The Best Ski Resorts Near Vancouver, British Columbia
Best Ski Resorts Near Vancouver
One of Vancouver’s best features is it’s close proximity to the Coast Mountains, the gateway to endless outdoor adventure. In the winter months, there are multiple ski resorts near Vancouver that can be reached within a few hours drive. If you’re planning to go snowboarding or skiing during your time in Vancouver, this post was written for you.
There are three ski areas in Vancouver that can be reached within 20-30 minutes from downtown Vancouver (depending on bridge traffic). They are (1) Grouse Mountain , (2) Cypress Mountain , and (3) Mount Seymour. To learn more about these three Vancouver ski resorts, skip ahead and scroll half way down this post.
However, we’d like to get outside the big city and share our favourite ski resorts that can be visited as a day trip from Vancouver . Of course, if you have time to spend a night or two at these ski resorts, that would be most ideal.
In this post, we share our favourite ski resorts near Vancouver.
Sasquatch Mountain Resort
Spoiler alert – if you’ve been following our blog or social channels, you will know that we’re big fans of Sasquatch Mountain Resort . So much so, that we purchased a cabin at Sasquatch . Or is it a chalet?
Sasquatch Mountain Resort is located in the Fraser Valley, about 2 hours east of Vancouver. It’s located east of Mission and west of Harrison Hot Springs .
Sasquatch offers its guests a laidback ski atmosphere that’s perfect for families. We think it’s one of the best lower mainland ski hills (we may be a little biased). Here, you will find free parking, no lift lines and uncrowded runs.
We like that all of the Sasquatch ski runs end at the day lodge. This makes it easy to meet up with friends and family throughout the day.
You’ll want to hit the road early and arrive when the park opens at 9:00 AM. Sasquatch Mountain offers night skiing on Friday and Saturday evenings, so you can stay on the mountain as long as you want before heading back to Vancouver.
Now, although you can easily visit Sasquatch Mountain Resort as a day trip from Vancouver (or from any city in the Lower Mainland), we recommend you spend the night (or two) .
Sasquatch Mountain Resort has accommodations within steps of the chair lifts. It’s the only ski resort in the Lower Mainland that offers cabin and vacation rentals on the mountain. The rental properties are privately owned, so you’ll need to book accommodations through VRBO or AirBnb.
How many chair lifts at Sasquatch Mountain Resort?
Sasquatch Mountain has three chair lifts, plus one magic carpet for beginners. It has 36 runs ranging from beginner to double black diamonds. We recommend Snags and/or Baby Bowl on a powder day.
View the Sasquatch Mountain Resort trail map here .
How long are chairlift wait times at Sasquatch Mountain Resort?
This is the “sell feature” for visiting Sasquatch. There are virtually no wait times for chair lifts at Sasquatch Mountain Resort. This is what separates it from the other ski resorts near Vancouver. This means you will get lots of runs, over and over again. Your legs will be tired.
Are there restaurants at Sasquatch Mountain Resort?
There are a few places to eat at Sasquatch Mountain Resort. Molly Hogan’s Bar and Grill is popular (pictured above) and it’s kid friendly until 8:00 PM. The Chalet restaurant is also open during the day. Hideaway and Peaks offer grab and go snacks and drinks during the day.
What are the lift ticket prices at Sasquatch Mountain Resort?
Lift ticket prices may change. It’s best to check the current day pass ticket prices . However, typically day passes range from: $69-89 CAD Adults, $59-79 Youth, and $49-69 Child.
If you’re flexible with your dates, you may find mid-week and Sunday specials on lift tickets.
You can purchase Sasquatch Mountain Resort lift tickets online here .
Manning Park Ski Resort
Manning Park Ski Resort is located in the Cascade Mountains. It’s about a 3 hour drive east of Vancouver. It’s another fun, laid back ski resort near Vancouver. It has a similar vibe as Sasquatch Mountain.
However, given that it’s at least 3 hours drive each way, it becomes a very long day trip from Vancouver. You’ll need to get an early start. Or, you might want to stay overnight near the ski resort.
There are no accommodations directly on the ski hill . Manning Park Resort has a variety of accommodations , but the property is located 15 minutes drive from the ski area. The hotel provides free shuttle service to the ski hill during ski season.
We stayed in a Mini-Suite inside the main hotel . It’s a spacious room with two queen beds, pull-out sofa and kitchenette. You can also rent private cabins and chalets . These cabins are popular in both summer and winter, so you’ll want to make reservations ahead of time.
How many chair lifts at Manning Park Ski Resort?
Manning Park Resort has 2 chair lifts (one quad and one double), plus one handle-tow and one T-bar. It has 34 marked runs and over 140 acres of skiable area.
How long are chairlift wait times at Manning Park Resort?
Similar to Sasquatch Mountain, there are virtually no lift lines at Manning. This may vary depending on snow conditions, but generally Manning Park is uncrowded and rarely has long lift lines.
Above is the old orange chair lift at Manning Park ski hill (also in the photo below). We captured these photos back in 2018. The following year it was replaced by a new quad chair .
Watch this video from a powder day at Manning Park Resort .
Are there restaurants at Manning Park Resort?
There is a cafeteria style restaurant at the ski area at Manning Park. See photo above. It’s not very big, but it does the trick.
There is also a restaurant at the hotel called Pinewoods Dining Room, but it’s located about 15 minutes drive from the ski hill. You likely won’t want to leave the ski hill to eat lunch at this restaurant, but you can visit it after your time on the slopes.
What are the lift ticket prices at Manning Park ?
Manning Park lift ticket prices range from: $59-89 CAD Adults, $49-69 Youth, and $39-59 Junior (7 to 12 years old).
Children under 6 years old are free. More info about ticket prices here .
See photos from our Powder Day at Manning Park Ski Resort here .
Mount Baker Ski Area, Washington State
Another favourite ski resorts near Vancouver is the Mount Baker Ski Area, located in the North Cascades of Washington State. It’s about a 2.5 hour drive from Vancouver to Mt Baker, and vice versa. You can actually see Mount Baker from Vancouver on a clear day.
Important note – to visit Mount Baker from Vancouver, you will need a valid passport. The easiest and fastest border crossing is the Sumas Port of Entry in Abbotsford, British Columbia . You can also enter the United States via Lynden Port of Entry and/or Peach Arch Border Crossing.
Mt Baker is a fun ski resort that’s known for getting a lot of snow. It’s considered one of the snowiest ski areas in the world, with an average yearly snowfall of more than 1,700 cm’s (663 inches). If you’re looking for lots of snow, the Pacific Northwest has you covered. Literally.
Fun fact – In the 1998-99 ski season, Mt. Baker broke the world record for snowfall in a single season with 2,900 cm / 1,140 inches / 95 feet of snow!
How many chair lifts at Mt Baker Ski Area?
Mount Baker has 8 chair lifts and two rope tows. There are multiple parking lots on opposite sides of the ski area, so it’s best to familiarize yourself with the Mount Baker ski area trail map here .
It’s known as a ‘difficult’ mountain, however it has a variety of terrain for all ski levels.
Mt. Baker Ski Area is open daily from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM during the winter.
How long are chairlift wait times at Mount Baker ski area?
Mt Baker is a remote ski area. Because of this, it’s not as easy for day trippers to visit the mountain. This means less skiers and snowboarders, and shorter wait times on the chair lift.
And, given that it has several chair lifts, guests are easily spread out, which also reduces wait times.
Can you stay overnight at Mt Baker Ski Area?
No, there are no accommodations at Mount Baker Ski Area.
If you’re looking for Mt. Baker lodging, the closest town is Glacier. It’s about a 30 minute drive from Glacier to Mt Baker Ski Area. This small ski town has a few restaurants, cafes and stores to fuel up before your day of skiing.
Are there restaurants at Mount Baker Ski Area?
Mt. Baker Ski Area has two base area lodges, Heather Meadows and White Salmon. It also has a mid-mountain lodge called the Raven Hut.
Each Mount Baker restaurant has different menu offerings. See the menus for each lodge here .
What are the lift ticket prices at Mt Baker Ski Area?
Mount Baker Ski Area lift tickets range from: $75-87 USD Adults, $47-55 Youth, and $28-37 Child (7 to 10 years old). Children under 6 years old are free.
More info about ticket prices here .
Related post – A winter getaway to Mount Baker in Washington State
Fence made with old skis in the town of Glacier, Washington.
Whistler Blackcomb Ski Resort
Located in the alpine city of Whistler, Whistler-Blackcomb Ski Resort consistently ranks as one of the top ski resorts in North America. It is the largest ski resort in North America, by many measures, and it’s the most popular ski resort in Canada.
Whistler-Blackcomb attracts over 3 million people annually, making it one of the busiest, too.
The drive from Vancouver to Whistler is about 2 hours, depending on where you start. However, it can take longer if you run into traffic on busy weekends or holidays. There are also shuttles that depart from downtown Vancouver or the Vancouver International Airport. Book the Vancouver to Whistler shuttle here .
The downside to visiting Whistler Blackcomb is the price. Over the past 10 years, Whistler has become almost unaffordable for families. That said, it is a world class ski resort near Vancouver, so you get what you pay for.
If you’re not interested in skiing or snowboarding, there are plenty of other winter Whistler activities, including snowmobiling , ice fishing , ziplining , snowshoeing and more. Here’s a list of things to do in Whistler in the summer .
How many chair lifts does Whistler Blackcomb have?
Whistler-Blackcomb ski resort boasts over 200 runs, 39 lifts and well over 8,000 acres of terrain. It also has the record-breaking Peak 2 Peak Gondola that transports guests between Whistler Mountain and Blackcomb Mountain.
It will take you multiple days to ski every section of this world class ski resort. Without question, it’s the biggest ski resort in BC. View the Whistler Blackcomb trail map here .
What are the chairlift wait times at Whistler Blackcomb?
Chair lift time varies since it’s such a large mountain. Often you can find a space on the mountain that isn’t crowded. However, we’ve seen posts on social media that say it can take up to an hour to board the first gondola in Whistler Village or Creekside Village. Pack your patience.
What are the lift ticket prices at Whistler Blackcomb?
Ticket prices have jumped significantly over the past few years. At the time of publishing, lift ticket prices for a day pass are approx. $192-210 CAD for Adults, $171-163 Youth, $96-101 Child.
More info on lift tickets at Whistler Blackcomb ski resort here .
Additional things to know about Whistler Blackcomb
Whistler Village is one of the coolest alpine villages in North America. It’s a fun place to hang out after your day on the slopes. We aren’t going to list all of the Whistler restaurants and pubs because there are too many! That said, if you have a specific restaurant in mind, it’s wise to make a reservation because it gets very busy during the ski season.
In the winter, you will need to pay for parking. Even if you’re spending the night at a hotel.
Where to stay in Whistler
You can easily do a day trip to Whistler from Vancouver. However, if you choose to spend a night or two (which we highly recommend you do), there are many different types of accommodations.
A few options in Whistler Village include Pangea Pod Hotel (for the budget traveler), the Four Seasons Whistler (for the luxury traveler) and the Hilton Whistler Resort and Spa (great for families).
Above is Whistler Village at sunset, which starts around 3:00 PM in January.
Cypress Mountain Ski Area
Cypress Mountain offers the most vertical drop and terrain of Vancouver’s North Shore Mountains. It’s about a 45 minute drive from downtown Vancouver to the parking lot at Cypress Mountain.
Cypress Mountain does not offer accommodations on the mountain, therefore you can only visit the mountain on day trips. Because it’s the largest ski hill in Vancouver, it’s popular with locals, too. This means the ski area can get quite busy.
To avoid the crowds, it’s best to visit on a week day or in the evenings. Cypress Mountain offers night skiing until 10:00 PM throughout the winter ski season.
How many chair lifts does Cypress Mountain have?
There are 5 quad chair lifts on Cypress Mountain, plus a double chair lift and magic carpet for beginners.
It has 53 named alpine ski runs that range from beginner to difficult, with most runs being blue (43%) and black (44%).
View the Cypress Mountain trail map here .
What are the chairlift wait times like at Cypress Mountain?
Cypress Mountain is a popular ski resorts near Vancouver, so you should expect long lines, especially on weekends and holidays. To avoid long lines and crowded runs, you’re best to visit on evenings or mid-week.
What are the lift ticket prices at Cypress Mountain?
Lift tickets at Cypress Mountain may change throughout the season. It’s best to check here for current lift prices at Cypress Mountain.
On average, lift tickets range from: $82-98 CAD for Adults. $55-60 Youth. $34-39 Child.
Cypress Mountain offers afternoon and evening tickets at a reduced rate.
Did you know that Cypress Mountain Resort hosted events at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver?
Additional things to know about Cypress Mountain
You must pre-book your lift tickets. It’s possible that lift tickets sell out, especially on weekends, so plan ahead.
Parking can be a challenge. It’s best to arrive early to avoid a long walk to the ski area.
There are multiple places to eat on Cypress Mountain , including the Crazy Raven, Cypress Creek Grill, The Patio & Pizzeria, Hollyburn lodge, and two cafes.
If you aren’t into skiing or snowboarding, Cypress Mountain Resort also offers cross country skiing, snowtubing, and snowshoeing in the winter.
Mount Seymour
Seymour is a family favourite North Shore ski mountain for many Vancouverites. Mt Seymour is one of the best ski resorts near Vancouver for young kids to learn to ski . It has a large covered magic carpet that protects little ones from bad weather.
Mount Seymour is located about 45 minutes from downtown Vancouver. There are no accommodations on Mount Seymour.
It’s typically less busy then Cypress Mountain and Grouse Mountain. However, don’t make the mistake of thinking that Mt Seymour is not busy, because it can also get quite crowded at peak times.
Parking on the mountain is limited. Late risers may have to wait a few hours to find a spot on the busy winter weekends. It’s best to plan ahead and pre-book your lift tickets .
How many lifts does Mt Seymour have?
Mount Seymour has 3 chair lifts and one magic carpet. Runs range from beginner to difficult, with most runs being blues.
You can view the Seymour Mountain trail map here .
What are the chairlift wait times like at Mount Seymour?
For the North Shore Mountains, wait times at Mount Seymour Mountain tend to be less. However, it’s not uncommon to have very long lift lines on the weekend or powder days.
What are the lift ticket prices at Mount Seymour?
Lift prices fluctuate throughout the season. It’s best to check here for accurate lift ticket prices at Mount Seymour.
On average, lift tickets range from: $39-84 for Adults. $39-52 Youth. $22-29 Child.
Additional things to know about Seymour Mountain
There are a few restaurants at Mount Seymour, including Rock Chute Kitchen and Bar, the Grill works cafeteria and Harold’s Café.
Parking is free, but limited. It is best to arrive early in the morning to find a parking spot.
The mountain offers night skiing. This is a good time to visit because it tends to be less crowded in the evenings.
Seymour Mountain also offers snowshoeing, and tubing and tobogganing.
Above is the backside of Mount Seymour. It’s one of the best ski resorts near Vancouver.
Grouse Mountain
Last, but not least, Grouse Mountain is the closest ski resort to Vancouver. It’s the most popular Vancouver ski hill with tourists. The unique thing about Grouse Mountain is that you must take the Grouse Mountain gondola (the Skyride) to reach the summit.
The Skyride operates 365 days a year, departing every 15 minutes from 8:45 am to 10:00 PM. Grouse is the preferred mountain to visit if you don’t like driving up a ski hill or if it’s really snowy.
Grouse Mountain is a year round destination. Depending on the season, you’ll find the Peak of Christmas, Light Walk, snowshoeing, ice skating, sliding, and grizzly bears. You can also visit the mountain summit lodge to take in the stunning views of Vancouver and the Lower Mainland.
In the winter, Grouse Mountain offers night skiing every evening. Sunday to Thursday you can ski until 9:00 PM. Friday and Saturday skiing is open until 10:00 PM.
How many lifts does Grouse Mountain have?
Grouse Mountain has 4 chairlifts and a handle tow. View the Grouse Mountain trail map here .
What are the chairlift wait times like at Grouse Mountain?
The last time we visited Grouse to ski (February 2023), we waited 1.5 hours to get on the Skyride. It was a rainy day, and there’s little protection from the rain while you wait, so it was not a pleasant experience.
The Skyride tram is a fun experience for first time visitors to Vancouver. However, it can get very busy because everyone needs to take it up and down the mountain. Expect long lines in both directions.
What are the lift ticket prices at Grouse Mountain?
Lift prices fluctuate throughout the season. It’s best to check here for accurate ticket prices.
On average, day passes range from: $79-89 for Adults. $59-69 Youth. $31-35 Child.
Another one of our favourite ski resorts near Vancouver is Mount Washington Alpine Resort .
It’s the main ski resort on Vancouver island. We did not include Mount Washington on this list because it’s not an easy day trip from Vancouver. You must take a ferry from the Lower Mainland to Vancouver Island and drive to the ski resort, which takes several hours.
If you’ve got the time, Mount Washington is worth visiting.
Read more posts about skiing in Vancouver:
Snowboarding at Cypress Mountain in Vancouver
30 Photos to get you stoked for the ski season
10 Tips for Teaching your Kids to Ski this winter
The Best Ski Resorts in Canada
What are your favourite ski resorts near Vancouver?
Leave us a comment below with your tips and recommendations. Our readers thank you!
The Best Ski Resorts Near Vancouver, British Columbia is a post from: Traveling Canucks
Related posts:
Snow Tubing at Sasquatch Mountain Resort
10 Tips for Teaching your Kids to Ski this winter
Best Things to do in North Vancouver, British Columbia
25 Awesome Day Trips from Vancouver, Canada
