Tourism Vancouver Grouse Mountain
Most associate Grouse Mountain with skiing but the resort has a variety of activities and excellent panoramic views.
Words by Dennis Begin
One of the appealing attractions of Canada’s West Coast is it’s one of the few regions where Canadian snowbirds can visit in the winter and enjoy comfortable hikes or mountain bike trails one day and then downhill ski or admire panoramic views the next.
Of the many attractions around Vancouver is Grouse Mountain in the north part of the city. It’s within 30 minutes of a variety of RV parks and offers activities throughout the winter (as well as early spring, summer and fall). Great for day trips that provide a nice change of scenery, the fun starts as soon as you board the Skyride, an aerial tramway system that leads up to the heart of this ‘North Van’ attraction.
Early History
On October 12, 1894, three men reached the summit of an unnamed mountain that overlooked English Bay and the fledgling City of Vancouver. After shooting a blue grouse for a meal, they honoured the bird by naming the area Grouse Mountain.
Sometime during the 1920s, a decision was made to build a ski resort on Grouse Mountain but the problem was how to attract enough skiers up the mountain to make it profitable. Two proposed train routes and a toll road never materialized. The only solution was a road, the Grouse Mountain Highway, but that even fell into bankruptcy.
Super Red Skyride
The eventual key to the development of Grouse Mountain was not a road but technology among its grounds. During the 1930s, a rope tow was used followed by a wooden double chairlift in 1949. In 1966, the first Super Red Skyride or tramway was built that could carry 45 skiers. Following the purchase of the resort by the McLaughlin Family in 1974, a second tramway was built to transport 100 passengers.
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Reservations for parking, the Skyride and admission are found at www.grousemountain.com
At the time it was the largest aerial tramway in North America. It starts in the Valley Station Parking Lot at 274 m (900 ft), ends at the Alpine Station by the Peak Chalet at 1,128 m (3,700 ft) and consists of an eight- to ten-minute ride with service every 15 minutes. A second tramway called Blue Skyride is used for transporting goods.
Winter Wonderland
The ski and snowboarding season is from mid-November to early May, and the available ‘Discover Your Winter Adventure’ brochure lists the various Terrain Parks for skiing. Grouse Mountain is a good family ski hill and suitable for all abilities. There are two high-speed quad chairs and two regular quads, which service 33 runs.
To reach the very apex of the mountain, the Peak Chairlift climbs to 1,250 m (4,100 ft). Like most ski hills’, there’s a combination of runs including easy, intermediate and difficult. All the details of the runs, such as the degree of difficulty and length, can be found in the available trail guide. Keep in mind, accessibility is only via the Red Skyride as there’s not a typical ski-out to the parking lot. A helicopter pad is also on-site.
Day trips for RVers can be further enhanced in the winter (as well as the summer) with designated RV parking available on a first-come, first-served basis, allowing the opportunity to have a ‘home base’ before and after a day at the higher elevations. However, RVers are reminded that lift tickets are valid for one uphill and downhill ride on the Skyride on the same day and overnight parking/camping is not permitted.
In addition to skiing and snowboarding, winter activities include ice skating, jump-lining, snowshoeing, and sleighing. Strolls around the Blue Grouse Lake and night skiing (on 15 runs) are also popular. Need to improve your skiing skills? Lessons and the Tyee Ski Club are available while rentals are available at the Outpost Shack.
Tourism Vancouver Grouse Mountain
While scenic, views and the height may trigger some serious vertigo.
Summer Wonderland
The summer season for RVers starts on the May long weekend and in 1990, a decision was made to spend $25 million for the development of a four-season resort. The project resulted in an average of 1.3 million visitors a year.
As part of the transformation, high-speed quads helped to open up the mountain and offer additional activities. Spring and summer events include a Lumberjack Show, zip-lining, disc golf, hiking, paragliding, and an aerial rope course. The Theatre in the Sky is an HD cinema featuring films on outdoor themes.
However, it’s the two resident grizzly bears - Grinder and Coola - who often steal the show. Both are 20-year-old male bears who inhabit the 2.2 ha (5.5 ac) wilderness sanctuary. Grinder, the smaller of the two, is the dominant male.
Eye of the Wind
To operate a resort requires a great deal of power. The solution at Grouse Mountain is a wind turbine that stands 65 m (215 ft) and spins three 37 m (121 ft) blades. Developed in partnership with BC Hydro, the turbine was completed in 2010 and produces 20 percent of the resort’s electrical needs, which is equivalent to powering 260 homes. It was also constructed with a commitment to sustainability and to maintain a green environment. RVers can visit (for a fee) what is called The View Pod, which holds 36 people and provides picturesque views of Vancouver.
(*Ed Note: At the time of publication, the attraction Eye of the Wind was not open. Before visiting be sure to check out www.grousemountain.com for revised hours of operation as not all activities, restaurants and services are currently accessible).
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Activities abound - regardless of the season.
Education
Most people are surprised to learn that Grouse Mountain is an open-air educational center, from elementary to university. Some of the field trip programs include Eco-Walks, Birds in Motion [Owls Interpretive Sessions], Wildlife Refuge and Grizzly Bear Viewing. Rangers are on hand to educate visitors.
Grouse Grind
The first hiking trail up Grouse Mountain was used to haul building materials but it’s still accessible today to challenge even the most physically fit. Even though it’s only 2.9 km (1.8 mi) (or 2,830 steps), the trail is a gruelling, steep climb over mountain terrain averaging 38 degrees with an elevation gain of 853 m (2,800 ft). Up for the challenge? Be sure to grab a ‘Grind Timer Card’ to record your time.
The fastest record for a single ascent was by Sebastien Sales, who completed the trail in 25.01 minutes in 2010, and Madison Sands after clocking 30.02 minutes in 2018. The average person completes the climb in 90 minutes. Every year 150,000 people pride themselves in completing ‘The Grind’. Some famous participants include Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Kelly Ripa, Ryan Reynolds and Matt Damon.
Apres Skiing
At the end of the day, social activities extend to night skiing and the variety of dining options in the Peak Chalet. The Observatory is known for its five-star fine dining while the Altitudes Bistro and Lupins Café are more casual and self-serve. Additional restaurants are open during the popular summer months. After dining, check out the Spirit Gallery Gift Shop.
Most people associate Grouse Mountain with skiing but the resort has a variety of activities and regardless of the season the panoramic view - day or night - of Lions Peaks, Strait of George, English Bay, Stanley Park, Burrard Inlet and the City of Vancouver is memorable.
Be sure to go online and make reservations for parking, the Skyride and admission. Grouse Mountain stresses “Know Before You Go.” www.grousemountain.com
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