Skiing at Cypress Mountain. Photo: Destination BC/Insight Photography

Ski season is almost here! Do you have questions about opening dates, masks, vaccines, and advance booking at ski resorts? Here’s everything you need to know about how to ski near Vancouver this winter.

Mount Seymour

Located in North Vancouver, this resort has 4 terrain parks and 40 runs, 13 of which are lit up for night skiing.

Opening date: TBA (likely early December, 2021)

Masks required: Masks or face coverings will be required inside all buildings.

No vaccine passport required: Skiers do not require a vaccine passport.

Book in advance: All lift tickets must be purchased online in advance.

Reserve a four-hour time slot on weekends and holidays: To avoid over-crowding, you must book a four-hour time slot for skiing and snowboarding on weekends and holidays. There are time slots every hour and they include parking.

More info: Mount Seymour

Grouse Mountain

This North Vancouver ski hill has been around since 1926. It has 6 terrain parks and 33 ski runs with light for night skiing on 15 of them.

Opening date: TBA (likely late November, 2021)

Masks required: Masks or face coverings will be required inside all buildings and on the Skyride gondola.

Vaccine passport required: All people born in 2009 or earlier must show proof of vaccination and government ID before boarding the Skyride gondola. Seasons pass holders can add their vaccine info to their pass through the VaxTrax program so they do not have to provide proof of vaccination at each visit.

No reservations needed: You can buy lift tickets in advance to reserve a spot, but same-day tickets will also be available.

More info: Grouse Mountain

Cypress Mountain

West Vancouver’s Cypress Mountain hosted some of the ski and snowboard events at the 2010 Winter Olympics. It has 53 ski runs with 22 open for night skiing.

Opening date: Mid-November (TBA)

Masks required: Masks or face coverings will be required inside all buildings.

No vaccine passport required: Skiers do not require a vaccine passport.

Book in advance: All lift tickets must be pre-purchased online.

More info: Cypress Mountain

Whistler Blackcomb

Whistler’s world-famous ski resort has over 200 marked runs and 4 terrain parks. Thanks to the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola you can easily transition between Whistler Mountain and Blackcomb Mountain, which sit side-by-side across Fitzsimmons Creek.

Opening date: November 25, 2021

Masks required: Masks or face coverings will be required inside all buildings and gondolas.

Vaccine passport required for restaurants: All people born in 2009 or earlier must show proof of vaccination and government ID to sit down to eat at on-mountain restaurants. Skiers do not require a vaccine passport.

No reservations needed: You can buy lift tickets in advance to reserve a spot, but same-day tickets will also be available.

More info: Whistler Blackcomb

Sasquatch Mountain Resort

This family-friendly community resort is located near Agassiz in the Fraser Valley. Explore 36 ski runs, night skiing, and a terrain park.

Opening date: December 10, 2021

Masks required: Masks or face coverings will be required inside all buildings.

No vaccine passport required: Skiers do not require a vaccine passport.

Book in advance: All lift tickets must be pre-purchased online.

More info: Sasquatch Mountain Resort

Manning Park Resort

Located a short drive up Highway 3 from Hope, Manning Park Resort’s interior climate ensures they get lots of snow on their 34 ski runs.

Opening date: December 14, 2021

Masks required: Masks or face coverings will be required inside all buildings.

No vaccine passport required: Skiers do not require a vaccine passport.

Book in advance: You can reserve rentals and lift tickets online, but a limited number of walk-up rentals and lift tickets will be available depending on resort capacity.

More info: Manning Park Resort

By Taryn Eyton
Source Inside Vancouver