Dec 6th, 2011
Snowshoeing in Vancouver
Living in Vancouver is great for many different reasons, one of which is enjoying a great variety of outdoor sports in the mountains. The mountains in Vancouver receive several meters of snow in the winter, making for great skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing.
Snowshoeing is a great form of exercise no matter what your age or skill level is. It’s fun, easy, and an ideal way to connect with nature. We’ve listed some paid and free snowshoeing options below.
Paid Snowshoeing Trails in Vancouver
Grouse Mountain
The Munday Alpine Snowshoe Park at Grouse Mountain - known as the “Peak of Vancouver” - has 10km/6mi of trails and four different groomed trails.
Grouse Mountain offers a multitude of snowshoe options, from serene evening walks to steeper mountain climbs like the Snowshoe Grind.
You get access to Grouse Mountain’s snowshoe trails with a general admission pass: $39.95 for adults, $35.95 for seniors, $23.95 for youth 13-18, and $13.95 for children 5-12. They also offer fondue snowshoe tours; prices vary. If you need to rent snowshoes, you’ll pay around $20 dollars for a day and $15 for 2 hours.
Grouse Mountain - 6400 Nancy Greene Way - North Vancouver BC
- (604) 980-9311
Mount Seymour
Mount Seymour is another mountain in North Vancouver, located on the east side of the North Shore Mountains. You’ll enjoy a view of Vancouver, Burrard Inlet, and Indian Arm from the mountain, snowshoeing through old-growth sub-alpine forest.
Prices for a full day trail pass without rentals are $9 for adult/youth/student/senior admission, $7.50 for kids aged 6-12 (kids under 5 are free), and $26 for a family of four (add a youth for $5). Prices for a full day trail pass with rentals are $27 for an adult, $24.50 for a youth/student/senior, $20.50 for kids aged 6-12, and $75 for a family of four (add a youth for $15).
Mt Seymour - 1700 Mount Seymour road - North Vancouver BC - (604) 986-2261
Cypress Mountain
Cypress Mountain is located in West Vancouver, and has become a very popular snowshoeing destination in the past few years. The snowshoeing area is located in the Nordic Area of the mountain, and you have the choice of exploring self guided snowshoe trails that are open daily till dusk, or joining a guided snowshoe tour.
If choosing a self guided snowshoe trail, tickets only are: $10 for adults, $8 for Youth and Seniors, $5 for kids between 6 and 12 and $2 for kids 5 and under. If you need rentals, then the combined prices are $26 for adults, $24 for youth and seniors, $17 for kids between 6-12 and $15 for kids 5 and under. If choosing a guided snowshoe tour, try the 2-hour Hollyburn Meadows Tour ($38 for adults, $30 for youth 6-12 and seniors) or take a 3-hour chocolate fondue tour ($50 for adults, youth and seniors). All tour prices include snowshoe rentals and headlights (for night programs).
Cypress Mountain - 6000 Cypress Bowl Road - West Vancouver BC - (604) 926-5612
Free Snowshoeing Trails in Vancouver
You don’t have to visit one of the above mountains and pay to snowshoe. There are a number of free snowshoeing areas that are operated by BC Parks. Two popular free snowshoeing trails are Dog Mountain on Seymour (at the top of Mount Seymour on Mount Seymour Rd.) and Hollyburn Mountain on Cypress (look for signs at the cross-country skiing area at the Cypress Mountain Ski Resort).
Whether you opt for paid or free snowshoeing, it’s important to stay within the marked boundaries to avoid avalanche risks.
Tags: activities