A Cypress Mountain ski day means the most runs, the largest terrain, and longest vertical drop in Vancouver.
This local ski hill got a nice makeover for the 2010 Olympics, and so it’s arguably the best skier’s ski hill.
If you don’t have the time to go all the way to Whistler this is your best bet – let’s break it down.
- Cypress Mountain Skiing
- How to Get to Cypress Mountain
- Cypress Mountain Lift Passes
- Night Skiing
- Ski Conditions
- Cypress Mountain Ski Map
- Cypress Mountain Ski Rentals
- Cypress Mountain Times
- Nordic skiing
- Tips & Advice
Cypress Mountain Skiing
Cypress Mountain is one of the three local ski hills in Vancouver.
It’s got 53 runs and 6 chairs – with the majority of runs being green (intermediate) and black (difficult).
If you’re a beginner you’re probably better off at Grouse Mountain Ski Hill or Mount Seymour.
As a local, when I think about skiing at Cypress Mountain I think:
- Higher elevations and more terrain
- A better chance of powder
- Intermediate and advanced skiers and snowboarders
- Two high speed chairs for faster turnover
- The only local ski hill with Nordic skiing (aka cross country skiing)
If you’re looking for the best ski hill near Vancouver then Cypress Mountain is your choice.
There won’t be a lot of bells and whistles here, and honestly most of the ski and snowboard vets here prefer it that way.
How to Get to Cypress Mountain
Any Vancouverite will brag to you that you can leave downtown Vancouver and be skiing in 45 minutes.
And yes, technically the drive from downtown to 6000 Cypress Bowl Road takes about 29 minutes with no traffic:
But you’re going to need to dodge a lot of traffic on the Lions Gate Bridge to make that happen.
That said, it is certainly not unheard of to go from the office to strapped in at a mountain ski paradise in less than an hour.
Getting to Cypress Mountain with Public Transit
Taking Vancouver public transit? Unfortunately, there are no conventional public transport methods to get to Cypress Mountain.
From downtown you’ll have to take the Seabus to North Vancouver then take the Cypress Mountain Shuttle Bus operated by Cypress Coach Lines.
The shuttle is taken from Lonsdale Quay Market.
The shuttle costs $35 for adults, $30 for seniors, and is free for kids under six.
Related: Best Things to Do in Vancouver with Kids
Cypress Mountain Ski Tickets
Cypress Mountain has yet to announce the pricing for their 2022-23 lift tickets, however in 2021-22 the prices were as follows:
- Adults: $80.00 (full day), $63.00 (half day), $57.00 (night skiing)
- Youth & Seniors: $55.00 (full day), $46.00 (half day), $37.00 (night skiing)
- Children (5-12): $38.00 (full day), $38.00 (half day), $27.00 (night skiing)
- Children (0-5): $8.00 (full day), $8.00 (half day), $6.00 (night skiing)
I’ll be updating these prices as soon as they’re announced for the upcoming ski season.
Do make sure you book your tickets in advance as sellouts are common especially on weekends and holidays:
In general, these prices are about 5% more than Grouse Mountain and Seymour Mountain.
Also, it’s the only local ski hill which charges for children under 5 – this could factor into your decision.
Night Skiing at Cypress Mountain
In Vancouver in winter there’s something festively fantastic about Cypress Mountain night skiing.
In fact, Cypress Mountain takes things to the next level with 20 km of floodlit runs here – a considerably larger chunk than many of their competitors.
If you’re looking for cheap ski tickets to Cypress Mountain this is your chance, as you’ll pay about 20% less.
Opening hours are 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm.
Current Ski Conditions at Cypress Mountain
Cypress Mountain Ski Map
Here’s a little sneak preview of what you can expect skiing Cypress Mountain:
Looking for a higher resolution Cypress Mountain ski map?
You can download the pdf version as well.
Cypress Mountain Ski Rental
If you’ve got no equipment the best option is to rent skis at Cypress Mountain.
Their slopeside rental centre has all the equipment needed for a great day out skiing, or snowboarding.
2022 prices are still TBA.
It is highly recommended to book your equipment in advance to ensure you get the right equipment. Especially on holidays and weekends, the gear sells out fast.
Cypress Mountain Ski Hours
The current Cypress Mountain opening times have yet to be announced for the 2022/23 season.
I will be updating this information as soon as possible.
Expect this info in mid November when the mountain opens to the public.
Nordic Skiing at Cypress Mountain
One of the benefits of choosing Cypress Mountain is that you get access to their Nordic Area on Hollyburn Ridge.
Being able to go cross country skiing just 30 minutes from downtown is one of the best things to do in Vancouver.
Whether you’re a skate or classic skier you’ll have access to:
- 19 kilometers of groomed cross country ski trails
- 7.5 km of lit trails for cross country skiing at night
- The largest cross country ski school in Canada
That’s right, whether you’re a beginner or seasoned vet you’ll have plenty of terrain here.
Trail tickets are full day (9:00 am to 10:00 pm) or evening (3:00 pm to 10:00 pm).
2022/23 prices are TBA.
Tips & Advice for Skiing Cypress Mountain
- Avoid heading to Cypress Mountain during rush hour as the Lions Gate Bridge traffic is brutal
- Ensure you’ve got good winter tires and chains as the drive can get snowy/icy
- Go night skiing to save money – especially late season (Feb-Mar) you should have plenty of light
- Book your Cypress Mountain rental packages in advance as it guarantees your equipment against sell outs
- Book your lift tickets as soon as you know your dates as sellouts are common
Cypress Mountain Skiing FAQ
Is there skiing at Cypress Mountain?
Yes, of course! Cypress Mountain is the largest ski hill in the Vancouver area with 53 runs and 6 chairlifts.
When is Cypress Mountain open for skiing?
Expect Cypress Mountain to open for skiing in mid to late November depending on the local ski conditions.
How long is Cypress Mountain ski season?
Last year (2021-22) Cypress Mountain’s ski season lasted from November 20th until May 15th.
Is Cypress Mountain good for skiing?
Yes, Cypress Mountain is a great intermediate ski hill near downtown Vancouver. Being a higher elevation it typically has more powder than other local mountains as well.
Is Cypress Mountain good for beginner skiers?
Approximately 13% of Cypress Mountain’s runs (on both sides of the mountain) are suitable for beginners. It also has a bunny hill and their slow moving Easy Rider chair is great for new skiers and snowboarders.
How late can you ski on Cypress Mountain?
Night skiing at Cypress Mountain is possible until 9:00 pm or 10:00 pm depending on conditions.
Ready to Go Skiing at Cypress Mountain?
So there it is – Cypress Mountain ski hill broken down for you.
Of course, my goal is to answer every question about visiting Vancouver so if there’s something I’ve missed here then please don’t hesitate to get in touch in the comments below!
Happy skiing ⛷️
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