightly taller of the two with a top elevation of over 7,400 feet but Whistler mountain offers more skiable terrain with 4,700 acres, most of which are intermediate trails. Located at the bottom of the two mountains is Whistler Village, which offers an impressive variety of coffee shops, restaurants, bars, boutiques, and nightlife. The resort is known for its nightlife options, over 200 restaurants, and lodging options that fit every situation and budget. Whistler Blackcomb also offers fun activities for the whole family such as dog sledding, snowmobile tours, and snowshoe tours. After a long day on the slopes, check out their luxurious spa that offers a variety of massages and hydrotherapy.
Only a 30-minute drive from downtown Vancouver is the Cypress Mountain Ski Resort located in the Cypress Provincial Park. Featuring a variety of vertical drops and unique terrain trail options, the resort also offers a large amount of night skiing thanks to its 22 runs that are lit by state-of-the-art LED lights. The area is comprised of three mountains, Mt. Strachan, Black Mountain, and Hollyburn Mountain, allowing for a unique and customizable ski experience. While all of the mountains provide endless trails, Mt. Strachan offers the highest elevation and has the most night runs available. With an average annual snowfall of 245 inches a year the area can accommodate up to 9,500 skiers per hour with their 6 chair lifts. When hunger strikes, grab a warm meal at one of their 6 quaint restaurants and cafes.
Known as “The Peak of Vancouver,” Grouse Mountain is a quaint and friendly ski resort. Offering 33 ski and snowboard runs, 15 night runs, 4 chairlifts, and 6 terrain parks, the resort offers the area’s most extensive snowmaking system, ensuring the slopes are always ready to go for visitors. Their popular run “The Cut” was named a Top 100 run in the world by CNN Travel in 2014. With an elevation of almost 4,100 feet, the resort gives panoramic views of Metro Vancouver providing the perfect backdrop for a fun-filled day of skiing and snowboarding. Scattered throughout you will find gorgeous bistros, quaint coffee shops, and family-friendly lunch spots.
Another ski resort with a close commute from Vancouver is Mt. Seymour. Smaller than many others, the resort still offers 40 marked trails along with a large number of unmarked trails among the 200 skiable acres, an elevation of over 3,000 feet, and an average snow depth of 136 inches throughout the season. While most of the trails at Mt. Seymour are for intermediate skiers and snowboarders, the area has a large number of beginner trails also with only 17% of trails considered to be for experts. Featuring gorgeous views in every direction, a day at Mt. Seymour is not only gorgeous but is fun for everyone in the family.
Uniquely located close to the downtown area of Vancouver, these resorts provide accessibility for a day on the slopes without having to go very far. With a large variety of night skiing, city views, and an unbelievable amount of trail options, skiing and snowboarding in Vancouver is truly remarkable and makes Vancouver a great place to spend the winter season.
