Technology is making skiing and boarding easier and even more fun at Grouse Mountain.
Its new iPhone app has features such as lift and run status, weather alerts and access to the webcam are already popular with this seasons first skiers and snowboarders, said Grouse Mountains spokeswoman Jacqueline Blackwell.
The app also has run tracking, which allows users to record, map and send their runs to Facebook and Twitter using their phones GPS.
Since Grouse Mountain is home to both novice and experienced skiers and snowboarders, we know they will be very excited when we open additional runs in the coming days, Blackwell said on the mountains opening day, Nov. 20.
This season we are excited to offer a new camp called Directors Sundays which gives out avid skiers and snowboarders an opportunity to join our snow school director and top instructors for an early bird, exclusive ski/ride experience.
Winters Grouse Grind
Compared to skiing or snowboarding, snowshoeing may seem laid back but its actually great exercise and is Grouse Mountains fastest growing winter activity.
Dam Mountain, a pristine loop of three main trails, has clearly marked signs and is good for both beginners and intermediate snowshoers.
For those looking for a challenge, theres the Snowshoe Grind that translates the intensity and accomplishment of the Grouse Grind into a winter experience and will keep hikers in shape for the spring. Grind Timers, for sale at the mountain, track snowshoers speeds and post their names and times on a monitor in the Peak Chalet.
Peak of Christmas
Theres much more to do on Grouse Mountain than high-intensity sports.
Grouse Mountains Gingerbread Village features dozens of festive creations in a contest for first place. From Santas House to miniature copies of local stores to landmarks in the Lower Mainland, people have the chance to vote for their favourite and help support SOS Childrens Village through donations.
Other attractions include learning about Santas transportation during Reindeer Ranger Talks, mountain sleigh rides, mountain-top ice skating in an 8,000-square-foot rink and Christmas movies all day long from 9:30am to 9pm in the mountaintop theatre.
Full-day lift tickets run $58 (adults), $45 (youth) and $25 (kids). Beginning of season passes are available for $39.95/$23.95/$13.95. Alpine Experience Tickets to get up the mountain cost $39.95/$23.95/$13.95.
If you grew up in Vancouver, chances are you learned how to ski on Mount Seymour.
We have the longest running ski and snowboard school out of all the North Shore mountains, says Mount Seymour Resorts communications coordinator Emmalee Brunt of the program which dates back to the 1950s.
Whether its your first time on the slopes or you want to take your skills to the next level, Mount Seymour has a myriad of ski and snowboard lessons to choose from.
Two years ago, the mountain installed a magic carpet on its beginner slope, creating a more seamless learn-to-ski experience. Imagine a realm where novice, bumbling skiers and snowboarders can simply shuffle up to a covered snow escalator, hop on and enjoy the smooth ride to the top.
This year, Seymour is making it more affordable for parents to teach their kids how to ski or snowboard by introducing the Goldie pass, which gives parents access to the learning area and the magic carpet lift for $25 (valid Mondays through Thursdays, excluding holidays).
Meanwhile, Seymour is throwing in an extra hour of shredding for free by extending the hours of its afternoon lift ticket, which is now valid from 3pm to close and costs $41 for an adult.
A lot of people were showing up early, so we thought: Lets just add this extra hour on. It makes it a better value for our guests, says Brunt.
Seymour earns serious industry cred
Seymour recently received some well-deserved industry cred, after being named the second best terrain park in Western Canada by the SBC Resort Guide Editors Choice Awards.
On Dec. 7 and 8, Seymour is inviting teachers from across the Lower Mainland to explore the mountain for free, including equipment rentals. The intention is that those teachers will encourage students at their respective schools to sign up for a ski or snowboard program.
On Dec. 31, ring in the New Year on the slopes of Seymour at a family-friendly First Night event featuring entertainment and a smores-making station.
Winter babies were born to ski or board, so this year Seymour is offering free lift tickets to people on their birthday when they show valid identification.
Its just a fun promotion and to give something back to our guests, says Brunt.
Seymour is projected to be open for skiing and boarding at the end of November or the first week of December.
We wait on Mother Nature because we dont have snow machines, explains Brunt.
Once 85 centimetres of snow accumulates on the mountain, Seymour will officially open for the season.
As of Monday, Seymours base was sitting at 23 centimetres. However, Brunt and the rest of the Seymour staff have their fingers crossed for a large snowfall thats forecast for later this week.
Seymours 2013-2014 full-day lift tickets cost $53 (adults), $45 (youth), $39 (senior) and $25 (child).
Cypress Mountain is introducing a reservation system with some Olympic-sized lift ticket savings this season.
When you purchase a Gold Medal Card (on sale for $67 until Dec. 1) you get your first lift ticket for free and 20 per off each subsequent visit to Cypress.
And there are more savings to be had when Gold Medal Card holders reserve their slope time online. Every day there will be an allotted number of tickets available in certain price categories. There is the potential for skiers and riders to save as much as $19 when they book their lift ticket in advance.
Also new this year is the addition of a terrain park-specific snowcat. This state-of-the-art grooming machine is equipped with more range of motion conducive for building better jumps in the mountains four terrain parks.
Unparalleled views
If shredding down the slopes isnt your thing, try cross-country skiing or snowshoeing in the tranquil Hollyburn Nordic Area.
Hollyburn Ridge boasts 19 kilometres of groomed and track-set cross country ski trails.
Its a great form of exercise and popular with road cyclists for cross-training, explains director of sales and marketing Joffrey KoemanKoeman.
Ten kilometres of scenic snowshoe trails traverse sub-alpine meadows and snowy mountain forests.
For the ultimate treat, indulge in the quintessential Canadian experience: a moonlit snowshoe tour through the trees to the historic Hollyburn Lodge for a chocolate or cheese fondue candlelight dinner. Its one of the most unique things you could do as a dinner tour in Vancouver, says Koeman.
Meanwhile, you will find high-octane fun for the whole family at the snow tube park. With six chutes roughly 100 metres in length to chose from and a tube tow propelling you to the top, effortless exhilaration awaits.
Cypress celebrated an early start to the ski season last week.
Historically, its December 1, says Koeman, adding the North Shores ever-changing weather makes it difficult to predict an opening day.
As of Monday, the Eagle Express Quad chair was operational from 9am to 4pm with runs Jasey Jay, Upper Maelle Ricker and Panorama open from top to bottom.
Full-day lift tickets purchased on the mountain cost $62 (adults), $46 (youth), $40 (senior) and $26 (child). NiteOwl passes for skiing and snowboarding from 5 p.m. to close are $42 (adults), $33 (youth), $26 (senior) and $20 (child).
By Michaela Garstin and Maria Spitale-Leisk
