Vancouver Ski Hills are Open! Here’s What’s New for the 2019/2020 Season
Vancouver is spoiled for choice when it comes to skiing and snowboarding. We have three local mountains on the North Shore, plus three more a short drive away to the north and east. With three of the ski resorts open already and the remaining three scheduled to open in the next week or two, we’re getting excited about hitting the slopes. Here’s what you can look forward to at each resort for the 2019/2020 season.
Cypress Mountain
West Vancouver’s Cypress Mountain is already open for day-time skiing and riding. They plan to open for night skiing on December 15th. The slopes at Cypress Mountain hosted the freestyle skiing and snowboarding events during the 2010 Winter Olympics. The resort has 6 lifts, 53 runs, and 4 terrain parks.
This season Cypress Mountain has made some upgrades that both skiers and Mother Nature will love. They’ve increased their snow-making capacity, to pump out more of the fluffy white stuff. There’s a new easy-to-use digital rental system. And they are in the process of switching over 500 ski run lights to LEDs to lower their carbon footprint. This change will reduce their lighting power consumption by over 60%.
This winter Cypress Mountain will offer Family Fun Nights every Friday starting December 20. There will be music, fire pits, and deals on pizza and s’mores. If skiing and boarding aren’t your thing, they also offer cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snow tubing.
Photo credit: Destination BC/Robin O’Neill
Grouse Mountain
Grouse Mountain recently opened its ski hill for the winter season, including night skiing. They have 33 runs (15 of which are open at night), serviced by 4 chairlifts, and 6 terrain parks.
This year Grouse is celebrating the beginning of the season with the Season Opener Gathering on Friday, December 13th from 6 to 8 pm at the Paradise Terrain Park. Entrance to the event is included with your lift ticket and includes draw prizes and competitions.
If you aren’t a skier, check out Grouse Mountain’s snowshoe trails and skating pond. And of course, the popular Peak of Christmas event is on again this year until January 5th. It includes a light walk, Santa’s workshop, live reindeer, holiday movies, and more.
Photo credit: Destination BC/Robin O’Neill
Mount Seymour
North Vancouver’s Mount Seymour hasn’t opened for the season yet, but don’t worry, they will be open very soon. They have 40 runs, 4 terrain parks, 3 chair lifts, and 2 covered magic carpet lifts.
Mount Seymour is known as the “Local’s Mountain”. One of the reasons for that moniker is their connection to the community through their weekly Shred for the Cause program. Starting January 20th, each Monday night female skiers and riders can get discounts on lift tickets. Partial proceeds from each ticket go to The Bloom Group, a non-profit organization in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside that assists with social services including women’s shelters. Scavenger Hunts with fun prizes are a new addition to the program this season.
Mount Seymour is also a great destination for non-skiers. There are lots of snowshoe trails, a tube park and toboggan runs.
Photo credit: Destination BC/Robin O’Neill
Whistler Blackcomb
The world-class terrain at Whistler Blackcomb is a short drive north from Vancouver and they’re already open for skiing and riding. This huge resort is spread out over two mountains with over 200 runs, 5 terrain parks, and 37 lifts. In 2010 the Alpine Skiing events for the Winter Olympics were held here.
Whistler Blackcomb is celebrating the beginning of the season with a Winter Kickoff Event hosted by The North Face. Running December 6th to 8th, the event includes a launch party, film screenings, photo booth, fire pits, coffee, hot chocolate, gear demos and prize draws.
If you’ve never been skiing or snowboarding before, now is the time to start. Whistler Blackcomb’s Never Ever Days event is on December 7th and 8th. It’s an incredible deal. For just $25 you get a full-day beginner lesson package, a learning area lift ticket, and rentals! Make sure to pre-register as it sells out.
Photo credit: Destination BC/Robin O’Neill
Sasquatch Mountain
If you’re looking for a ski resort with a small-town feel that’s not too far from the big city, head to Sasquatch Mountain, in Vancouver’s Fraser Valley. They’re not open yet for the 2019/2020 season but plan to open soon. The resort has 34 runs, 3 chair lifts, 2 surface conveyor belt lifts, and 2 terrain parks.
This season they’re opening their brand new Blue Quad Chair, to get skiers up the mountain 20% faster than previous years. Sasquatch will also be adding a second terrain park this season. The Whistle Punk park will feature more mellow terrain for beginners while the Sasquatch park plans to include a jump line and some bigger features.
Every Friday night starting January 3rd head to the resort for the Sasquatch Social Series. There will be night skiing, music, live entertainment, fire pits, and more. If you don’t ski, check out their snowshoe trails and tube park.
Photo credit: Destination BC/Robin O’Neill
Manning Park
Manning Park Resort is a few hours east of Vancouver in a slightly different climatic zone that results in lots and lots of snow. For 2019/2020 they plan to open on December 13th. They have 34 runs serviced by 2 chair lifts, a rope tow, and a T-bar lift. There’s a terrain park too.
This season Manning Park Resort is debuting its new Bear Chair, a high-speed quad lift. They’re hosting a grand opening celebration the morning of December 13th with refreshments served at 8 am, a ceremony at 8:40 am, and then rides up the chairlift for first tracks right after that.
Downhill skiing and snowboarding are not the only reason to make the drive to Manning Park. They also have an extensive network of cross-country ski trails, snowshoe trails, and a toboggan hill. Their outdoor ice rink is also fully set up for hockey, with sticks for rent alongside the usual offering of rental skates and helmets.
Photo credit: Destination BC/Robin O’Neill