Grouse Mountain

Photo Credit: Day Trips Canada

Grouse Mountain is one of the North Shore Mountains overlooking the city of Vancouver. Anyone who has arrived into Vancouver either by car, rail or air at night is sure to have seen it's lighting on the horizon. Grouse Mountain sits at a height of 1,231 m (4,039 ft) and public access to the mountain is by a sky car, the Grouse Grind hiking trail, or the Old Grouse Mountain Highway.

The Grouse Grind is a very popular hiking trail which is extremely steep and mountainous. Hikers will accend 853 meters (2,800 ft) over a distance of 2.9 kilometers (1.8 miles). Locals have nicknamed the Grouse Grind "Mother Nature's Stairmaster" and most hikers usually reach the top in about 90 minutes however the very fit can sometimes finish in under 45 minutes. Visitors should note that the difficulty of the trail is often underestimated. Every year many rescues are required for hikers who have collapse on the trail or begin too late in the evening and are caught in the dark.

The resort's winter activities include the finest in local skiing and snowboarding, with 26 runs situated in the pristine wilderness the Coastal Mountain Range. Floodlit runs open until 10pm nightly facilitate skiing and riding for everyone's schedule. Additional activities include snowshoeing, ice-skating, sleighrides, and award-wining dining high above the city.

But spring and summer do not mark the end of Grouse Mountain's engaging schedule of activities. You might be surprised to learn that the resort is Vancouver's top four season attraction, showcasing the best of BC to over 1.1 million visitors per year. Panoramic views of the city, ocean and mountains unfold as the Skyride- North America's largest aerial tram system- whisks visitors to the mountaintop.

Experience uniquely British Columbian activities including our Refuge for Endangered Wildlife, World Famous Lumberjack Show, or Birds in Motion falconry demonstration. Scenic chairlift rides, tandem paragliding, helicopter tours, hiking, eco walks, and so much more round out the summer itinerary.

Also, come enjoy one of the most unforgettable outdoor experiences on the lower mainland! The Air Grouse Mountain Zipline tour puts you high above the alpine rainforest, careening through the air at top speeds of 80 km/hour. The zipline experience will give you a unique perspective of the Blue Grouse Lake region of the mountain, combining heart pounding thrills with exploration of BC's breathtaking old-growth forests. Along the way you will learn about indigenous flora and fauna and its significance to First Nations people.