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August 11, 2005
Grouse Mountain - the Peak of Vancouver
- A Four-Season Destination
Virtually all my favourite travel spots in the world combine mountains
and water and Vancouver just has it all. Located on the edge of
the Pacific, surrounded by the Coastal Mountain Range, Vancouver
is a scenic dream. Just about 15 minutes from downtown Vancouver
you can enjoy wonderful vistas over the city all the way south to
the Olympic Mountains in Washington State - Grouse Mountain is the
"Peak of Vancouver" and provides the best viewpoints of
the area as well as a host of year-round activities.
Having been born in the Alps, I love the mountains and my recent
trip to Vancouver offered me a chance to satisfy my cravings for
altitude. I had a chance to spend an entire afternoon on Grouse
Mountain and described my experiences, including the Lumberjack
Show and the Birds in Motion demonstration in this
article. To provide more comprehensive information about Grouse
Mountain and all its facilities, here is an interview with Chris
Dagenais, PR & Communications Manager for Grouse Mountain:
1) Please tell us more about Grouse Mountain. Where is
it located in relation to Downtown Vancouver? How do I get there?
What makes it such a unique location?
Grouse Mountain is located on Vancouver's scenic North Shore, just
15 minutes from downtown. We are easily accessed via the famous
Lion's Gate Bridge from Georgia Street in Vancouver and then by
following signs to North Vancouver via Capilano Road. We are also
accessible via public transportation from the Sea Bus Terminal.
Busses 232 and 236 both come to Grouse Mountain.
View from the Skyride, the tram up to the mountain
We are a unique location for a host of reasons, not the least of
which is that we are on the fringe of wilderness and civilization.
Where else in the world can you escape into a pristine alpine wilderness
just 15 minutes from a major metropolitan centre? We have captured
the imaginations of locals and visitors for over 110 years with
our natural beauty and exhilarating activities. These latter are
a big factor in our success as well. Just consider the range of
engaging pursuits: skiing, snowboarding, sleighrides, ice skating,
snowshoeing, hiking, wildlife encounters, falconry demonstrations,
scenic chair rides, theatre shows, ranger talks, dining, shopping,
and, of course, the stunning views. Not many destinations can boast
that sort of variety.
In addition, we have become an integral member of the community
over the decades. Everyone seems to have a Grouse Mountain story,
whether this place gave them their first job or they carved their
first turns on our runs. People turn to us for recreation and to
see what is developing in our industry. We have been the site of
some of Vancouver's most memorable, historical events, and have
therefore developed a real connection with our city.
2) Grouse Mountain history as an attraction dates back
to the 1920. Please tell us more about how this tourist destination
has evolved over the last 80 years.
The first hikers to Grouse Mountain (c. 1894) embarked on a three
day journey to the summit. Obviously, the desire to connect with
the mountain was already strong in those days. As we have developed
over the decades, we have made the ascent easier, whether with the
use of North America's first double chair lift, the continent's
largest aerial tram system or the challenging trails to the top.
Lumberjack sculptures on the mountain
This ease-of-access facilitated the biggest shift in our mountain's
focus, which began in 1989, when the company went private. The unified
vision of one local family has allowed us to expand our repertoire
to include non-winter months, now our busiest! We are a draw for
locals and tourists alike, earning the distinction of Vancouver's
most visited 4-season attraction. We have now successfully evolved
from a popular local ski hill to the hottest spot in town!
The host of celebrities that have visited our facilities have only
helped to solidify our place as a must-see attraction (Sir Winston
Churchill, Pierre Elliott Trudeau, Clint Eastwood, Cuba Gooding
Jr., Alanis Morrissette, etc)
3) Grouse Mountain is a major ski centre just a few minutes
from Downtown Vancouver. Please tell us about the winter sport possibilities.
How long is the season? What is the vertical drop? How many runs
are there?
Skiing and snowboarding at Grouse Mountain are so popular,
in part, due to how easy it is to get to world-class terrain. After
work or school, thousands take advantage of our scenic floodlit
runs. We actually have the largest passholder base in North America!
(these are primarily our locals)
We feature 25 runs, 40% beginner, 40% intermediate, 20% advanced.
Our vertical drop is approx. 1500 feet. The season typically runs
from early December to mid April.
Mountain panorama
4) Of course Grouse Mountain is also a major summer time
attraction for active travellers. What type of sports activities
are available at Grouse in the summer?
Our summer season is easily our busiest, with a nice mix
of local and international visitors. While the view and the Skyride
are often the initial draw, the diversity of activities is what
truly leave people with lasting memories. Sip a frosty beverage
on a mountaintop patio, or get close enough to a grizzly bear to
hear it breath, there's bound to be something for everyone.
5) What educational and wildlife preservation facilities
are available on Grouse Mountain?
The Grouse Mountain Refuge for Endangered Wildlife is a research,
education and conservation facility that is currently giving a second
chance at life to 2 orphaned grizzly bear cubs and 3 adult gray
wolves. We are looking to develop a viable protocol for the rehabilitation
and re-release of orphaned grizzlies, as currently no such protocol
exists (it is the practice in our province to destroy orphaned bears).
In the four years of its operation, the Refuge has hosted millions
of visitors who have learned about the challenges faced by the bears
(through ranger talks and on-site signage). In addition, over 30,000
local school children have participated in our Adventures in Education
programs, which are specifically designed to enhance the existing
public school curriculum.
Majestic Douglas firs on the mountain
6) Please tell us about the Hiwus Feasthouse and the aboriginal
tourism opportunities on Grouse Mountain.
Built in 1997 with the input and approval of tribal elders, the
hiwus feasthouse and cultural centre (intentionally in lower case)
is an authentic cedar longhouse that is home to First Nations culture.
Coast Salish peoples operate the facility and offer school children
and larger groups the chance to experience traditional First Nations
culture through a program of song, dance, legends and cuisine.
7) What entertainment and shopping options await on top
of the Mountain?
Grouse Mountain is home to two retail shops, ranging in content
from high-performance technical athletic apparel to unique keepsakes
representing our province. Our Theatre in the Sky is Canada's first
high-definition video cinema. Born to Fly, shown on the top of every
hour, is a gorgeous scenic aerial overview of south-western British
Columbia from and eagle's perspective; not to be missed!
8) Please tell us about the dining options on top of Grouse
Mountain?
Grouse Mountain features award-winning cuisine. Our acclaimed culinary
team provides a range of dining options across numerous venues.
The Observatory is the resort's flagship venue and serves progressive
West Coast cuisine in one of the most stunning venues in the province.
Neighbouring Altitudes Bistro features a medley of the flavours
and cultural influences that make BC cuisine so famous and boasts
one of the best patios anywhere. Lupins Cafe and Rusty Rail Outdoor
BBQ round out the selections.
Patio on Grouse Mountain
9) You also offer Helicopter Tours on Grouse Mountain.
Please tell us more about this adventurous experience.
We are proud to work with Helijet Airways to showcase the majesty
of our natural surroundings through helicopter tours. Departing
from our mountaintop helipad, visitors can choose from a variety
of flight options that will leave them truly speechless.
Thank you, Chris, for giving us more details about Grouse Mountains
and all its facilities. I hope one day that I'll get a chance to
explore Vancouver and the mountain in the winter as well to see
what it feels like to go skiing looking down on one of the West
Coast's most beautiful cities.
Related Articles:
Read about my
own personal Grouse Mountain Experience of this past weekend.
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