The 7 best ski resorts near Vancouver

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Skiers and riders rejoice, you’re just a 30 minute to 5 hour drive away from incredible ski resorts near Vancouver. From bunny hills to double black runs, BC ski resorts have something for every level of skier and rider, along with generous helpings of slope side and après fun. Take your ski bliss to the next level at these seven best British Columbia ski resorts within six hour driving distance from Vancouver.

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The 7 best ski resorts near Vancouver

Whistler

Whistler, north of Vancouver, is the province’s best-known slopeside village. It’s got easy lift access to two renowned mountains, Whistler and Blackcomb. Soar down over 200 ski runs and find powder bliss on 16 alpine bowls and three glaciers.

If you had to choose between next-level steeps, deeps, glades, and heli skiing, Whistler is where you could tick “all of the above!”

This mountain town has everything you would expect from a sophisticated ski community. That includes great restaurants and après scene, Squamish Lilwat First Nations cultural centre, Audain Art Museum and lots of non-ski winter activities like fat biking, axe-throwing, and ziplining.

And let’s not forget a visit to Scandinave Spa for serious and silent relaxation after a long ski day.

Distance from Vancouver: 1.5 -2 hours (121 km)

Cypress Mountain

As one of the three north shore mountain ski resorts near Vancouver, Cypress Mountain is very popular with young skiers and riders. The cool skier vibe is strong on Cypress. Its parking lot fills up early on a powder day, so wake up before dawn to catch first tracks here.

Cypress is also home to the closest and most extensive cross-country ski trails near Vancouver, as well as snowshoeing and snow tubing.

Distance from Vancouver: 35 minutes (28 km)

Grouse Mountain

The only north shore hill with gondola access, Grouse Mountain is popular with those who’d prefer to park and ride their way up the hill. Grouse’s facilities are the most sophisticated of the three north shore mountains. There’s a theatre, fine dining restaurant, cafeteria, shop and other amenities available before you even hit the hill.

In addition to skiing, Grouse has snowshoeing, zip lining and skating on an 8,000 sq ft outdoor rink.

Distance from Vancouver: 25 minutes (12 km)

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Mount Seymour

Mt Seymour in North Vancouver remains one of the few family-owned ski resorts in British Columbia. The mountain offer receives the most snow of the three north shore mountains. Their lesson program for kids and adults is top notch. It’s where our kids learned to be such amazing skiers, and where we picked up snowboarding for the first time.

Seymour has extensive snowshoe trails, as well as a snow tube and toboggan park.

Distance from Vancouver: 50 minutes (29 km)

Manning Park Resort

This rustic resort is a personal winter favorite. It’s where we’ve celebrated New Year’s Eve for the past 15+ years. Manning Park has the feel of an old school ski resort. Located on the border with the United States and the end point for the Pacific Crest Trail, Manning in winter is a snow-lovers playground for skiers, cross-country skiers, snowshoe enthusiasts and skaters.

The snow ranges from wet coastal to dry interior powder depending on the weather. But the hills are never overly crowded so it’s a great in-between ski resort destination from the city or the coast.

Distance from Vancouver: 2.5-3 hours (218 km)

Big White Ski Resort

This interior mountain resort outside Kelowna is all about the snow. Big White receives an annual snowfall of 24.5 feet of dry champagne powder, which makes for blissful skiing conditions.

With 118 ski trails, there’s tons of terrain for all ski levels, as well as fun activities like an 18-metre (60-foot) man-made ice tower, sleigh rides, and skating by lamplight on an Olympic-sized ice rink.

A family-first resort, their adventure centre keeps kids busy on and off the mountain. They have pet and kid-sitters if you’re craving a massage, some romance, or big-kids-only dinner.

Distance from Vancouver: 5 hours (450 km)

Sun Peaks Ski Resort

The second largest ski resort in Canada is just north of Kamloops and has some of the best champagne powder in the Okanagan. Sun Peaks has three mountains, a lovely European-style pedestrian village, and world-famous cinnamon buns at the top of the Sunburst chairlift.

In addition to skiing and riding, there’s a serious terrain park, snowmobiling, dog sledding, tubing and ice skating. At night after the slopes are cleared, Sun Peaks hosts the Alpine Fondue and Starlight Descent.

A twilight lift to the mid-mountain restaurant whisks guests to a three-course fondue feast followed by torchlight ski down a freshly groomed 5 Mile run under the night sky.

Distance from Vancouver: 4.5 hours hours (412 km)

SilverStar Mountain Resort

SilverStar Mountain Resort’s colourful Victorian-inspired village is set at 1,609 metres (5,279 feet), delivering a true ski-in, ski-out experience. There are nine on-mountain hotels where guests can ski to and from their door, as well as numerous houses and chalets for rent.

There’s more than 3,000 acres of skiable terrain, and 115 runs spread over 3 mountain faces. Choose from long, perfectly groomed cruisers, steep powder filled chutes on the ‘back side’, and a skookum TELUS terrain park for trickster riders.

In addition to great downhill terrain, SilverStar has a world-renowned 100 km nordic trail system on Sovereign Lakes. Plus snowshoeing, tubing, skiing and horse-drawn sleigh rides.

Distance from Vancouver: 5.5 hours (487 km)

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Take your ski and snow bliss to the next level this winter season at some of the best ski resorts near Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

Claudia Laroye
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