Grouse Mountain — Mountain Review | Condé Nast Traveler
"Let’s start big picture. Where are we? Towering high behind downtown Vancouver’s gleaming towers, Grouse Mountain—known as “the Peak of Vancouver”—has been a top destination for locals and tourists for more than a century. What you do there depends on the season: in summer you can hike, mountain bike, zipline over the treetops, catch a Canadian lumberjack show, tour a high-tech wind turbine, and meet giant orphaned grizzly bears. In winter it’s skiing, snowshoeing, sledding, ice skating, and other sports that lure snow lovers. And whether summer or winter, the Skyride gondola offers jaw-dropping views of the city, the ocean, the Gulf Islands, and beyond. So what can you see from the top? Tell us more about those views. On a clear summer day the Skyride views of the city are second to none, and watching rescued grizzly bears Coola and Grinder in their wildlife refuge through an unnervingly thin electrified fence is unforgettable—even better if you catch a ranger talk while you’re there. Seeing the forest fly by on a zipline tour gets the adrenaline pumping, as does the new Mountain Ropes Adventure, a series of rope courses in the trees. Owl talks offer educational insights into the stunning birds of prey—Cleo the barn owl, Blizzard the snowy owl, and Athena the great-horned owl are a few you might meet—while the Lumberjack Show is pure, sawdusty Canadiana. The Eye Of The Wind tour takes visitors up a 20-story wind turbine to a panoramic observation deck that really gets cameras clicking. In winter it’s all about the snow and ice: skiing, snowshoeing, sliding, and mountaintop ice skating. It doesn’t have the epic Whistler-size runs, but with 33 reasonable runs—15 of which are open at night—as well as six terrain parks and six miles of snowshoe trails, it’s an ideal spot for a powdery burst of winter. And if you’re in the area over the holidays, don’t miss the Peak of Christmas, where you can stroll through a snowy light tunnel, meet real reindeer and visit Santa himself. How easy is it to get to? And once you're there, how easy is it to navigate? Grouse Mountain is a short drive from downtown, and both shuttle and transit service to the mountain make it easy for those without a car. When you’re ready to come in from the cold you can grab a casual bite at the Peak Chalet’s Altitudes Bistro—located 3,700 feet above sea level—or spring for dinner at the upscale (and aptly named) Observatory restaurant, which boasts big views and some of the best sunsets in town. (Hint: Admission to Grouse Mountain is free with advance dinner reservations.) In summer especially, most of the mountain’s attractions are wheelchair accessible, though some paths are more rugged than others. In winter the mountain supports adaptive sports; call ahead to sort out details. That sounds cool. Any parting advice for us before we plan a trip? The most economical—if incredibly grueling—way to experience the mountain in summer is to hike the infamous and massively popular Grouse Grind, a steep 1.8-mile trail that’s affectionately known as “Nature’s Stairmaster” and saves you the hefty Skyride fee. (There is $20 CAD fee to ride the gondola back down.) The hike takes novices roughly two hours—one for athletes—and wins you serious bragging rights with the locals, but first you have to climb the 2,830 stairs. Want to set a new trail record? You’ll have to beat 23 minutes 48 seconds, roughly two stairs per second. But if you’re short on time, take the eight-minute Skyride and catch a ranger talk about the orphaned grizzlies, then fly over the trees on a zipline or take an Eye Of The Wind tour. In winter, enjoy a few ski or snowboard runs, or try some snowshoeing or ice skating, then warm up with a hot chocolate and a classic Canuck confection: a BeaverTails pastry. Just be prepared to pull out your wallet multiple times because the ziplines, the ropes course, and the Eye Of The Wind tours all come with hefty additional charges. To ensure the best views, try to go on a clear day—although on rainy days in winter, the Skyride will sometimes take you up above the clouds. Check the mountain forecast on the website. Note: Some attractions, including The Observatory Restaurant and the Eye Of The Wind tours, are unavailable during the Covid-19 pandemic." - Jennifer Van Evra
