Grouse Mountain

Mountain Recreational mountain near Vancouver with ski slopes, views

Above Vancouver, Grouse Mountain offers a gondola, year‑round hiking and winter skiing; visitors come for city and ocean views, wildlife programs and seasonal outdoor activities.

Main image

Grouse Mountain is an alpine recreation area on the North Shore above Vancouver, British Columbia, known for its summit viewpoints and year-round outdoor activities.

The mountain has been used for recreation across the 20th and 21st centuries with progressively developed visitor infrastructure including lift access and summit amenities. Conservation and wildlife education have become part of the site’s public offer.

Located on the North Shore of Vancouver above Burrard Inlet, the mountain overlooks the city and is directly accessible from North Vancouver.

  • Principal access: The Skyride is the principal public access and delivers most visitors to the summit for sightseeing, dining and activities year-round.
  • Best times and seasons: Evening and clear-weather visits provide wide views of the city lights and surrounding coastline; winter offers alpine activities while summer emphasizes hiking and forestry-themed attractions.

What to See #

  • Skyride aerial tram: The aerial tram connects the base area in North Vancouver to the mountain summit and is the main public access route for year-round visitors.
  • Steep hiking route (Grouse Grind): A well-known steep hiking route climbs from the base to the summit and is used by fitness hikers; it gains substantial elevation over a short distance and is locally popular for its challenge.
  • Summit facilities and viewpoints: Summit facilities include dining and lookout areas that offer panoramic views over Vancouver, Burrard Inlet and the surrounding mountains; visitor services vary seasonally.
  • Wildlife and conservation facility: A wildlife and conservation facility on the mountain exhibits birds of prey and other local species and provides educational programming.
Grouse Mountain
6400 Nancy Greene Way, North Vancouver, BC V7R 4K9, Canada
49.3862, -123.0761
Daily; Skyride typically 8:30am-10:00pm (hours vary seasonally)
CAD 64 (adult general admission - includes Skyride and access to mountain attractions); discounts for youth/seniors and local residents

How to Get to Grouse Mountain #

From downtown Vancouver, take the SeaBus to Lonsdale Quay (North Vancouver) and then a 15-20 minute bus or taxi to the base of Grouse Mountain (routes 236/239 connect Lonsdale Quay to the mountain). Driving: follow Lions Gate Bridge to Highway 1 and exit toward Capilano Road/North Vancouver, then follow signage to Grouse Mountain.

Tips for Visiting Grouse Mountain #

  • Buy early-morning Skyride tickets to catch the bear-feedings and to avoid the afternoon surge; first Skyride often has the clearest air.
  • Hike up the Grouse Grind (the 'Grouse Grind' is a steep 2.9 km trail) then reward the legs with the Skyride down - the Grind is closed in poor weather.
  • If visiting in winter, check avalanche and lift-status updates online; summer and winter activities sometimes run on different schedules.

Best Time to Visit Grouse Mountain #

Open year-round but activities differ: summer for hiking and wildlife encounters, winter for snow sports; check the website for seasonal hours.

Summer (hiking and sightseeing)
June-September · 12-22°C (54-72°F)
Best for hiking (including the Grouse Grind), outdoor shows and panoramic views; long daylight hours.
Winter (skiing and snow sports)
December-March · -5-4°C (23-39°F)
Skiing, snowshoeing and ice-court activities; shorter days but dramatic alpine light.
Spring/Autumn (shoulder seasons)
April-May, October-November · 5-12°C (41-54°F)
Quieter; some attractions operate reduced hours and trails can be muddy or icy.

Weather & Climate near Grouse Mountain #

Climate

Grouse Mountain's climate is classified as Subarctic - Subarctic climate with cool summers (peaking in August) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -4°C to 18°C. Abundant rainfall (1896 mm/year), wettest in November.

Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
18°
Warmest Month
-4°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coldest month with highs of 1°C and lows of -4°C. Heavy rain (263 mm).

Comfort

-2°
Feels Like Freezing
-2°C
Temperature
-4°

Weather

263 mm
Rainfall
2.9 m/s
Wind
Calm

February

February is freezing with highs of 2°C and lows of -3°C. Significant rainfall (179 mm).

Comfort

Feels Like Freezing
C
Temperature
-3°

Weather

179 mm
Rainfall
3.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

March

March is cold with highs of 3°C and lows of -2°C. Significant rainfall (173 mm).

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-2°

Weather

173 mm
Rainfall
2.6 m/s
Wind
Calm

April

April is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of 0°C. Significant rainfall (136 mm).

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature

Weather

136 mm
Rainfall
2.7 m/s
Wind
Calm

May

May is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 3°C. Significant rainfall (106 mm).

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
10°

Weather

106 mm
Rainfall
2.5 m/s
Wind
Calm

June

June is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 6°C. Regular rainfall (90 mm).

Comfort

10°
Feels Like Cold
10°C
Temperature
13°

Weather

90 mm
Rainfall
2.5 m/s
Wind
Calm

July

July is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (59 mm).

Comfort

12°
Feels Like Cool
12°C
Temperature
17°

Weather

59 mm
Rainfall
2.3 m/s
Wind
Calm

August

August is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (67 mm).

Comfort

14°
Feels Like Cool
14°C
Temperature
10° 18°

Weather

67 mm
Rainfall
2.2 m/s
Wind
Calm

September

September is cool with highs of 14°C and lows of 7°C. Moderate rainfall (79 mm).

Comfort

11°
Feels Like Cool
11°C
Temperature
15°

Weather

79 mm
Rainfall
2.3 m/s
Wind
Calm

October

October is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 3°C. Significant rainfall (200 mm).

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
10°

Weather

200 mm
Rainfall
2.4 m/s
Wind
Calm

November

November is cold with highs of 4°C and lows of -1°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (298 mm).

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-1°

Weather

298 mm
Rainfall
2.8 m/s
Wind
Calm

December

December is the coldest month with highs of 0°C and lows of -4°C. Heavy rain (246 mm).

Comfort

-2°
Feels Like Freezing
-2°C
Temperature
-4°

Weather

246 mm
Rainfall
2.8 m/s
Wind
Calm

Nearby Attractions to Grouse Mountain