Grouse Mountain: Ride the Gondola or Hike the Grind

The Grouse Mountain Gondola (Skyride) offers spectacular vistas as it briskly transports you to the summit where you will find a wealth of year round activities and dining options

Spectaular sunset view of Vancouver and beyond from Grouse Mountain
Spectaular sunset view of Vancouver and beyond from Grouse Mountain cc licensed photo by Robert Nyman

Famous for skiing and winter activities, Grouse Mountain is a year round 'playground' that offers a wealth of activities throughout the year. This is a very easy place to spend an entire day exploring. You certainly won't regret staying long enough to enjoy the sunset and watch the city transform into a sea of lights as night falls.

The peak of Grouse Mountain reaches just over 4000 feet above sea level offering spectacular views of Vancouver and the surrounding mountains. On a clear day you can see all the way across Georgia Straight to Vancouver Island as well as to Mount Baker in Washington State.

Public transit takes you right to the base of the Grouse Mountain Gondola (Skyride) where your admission fee includes the spectacular gondola ride up to the Chalet along with plenty of fun things to see and do at the top.

During the summer months you can hike up the mountain for free via the famous Grouse Grind hiking trail which gains 2800 feet in just 2.9 kilometres. This is a pretty tough hike so we only recommend it if you are in good physical condition, have suitable footwear and clothing and take along plenty of drinking water. The average hiker takes 1½ to 2 hours to ascend the trail. If you do decide to hike up the Grouse Grind, you can get a discounted rate for the gondola ride back down from the top. You can also enjoy all of the activities that are included in the fee for the ride up.

The first lodge on the mountain was built by hand in the 1920s by hauling planks up the same route as the trail. Over the years it has grown and developed into the multifaceted destination it is today.

Summer activities covered by your admission include the Gondola (Skyride) up and down the mountain, The Theatre in the Sky, The Refuge for Endangered Wildlife, The World Famous Lumberjack Show, Birds in Motion Demonstration, Scenic Chairlift Rides and Mountaintop Eco Walks. Other exciting activities available for an additional charge include, tandem paragliding, ziplining, helicopter tours and also their newest attraction - The Eye of the Wind, a massive power producing wind turbine with an elevator and a 360 degree observation area (watch the video below for more on this).

In addition to skiing, winter activities include the Skyride up and down the mountain, The Theatre in the Sky, The Refuge for Endangered Wildlife, Snow shoeing (rentals available), Outdoor Ice Skating, Sleigh Rides, and The Peak of Christmas.

There are several different dining options on the mountain: The Observatory (Fine Dining), Altitudes Bistro (Contemporary Dining), Lupins Cafe, Grizzly Lookout Café and the Grouse Grind Coffee Bar.

Facts For Your Visit

Official Website: Grouse Mountain

Fee: Yes.

Regular Hours:
May differ on holidays

  • Monday: 9:00 AM – 9:30 PM
  • Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 9:30 PM
  • Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 9:30 PM
  • Thursday: 9:00 AM – 9:30 PM
  • Friday: 9:00 AM – 9:30 PM
  • Saturday: 9:00 AM – 9:30 PM
  • Sunday: 9:00 AM – 9:30 PM

Address: 6400 Nancy Greene Way, North Vancouver, BC V7R 4K9, Canada

Phone: (604) 980-9311

Official Website: Grouse Mountain

Reviews

Rated 4.6 out of 5Grouse Mountain Star Rating

5 Star Rating There's no better way to view Vancouver and the Pacific Northwest. Everywhere you look is gorgeous. Gondola up and then chairlift to the peak. Busy summer day but still not crowded. In terms of for money... well, it's a million dollar view. Definitely a must visit spot. Worth it for a few hours at the top. If you are a BC resident, let them know when you're buying your tickets and you'll receive a not insignificant discount.

James Green - 1 month ago

4 Star Rating First time to this mountain. Rained the day before so was a bit slippery. Tram was also broken so not many people hiking. Great trail and they have like 2 versions, 1 is for the real hikers and the other is for the occasional hiker. They have the trail marked with fluorescent markers making it a bit easier to find your way in and out. Make sure you go with someone and that your phone is full of battery! Other than that I would definitely return and hike here again. I also recommend this mountain to those who like to hike as well to give it a try!

Raddo Raddo - 2 days ago

5 Star Rating Very nice and fun for the whole family. You'll need a whole day to explore everything comfortably. They have a lot of informative, and funny shows. There's places to hike at as well. One downside is that their food is overpriced. Overall a fun experience

Luke Liwanag - 3 months ago

5 Star Rating Certainly not the cheapest activity in the Vancouver area, but it really is worth it. The gondola ticket gets you to the top of the mountain and then there are a number of excellent activities included in the ticket price, including birds of prey, a lumberjack show, ranger talks, an opportunity to see two rescued grizzly bears, and a 4-man chairlift to the summit for even more stunning views. We took a picnic up to the summit to avoid the wait (and, probably, cost) of buying food on the mountain. That said, there are a number of different places to grab lunch should you want to, as well as an ice cream stand, coffee bar, BeaverTails, etc.. Half a day is barely enough to see it all properly, and it could easily be a full day out. Note that, at peak times, you may need to wait to get both up and down the mountain on the gondola - we waited around an hour to get back down (from 16:00-17:00). Overall, well worth a visit.

Neil Ferguson - 3 months ago

5 Star Rating We went during the summer and it was a great little tourist attraction with grizzly bears - Grinder & Coola - a Lumberjack show, Indigenous music, and wild birds of prey. Recommend planning to spend at least a few hours here. The longest queue was taking the gondola down the mountain so plan on leaving taking a little longer then you would expect. Got lucky and saw a beautiful Raven in the parking lot too. There is a shuttle that takes you from Canada Place to Grouse Mountain that runs about every 30-45 minutes. If you are staying around downtown, use the shuttle to your advantage.

James Smith - 3 months ago

Accommodations near Grouse Mountain:

Directions

Skytrain, SeaBus and Bus Line Nearest Station Walking Time
Expo or Canada LineWaterfront Station1 Minute

How to get to Grouse Mountain by Skytrain, SeaBus and Bus

From Waterfront Station take the SeaBus over to Lonsdale Quay. After exiting the SeaBus walk to Bay 8 at the bus loop and catch the #236 Grouse Mountain bus and take it to it terminus at the base of the Grouse Mountain Gondola (Skyride). Note: This route takes you past three other attractions so if you are planning to visit them you may wish to stop off and see them along the way. They are Lonsdale Quay Public Market, Capilano Suspension Bridge and Cleveland Dam

During the summer months, Grouse Mountain also operates a free shuttle bus service between Canada Place which is right next to Waterfront Station. During July and August, on days with good weather, it runs every 30 minutes on the half-hour between 9:30am and 5:30pm. Full details can be found on the official website linked to below.

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Photo Gallery

Video


Eye of the Wind is just one of many fantastic experiences you'll enjoy during a visit to Grouse Mountain
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