Winter can be a trying time for many here on the Wet Coast. Constant rain, little or no sunshine, and the constant damp cold can make Vancouver a particularly depressing place, for some.
Of course, there are those who seem to actually like - if not love - this time of year. They're usually wearing Gore-Tex, drive a Subaru, and seem so damn chipper, despite the never-ending drizzle.
That's because they know that rain in the city means snow on the mountains. They know that if they want to get their hands on some vitamin D, they have to go above the clouds, to that land of soft white powder, where the sun shines and the air is fresh.
With dozens of world-class ski resorts from within a few minutes to a few hours away - some that are even accessible by public transit - Vancouver is unique amongst major cities on this planet.
This winter, La Niña conditions are expected to bring cold and wet conditions, so that's means heaps of snow for the local mountains. So get out there and take advantage of what BC has to offer!
CYPRESS MOUNTAIN
Runs: 53
Lifts: 9 (6 chairlifts, 3 surface lifts)
Skiable area: 240ha
Peak elevation: 1,440m
Vertical drop: 610m
Annual snowfall: 620cm
Night-skiing: Yes; 21 runs
Cross-country: 19km (7.5km night-skiing)
Cost of a day pass: $73
Best place for après-ski: Crazy Raven Bar & Grill is the one and only place to grab a beer on the mountain (the Hurricane fries are a must!).
Don't miss: If you're cross-country skiing, be sure to check out the newly-refurbished Hollyburn Lodge for live music every Saturday night starting in January.
Perfect for: Those looking for a big mountain experience close to home.
GROUSE MOUNTAIN
Runs: 26
Lifts: 5 (4 chairlifts, 1 surface lift)
Skiable area: 86ha
Peak elevation: 1,231m
Vertical drop: 344m
Annual snowfall: 869cm
Night skiing: Yes; 14 runs
Cross-country: No
Cost of a day pass: $61
Best place for après-ski: Skip the mountaintop options and hit the Queen's Cross Pub instead (2989 Lonsdale Ave., North Vancouver).
Don't miss: Grouse Mountain is celebrating its 90th season this year with the opening of the Grouse Woods terrain area.
Perfect for: First-timers, locals sneaking out of work early, and boarders with bus passes.
MOUNT SEYMOUR
Runs: 40
Lifts: 5 (3 chairlifts, 2 surface lifts)
Skiable area: 81ha
Peak elevation: 1,449m
Vertical drop: 330m
Annual snowfall: 1,000cm
Night-skiing: Yes; 40ha of terrain
Cross-country: No
Cost of a day pass: $56
Best place for après-ski: If you're heading back to Vancouver, Seymour's Pub (720 Old Lillooet Rd., North Vancouver) is as good a place as any to unwind.
Don't miss: The bus! Seymour now has a shuttle bus running from Rupert SkyTrain Station right to the mountaintop for $8 a pop.
Perfect for: Boarders - with four terrain parks with more than 30 features (all lit for night boarding), Seymour is a jibber's paradise.
HEMLOCK VALLEY
Runs: 35
Lifts: 4 (3 chairlifts, 1 surface lift)
Skiable area: 121ha
Peak elevation: 1,372m
Vertical drop: 397m
Annual snowfall: 970cm
Night-skiing: Yes; 3 runs (Fridays and Saturdays only)
Cross-country: 13km of trails
Cost of a day pass: $53.33
Best place for après-ski: the Sasquatch Inn (46001 Lougheed Hwy., Harrison Mills) is a popular biker bar, but don't worry, the locals don't bite.
Don't miss: The homemade beef jerky at the Deroche General Store.
Perfect for: Fraser Valley locals, and families looking for a (relatively) cheap weekend on the mountain.
MANNING PARK
Runs: 34
Lifts: 4 (2 chairlifts, 2 surface lifts)
Skiable area: 57ha
Peak elevation: 1,789m
Vertical drop: 432m
Annual snowfall: 546cm
Night-skiing: No
Cross-country: Yes; 64km of trails
Cost of a day pass: $55
Best place for après-ski: the quaint Bear's Den Pub is pretty much your only option. At least it has a pool table.
Don't miss: Unwind after a day on the slopes at the Loon Lagoon Rec Centre. For just $5, you can go for a swim, soak in the hot tub or relax in the sauna.
Perfect for: Dry powder and wide open runs all to yourself.
WHISTLER-BLACKCOMB
Runs: 200+(!!!)
Lifts: 39 (5 gondolas, 18 chairlifts, 16 surface lifts)
Skiable area: 3,300ha
Peak elevation: 2,184m
Vertical drop: 1,530m
Annual snowfall: 1,170cm
Night-skiing: No
Cross-country: Yes; 32km of trails
Cost of a day pass: $278 (two-day pass)
Best place for après-ski: There's no shortage of après options in Whistler, but the newly refurbished Garibaldi Lift Company is always a safe bet.
Don't miss: You're going to miss something, just accept it. This mountain is so big, you could hit it all season and still find surprises. One day is never, ever enough.
Perfect for: People with time and/or money. Because to do Whistler right, you really need both.
MOUNT WASHINGTON
Runs: 81
Lifts: 9 (5 chairlifts, 4 surface lifts)
Skiable area: 690ha
Peak elevation: 1,588m
Vertical drop: 505m
Annual snowfall: 1,150cm
Night-skiing: Yes; 6 runs
Cross-country: Yes; 55km of trails
Cost of a day pass: $85
Best place for après-ski: The Waverley in Cumberland is legendary for its live music.
Don't miss: Adrenalin junkies should check out the double-black-diamond paradise that is the Outback, off the Boomerang chair.
Perfect for: This mountain has something for everyone, regardless of skill-level.
APEX
Runs: 73
Lifts: 4 (2 chairlifts, 2 surface lifts)
Skiable area: 450ha
Peak elevation: 2,180m
Vertical drop: 605m
Annual snowfall: 600cm
Night-skiing: Yes (Fridays and Saturdays only)
Cross-country: Yes; 56km of trails
Cost of a day pass: $78
Best place for après-ski: Without a doubt, the Gunbarrel Saloon - possibly the best ski bar in Canada.
Don't miss: The fourth annual Brewski on Feb. 18. More than 20 BC craft breweries, cideries and distilleries will be taking part in this tasting event.
Perfect for: Experienced skiers and riders looking for a challenge close to home.
BIG WHITE
Runs: 118
Lifts: 15 (1 gondola, 10 chairlifts, 4 surface lifts)
Skiable area: 1,147ha
Peak elevation: 2,319m
Vertical drop: 777m
Annual snowfall: 750cm
Night-skiing: Yes (Tuesday to Saturday only)
Cross-country: Yes; 25km of trails
Cost of a day pass: $91
Best place for après-ski: Snowshoe Sam's is the place to go for live music and a late night.
Don't miss: Riding among the “snow ghosts” at the top of the Alpine T-bar.
Perfect for: With plenty of activities to entertain non-skiers and -riders, Big White is a great family destination.
SILVER STAR
Runs: 132
Lifts: 11 (6 chairlifts, 5 surface lifts)
Skiable area: 1,328ha
Peak elevation: 1,915m
Vertical drop: 760m
Night-skiing: Yes; 4km of lit trails (Fridays, Saturdays only)
Cross-country: Yes; 105km of trails
Annual snowfall: 700cm
Cost of a day pass: $92
Best place for après-ski: 1609 is the bar of choice for craft beer lovers, with nine rotating taps.
Don't miss: Silver Star's newest black-diamond run, Hurtzwinkle's Delight, on the mountain's back side.
Perfect for: Another great family-friendly resort; in fact, it was named Canada's Best Family Resort by Ski Canada magazine this year.
SUN PEAKS
Runs: 135
Lifts: 12 (6 chairlifts, 6 surface lifts)
Skiable area: 1,728ha
Peak elevation: 2,152m
Vertical drop: 882m
Annual snowfall: 600cm
Night-skiing: No
Cross-country: Yes; 37km
Cost of a day pass: $92
Best place for après-ski: Most of the après action centers around the Morrisey's Public House.
Don't miss: The Sun Peaks Winter Wine Festival, running Jan. 13-22.
Perfect for: If you want a big mountain experience, Sun Peaks is second only to Whistler-Blackomb in Canada for skiable terrain.
• Quoted lift ticket and season pass prices are based on listed full price for adult alpine. Sales tax and other fees may be applicable. Many resorts offer discounts, so be sure to check their websites for the latest offers.
