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It looks like I should be in Vancouver around the start of November, and I may even have a whole day free (plus the odd half day for some sightseeing!).

I was thinking that if possible, it might be nice to try to get a day's skiing in on that spare day. What I'm not sure is if it can be done?

Some basic research has shown that there are ski resorts that can be visited for the day from Vancouver, and that BC has ski resorts that normally have some snow in early November. While the snow level will vary from year to year, so no-one can ever say in advance when the season will start... In a typical year though, are any of the ski resorts that can be visited in a day from Vancouver normally open and skiable in early November?

And possibly related, I'm unlikely to already have a car, so, are there buses from Vancouver out to any of these resorts? (if any!)

pnuts
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Gagravarr
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3 Answers3

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Here's a quote from my Vancouver informer, with a little copying and pasting from their websites:

You can go to Cypress http://cypressmountain.com/ by bus:

By Public Transit - Take Skytrain or Bus to Waterfront Station, connecting via Seabus to the Cypress Mountain Shuttle Bus at Lonsdale Quay in North Vancouver.

If you only have a few hours, go to Grouse http://grousemountain.com/ by public transport.

The public transit system offers regular service to and from the base of Grouse Mountain every half hour. Catch Bus 232 - Phibbs Exchange or Bus 236 - Lonsdale Quay.

The public transit system website is http://www.translink.ca/

Update: my informer ski-ed for the first time of the 2011-2012 season at Cypress Nov 25th. Not sure if that's the moment it opened but I wouldn't be surprised if it was.

Kate Gregory
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9

Whistler is probably your best bet for skiing. You can get to it by bus from Vancouver.
As you say, it depends year to year whether they have snow that early or not. It will be the best skiing around if it does have snow.

VMAtm
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Ross
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Cypress Mountain has announced that it is opening November 14, 2012, though it is only at higher elevations with artificial snow, and not suitable for beginners. (In 2011, opening day was November 9.)

Grouse Mountain, reachable by TransLink bus 232 or 236, opens November 13, 2012.

Whistler, reachable by private coach, opens [November 17, 2012].

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