Snow seldom falls in the city, yet Vancouverites enjoy some of the best downhill and cross-country ski facilities in North America.

The twinkling lights of the local ski mountains - Grouse Mountain, Cypress and Mount Seymour - attract the city's residents and tourists alike, urging them to strap on snowboards, skis or snow shoes throughout winter months.

And just two hours north, lay the twin internationally renowned ski mountains, Whistler and Blackcomb. This top ranked destination ski resort draws skiers from all over the world for downhill and helicopter skiing.

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For more details on our local mountains, select one of the following:

• Grouse Mountain
• Cypress Mountain
• Mount Seymour
• Whistler and Blackcomb

Search ski and snow activities

Grouse Mountain
Located just over the Lions Gate Bridge, a mere 15 minutes from downtown Vancouver, Grouse Mountain is a favourite for winter sports. Grouse features tremendous summit views and easy access via the Skyride - North America's largest aerial tramway. The Skyride takes a mere 8 minutes to whisk skiers one mile up 3700 feet (1128 metres) above sea level for spectacular views and non-stop winter fun!

Once you reach the Alpine station, you can choose from 25 ski runs for varying levels of experience. Skiers and snowboarders share these hills during the day and evening with select runs and times available for thrilling night skiing. Ski and snowboarding schools and private lessons are available, along with a full rental shop, multiple restaurants, coffee shops and gift stores to browse while not out on the slopes! Grouse also features snowshoe courses, rentals and select paths. There's even a skating rink and sleigh rides to round out a full selection of winter wonderland activities at the Peak of Vancouver - Grouse Mountain!

Cypress Mountain
Cypress Mountain is the Official Freestyle Skiing and Snowboarding Venue for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games.

Located in West Vancouver, B.C., Canada. Cypress is only 30 minutes from downtown Vancouver and provides skiers, riders and sliders with the most vertical drop, most terrain, most lifts and best snow conditions on the highest skiing and riding peak of Vancouver's Legendary North Shore Mountains.

Cypress has 51 Downhill winter skiing and riding runs accessed by 7 chair lifts, including a magic carpet surface lift in the kids camp area, 19 kms of track set Cross Country Skiing trails, a Snowtubing park with a tube tow lift, amazingly popular snowshoeing tours around the historic Hollyburn Lodge built in 1926, and a Summer Lift Assisted Mountain Bike Park.

With the best winter skiing & riding in Vancouver, one of Canada's most popular cross country skiing area, a huge snowtubing park and unique snowshoeing tours, Cypress truly offers something for everyone! Cypress Mountain ~ It's Your Mountain

Mount Seymour
Mount Seymour is just over the 2nd Narrows Bridge from downtown, located in beautiful North Vancouver. A short drive to the base village allows quick access to the winter park for family fun tobogganing and snow tubing, as well as instant access to several downhill runs, and chairlifts to take you higher up the mountain. There are over 20 runs of varying lengths and levels of difficulty for skiers and snowboarders, as well as a half pipe especially for boarders.

Trails are well maintained throughout the Mount Seymour territory and lessons are available - both private and group classes - for skiing, boarding and snowshoeing. A full selection of rental equipment and clothing is available at the base village rental shop, and there are several restaurants and cafes available at the base and atop the mountain when you need a quick pick me up or break. Activities available are: skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, tubing and tobogganing.

Whistler / Blackcomb

See our Whistler section