Cypress Mountain

Olympic slopes and night skiing above West Vancouver.

The largest of Vancouver’s three North Shore hills and the 2010 Olympic freestyle and snowboard venue, 30 minutes from downtown. Two peaks hold 600 acres and 61 runs with night skiing every evening, and the Hollyburn nordic area adds lit cross-country and snowshoe trails and a tube park. Best for city-based skiers who want a few hours on snow, day or night.

The mountain

Vertical drop

2,010 ft

Summit

4,720 ft

Skiable terrain

600 acres

Trails

61

Lifts

6

Average snowfall

245″ a year

Longest run

2.5 mi

Terrain mix

• Beginner 13%
• Intermediate 35%
• Advanced 52%

What’s here besides skiing

• Night skiing
• Terrain park
• Snow tubing
• Snowshoeing
• Cross-country
• Kids programs

Holidays and events

2026–27 dates where they’re posted. “Usually” means the date follows past years. Confirm before you go.

• ChristmasNov 20, 2026–Jan 10, 2027

  Canyon Lights, Capilano Suspension Bridge Park

  Millions of lights on the suspension bridge and through the rainforest, with hot chocolate, festive treats and live holiday music. One of Vancouver’s best-known Christmas light shows.

• ChristmasDec 24–25, 9 am–4 pm (usual)Usually

  Christmas Eve and Christmas Day skiing

  Cypress runs shorter daytime hours on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, with afternoon tickets from 12:30 pm, so a holiday morning on the slopes is easy from the city.

Where to stay

• hotelPinnacle Hotel at the Pier

  Waterfront hotel in Lower Lonsdale, North Vancouver, a short walk from the SeaBus and the Shipyards.

  25 min drive
• hotelFairmont Pacific Rim

  Luxury hotel on the Coal Harbour waterfront downtown, for a city-and-ski trip.

  30 min drive
• b&bThistleDown House

  A restored 1920 Craftsman heritage home on Capilano Road, run as a small bed and breakfast below Grouse Mountain.

  20 min drive
• hostelHI Vancouver Downtown

  Dorms and private rooms in the West End, the budget base for day trips to the North Shore hills.

  30 min drive

Rates are typical winter lows before taxes and fees, and change constantly. Book on the property’s own site.

Things to do

• Lights of Hollyburn · Nordic area

  An easy 1-km evening snowshoe on a trail strung with LED lights through old-growth forest to historic Hollyburn Lodge. Book a time slot; rentals available.

• Gnarly’s Tube Park · Nordic area

  Up to six 100-m chutes with a tow back up, plus a gentle sledding slope for kids under 6. Sessions are pre-booked online.

• Hollyburn cross-country trails · Nordic area

  19 km of groomed classic and skate trails, with 7 km lit at night, the only night cross-country skiing on the North Shore. Lessons and rentals on site.

• Capilano Suspension Bridge Park · 25 min drive

  The famous swaying bridge over the Capilano canyon, plus treetop and cliffside walkways. In winter the whole park is lit up for Canyon Lights.

Après and nightlife

• Crazy Raven Bar & Grill

  Upstairs in the Cypress Creek Lodge, with beer on tap, BC wines, wings and burgers.

• Hollyburn Lodge

  Historic lodge in the middle of the nordic trails, reached only on skis or snowshoes, with burgers, beer and evening après.

These themes are our summary of recent skier reviews, not quotes.

Getting there

• Vancouver International (YVR) · about 40 min drive
• Vancouver · about 0.5 hr
• Seattle · about 3 hr

Directions in Google Maps