Cypress Provincial Park Park
Coastal provincial park near Vancouver with hiking trails
Near Vancouver, Cypress Provincial Park includes the Cypress Mountain ski area, alpine trails and cedar-fir forests. Visitors come for winter skiing and snowboarding, summer hiking and ridge-top views over Howe Sound and the Vancouver skyline.
Cypress Provincial Park at a Glance#
Address: Cypress Provincial Park, West Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Website: https://bcparks.ca/cypress/
Hours: Open daily (seasonal facility hours vary)
Admission: Day-use fees apply in some areas (Capilano and Cypress ski season charges separate); check BC Parks
About Cypress Provincial Park#
Cypress Provincial Park is a protected area on the slopes of Cypress Mountain above West Vancouver in British Columbia. The park combines conservation of coastal mountain forest with developed outdoor recreation facilities.
On the park’s southern slopes the Cypress Mountain ski area provides downhill skiing, snowboarding and winter recreation during the snow season. Higher-elevation trails and viewpoints such as St. Mark’s Summit draw hikers, snowshoers and backcountry users, with clear viewpoints over Vancouver, Burrard Inlet and Howe Sound.
The area was set aside to protect upland watersheds and forested slopes while also accommodating recreation close to the Metro Vancouver region. Recreational development on the park’s accessible southern bowls grew to support winter sports and year-round trail use.
The park sits above the communities of West Vancouver and West Howe Sound, immediately northwest of downtown Vancouver across Burrard Inlet, and is reached by road from West Vancouver.
- Access and seasonality: Best accessed from West Vancouver via Cypress Bowl Road; the day-use area and ski facilities attract heavy use in winter so expect queues and limited parking on peak days.
- Viewpoints: Offers panoramic west-facing views over Vancouver and Howe Sound from several summit viewpoints, making late afternoon and clear winter days particularly popular for photography.
What to See#
- Cypress Mountain ski area: The developed ski and recreation area that occupies the park’s southern slopes, providing lifts, groomed runs and winter facilities for alpine sports.
- St. Mark’s Summit: A popular upland viewpoint and hiking destination offering forested trails and views over Burrard Inlet and the city of Vancouver.
How to Get to Cypress Provincial Park#
Cypress is a 30-45 minute drive from downtown Vancouver via Highway 1 and Cypress Bowl Road. In winter and peak summer months, public transit and designated shuttles operate from several Vancouver points; check BC Parks and local transit schedules.
Tips for Visiting Cypress Provincial Park#
- Take the Cypress Mountain Road (Chi-Cheemaun Trailhead area) to reach the main park recreation hubs.
- In winter the park is a ski and snowboard hub with lift-access facilities; in summer it's a strong hiking and mountain-biking destination.
- Park at designated lots and use transit where possible - Cypress is accessible from downtown Vancouver via public transit and park shuttles in high season.
Best Time to Visit Cypress Provincial Park#
Winter for snow sports; summer and autumn for hiking and views - check seasonal access and parking arrangements.
Weather & Climate near Cypress Provincial Park#
Cypress Provincial Park's climate is classified as Subarctic - Subarctic climate with cool summers (peaking in August) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -5°C to 17°C. Abundant rainfall (1792 mm/year), wettest in November.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | -5° - 1° | -6° | 252 mm | - | - | 3.1 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | -4° - 2° | -5° | 174 mm | - | - | 3.2 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | -3° - 3° | -4° | 161 mm | - | - | 2.7 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | -1° - 5° | -1° | 123 mm | - | - | 2.7 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | 2° - 9° | 4° | 98 mm | - | - | 2.5 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 5° - 12° | 7° | 86 mm | - | - | 2.5 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 7° - 16° | 12° | 58 mm | - | - | 2.3 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 9° - 17° | 13° | 65 mm | - | - | 2.3 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | 6° - 14° | 9° | 72 mm | - | - | 2.4 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | 2° - 9° | 4° | 185 mm | - | - | 2.5 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | -2° - 3° | -3° | 279 mm | - | - | 3.0 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | -5° - 1° | -6° | 239 mm | - | - | 3.0 m/s | - | - |