Grouse Mountain Skiing 2026-27: Passes, Night Skiing & First-Timer Guide

Published 2026-07-12 · FanVancouver Local Desk

Grouse is Vancouver's backyard mountain: 15 minutes from downtown to the base, then an aerial tram to 33 runs with the whole city glittering below. It is not the biggest hill in the region — but it is the only one you can reach by public transit for the price of a bus ticket, and its night skiing until 10pm is the best urban skiing experience in North America.

❄️ Season and conditions

The season typically runs from early-to-mid December through mid-April, snow permitting. Grouse's base sits lower than Cypress or Seymour, so early-season conditions vary — the snowmaking system covers the main runs. January and February are the reliable months.

🎟 Tickets and passes for 2026-27

• Day lift ticket — expect around $79-99 adult depending on date; buy online for the lower tier
• Night pass (after 4pm) — usually $55-65, the best value on the mountain
• Y2Play early-bird pass — sold spring/summer for the following winter, historically the region's best pass deal; it typically includes the rest of the current spring season free
• Rentals — full ski/board package around $55-65; book online, the rental shop queue peaks 9-10am

🚌 Getting there without a car

Take the SeaBus from Waterfront Station to Lonsdale Quay (12 minutes), then the #236 bus to the Grouse base station — about 45 minutes door to door on a regular transit fare. The free Grouse shuttle from Canada Place also runs in winter on select dates.

💡 First-timer tips

• The Cut is the famous cruiser run with city views — crowded but mandatory once
• Paradise Bowl and the lower chairs hold the beginner terrain
• Night skiing on a clear evening — city lights below, floodlit corduroy above — is the postcard; go midweek
• Check the mountain webcams before heading up: the base can be rain while the peak is snow

If Grouse is icy or crowded, Cypress (bigger terrain) and Seymour (cheaper, family feel) are 30-40 minutes away — locals rotate between all three.

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