It is almost that time of year again… the leaves have fallen, the days get shorter, you feel that chill in the air as you begin to pull out your winter layers. That means ski and snowboard season is fast approaching, the best time of the year if you’re asking me. If you live here in beautiful British Columbia, then you must know how dang lucky we are to live here when wintertime rolls around. For us lucky folks, we don’t have to travel too far to get the full mountain experience. Right in our big backyard sits a range of resorts and slopes to choose from. If you’re new to the ski and snowboard world, let this be a true guide on where you should head this winter season.
- Cypress Mountain, West Vancouver
A beautiful bowl sitting at a quick 30 minute drive from Vancouver. I always thought of Cypress as the biggest, local mountain. With a quick drive, you still get a good day of skiing with more run options than a mountain like Seymour or Grouse. Cypress has 53 runs, giving you more variety than the other local mountains. I find that Cypress has iffy visibility due to its location but yet is still a great fun mountain to test out. I also find that Cypress can be a bit pricey for what they offer. As for their opening date, it’s looking like November 21st.
https://cypressmountain.com/
https://www.instagram.com/p/CWGloMCL7RZ/?utm_medium=copy_link
2. Whistler Blackcomb, Whistler
With only a short two hour drive from downtown Vancouver to Whistler, this spot if the place to be. Not only do they have a wicked ski resort but it also happens to be located in a village full of shops, cafes, restaurants and night life. The resort has two mountains, Whistler and Blackcomb, a Peak 2 Peak gondola, and nearly 200 different runs. This mountain is so big, you’re going to need more than just a day trip to experience it all. Although day passes can hurt the wallet a wee bit, in my opinion, it’s definitely worth it as Whistler is rated one of the best resorts in Canada and in the world. As this is a larger resort, it is often good for groups of friends or family and more experienced skiers/boarders. But that doesn’t mean newbies can’t take this place for a spin. The resort offers many different levels of ski lessons and tours to get you settled in. As for their opening day for the season, it currently is set at November 25th so long as weather cooperates.
https://www.whistlerblackcomb.com/
https://www.instagram.com/p/CWRMkRIMPCp/?utm_medium=copy_link
3. Big White, Kelowna
If you’re someone who thinks bigger is better, you’re best bet is Big White (big is literally in the name). This resort is Canada’s largest ski-in, ski-out resort. Similar to Whistler, this lovely place is operating within a winter wonderland village that’s full of bars, restaurants, shops and more. While this resort is wonderful, it is definitely a longer drive from the city, totalling about a 5ish hour commute and that’s if the roads aren’t a mess. This resort is big and beautiful and perfect for the family getaway. Big White’s opening day is also set to land on November 25th.
https://www.bigwhite.com/
4. Seymour, North Vancouver
Calling all ski and snowboard beginners, this might be the perfect place to practice your skills. This mountain is a quick 30 minute drive from Vancouver and would be ideal for day trips. When I was a beginner boarder, I bought a seasons pass for this mountain to learn how to board. This mountain is a lot smaller, sitting at only 40 runs and since this one is located quite a bit closer, its opening day isn’t set till December 5th. In my opinion, this is a good first mountain to learn your skills or take the family for a quick day trip. But after visiting this mountain a handful of times, it can get a bit repetitive.
https://mtseymour.ca/
5. Silverstar, Okanagan
Another fantastic option for a ski-in, ski-out family vacation, Silverstar’s mountain resort has 130+ runs that spread over all levels of ski and board experience. Again, this resort is located a bit further from home if you’re a Vancouver native (about a 5 hour drive) but is a cheaper alternative to a large mountain resort such as Whistler or Big White. As for nightlife, this little ski town is a bit more family friendly than others. Opening date is scheduled for December 3rd.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CWED7Vksblj/?utm_medium=copy_link
6. Grouse Mountain, North Vancouver
Another great local options for those new to skiing and boarding is Grouse Mountain. This gem is a quick 20 minute drive from downtown Vancouver. Similar to Seymour, this small mountain is great for those interested in learning, family day trips or those who just want a quick dose of winter wonderland. Unlike Seymour, I find that Grouse imitates that true large mountainous winter feel with their ice rink, sleigh rides and Santas village. But yet again, their total runs is only 33 so you may get bored after a few visits. Grouse’s opening day is estimated to be November 20th.
https://www.grousemountain.com/
Researching and reading about all of these amazing resorts makes you really understand how lucky we are to live in such a beautiful landscape. Whenever I head to larger mountains like Whistler or Big White, I’ll end up meeting folks who have travelled across seas to get the chance to experience our ski mountains and I think that’s such a beautiful thing. Hopefully this guide can help you in your decision on where to shred some pow this year. But when it comes to ski and snowboard season, no matter where you plan on heading, you’re bound to have an exciting time.