Photo: Vancouver’s North Shore Tourism
North Vancouver’s Mount Seymour Provincial Park stretches from near sea level to the mountain tops. This winter, go biking, hiking, and forest bathing on the lower slopes and skiing, snowshoeing, and sledding near the peak.
How to Get to Mount Seymour Provincial Park
Shuttle Bus: The easiest way to get to the top of Mount Seymour is to take the shuttle bus, which you can catch at Rupert Skytrain Station in Vancouver or from Parkgate Community Centre in North Vancouver. Shuttle bus passengers do not need a day pass but should book the bus in advance.
Public transit: You can access the lower section of the park and get to the shuttle bus stop at Parkgate Community Centre on public transit. Take bus 211 from Burrard Station to the stop at the corner of Mount Seymour Parkway and Mount Seymour Road, then walk a few blocks up Mount Seymour Road to the community centre and trailhead.
Drive Yourself: From Vancouver, take Highway 1 to North Vancouver, then Take the Mount Seymour Parkway exit. At Parkgate Village Mall, turn left onto Mount Seymour Road. If you plan to visit the lower mountain, turn left a few blocks later onto Anne MacDonald Way, then turn right immediately into the Old Buck Parking lot. If you plan to visit the upper mountain, stay on Mount Seymour Road as it switchbacks up the mountain. You must have winter tires on your car to drive past Anne McDonald Way between October 1 and March 31.
Winter parking is limited. Guest with pre-booked ski, snowshoe, or tube park tickets get reserved parking and can park in lots P2, P3, P4, and upper P5. If you plan to snowshoe the free park trails, you will need a free BC Parks day pass. You can book a day pass online starting at 7 am two days in advance of your visit. Your day pass lets you park in lot P1 or lot lower P5. This parking map shows where you can park.
Tips for Visiting
- Visit the park website and use the park map to plan your trip.
- The lower Old Buck parking lot is open 24 hours a day. The road to the top of the mountain is open from 7 am until 10 pm.
- Dogs must be on leash in the park and are not allowed in the ski resort.
- Smoking, vaping, cannabis, drones, alcohol, campfires, and collecting plants are not allowed.
- There are toilets at most parking lots in the park.
- Be safe in the park. AdventureSmart recommends bringing a backpack with essential safety and first-aid gear on every trip. 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.
Snowshoe to Dog Mountain
This short and mostly flat trail is one of the most popular snowshoe routes near Vancouver. It heads through the forest to a beautiful lookout with views of Burrard Inlet. It is inside the provincial park and the adjoining Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve so you don’t need a trail pass. Bring your own snowshoes or rent them at the ski resort.
The beginning of the Dog Mountain Trail. Photo: Yann Allegre/Unsplash
Go Skiing or Snowboarding
This local’s favourite ski resort has over 40 runs and 4 terrain parks. You can ski at night too, thanks to lighting on 13 runs. The resort can get busy on weekends on holidays, so book ahead. There are time slots every hour and they include parking.
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Go Mountain Biking
If you stick to the low-elevation trails and aren’t afraid to get wet, you can mountain bike year-round on the slopes of Mount Seymour. Start from the Old Buck parking lot, then head into a huge network of trails. It can be a bit of a maze, so use the Trailforks app to find your way.
Photo: Destination BC/Stirl and Rae Photo
Hit the Tube Park
There are two sliding options at Mount Seymour: The tube park has big inflatable tubes and a tube tow to pull you back up the hill. You can also bring your own non-inflatable sled to use on the runs in the toboggan section. But you’ll have to walk back uphill there. Make reservations online.
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Take a Hike or Trail Run
Get some exercise and enjoy nature on the trails at the base of Mount Seymour. If you stick to the lower trails, you can avoid snow, but you may want microspikes on icy days. There are lots of trails to explore, but a popular route starts at the Old Buck trailhead and makes a loop using the Bridle Path, Baden Powell, and Old Buck trails.
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Snowshoe the Discovery Snowshoe Trails
The flat and easy Discovery Snowshoe Trails are a great introduction to the sport of snowshoeing. The network of trails makes several loops around beautiful frozen ponds. Book trail passes online in advance. They have rentals too.
Snowshoeing on the Discovery Snowshoe Trails. Photo: Destination BC/Insight Photography
Go Forest Bathing
If you need to slow down, connect with nature by forest bathing. The mossy trails at the base of Mount Seymour are the perfect place to practice this Japanese style of meditation by mindfully walking or sitting in nature. Be sure to bring warm clothing and something dry to sit on.
Enjoy the beauty of the forest on the lower slopes of Mount Seymour. Photo: Julien Kettmann/Unsplash
