GROUSE MOUNTAIN

Description

Essentials about Grouse Mountain in brief

The 1,231 meter high Grouse Mountain is Vancouver’s local mountain, so to speak. It lies just north of the city of North Vancouver and is part of the North Shore Mountains. The mountain is named after the blue grouse, which was hunted by the first climbers in 1894. Already the ride up the mountain by cable car is a spectacular experience, enjoying a magnificent view of Vancouver and its surroundings. In winter, Grouse Mountain is a popular skiing and snowboarding area. And in summer, the mountain is the destination of hordes of hikers, bear enthusiasts, view lovers, paragliders and other action sports fans.

The cable car to Grouse Mountain

Grouse Mountain is an absolutely worthwhile destination at any time of the year, because there is a lot to see and experience on the mountain all year round. The Skyride, a cable car, takes you up the mountain in 8 minutes and offers a breathtaking view of Vancouver, Burrard Inlet, the Strait of Georgia and the many small offshore islands. If the ride in a cable car is too boring for you, you can book the so-called Skyride Surf Adventure. You stand in a small group on a special viewing platform on the roof of the cable car and enjoy the fantastic panorama with fresh air while the wind blows through your hair.

Winter sports on Grouse Mountain

In winter, Grouse Mountain transforms into a popular ski and snowboard resort. Due to its proximity to the city, it can be reached within 20 minutes from Downtown Vancouver. Skiers and snowboarders can test their skills on over 25 ski runs of varying difficulty. Four chairlifts take winter sports enthusiasts to the slopes. And thanks to floodlights, even night skiing is possible on 14 slopes. Those who prefer a more leisurely pace can take a walk on Grouse Mountain on trails with a total length of 10 kilometers with snowshoes. And for those who prefer skating, there is an 800-square-meter ice rink.

Grouse Mountain in summer

The Grouse Grind

Grouse Mountain is also a very popular destination in the summer. Those who bring a little fitness with them and want to do something for their leg muscles can walk the so-called Grouse Grind up the mountain. The 2.9-kilometer mountain trail overcomes a height difference of a good 850 meters. An automatic timing system allows you to time your ascent. Top runners make the mountain climb in less than 30 minutes. Those who prefer to enjoy the path through nature a bit should rather reckon with about 90 minutes of ascent time.

The Refuge for Endangered Wildlife

At the top of Grouse Mountain, you can visit The Refuge for Endangered Wildlife. The two-acre conservation, education, and science center is especially worth a visit for bear lovers, as you can watch two bear orphans go about their daily business. The center also provides information about the local ecosystem in a variety of ways. Nature enthusiasts can watch a series of nature films in the HD cinema Theatre In the Sky.

Eye of the Wind

One of the newest attractions on Grouse Mountain is the so-called Eye of the Wind. This is a glazed viewing platform on a wind turbine, which is located just a few meters below the top of the tower and can be reached by elevator. From the platform you have a fantastic view of Vancouver and the mountains and waters surrounding the city.

Other activities

Adrenaline junkies can enjoy activities such as ziplining and paragliding on Grouse Mountain. A complete overview of all activities offered on the mountain can be viewed on the website.

If you get hungry after all these activities, you can grab a bite to eat and a drink at four different restaurants and cafes at Grouse Mountain’s Peak Chalet. During the summer months, there are other places open on the mountain.