Discover Vancouver

Cross Country Skiing

Cross country skiing, or Nordic skiing as it is sometimes referred to, has grown in popularity in recent years. The need for Urbanites to “get away from it all”, and the fact that cross-country skiing has been promoted as a healthy pastime, has helped this sport to grow in popularity. As well, the cost involved in cross-country skiing is not as prohibitive as downhill skiing or snowboarding, allowing whole families to be able to enjoy it together.

Vancouver has some excellent cross country ski areas in it’s own backyard. All the local mountains combined provide hundreds of kilometers of groomed trails that range from beginners to advanced levels. Whether you’re into “Classic”, “Skating” or “Telemarking”, mountains in the Vancouver area will provide you with a wide variety of groomed and back country trails, all only a brief drive away.

Local Mountains

Bring your lunch and enjoy it in one of the warming huts along the trails or go to the old Hollyburn lodge, built in the 1920's. Hidden by trees and situated along the trails, the lodge is a great place to take a break, and warm up with some food and refreshments. You can get in a great day of skiing and be back in Vancouver for an excellent dinner at one of Vancouver’s many restaurants. Or, spend the morning shopping and then head up Cypress Mountain for an evening of skiing, dinner and nighttime views of the city.

Directions: Conveniently located about 25 minutes from downtown Vancouver, it’s quick and easy to get there. You can take the Lions Gate Bridge from Downtown, or if you are coming from the east, take the Second Narrows Bridge along Highway 1 and follow the signs.

Grouse Mountain
Grouse Mountain is the closest local mountain to Vancouver. Start your trip up the Grouse Mountain Skyride, North America's largest aerial tramway system. The Skyride whisks you to 3700 feet (1100 m) above sea level. There are 3km beginner, and 2.3km advanced cross-country ski trails, both machine - groomed daily for single track and skate skiing. In between excursions, check out one of the restaurants on Grouse: the Grouse Nest Restaurant, Híwus Feasthouse, or, if you want a more casual atmosphere, Bar98.

Directions: Grouse Mountain is only 15 minutes from downtown Vancouver. Follow Georgia Street westbound through Stanley Park and across the Lions Gate Bridge. Take the North Vancouver exit to Marine Drive, then a left up Capilano Road for 5km. Ride the “Skyride” to the top of the mountain to get to the trails.

Hemlock Valley Resort
High above Harrison Lake, Hemlock Resort is an alpine community comprised of log cabins, town houses, condominiums, and a day-lodge. Cross country skiers are taken into account at Hemlock: recently the trails have been improved and the facilities expanded.

There are accommodations available at Hemlock or in nearby Agassiz if you want to make more than a day of your ski trip.

Directions: Hemlock is only 100 km (60 miles) from Vancouver. Take Highway #1 to Agassiz (Harrison Hot Springs exit) and follow Highway #9 through Agassiz to the Lougheed Highway #7. Proceed west to the Morris Valley Road, turn right and follow the signs.

Whistler
Situated in the dramatic Coast Mountains of British Columbia, 120 kilometers (75 miles) north of Vancouver is Whistler Resort. The natural setting of Whistler offers excellent cross-country skiing. During the winter months, more than 30 kilometers (18 miles) of track-set cross-country trails wind through the scenic Lost Lake Park, Chateau Whistler Golf Course, and Nicklaus Golf Course. These trails feature routes ranging from beginner through to expert level. The valleys and mountains surrounding Whistler make it a backcountry skiing joy. Directions: Head 120km north from Vancouver on the Sea to Sky highway (highway 99). From Seattle (218 miles), head up the I-5 to the border then continue north along Highway 99 through Vancouver. Alternately, you may take Highway 1 around Vancouver, which eventually connects to highway 99. British Columbia Handbook by Jane King Cross Country Ski Routes by Richard Wright Cross Country Skiing in British Columbia by Iris Nowell Guide To North America’s Best Trails and Lodges by Johnathan Wessel Ski Trails In The Canadian Rockies by Chris Scott Trail Guide for Cross-Country Skiers by Michael Keating