10 of the Best Cross-Country Ski Trails and Areas Near Vancouver, British Columbia
Whether you’re a beginner, out with your family, interested in biathlon or ready for the beauty and challenges of the backcountry, there are heaps of options for Nordic skiing all around Vancouver. Your favourite ski area may have a trail you haven’t explored or an offering you didn’t know about.
Read on for some of the best XC ski experiences near Vancouver.
Disclaimer: Follow Covid-19 restrictions, call ahead and check conditions before visiting.
Hollyburn Ridge
Cypress Mountain
Families can take off along the easy Sitzmark Trail for a ski through the forest with peak-a-boo views of historic Hollyburn Lodge at the edge of First Lake. This beginner loop is just the right length for younger skiers and has enough variety to hone your skills. As a bonus, the trail lights will come on after dusk and offer up a magical glow.
Lost Lake Park
Whistler
Beginners will love the gentle Lost Lake Trail that heads out from the ski school at the Cross-Country Connection. Add on the Lost Lake Loop and you’ll have plenty of flat stretches to work on perfecting your skate or glide. There’s even a warming hut and washroom on this trail—so you can bring along snack and take a break.
Olympic Park
Whistler
Want-to-be Olympians can try their hand at the challenging sport of biathlon. After a heart-pumping ski through the wintery landscape of the Callaghan Valley, you’ll be taught to settle your breathing and practice your marksmanship. There’s all kinds of terrain to explore and when you’re done, a fire pit to warm up at.
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Callaghan Valley
Whistler
Dogs love the snow, too! You can ski with your four-legged friend on the 30 kilometres of dog-friendly trails in the Callaghan Valley. If you (or your canine companion) are new to skiing, be sure to take it slow and get advice from your vet on how to start.
Nairn Falls Trail
Pemberton
Ski for free. In the summer it’s a campground but in the winter the Spud Valley Jackrabbit Ski Program grooms three kilometres of park roads for Monday afternoon lessons from December through March. During the rest of the week, the public is free to use the groomed ski trail which wind through the park.
Garibaldi Provincial Park
Squamish
New backcountry skiers will find the gorgeous 22 kilometres (roundtrip) Elfin Lakes Trail offers an opportunity to practice the requisite skills such as navigating, winter camping and avalanche safety. Along the trail you’ll reach the Red Heather Hut, a day shelter with picnic tables, a sink and a wood stove, and then the Elfin Lakes Shelter, an overnight mountain hut that sleeps 33 (currently closed due to Covid-19).
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Tetrahedron Park
Sunshine Coast
Get away from it all and into the backcountry on the trails in this remote park. Keep in mind the backcountry isn’t for novices and consider taking a course or accessing the backcountry with a guide or club.
Dakota Ridge
Sunshine Coast
Car-free skiers can catch a shuttle from Alpha Adventures in Sechelt to get you up to this volunteer-maintained ski area. With 20 kilometres of cross-country skiing trails, a warming hut and outhouse—this is rustic Nordic skiing, the way it’s meant to be.
Manning Park
Intermediate/advanced skiers might enjoy the eight kilometres with 1,500 feet of elevation gain ski up the Blackwell Nordic trail to Cascade Lookout (and the rush of coming back down). Site of the challenging Blackwall Bash that’s held each spring—the trail isn’t for beginners—but Manning Park does have easier trails suitable for all.
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Adaptive Skiing
Whistler Adaptive Sports offers a variety of cross-country ski programs including sit ski lessons and biathlon. Perfect for people who with barriers such as physical, cognitive or sensory challenges who need extra support to get out into the snow and enjoy the fresh air and beautiful scenery.
