| Virtually all my favourite travel spots in the world | | | | we have developed over the decades, we have |
| combine mountains and water and Vancouver | | | | made the ascent easier, whether with the use of |
| just has it all. Located on the edge of the Pacific, | | | | North America's first double chair lift, the |
| surrounded by the Coastal Mountain Range, | | | | continent's largest aerial tram system or the |
| Vancouver is a scenic dream. Just about 15 | | | | challenging trails to the top. |
| minutes from downtown Vancouver you can | | | | Lumberjack sculptures on the mountain |
| enjoy wonderful vistas over the city all the way | | | | This ease-of-access facilitated the biggest shift in |
| south to the Olympic Mountains in Washington | | | | our mountain's focus, which began in 1989, when |
| State - Grouse Mountain is the "Peak of | | | | the company went private. The unified vision of |
| Vancouver" and provides the best viewpoints of | | | | one local family has allowed us to expand our |
| the area as well as a host of year-round activities. | | | | repertoire to include non-winter months, now our |
| Having been born in the Alps, I love the mountains | | | | busiest! We are a draw for locals and tourists |
| and my recent trip to Vancouver offered me a | | | | alike, earning the distinction of Vancouver's most |
| chance to satisfy my cravings for altitude. I had a | | | | visited 4-season attraction. We have now |
| chance to spend an entire afternoon on Grouse | | | | successfully evolved from a popular local ski hill to |
| Mountain and described my experiences, including | | | | the hottest spot in town! |
| the Lumberjack Show and the Birds in Motion | | | | The host of celebrities that have visited our |
| demonstration in this article. To provide more | | | | facilities have only helped to solidify our place as a |
| comprehensive information about Grouse Mountain | | | | must-see attraction (Sir Winston Churchill, Pierre |
| and all its facilities, here is an interview with Chris | | | | Elliott Trudeau, Clint Eastwood, Cuba Gooding Jr., |
| Dagenais, PR & Communications Manager for | | | | Alanis Morrissette, etc) |
| Grouse Mountain: | | | | 3) Grouse Mountain is a major ski centre just a |
| 1) Please tell us more about Grouse Mountain. | | | | few minutes from Downtown Vancouver. Please |
| Where is it located in relation to Downtown | | | | tell us about the winter sport possibilities. How long |
| Vancouver? How do I get there? What makes it | | | | is the season? What is the vertical drop? How |
| such a unique location? | | | | many runs are there? |
| Grouse Mountain is located on Vancouver's scenic | | | | Skiing and snowboarding at Grouse Mountain are |
| North Shore, just 15 minutes from downtown. | | | | so popular, in part, due to how easy it is to get |
| We are easily accessed via the famous Lion's | | | | to world-class terrain. After work or school, |
| Gate Bridge from Georgia Street in Vancouver | | | | thousands take advantage of our scenic floodlit |
| and then by following signs to North Vancouver | | | | runs. We actually have the largest passholder |
| via Capilano Road. We are also accessible via | | | | base in North America! (these are primarily our |
| public transportation from the Sea Bus Terminal. | | | | locals) |
| Busses 232 and 236 both come to Grouse | | | | We feature 25 runs, 40% beginner, 40% |
| Mountain. | | | | intermediate, 20% advanced. Our vertical drop is |
| We are a unique location for a host of reasons, | | | | approx. 1500 feet. The season typically runs from |
| not the least of which is that we are on the | | | | early December to mid April. |
| fringe of wilderness and civilization. Where else in | | | | Mountain panorama |
| the world can you escape into a pristine alpine | | | | 4) Of course Grouse Mountain is also a major |
| wilderness just 15 minutes from a major | | | | summer time attraction for active travellers. |
| metropolitan centre? We have captured the | | | | What type of sports activities are available at |
| imaginations of locals and visitors for over 110 | | | | Grouse in the summer? |
| years with our natural beauty and exhilarating | | | | Our summer season is easily our busiest, with a |
| activities. These latter are a big factor in our | | | | nice mix of local and international visitors. While |
| success as well. Just consider the range of | | | | the view and the Skyride are often the initial |
| engaging pursuits: skiing, snowboarding, sleighrides, | | | | draw, the diversity of activities is what truly leave |
| ice skating, snowshoeing, hiking, wildlife | | | | people with lasting memories. Sip a frosty |
| encounters, falconry demonstrations, scenic chair | | | | beverage on a mountaintop patio, or get close |
| rides, theatre shows, ranger talks, dining, shopping, | | | | enough to a grizzly bear to hear it breath, there's |
| and, of course, the stunning views. Not many | | | | bound to be something for everyone. |
| destinations can boast that sort of variety. | | | | 5) What educational and wildlife preservation |
| In addition, we have become an integral member | | | | facilities are available on Grouse Mountain? |
| of the community over the decades. Everyone | | | | The Grouse Mountain Refuge for Endangered |
| seems to have a Grouse Mountain story, whether | | | | Wildlife is a research, education and conservation |
| this place gave them their first job or they | | | | facility that is currently giving a second chance at |
| carved their first turns on our runs. People turn to | | | | life to 2 orphaned grizzly bear cubs and 3 adult |
| us for recreation and to see what is developing in | | | | gray wolves. We are looking to develop a viable |
| our industry. We have been the site of some of | | | | protocol for the rehabilitation and re-release of |
| Vancouver's most memorable, historical events, | | | | orphaned grizzlies, as currently no such protocol |
| and have therefore developed a real connection | | | | exists (it is the practice in our province to destroy |
| with our city. | | | | orphaned bears). |
| 2) Grouse Mountain history as an attraction dates | | | | In the four years of its operation, the Refuge has |
| back to the 1920. Please tell us more about how | | | | hosted millions of visitors who have learned about |
| this tourist destination has evolved over the last | | | | the challenges faced by the bears (through ranger |
| 80 years. | | | | talks and on-site signage). In addition, over 30,000 |
| The first hikers to Grouse Mountain (c. 1894) | | | | local school children have participated in our |
| embarked on a three day journey to the summit. | | | | Adventures in Education programs, which are |
| Obviously, the desire to connect with the | | | | specifically designed to enhance the existing public |
| mountain was already strong in those days. As | | | | school curriculum. |