How to Night Ski and Après in Vancouver
Watch the sunset from a mountain top, then swish downhill on lighted runs while the city lights twinkle beneath you – that’s night skiing in Vancouver. Here’s how to make it happen, plus where to après-ski.
Why Go Night Skiing?
If you’ve never been skiing at night before, you’re missing out. You can experience a winter wonderland high in the mountains while the city lights glitter far below you. And since Vancouver’s ski hills are so close to downtown, you can spend the day exploring museums, shopping, parks, and more, then head to the ski resort in the evening. Best of all, there are discounts on lift tickets and rentals for night skiing.
Where to Go
In winter, the snow-capped North Shore Mountains dominate Vancouver’s skyline. The mountains are home to three ski resorts, Grouse Mountain, Cypress Mountain, and Mount Seymour, and all three offer night skiing on brightly lit runs.
How to Get There
It’s easy to go night skiing in Vancouver since the mountains are so close – just 20 to 40 minutes from downtown. You can drive yourself if you have snow tires. But it’s easier to take the bus.
You can get to Grouse Mountain via public transit. From downtown Vancouver, take the Seabus to Lonsdale Quay, then bus 236 to the base of Grouse Mountain. To get to Cypress Mountain, take Cypress Coach Lines from downtown Vancouver. The Mount Seymour Shuttle Bus picks up at Rupert Skytrain Station, a short trip from downtown Vancouver via the Skytrain’s Millenium Line.
When to Go
While it’s called “night skiing”, you can get discounted evening tickets starting between 2 and 3:30 pm (depending on the resort). You can start skiing in the late afternoon, which means you can watch the sky glow pink and purple over Vancouver as the sun sets. Keep skiing as twilight fades to darkness, floodlights illuminate the ski runs, and the city lights twinkle far below you. If you have the stamina, the ski hills are open until 9 or 10 pm.
Where to Après-Ski
In French, après-ski means “after skiing”. It started as an essential part of skiing culture in the Alps and includes food and drinks in a casual atmosphere. These days you can après-ski around the world, including in Vancouver.
At Grouse Mountain, cozy up by the fire with a Baileys Hot Chocolate or the truly enormous Signature Nachos at Altitudes Bistro. For an adults-only experience, head to the 19+ Crazy Raven Bar and Grill at Cypress Mountain. They have lots of local craft beer on tap and an extensive cocktail menu, including lots of warm options. (Try the Hot Buttered Rum!) If you’re skiing at Mount Seymour, stop into the Rock Chute Kitchen and Bar for some Canadian specialties after you’re done on the slopes. Order a plate of their Quebecois poutine or try one of four variations on the classic Caesar cocktail.
If you can wait to après until you descend from the mountain, there are lots of great options on the North Shore and in downtown Vancouver. In North Vancouver, head to the Tap & Barrel Shipyards near the Lonsdale Quay. It has incredible views of downtown Vancouver and tons of craft beer on tap. It’s an easy trip back to Vancouver on the Seabus afterward. In Vancouver, head to The Cambie Pub one of Vancouver’s oldest bars. This laid-back spot in Gastown is close to the Seabus and has late-night drink specials and live music. If you’re feeling tropical, escape to the Shameful Tiki Room in Mount Pleasant, a 10-minute bus or taxi ride from downtown. It’s a 1960s-style tiki bar that serves over a dozen extravagantly garnished rum-based cocktails plus South Pacific-inspired snacks like Maui ribs and Thai prawn cocktails.
