Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
While Vancouver is the gateway to world-renowned Whistler/Blackcomb, the city boasts
three other alpine resorts on its back doorstep. They don't offer the terrain or facilities of
Whistler, and their low elevations can create unreliable conditions, but a day's skiing or
boarding at any one of the three sure beats being stuck in the hustle and bustle of the city
on a cold winter's day.
Grouse Mountain
Towering above North Vancouver, the cut slopes of the
Grouse Mountain Resort
(604/
980-9311,
www.grousemountain.com
) can be seen from many parts of the city, but as
you'd expect, on a clear day views from
up there
are much more spectacular. To get there,
take Capilano Road north from the TransCanada, following it onto Nancy Greene Way,
from which a gondola lifts you up 1,000 vertical meters (3,280 vertical feet) to the slopes.
FourchairliftsandacoupleofT-barsserve24runsandaverticalriseof365meters(1,200
feet). Advanced skiers and boarders shouldn't get too excited about a day on the slopes
here—eventherunswithnameslikePurgatoryandDevil'sAdvocateareprettytame—but
schussingdowntheslopesofGrouseMountain after darkisanexperience youwon'tsoon
forget. Most runs are lighted and overlook the City of Vancouver, laid out in all its brilli-
ance far below. Facilities at the resort include a snowboard park, a rental shop, a ski and
snowboard school, and a couple of dining choices. Lift tickets cost adults $58, youth or
seniors $45, and children $25. Night skiing (after 4pm) costs adults $48, youths or seniors
$40, and children $22 until closing at 10pm.
Cypress Mountain
The eyes of the world were on the small
Cypress Mountain Resort
(604/926-5612,
www.cypressmountain.com
) on Vancouver's North Shore when it hosted the freestyle ski-
ing and snowboarding events of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. It offers about 34 runs
across a vertical rise of 534 meters (1,750 feet). A quad chair and four doubles combine to
open a wide variety of terrain on two mountain faces, most suited to beginners and inter-
mediates.SpectacularviewstakeinHoweSoundandVancouverIsland.Anotherhighlight
of Cypress is the night skiing; many runs are lighted until 11pm. Other facilities include a
rental shop, ski and snowboard school, café, and lounge. Lift ticket prices are adult $60,
senior $40, and child $26.
Cypress also caters to cross-country skiers and snowshoers, with 16 kilometers (10
miles) of groomed and track-set trails, some of which are lighted for night skiing. A pack-
