World-class skiing lies outside the city at the Whistler Blackcomb Ski Resort, 110km (68 miles) north of Vancouver. However, you don't have to leave the city to get in a few runs. It seldom snows in the city's downtown and central areas, but Vancouverites can ski before work and after dinner at the three ski resorts in the North Shore mountains. In 2010, these local mountains will play host to the freestyle and snowboard events in the Winter Olympics.
Grouse Mountain Resort, 6400 Nancy Greene Way, North Vancouver (tel. 604/984-0661, snow report 604/986-6262; www.grousemountain.com), is about 3km (1 3/4 miles) from the Lions Gate Bridge and overlooks the Burrard Inlet and Vancouver skyline. Four chairs, two beginner tows, and two T-bars take you to 24 alpine runs. The resort has night skiing, special events, instruction, and a spectacular view, as well as a 90m (295-ft.) half-pipe for snowboarders. All skill levels are covered, with two beginner trails, three blue trails, and five black-diamond runs, including Coffin and Inferno, which follow the east slopes down from 1,230 to 750m (4,035-2,461 ft.). Rental packages and a full range of facilities are available. Lift tickets good for all-day skiing are C$45 (US$38/£21) for adults, C$35 (US$30/£16) for seniors and youths, and C$20 (US$17/£9) for children 5 to 12; free for children under 4. Lift prices do not include your gondola ride to the summit.
Mount Seymour Provincial Park, 1700 Mt. Seymour Rd., North Vancouver (tel. 604/986-2261, snow report 604/986-3999; www.mountseymour.com), has the area's highest base elevation; it's accessible via four chairs and a tow. Lift tickets are C$39 (US$33/£18) all day for adults, C$27 (US$23/£12) for seniors, C$32 (US$27/£15) for youths 12 to 19, and C$16 (US$14/£7) for children 6 to 11. Nighttime skiing from 4 to 10pm costs less. In addition to day and night skiing, the facility offers snowboarding, snowshoeing, and tobogganing along its 22 runs, as well as 26km (16 miles) of cross-country trails. The resort specializes in teaching first-timers. Camps for children and teenagers, and adult clinics, are available throughout the winter. Mount Seymour has one of Western Canada's largest equipment rental shops, which will keep your measurements on file for return visits. Shuttle service is available during ski season from various locations on the North Shore, including the Lonsdale Quay SeaBus. For more information, call tel. 604/953-3333.
Cypress Bowl, 1610 Mt. Seymour Rd. (tel. 604/926-5612, snow report 604/419-7669; www.cypressmountain.com), has the area's longest vertical drop (525m/1,722 ft.), challenging ski and snowboard runs, and 16km (10 miles) of track-set cross-country ski trails (including 5km/3.1 miles set aside for night skiing). Full-day lift tickets are C$43 to C$47 (US$37-US$40/£20-£22) for adults, with reduced rates for youths, seniors, and children. Cross-country full-day passes are C$16 (US$14/£7) for adults, with reduced rates for youths, seniors, and children. Snowshoe tours and excellent introductory ski packages are available. Note: Cypress will be home to the 2010 Olympics freestyle skiing (moguls and aerials), snowboarding (half pipe and parallel giant slalom), and brand-new ski cross events. In winter 2008 Cypress will open nine new runs for intermediate and expert skiers and snowboarders, accessed by a new quad chairlift. A new day lodge is under construction and is set to open for the winter 2008/2009 season.
