Photo: Grouse Mountain
During Vancouver winters, outdoor sports aren’t just reserved for weekends. Head up to the mountains on weekday evenings to play in the snow after dark. You’ll enjoy quiet trails and the serene quiet of the snowy forest at night. Here are four winter sports you can do after work in Vancouver.
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.
Safety First: AdventureSmart recommends bringing a backpack with essential safety and first aid gear on every outdoor adventure. Check the forecast and pack extra clothing for the weather. Leave a trip plan so someone knows where you are going and when you will be back.
Outdoor Ice Skating
Book the Skyride up to Grouse Mountain to glide across their frozen pond. Skating is included with your Mountain Admission ticket, and there are rentals on site. With festive lights illuminating the rink, you can skate until 9 p.m. every night.
Photo: Grouse Mountain
Night Skiing
Enjoy the sparkle of city streetlamps far below you as you do laps at Cypress Mountain, Grouse Mountain, and Mount Seymour. All three North Shore mountains have illuminated runs for night skiing and snowboarding. They have reduced prices for weeknights too.
Grouse Mountain: Half of the runs at Grouse Mountain are open for night skiing each night until 9 p.m. Book lift tickets online in advance.
Cypress Mountain: Choose from 14 lit runs accessed from five different chairlifts. You can ski each evening until 10 p.m. Book lift tickets online in advance.
Mount Seymour: Ski under the lights at Mount Seymour each night until 9:30 p.m. They have twelve runs with lights. Book lift tickets online in advance.
Photo: Cypress Mountain/Facebook
Snowshoeing
Enjoy the snowshoe trails after dark by signing up for an evening snowshoe tour at one of the North Shore Mountains. Cypress Mountain’s Lights to the Lodge experience takes you down a trail of twinkling lights to the historic Hollyburn Lodge. Take a guided snowshoe tour by headlamp at Grouse Mountain or Mount Seymour. Or add some warm and tasty cheese or chocolate to your outing by booking a snowshoe fondue tour at Mount Seymour or Grouse Mountain.
Photo: Grouse Mountain/Facebook
Cross Country Skiing
Glide through the forest under glowing lights at Cypress Mountain’s Nordic Ski Area. They have 7.5 km of trails that are lit up each evening until 10 p.m. There are discounts for evening trail tickets too, but you need to book online in advance.
Photo: Nordic Racers Ski Club
