4 Best Ski Resorts near Vancouver, BC
It doesn’t matter if they want to drive a long distance for a weekend of blissful powder at larger ski resorts close to Vancouver, Vancouverites love skiing and snowboarding among the most popular winter activities. Depending on the kind of adventure desired, a wide range of choices are available.
Still not convinced? Do not forget that this was the city that hosted the Winter Olympic Games in 2010. We’ve included Whistler Mountain and Cypress Mountain on our list of must-ski areas in and around Vancouver, and both mountains have hosted ski and snowboard competitions. It’s unquestionably worthwhile to check out yourself if it’s good enough for the best athletes in the world.
Our list of the top ski resorts close to Vancouver will help you find exactly what you’re looking for, whether you’re searching for a charming, character-filled rustic resort or an international destination resort.
1. Whistler Blackcomb
Whistler Blackcomb is arguably the most well-known resort in the Vancouver area, as well as in all of Canada or even North America. You could ski on Whistler Mountain and Blackcomb Mountain for an entire season and still not complete all 200 runs. You can be sure that there will be plenty of snow under your feet because the average annual snowfall is over 38 feet.
The ideal ski resort for you is Whistler Blackcomb if you’re looking for epic, world-class skiing. Whistler offers a variety of terrain for all skill levels, from wide bowls and steep chutes to easy groomers and technical terrain parks. With 8,171 acres of terrain to explore, it’s safe to say you won’t get bored. Variety is the name of the game.
With the addition of a new 10-passenger gondola that departs from Creekside Base and the conversion of the Big Red Express quad to a six-passenger high-speed lift, the resort is only going to get better and better. Reduced morning lines and a 35 percent increase in capacity are two benefits of the new Creekside Gondola.
The new Big Red Express upgrade will also significantly reduce a significant bottleneck on the mountain where skiers coming down from the high alpine and those coming up from Creekside were both attempting to access the lift.
A fantastic ski school program is available at Whistler Blackcomb, and it’s not just for beginners (although they do have lessons for beginners). The classes are a great way to have a knowledgeable local show you the best spots on the mountain, from steep ski clinics and women-only ski camps to programs that let you ski with Olympic athletes.
Although skiing and snowboarding are unquestionably Whistler’s most popular activities, they are merely the tip of the iceberg in terms of the region’s other events and attractions. To experience activities like dogsledding, ziplining, snowmobiling, bungee jumping, dining tours, and more, make a plan to stay as long as you can.
www.whistlerblackcomb.com is the official website.
2. Grouse Mountain
Grouse Mountain in North Vancouver, which is only 12.5 kilometers from downtown Vancouver, is a fantastic choice for people who want to reach snow as soon as possible. At 1,200 meters above sea level, the mountain’s 33 runs, four different chairlifts, and six terrain parks are all within easy reach via a short gondola ride from the mountain’s base.
Due to the resort’s ideal positioning and elevation, any snow that is headed for the North Shore Mountains has diverted away from them, keeping Grouse Mountain at its average seasonal snowfall total of just over 31 feet.
Despite having a separate beginner area, the majority of the mountain’s trails are a mix of blue and black runs, making it a great option for skiers looking for a quick fix without venturing too far from the city.
The ski area at Grouse Mountain stays open late for night skiing, which is one of its best qualities. 15 different runs are open and well-lit after the sun sets, which in Vancouver’s winter can happen pretty early, until 10 p.m. One of those unforgettable moments is when you’re standing on the snow-covered slopes of Grouse and looking down at the city lights. Nowhere else will give you a better view of Vancouver.
Grouse is the best option if you want to squeeze in a few laps after work or school.
www.grousemountain.com is the official website.
3. Cypress Mountain
Cypress Mountain is the only option if you want even more land but want to remain close to Vancouver. Approximately 30 minutes separate it from downtown, which is a slight but not significant distance from the city. After a new snowfall, Cypress, a hidden mountain town just past West Vancouver, resembles a winter wonderland. That feeling recurs frequently in a region where there is an annual average snowfall of over 20 feet.
Cypress fans should be excited about the installation of a new quad chairlift for the 2022–2023 season. The new Sky Quad will replace the outdated double Sky Chair, which was first used in 1968 at Apex Mountain Resort. With its conveyer belt loading system, this high-speed chairlift will significantly increase uphill capacity, and getting on the chair couldn’t be simpler. It will only take four minutes to ascend to the summit of Mount Strachan.
Along with the new chair, lunchtime lingering will be very likely thanks to a sizable, brand-new, heated outdoor deck with retractable umbrellas next to the Cypress Creek Lodge. Additionally, 15 brand-new SMI Super Pole Cat snowmaking guns will be put to use, guaranteeing the runs have the ideal snow cover.
Mount Strachan, Black Mountain, and Hollyburn Mountain make up the three mountains that make up the Cypress ski area. There are 53 ski runs spread across 600 acres of terrain, all of which are accessible via a network of six chairlifts. This is the area to go if you want the most diverse terrain close to Vancouver.
Until 10 pm, night skiing is offered on a few of Cypress’s runs. The resort also provides snow tubing, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing trails if you want to try something different.
There is no simpler way to get to Cypress. Get on one of Cypress Coach Lines’ frequent shuttles if you don’t have a car and are staying in the downtown area or on the north shore. While you sit back and take in the scenery, they will whisk you up the mountain. The Vancouver Public Library, Lonsdale Quay, and Park Royal are the main shuttle stops.
Until you get to the resort road, which is single-lane and windy if you’re driving, the route is straightforward and along a divided highway. From October 1 through April 30, you must use winter or all-season tires to travel on this road. You shouldn’t encounter any problems because most rental cars have these tires; however, make sure they have the M+S symbol or a sidewall image of a mountain with a snowflake inside.
www.cypressmountain.com is the official website.
4. MT SEYMOUR
Only 30 minutes by car from downtown Vancouver, Mt. Seymour is the only family-run ski area in Vancouver and offers a laid-back West Coast vibe. Families and individuals from all over the Lower Mainland are welcome to join the extended family of enthusiastic skiers and snowboarders at Mt Seymour. Mt. Seymour is renowned for being a place to learn and a place to shred terrain parks, and it keeps producing new skiers and snowboarders who share cherished winter memories.
The Wood family has been in charge of Mt. Seymour since 1984. They take pride in maintaining the mountain’s original character by fostering an environment that is welcoming, inclusive, and family-oriented for everyone and collaborating with organizations in the neighborhood like The Bloom Group, Vancouver Adaptive Snow Sports, The First Nations Snowboard Team, Take a Hike Foundation, and Youth Unlimited. The Bloom Group, which offers progressive social services in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, including low-barrier shelters for women and children, received $30k from Mt. Seymour’s ‘Shred for the Cause’ Monday evening fundraiser last year.
Mt Seymour is the best option if you want to squeeze in a few laps after work or school.
www.mtseymour.ca is the official website.
The best ski resorts are located in Vancouver and the neighboring province of Alberta, both of which are conveniently close to Vancouver if you’re willing to take a quick flight or drive a little further.
See you all!
