6 Places to Ski Near Vancouver This Winter
Feel the swish of snow beneath your feet and the cold wind in your face: ski season is almost here! Due to COVID-19, the 2020/21 ski season will be a little different, but Vancouver’s local resorts are committed to safety and have put measures in place to ensure you can ski and ride this winter. Here’s everything you need to know about how to ski in Vancouver this winter at six local ski resorts.
Until February 5, 2021, in line with the public health order issued on November 20, non-essential travel into and out of BC is not recommended. BC residents let’s do our part by continuing to stay local and support local, with your immediate household or bubble, in accordance with the latest guidelines.
Mount Seymour
Opening Date: December 1, 2020
Masks Required: Masks or face coverings will be required indoors, in the shuttle bus, in lift lines, and on all lifts.
Increased Sanitation: Hand washing and sanitation stations will be available throughout the resort. Surfaces will be regularly sanitized and ZeroBlast anti-microbial treatment has been applied.
Physical Distancing: Lift lines will be spaced out to allow for physical distancing. You will be able to ride chair lifts with people from your household only or the chairs will operate at reduced capacity (two people on the Mystery Chair, one person on the Lodge and Brockton Chairs).
Book in Advance: All rentals, shuttle bus rides, single-day tickets, and seasons passes must be purchased online in advance.
Reserve a Four-Hour Time Slot on Weekends and Holidays: To avoid over-crowding, you must book a four-hour time slot for skiing and snowboarding on weekends and holidays. There are time slots every hour and they include parking.
More Info: Mount Seymour
Grouse Mountain
Opening Date: November 20, 2020
Masks Required: Masks or face coverings will be required indoors, during lessons, in the Skyride, in lift lines, and on all lifts.
Increased Sanitation: Hand sanitizer stations will be available throughout the resort. Increased sanitization and scheduled cleanings will be conducted throughout all areas of the resort.
Physical Distancing: Physical distancing measures and signage will be in place throughout the resort including lift lines. The Skyride will be operating at less than 50% capacity with new boarding procedures in place. You will be able to ride chair lifts with people from your household only or the chairs will operate at reduced capacity.
Book in Advance: Reservations will be required for the Skyride. You can make reservations online up to seven days in advance. You will also need to book rentals in advance.
More Info: Grouse Mountain
Cypress Mountain
Opening Date: November 13, 2020
Masks Required: Masks or face coverings will be required at all times unless you are on the ski trails.
Increased Sanitation: Handwashing stations will be available throughout the resort. Surfaces will be regularly sanitized and ZeroBlast anti-microbial treatment has been applied.
Physical Distancing: Physical distancing measures and signage will be in place throughout the resort including lift lines. Skiers and riders can ride the lift with members of their household or ride as two singles on quad chairs or alone on twin chairs.
Book in Advance: All lift tickets, lessons, and rentals must be pre-purchased online.
Reduced Capacity: While Cypress Mountain will not offer a reservation system, they will operate at a reduced capacity to support physical distancing. Check the Cypress mountain website or app for day-to-day capacity restrictions and/or availability of tickets for pre-purchase.
More Info: Cypress Mountain
Chairlift on Grouse Mountain. Photo: Tourism Vancouver/Kazutoshi Yoshimura
Whistler Blackcomb
Note: Save this info for after travel restrictions ease.
Opening Date: November 26, 2020
Masks Required: Masks or face coverings will be required in lines, on chairlifts and gondolas, during lessons, and indoors.
Increased Sanitation: Handwashing stations will be available throughout the resort. Surfaces and high touch areas will be regularly sanitized.
Physical Distancing: Physical distancing measures and signage will be in place throughout the resort including lift lines. Guests will only be able to ride lifts and gondolas with members of their household or at reduced capacity. (For example, two singles seated on opposite sides of a four-person lift, two singles or two doubles on opposite sides of a six-person lift, or two singles on opposite ends of the larger gondola cabins.)
Book in Advance: All types of Epic Pass holders must make reservations in advance and get priority access. Limited lift tickets will go on sale online starting December 8th.
More Info: Whistler Blackcomb
Sasquatch Mountain Resort
Note: Save this info for after travel restrictions ease.
Opening Date: December 11, 2020
Masks Required: Masks or face coverings will be required indoors, during lessons, in lift lines, and on all lifts.
Increased Sanitation: Hand sanitizer stations will be available throughout the resort. Increased sanitization and scheduled cleanings will be conducted throughout all areas of the resort.
Physical Distancing: Physical distancing measures and signage will be in place throughout the resort including lift lines. You will be able to ride chair lifts with people from your household only.
Book in Advance: You can reserve rentals and lift tickets online, but a limited number of walk-up rentals and lift tickets will be available depending on resort capacity.
More Info: Sasquatch Mountain Resort
Manning Park Resort
Note: Save this info for after travel restrictions ease.
Opening Date: December 11, 2020
Masks Required: Masks or face coverings will be required in all areas except for when eating or drinking.
Increased Sanitation: Hand sanitizer stations will be available throughout the resort. Increased sanitization and scheduled cleanings will be conducted throughout all areas of the resort.
Physical Distancing: Physical distancing measures and signage will be in place throughout the resort including lift lines. You will be able to ride chair lifts with people from your household only or at reduced capacity. (Two singles can ride on opposite sides of the Quad Bear Chair or you can ride alone on the Blue chair or T-bar.)
Book in Advance: You can reserve rentals and lift tickets online, but a limited number of walk-up rentals and lift tickets will be available depending on resort capacity.
More Info: Manning Park Resort