Grouse Mountain
The 'Peak of Vancouver.' A gondola takes eight minutes to reach 1,250 meters, with views over the city and bay. In summer there are grizzly bear sanctuaries and lumberjack shows. In winter it is a ski resort just 30 minutes from downtown.
Grouse Mountain is in North Vancouver, at an elevation of 1,250 meters. It is about a 30-minute drive from downtown, and is known as the 'Peak of Vancouver.' The red Skyride gondola, one of the largest aerial tramways in North America, takes eight minutes to reach the Alpine station at the top. On clear days you can see the whole city of Vancouver, Burrard Inlet, the Strait of Georgia, and even Vancouver Island and Mount Baker in the United States. In summer (May to October), activities at the top include the Grizzly Bear Refuge, home since 2001 to two orphaned grizzly bears, Grinder and Coola, which is the children's favorite. There are also free lumberjack shows several times a day with log-rolling and pole-climbing demonstrations, raptor flying displays, the Eye of the Wind glass observation cabin on top of a wind turbine (additional fee), a chairlift to the Grouse peak, paragliding and zipline (about CAD 100), and The Observatory fine-dining restaurant, where dinner reservations include free gondola rides. Fit visitors can take on the Grouse Grind, a steep trail of 2.9 km with 853 meters of elevation gain and 2,830 steps. Locals use it as a workout, and it takes an average of 1.5–2 hours. It is uphill only, so you must take the gondola down (about CAD 20 one way). The trail is open from May to October. In winter the summit becomes a ski resort with 33 runs, night skiing until 10 p.m., snowshoe hikes, an outdoor skating rink, and sledding. The Christmas season brings lights and reindeer. Adult gondola tickets cost about CAD 75–80, which include most summit activities. Online purchases in summer offer discounts. Getting there: take the SeaBus from downtown to Lonsdale Quay, then bus No. 236 directly to the base (about 40 minutes), or visit Capilano Suspension Bridge first and then take the same bus up the mountain. In summer there is a free shuttle from downtown. Parking costs about CAD 10. The summit is 8–10°C cooler than the city, so bring a jacket. On rainy days the summit is often in clouds, so check the live webcams on the official website before you go. Bring water for the Grouse Grind, and dogs are not allowed.
Opening hours
Cable car approx. 09:00–22:00 (seasonal)
Nearby sights
- Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
- Lonsdale Quay
- Lynn Canyon Park
- Lions Gate Bridge
- Vancouver Aquarium
- Canada Place & Vancouver Harbour
- Stanley Park
- Gastown