Vancouver's a super destination in spring: where else can you ski, sail, and golf all on the same day? (Not that I'm advising such a manic schedule.)
Here's the thing. Vancouver, on Canada's west coast, has a mild climate: the city gets just a few snowfalls a year, and they melt in a day. But Vancouver also has scenic mountains right by the sea, and snow does fall, and stay, on those mountaintops.
Ski season lasts from December to early April, on three ski resorts just a half-hour from downtown Vancouver (if traffic's good.)
So Close: the North Shore Slopes
All three of these mountains are on the "North Shore" (a bridge away from Vancouver) and, it must be said, they're dwarfed by giant Whistler-Blackcomb site of the 2010 Olympics, an hour-and-a half away.
But the size of Vancouver's North Shore mountains is nothing to be sneezed at. For example, Cypress Mountain has 51 runs, three ski areas, and a vertical rise of 2010 feet. (Many ski resorts in the east would love that vert.) Cypress is the largest of the North Shore mountain ski resorts, and will host some Olympic events in 2010.
Cypress Mountain
And get ready for awesome views, during a snow day at Cypress: as you ride the lifts and slide the slopes, you'll see panoromas of the city and the ocean and islands below.
Another plus is night skiing: your snow day doesn't end at 4 p.m., as it does at Whistler and many ski resorts. Night-skiing continues at Cypress until 10 p.m. Spring skiing -- and I'm counting mid-Feb. as "spring"-- is choice: daylight continues until six or seven pm; then enjoy the sunset, and stay on after dark.
Spring skiing also has the blessing of light traffic on slopes and lifts.
Tip- Take the Sky Chair to the highest point, the top of Mt. Strachan: it's oldish and slowish, but you'll never see a better view from a lift. Some fun slopes up there, too -- but don't take my word for it. See details from a teen.
A few cautions: spring skiing can get slushy; also, as the snow melts, bare ground starts showing, and some runs may be closed. Always check a ski resort's web site for most recent conditions-- and for hours of operation. Toward the end of the season, closing time may be earlier.
Cypress Mountain also has a cross-country area, and snow-tubing: a fun activity at night.
Other North Shore Mountain Ski Resorts
Grouse Mountain has 20 ski runs and a terrain park, but many visitors take the gondola up the mountain with no intention of sliding down the slopes: Grouse has a nice lodge at the top of the gondola, with bistro, cafeteria, and fine dining, all with a million-dollar view. There's an ice-skating area adjacent, too.
The third North Shore mountain with snowsports is Seymour Mountain: Seymour has fewer lifts, but is a favorite of those who like backcountry. Seymour also has snowshoeing, tubing, tobogganing, and (sometimes) dogsledding.
Each of the North Shore ski resorts has lessons, night-skiing, and ski/snowboard gear rentals; typically, clothing for skiing or boarding can be rented too. And each mountain can be reached by public transport.
So go ahead and enjoy Vancouver in the spring: take in Stanley Park, #1 tourist spot, enjoy the flowers, the seawall, Aquarium, and pitch'n'putt, watch sailboats glide by.
But don't forget that extra dimension: there's snow on them thar mountains, and a snow day can be a lot of fun.
