Many people think of Vancouver as a place of “natural beauty,” and they are right: summer is full of hiking, kayaking, and lake activities. However, in fact, Vancouver offers as many activities in winter as it does in summer. The most popular of these activities are skiing and snowboarding.
There are many slopes in the suburbs of Vancouver, and many are easily accessible and accessible from the city. Skiing/snowboarding is even included in the school activities of the schools that international students attend.
In this article, we will introduce four recommended major slopes near Vancouver where you can enjoy skiing/snowboarding!
1,Whistler/Whistler Blackcomb
Whistler is one of the largest ski/snowboard resorts in North America. It is located about 1.5~2 hours north of Vancouver by car or bus. The most important features of Whistler’s slopes are the number and variety of courses and the fact that the entire town has been turned into a tourist destination.
Whistler Mountain and Blackcomb Mountain are located next to each other, and you can enjoy both of them! A large gondola called “PEAK 2 PEAK” runs between each mountain, allowing visitors to come and go as they please. If you want to enjoy all the courses, you will need at least 2~3 days.
The wide variety of courses and the quality of the snow make it very popular with a wide range of visitors, from beginners to advanced skiers. At the foot of the slopes is the touristy Whistler Village, with its trendy restaurants, souvenir shops, and other amenities that make it a great place to enjoy skiing and snowboarding in addition to skiing and snowboarding.
2,Grouse Mountain
The biggest attraction of Grouse Mountain is its “easy accessibility. Of all the slopes introduced here, Grouse Mountain is the closest to the city of Vancouver, taking only about 30 minutes by car or 45 minutes by bus from downtown.
Sometimes you will see people on the Skytrain or buses wearing ski wear with ski boards or snowboards in their hands, and most of them are either going to or returning from Grouse Mountain. You don’t see this sight very often in Japan.
In addition, the prices are relatively cheaper than other slopes, so it is recommended for those who want to enjoy skiing and snowboarding casually. Many colleges with skiing and snowboarding school activities are offered at Grouse Mountain. Therefore, lift tickets that are normally inexpensive can often be discounted even further by using school activities, making them a great value for money.
3,Seymour Mountain
Seymour is located on the east side of North Vancouver, north of Deep Cove. It is relatively easy to get to from downtown, although it is a little farther than Grouse Mountain, about 40 minutes by car or 1 hour by bus. There is also a shuttle bus service from Rupert Station on the Skytrain Millennium Line.
Seymour is a local mountain that is inexpensive and loved by locals. Although Seymour is not as famous as other mountains for having “a much larger number and variety of trails” or “better snow quality,” it is relatively less crowded and offers a relaxing environment for skiing and snowboarding.
4,Cypress Mountain
Cypress is a large ski slope in West Vancouver. It is located on the west side of Grouse Mountain and south of Whistler, about 40 minutes from downtown by car or bus.
Cypress is characterized by “good snow quality. The higher elevation than other mountains makes the quality of snow better, which is the reason for its popularity. Furthermore, with a total of 53 courses, the slopes offer a wide range of courses for beginners and advanced skiers.
The view from the top of Cypress is also exceptional. The city of Vancouver spreads out before your eyes, and you can even see the night view during night skiing hours. The experience of skiing or snowboarding toward the night view is a precious experience that is hard to find in Japan, so it is highly recommended.
Of course, studying and working are important while studying in Canada, but it is equally important to enjoy the great nature of Canada/Vancouver to the fullest!
Why not try skiing or snowboarding in Canada, which can only be done in winter?
