You hear about how Vancouver has not one, not two, but three local ski hills … look north and you’ll see it’s true! Within a 30 minute drive, you can be pulling into the parking lot of either Cypress Mountain, Grouse Mountain or Mount Seymour and getting ready to enjoy the winter playtime that awaits you. Whether you ski or snowboard all 3 mountains offer spectacular views of Metro Vancouver and each has their own personality and unique attributes! And one can't forget the world famous Whistler Blackcomb resort. This number one ski resort in North America is any ski or snowboarders snow heaven!

Here’s where and how you can play in some great powder. 

Metro Vancouver

Cypress Mountain. With the most expansive terrain and the largest vertical rise on the North Shore, Cypress Mountain is Vancouver’s premier winter playground. It’s no surprise that Cypress Mountain is home to one of Western Canada’s most respected ski and snowboard schools, with great terrain for beginners and experts alike. Whether you like the groomed runs or between the trees, you will be spoilt for choice both day and night. With 51 runs accessed by 9 chairlifts, it is also the Official Freestyle Skiing and Snowboarding Venue for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

Grouse Mountain.  Experience the thrill of winter at Grouse Mountain. With 26 great runs to choose from and excellent conditions, you'll discover a mountaintop winter paradise - perfect for every member of your family. Whether you're snowboarding or skiing for the first time or already a master of the mountains, Grouse has an endless variety of terrain for you to explore.

Mount Seymour.  Mount Seymour has a variety of gentle slopes that makes learning fun and easy. The terrain is incredible for skiers and snowboarders who are anywhere from starting out to being considered pro. The terrain’s natural rock outcrops’, gullies, manmade parks and half pipe are guaranteed to challenge the freestyle, free rider no matter what level.

Mighty Fraser Country

Manning Park Resort has been a favourite local ski and snowboard destination for years and has recently undergone a major facelift. With more than 140 acres of ski and snowboard terrain, over 24 marked trails, and four ski lifts, there's a trail to challenge skiers and snowboarders of all levels. And they’ve improved their terrain park for those boarders who are looking for the ultimate height. Manning offers a variety of lodging choices and great après ski facilities. About an hour west of Manning Park is Hemlock Valley which is no slouch when it comes to skiing either. It has 35 runs with the bulk of them dedicated to intermediate skiers.

Sea to Sky Country
Need we say more? It is the skier and snowboarder’s nirvana!

Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains.  Nestled in the spectacular Coast Mountains of British Columbia, just 120 kilometres (75 miles) north of Vancouver and 56 kilometres (35 miles) north of Squamish lies Whistler, a charming alpine village and the home of Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains. Whistler is a year-round destination consistently rated the Number One Ski Resort in North America. World –class Whistler is number one with skiers and snowboarders for a host of reasons:

• It boasts the largest ski are on the continent, with 3,307 hectares (8,171 acres) of ski able terrain, more than 200 marked trails and 12 massive alpine bowls, including three glaciers.
• It is home to five terrain parks, with one super pipe and one half pipe.
• It has the two greatest vetical rise ski mountains in North America, Blackcomb rising one vertical mile (1,608 m/5,258ft) to an elevation of 2,284 m (7,494ft) and Whistler rising 1,530 m (5,020 ft) to an elevation of 2,182 m (7,159 ft)
• The ski season stretches from late November to early June.

After an invigorating day on the slopes, you can explore Whistler’s enchanting pedestrian-only Village and brose through a multitude of unique shops and boutiques: take in Whistler’s culinary offerings; relax in intimate lounges or dance the night away in high-energy nightclubs; and then retire to the inviting comforts of Whistler’s many hotels and lodges.

Heli Skiing and Heli Snowboarding

Heli skiing and heli snowboarding are the ultimate untracked powder adventures. Seasonal daily heli skiing operations in Vancouver, Coast and Mountains offer the first timer an introducation to the thrill of skiing in freshly fallen powder. Remote destination lodges offer multiple day packages and are considered to be amongst the best in the world by powder hounds who travel the globe looking for unique skiing experiences.