Get Ready for the 2024/25 Ski Season in Vancouver
Ski season is just around the corner. Thanks to the La Nina climatic weather pattern, it is shaping up to be a great season with lots of snow due to colder than average temperatures and higher than average rainfall. Here’s everything you need to know about skiing at resorts near Vancouver in winter 2024/25
Grouse Mountain
Opening date: TBA (likely early December)
Known as the Peak of Vancouver, Grouse Mountain is the closest ski hill to Vancouver. It’s an easy 30-minute drive over the scenic Lions Gate Bridge. Or take the Seabus and then bus 236 from downtown Vancouver.
Skiers have been carving the slopes at Grouse Mountain since 1926, but the big news this year is the opening of the new Grouse Mountain Gondola to replace the existing Skyride Gondola. Set to open in fall/winter 2024, the new state-of-the-art gondola includes 27 eight-person gondolas with a capacity of 1000 people per hour.
The new gondola will transport skiers from the base of the mountain up to the Peak Chalet. From there, you can explore 6 terrain parks and 33 ski runs, some of which are open for night skiing. Be sure to stick around after skiing for apres with incredible city views at The Observatory or Altitudes Bistro.
Mount Seymour
Opening date: December 13, 2024
Located in the North Shore Mountains, Mount Seymour has been owned and operated by the same local family since 1984, giving the mountain a community feel that is popular with locals. With 40 runs, 4 terrain parks, and night skiing, there is lots of space to explore.
Mount Seymour is also one of the most beginner-friendly local mountains. On weekdays, you can buy a discounted Goldie-only lift ticket that gives you access to just the Goldie Meadows learning area including the covered magic carpet. And if you’re ready to progress to harder runs, you can upgrade your ticket on the spot and use the other chairlifts.
You can drive yourself to Mount Seymour, but it’s much easier to book a seat on the shuttle bus. It leaves from Parkgate Community Centre in North Vancouver (15-minute ride) or Rupert Skytrain Station in Vancouver (30-minute ride).
Cypress Mountain
Opening date: TBA (likely late November or early December)
Vancouver’s third North Shore ski hill is Cypress Mountain, which hosted some of the ski and snowboard events at the 2010 Winter Olympics. This resort is spread across Black Mountain and Mount Strachan, with 53 runs accessed from six lifts. Nearly half of the runs are open for night skiing. Cypress has Vancouver’s largest and most sophisticated snow-making system, so they always have plenty of snow.
Cypress Mountain is also home to the closest cross-country ski area to Vancouver. The Nordic Area on Hollyburn Ridge has 19 kilometres of groomed and track-set trails, some of which are lit for night skiing.
Drive yourself to the mountain or ride with Cypress Mountain Coachlines. They will pick you up outside the Vancouver Art Gallery in downtown Vancouver and deposit you at the ski hill 45 minutes later. If you’re staying at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, the shuttle stop is right across the street.
Whistler Blackcomb
Opening date: November 22, 2025
Located about two hours north of Vancouver, Whistler Blackcomb is one of the world’s best ski resorts. It has over 200 runs and four terrain parks serviced by 36 lifts. The record-breaking 4.4-kilometre-long PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola spans the chasm between Whistler Mountain and Blackcomb Mountain, so it’s easy to ski both peaks on the same day.
One of the mountain’s key lifts is getting an upgrade for the 2024/25 season. The four-seater Jersey Cream Express, which dates back to 1989, will be replaced by a new high-speed six-seat lift. The new lift will increase capacity by almost 30%.
Also new for 2024/25 is a new mobile version of the lift pass. Instead of carrying a physical card, skiers and snowboarders can use the My Epic app to scan their passes at the lifts.
The best way to get to Whistler is via the Epic Rides shuttle bus. It picks up from a few locations around Vancouver and goes right to Whistler Village. Both the Sheraton Wall Centre and the Hyatt Regency have shuttle stops right outside, making them a great option for skiers heading to Whistler for the day.
Sasquatch Mountain Resort
Opening date: TBA (likely mid-December)
Sasquatch Mountain is a small, family-friendly resort located two hours east of Vancouver in the northern Fraser Valley with value-priced lift tickets. They have 37 runs, night skiing, and a terrain park. Be sure to chat with the locals on the chairlift - many of them have been skiing here for generations and can give you great tips to make the most of your day on the slopes.
Manning Park Resort
Opening date: TBA (likely mid-December)
While it is only 2.5 hours east of Vancouver, Manning Park Resort has a dry interior climate that ensures they get lots of snow. Located inside E.C. Manning Provincial Park, the ski hill has 34 runs spread across two lifts, a T-bar, and a handle tow. The nearby Nordic skiing area includes 33 kilometres of groomed cross-country ski trails with three warming huts.