Bluebird – Four Mountains in Four Days in Canada’s British Columbia
I’m lucky to be able to visit British Columbia a couple of times a year to visit family on the West Coast. Usually my trips are in the summer months which are packed with spectacular sunshine and sailing or horse riding expeditions into the wilderness. This year we decided to mix it up a little and headed out at the start of the winter season to make the most of what’s already proving to be an incredible year to hit the slopes.
Anyone looking for great snow, long rides, world class facilities and the chance to be surrounded by some of the world’s most upbeat cheerful people should be marker-penning Canada into their Adventure365 list experience list.
With four mountains to fit into the first four days of the New Year there was no time to mess around. First stop was to one of the local mountains close to Vancouver called Cypress Mountain. This is where I’d put my ski legs to the test for the first time in a year and the weather couldn’t have been more perfect as crisp, clear bluebird skies set the tone for our week on the slopes.
Skiing in Canada: Day 1 Cypress Mountain
Cypress Mountain is a ski area in West Vancouver and is located in the southern section of Cypress Provincial Park. With an elevation of 900 m it’s far from the highest peak in the province but the snow was perfect powder and the slopes stay open until 10pm.
You can rent everything you need before you ski but beware on good snow days to get there early as I had to que for 4 hours for my rental gear due in part to the time we arrived, perfect conditions and national holiday all colliding into one huge line. A tip would be to take your own gear or rent in Vancouver for the duration of your trip to avoid the wait and for better multi day rates.
For beginners or anyone wanting to brush up their skills the Cypress Mountain Snow School offers a host of drop-in and multi-day ski and snowboard lessons for every age and ability.
Or, if you’re looking to try something a little different the mountain offers one of the largest Cross Country areas in North America with 19km of track set trails, 10km self-guided snowshoe trails, and a Snowtube Park.
Skiing in Canada: Day 2 Mount Seymour
With my confidence building and thighs burning Day 2 was to Mount Seymour, Vancouver’s ‘starting gate to mountain recreation’. Located just 30 minutes from downtown Vancouver the views are breath taking over Vancouver, Mt Baker, Washington State, Georgia Straight and Vancouver Island.
With a proud history spanning over 60 years of instructing and family run since 1984, ask any Vancouver residents where they learned to ski or snowboard and most will say “Mt Seymour!”.
With over 200 acres of skiable area and 23 runs Mount Seymour offers a good mix for all abilities with the runs divided up to be 22% beginner, 61% intermediate and 17% expert.
Skiing in Canada: Days 3&4 Whistler & Blackcomb
I loved finding my feet on Mount Seymour and with the longest run at a mile in length we were gearing up to spend our final days at the famous Whistler Blackcomb resort – the most celebrated mountain resort in North America which had already had over 5m of snowfall since the season opened in November.
Whistler and Blackcomb are two mountains that sit side-by-side a two hour drive north of Vancouver which combined offer over 200 marked runs, 8,171 acres of terrain, 16 alpine bowls, three glaciers and two 6 miles downhill trails making it an adventure seekers paradise.
Famed for its big vertical and deep powder snow trails even getting there is a journey to another world as you hit the road on the Sea to Sky Highway. Here’s a tip, if you’ve hired a car make sure you’re not driving – you’ll be gawping at the spectacular views the whole way.
This season Whistler Blackcomb celebrate their 50th Anniversary which puts it firmly on our Adventure365 calendar. While I wasn’t close to being an Olympic skiier by the end of my trip I did feel that four days hurling myself down the slopes meant a trip to Whistler’s Scandinavian Spa was well deserved!
Check out this special movie that celebrates the 50th Anniversary at Whistler Blackcomb: 50 Years of Going Beyond
If you’re inspired to have your own snow and ice adventure check out some of these amazing trips in 2016.
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