8 Best Ski Resorts near Vancouver, BC

Skiing and snowboarding are among the most adored winter activities for Vancouverites, whether they are looking to pop up to a local hill for a few after-work laps or make a road trip for a weekend filled with glorious powder at larger ski resorts near Vancouver. There are plenty of options to choose from, depending on the type of adventure in mind.

Don't believe us? Remember, this is the city that hosted the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. Ski and snowboard events were held on Whistler Mountain and Cypress Mountain – two mountains that we've included in our list of must-ski areas in and around Vancouver. If it's good enough for the best athletes in the world, then surely, it's worth checking out yourself.

Whether you're after a rustic resort with plenty of character or a world-class destination resort that draws visitors from around the globe, you're sure to find exactly what you're looking for with our list of the best ski resorts near Vancouver.

Whistler Blackcomb

The best-known resort in the Vancouver area — with arguably the best skiing in Canada — is Whistler Blackcomb. With two mountains: Whistler Mountain and Blackcomb Mountain, you could spend an entire season skiing and still not hit each of the 200 runs. And with an average of over 38 feet of snow each season, you can be assured of lots of the white stuff underneath your feet.

If you're after epic, world-class skiing, then Whistler Blackcomb is the perfect resort for you. Whatever type of terrain you like best – from vast bowls and steep chutes to mellow groomers and technical terrain parks – you will find plenty of it in Whistler. Variety is the name of the game, and with 8,171 acres of terrain to explore, it's safe to say you won't get bored.

Whistler Blackcomb offers an amazing ski school program – and it's not just for first-timers (although they do have lessons for beginners). From steep ski clinics and women's only ski camps to programs that allow you to ski with Olympic athletes, the classes are a great way to have an experienced local show you the best spots on the mountain.

Getting up the mountain: For those who choose to day trip, life just got easier: The installation last season of a 10-passenger gondola leaving from the Creekside Base area and the replacement of the Big Red Express quad to a six-passenger high-speed lift has made getting up to the wonderful whiteness at the top even easier.

For those lucky enough to score a room or condo in Whistler Village, the resort also has you covered. The replacement of the Fitzsimmons quad with an eight-passenger high-speed chair servicing the lower part of the mountain.

Other activities: Although Whistler is undoubtedly known for its skiing and snowboarding, they're only the tip of the iceberg in terms of activities and attractions of the Whistler area. Plan to stay for as long as you can for a chance to try dogsledding, ziplining, snowmobiling, bungee jumping, dining tours – the list goes on.

Where to Stay: Although Whistler can be done in a day trip from Vancouver, it makes for a pretty long day. Your best bet is to stay in the Resort Municipality of Whistler. There are plenty of hotels right in Whistler Village, meaning you can stomp your ski boots through the Village Stroll straight to the gondola line.

With plenty of restaurants, festivals, and events year-round, the Village can get pretty hectic in peak season. Consider staying just outside the main Village – perhaps in the Benchlands or in the Upper Village – where you'll still be close to the action but are likely to get a little more sleep if you plan on making first chair in the morning.

Official site: https://www.whistlerblackcomb.com/

Grouse Mountain

Just 12.5 kilometers from downtown Vancouver, Grouse Mountain in North Vancouver is a fantastic option for those who want to get to snow as quickly as possible.

A quick gondola ride from the base of the mountain will get you right into the heart of the action: 33 runs, four different chairlifts, and six terrain parks, clocking at 1,200 meters above sea level.

The resort's perfect location and elevation snags any snow coming towards the North Shore Mountains, ensuring that Grouse Mountain keeps to its average seasonal snowfall total of just over 31 feet.

Though it has a dedicated beginner area, most of the mountain's trails are a mix of blue and black runs, making it a perfect choice for those with a bit of experience under their belt who are looking for a quick snow fix without straying too far from the city.

One of the best features of Grouse Mountain's ski area is the fact that it stays open for night skiing. When the sun goes down — and in the winter months in Vancouver, that can be pretty early — 15 different runs remain open and well-lit until 10pm. Standing on the snowy slopes of Grouse and looking out onto the city lights below is one of those special moments that takes your breath away. You won't get a better view of Vancouver from anywhere else.

If you're looking to squeeze in a few laps after school or work, Grouse is your go-to spot.

Official site: https://www.grousemountain.com/

Cypress Mountain

If you covet even more terrain but want to stick close to Vancouver, look no further than Cypress Mountain. It's a little farther from the city, though not by much, at roughly 30 minutes away from downtown. Tucked away just past West Vancouver and up a winding mountain road, Cypress feels like a winter wonderland after a fresh snowfall. With an annual average snowfall of over 20 feet, that feeling happens time and again.

The Cypress ski area spans three mountains: Mount Strachan, Black Mountain, and Hollyburn Mountain, featuring 53 ski runs over 600 acres of terrain, all accessed through a series of six chairlifts. If you want the greatest variety of terrain close to Vancouver, this is where you'll want to head.

Night skiing is available on select runs at Cypress until 10pm. If you decide to switch things up, the resort also offers cross-country skiing, snowshoeing trails, and snow tubing.

The new Sky Quad chair is up and running and has significantly boosted uphill capacity making getting to the top easier and faster, the trip to the top of Mount Strachan now takes a mere four minutes. Skiers with children love its conveyor belt loading system as getting on the chair couldn't be easier.

Lingering at lunchtime has become the thing to do at the Cypress Creek Lodge. The heated outdoor deck with retractable umbrellas has made it the "go-to" place to see and be seen.

Getting to Cypress couldn't be easier. If you don't have a car and are staying downtown or on the north shore, just hop on one of the frequent shuttles operated by Cypress Coach Lines. They'll whisk you up to the mountain while you sit back and enjoy the view. The main shuttle stops are Vancouver Public Library, Lonsdale Quay, and Park Royal.

If you are driving, the route is simple and along a divided highway until you reach the road to the resort, where it becomes single-lane and twisty. Note that you need winter or all-season tires to drive on this road from October 1st to April 30th. Most rental cars have these tires, so you shouldn't have any issues — just double-check that they have the M+S symbol or the picture of a mountain with a snowflake inside on the sidewall.

Horseshoe Bay is about a half-hour drive from Cypress, but it offers a nice break if you're looking to take a breather from the busy city. As a bonus, staying in Horseshoe Bay makes it easy to jump over to Vancouver Island for more exploring and adventuring (see Mount Washington below).

Official site: https://cypressmountain.com/

Mount Seymour

Only 30 minutes from downtown Vancouver and even closer for those living on the north shore and places further west, is Mount Seymour. In operation since 1938, this ski resort has long been a local favorite for its copious quantities of snow, generally over 30 feet a season spread over 200 acres of skiable terrain.

Skiing, boarding, and tubing are all on offer at this family-friendly resort. Skiers have their choice of 40 marked runs across all ability levels. Boarders and freestylers can perform their best tricks in one of four terrain parks featuring rails, humps, bumps, and whatever else resort staff can dream up.

For the 2023/24 season Mount Seymour has replaced the old Lodge Chairlift with a shiny new fixed-grip quad version. Skiers will love the 70% increase in capacity and the ease of loading via the conveyor system.

Refuel with some local flavors after all that shredding at Rock Chutes Kitchen, Grillworks Cafeteria, or at Harold's Café. Done with skiing and boarding and want to do something else that still involves heading downhill at high speed? Head on over to the tubing park for some crazy slip-sliding fun.

Official site: https://mtseymour.ca/

Mt. Baker Ski Area

Technically, Mt. Baker isn't actually in British Columbia — or even Canada — but you're sure to find plenty of Vancouverites at this ski resort just south of the border in Washington State. It's a favorite option for those looking for seriously good skiing with an unpretentious atmosphere.

If Whistler is all about five-star hotels, Baker has more of a rustic cabin-in-the-woods feel to it. But make no mistake about it: the ski terrain, accessed by eight chairlifts and two handle tows, is fantastic, particularly for more experienced skiers who are comfortable skiing blues, blacks, and beyond.

Mt. Baker is also all about snow. No matter what's happening at other resorts in North America (or around the world for that matter), Mt. Baker will have snow. Most seasons you can count on a minimum of 60 feet of snow. That is not a typo! In fact, Mt. Baker holds the world record for snowfall in a season (1998/99) at an astounding 95 feet.

Mt. Baker has a homegrown, grassroots vibe, perhaps best evidenced by the Mt. Baker Banked Slalom, a snowboard slalom race that brings out locals and snowboarding pros alike every February. The heart and soul of a ski area like Baker is the kind that many resorts try to replicate, but it can't be faked.

We weren't joking when we said that Baker is a cabin-in-the-woods kind of place. Book yourself a night (or two, preferably) in a cabin with a wood-burning stove. Dry out your gear, disconnect for a little while, and enjoy the simple things in life, like good snow, good skiing, and good company.

Official site: https://www.mtbaker.us/

Sun Peaks Resort

Load up the car with ski gear and hit the road: Sun Peaks Resort is worth the road trip (or if you'd rather skip driving in winter conditions, you can catch a quick flight from Vancouver to Kamloops). It's got everything the bigger ski resorts in North America have — the terrain (4,270 acres worth), the full mountain access (13 chairlifts), plenty of runs (138), the snow (generally light, powdery, and all-around glorious) — virtually without the crowds.

While some of the bigger name resorts get tracked out quickly after a fresh snowfall, it isn't unusual to find untouched powder stashes days after a storm at Sun Peaks. That means you can enjoy a bit of a sleep-in and a cup of coffee before heading up the mountain, rather than waiting in long lines to nab fresh tracks.

Sun Peaks actually consists of three adjacent mountain areas: Tod, Sundance, and Morrisey. Sundance offers lots of beginner-friendly terrain, while Morrisey offers plenty of blue runs for intermediate skiers. Mount Tod boasts the most elevation and a variety of runs for all abilities. Allow yourself at least a couple of days at Sun Peaks to get a feel for all three.

Though the Village isn't huge, it's got plenty of shops and restaurants to keep you entertained before the lifts open and after they close. It's the kind of place where you can park your car and forget about it the entire time you're here. A complimentary shuttle runs on a regular schedule throughout the day and into the evening, with convenient stops located throughout the village and base area.

Official site: https://www.sunpeaksresort.com/

Mount Washington Alpine Resort

Got skis and willing to travel a little further afield from Vancouver? Hop on a ferry and cross the Strait of Georgia to Vancouver Island, then make your way up towards Mount Washington (which, despite its name, is not located in Washington State!)

Vancouver Island is well worth a trip in its own right, with beautiful towns and cities to explore like Victoria and Tofino – but Mount Washington is the crown jewel that attracts skiers and snowboarders to the area. The reason can be summed up in two simple words: record snowfall.

The vastly underrated Mount Washington gets some of the biggest dumps of snow anywhere in North America, with an average annual snowfall of 36 feet. You might want to bring your snorkel as you explore the 1,700 acres of terrain. Note that the snow here can sometimes be wet and heavy, it's not all powder skiing.

While there is snow in abundance, one thing that is lacking is the crowds. Lift lines are typically minimal or non-existent, and at times, you'll feel like you have the place to yourself.

Bear Lodge and Deer Lodge offer ski-in ski-out rental condos and, yes, hot tubs.

Official site: https://www.mountwashington.ca/

Sasquatch Mountain Resort

Only 150 kilometers inland from Vancouver lies the underrated Sasquatch Mountain Resort. The mountain is all about family fun, and with the addition of a new quad chairlift, the experience just got a whole lot better. Plus Sasquatch Mountain Resort, or SMR for short, is one of the most affordable ski destinations near Vancouver.

Snow conditions at SMR are very good. The resort receives on average nearly 33 feet of snow per season, so you'll never be dulling those new edges on rocks or roots. SMR has 36 runs and one terrain park called Whistle Park. Getting back up to the top is easy — just ride one of the three chair lifts or two surface conveyors.

Unlike many of the other resorts, SMR also has a tubing hill where your family can have endless hours of fun. If tubing isn't your thing, try snowshoeing on one of the two trails either the Base Loop or the Mount Klaudt Loop.

Plans have recently been approved by the Fraser Valley Regional District that will see Sasquatch Mountain expand its runs by a factor of 10, and build out new accommodations and other infrastructure in a major way. The 2.5-billion-dollar plan is expected to be executed over the next 15 years.

Official site: https://sasquatchmountain.ca/

Map of Ski Resorts near Vancouver, BC

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Skiing in Canada: If you have time to travel further afield in search of great skiing, be sure to see our guide to the best ski resorts in Canada. Several of the best ski resorts are in British Columbia and neighboring Alberta, which are all within easy reach of Vancouver if you are willing to hop on a short flight or spend a little more time driving.