Skiing in Sea-to-Sky Country
Easy access through Vancouver International Airport or major highways including the Trans Canada, plus record-setting snowfalls are among the hallmarks that draw countless winter sports enthusiasts to British Columbia's Coast Mountains each year.
Vancouver is known for its temperate climate, yet the surrounding slopes are perfect for winter sports for a good portion of the year, making it one of the few places in the world where it's possible to sail in the morning and ski in the afternoon. The city is an easy jumping off point for Whistler Blackcomb and Mount Washington Alpine Resort on Vancouver Island. Vancouver also has Cypress Mountain, Grouse Mountain and Mount Seymour in its backyard.
Whistler Blackcomb is a breezy two-hour drive north of Vancouver and the trip along the Sea-to-Sky Highway is an attraction in itself, with sweeping views of nearby mountains and the waters of Howe Sound along the way.
Canada West Ski Areas Association president and CEO David Lynn says there is a good reason that Whistler Blackcomb is frequently rated North America's Number 1 ski resort. "The infrastructure, including lifts, dining and accommodation, is certainly consistent with what one would expect from a world-class destination ski resort," he explained.
Combined, the two side-by-side mountains offer over 200 marked runs, 8,171 acres of skiable terrain and 1,609 metres of vertical, making it the largest ski area on the continent.
There are options for skiing and boarding for everyone, from beginners to gold-medalists-in-training, and although the 2010 Olympic Games generated significant positive publicity for Vancouver and Whistler, Lynn says that "crowding is not a problem.
"Generally speaking, B.C. ski resorts have ample capacity to accommodate incremental skier visits, and Whistler Blackcomb is currently implementing an $18-million capital expansion to improve its lift capacity for the 2013-14 ski season," Lynn stated.
Over 100 hotel and condominium properties with close to 4,500 units within walking distance of all lifts, plenty of spas, shops, dining options and patios all contribute to Whistler Blackcomb's lively and stylish après-ski scene.
Nordic skiers at Whistler can access a trail system around Lost Lake and to Callaghan Valley and Whistler Olympic Park, covering approximately 103 kilometres of expertly groomed cross-country trails.
With an average snowfall of 11.9 metres, Whistler Blackcomb boasts North America's longest ski season that runs from late November to early May, with glacier skiing on Blackcomb until late July.
In Vancouver, Cypress Mountain, Grouse Mountain and Mount Seymour are less than a 30-minute drive from downtown and have verticals of at least 300 metres. The sweeping views of the city are spectacular, especially after dark when the runs are illuminated for night skiing. East of Vancouver, Hemlock Valley or Manning Park are known for pristine surroundings and uncrowded slopes. And Mount Washington Alpine Resort on Vancouver Island offers an easy-going island vibe and great scenery.