MOUNT SEYMOUR

THINGS TO DO IN VANCOUVER-
MOUNT SEYMOUR
Mount Seymour seems to be our favourite winter wonderland oasis. It is not far from where we live and throughout the winter months it looks like a scene from a Christmas card. There is the usual skiing and snowboarding activities available here in winter, but something we would recommend is snowshoeing. Whether you want a change from skiing and snowboarding or it is your first experience here in the snow, snowshoeing is a must.

We went on a guided snowshoe adventure, they provide a trail pass and the snowshoes and the guide takes you along the trails. It had just snowed when we went and the guide was pointing out the different animal tracks and explaining the different types of trees. The guide then took us off the trail into the trees, which was great as there was just the five of us and lots of trees and tons of snow. When we went there was about four meters of snow and you could just see the very top of some huge fir trees sticking out of the snow. The adventure lasts for about two hours and costs $29, which is about £15. You do not need to be fit to do this trail but you will definitely shed a few pounds doing it. When you get back to the beginning you are greeted with a hot chocolate and a rest. Its a great time and remember your camera!

Mount Seymour, BC is a ski area located in North Vancouver. The ski hill is located in Mount Seymour Provincial Park. To the south, the mountain rises from the north shore of the Indian Arm above the village of Deep Cove. The ski area has four lifts, the Mystery Peak, Brockton, Lodge double chairlifts, and the Goldie Lake Ropetow. A fifth double chairlift, the Ridge Chair was destroyed in a windstorm in 1998, and is currently still standing, albeit gradually rotting away. Another beginner lift, the Enquist Ropetow was removed in the early 1990s.

Mount Seymour opened for skiing in 1937 under the ownership of Harold Enquist, with a cafeteria and ski rental. A few years later, in 1949, the Government of British Columbia bought the ski area. The Government did not have the experience to run it, so they issued Mr Enquist the first Park Use Permit to operate the area. When the permit expired in 1951, the government found a concessionaire, who was put in charge of running the lifts, ski school and cafeteria. The government retained overall ownership until 1984, when it privatized its operation as part of a cost cutting measure.

Mount Seymour not only has the magnificent snowcapped mountains but also breathtaking views of Vancouver, the Gulf Islands and the Fraser Valley. Mount Seymour offers 330 meters of vertical drop and approximately 1700 centimeters of annual snowfall. Mount Seymour skiing and snowboarding are available on twenty one marked trails and many unmarked routes. The longest trial is 1.6 km long and over half the trails have night lighting. A map of Mount Seymour Park is available to help you navigate your way around the trails.

Additional terrain parks exist for freestyle and halfpipe activities. Terrain has also been developed for tobogganing and snowtubbing. Guided and unguided snowshoeing takes place on a separate 10 km network of maintained trails. Mount Seymour snowboarding lessons and skiing lessons are available whatever your ability from confident and friendly instructors.

Mount Seymour has three weather stations, one at the bottom of the Mystery Peak Chairlift, one near tower nine of the Mystery Peak Chairlift, and one just below Brockton Point which is the top lift station of the Brockton Chairlift. Except for the unusually warm winter of 2004-2005, there is usually a snow depth of 500 cm or more at the Brockton weather station.

BCRFC historical records from 1960 to 1989 report that Mount Seymour's average snow base has been 160 cm on 1st January, increasing through winter and spring to 345 cm on 1st May.

Map courtesy of MountSeymour.com

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For more information on Mount Seymour and for upcoming events and upto date snow reports, please visit the Mount Seymour site here.