Vancouver Travel Forum

Still trying to plan our trip to Canada and America in Dec/Jan. We are hoping to stay in Downtown Vancouver and spend a day at Grouse Mountain. On the way we wouldn't mind crossing the suspension bridge and I have even heard of a salmon farm ?? My fiance would love to see that. Any way using public transport about how much would it cost (in time and money) to do both? Also what sort of clothing would we need to bring (sorry dumb question but us Aussies don't see snow that often.) We wouldn't ski but will definitely skate and maybe snoeshow (once we find out what that is!) I know this is similar to my previous question but just trying to get a little bit more detail for my planning. Yes I am a bit obsessive with planning. I have read so many write ups on VT about Grouse Mountain. Just sad we won't be able to do the Grouse Grind in Dec-NOT!!!

Hi When we were in Vancouver June'07 we visited Grouse mountain using public transport. We took the public ferry from Vancouver to North Vancouver, it took 10 minutes and ferries run every 15 minutes. Straight outside the NV ferry terminal is the bus terminal,just ask one of the drivers what number bus goes to Grouse Mountain(or look on my tip, i most likely have the bus number) bus # 236. The bus will get you to the bottom of Grouse Mountain in approx 20 minutes, a nice riode through the suburbs etc. Then you pay your entry fee approx $35 which gets you the gondola ride up the mountain, very spectacular with views over Vancouver to the ocean.

On arrival at Grouse Mountain there is the Theme Park, restaurants, grizzley bears, birds of prey demonstration, hiking and beautiful views on a clear day. I guess in December there will be snow, maybe the facility to snow ski.Could be a chance on a winters day there might be low visability.

On the way back to North Vancouver you will pass the Catilliano Suspension Bridge,we did not visit. Instead on another day we crossed to NV and caught the bus from the terminal, different bus # to Lynn Canyon Pass, free entry and a smaller suspension bridge. We then walked the trail to the stream below. We really enjoyed this visit, see photos on my page.

We purchased a day transport pass includes the ferry and bus.

Good Luck,
Mike

http://www.grousemountain.com/Winter/about-us/british-columbia-map-getting-here/


This is the winter site for grouse which has some public transport details. Not sure of exact time and cost but Vancouver is not a big city in terms of area. According to Google maps it is 9.3km from Canada Place to Grouse Mountain so it's not a big trip. Wouldnt think it would cost much either.

Cheers
Col & Sue

Here is the Website for the Salmon Hatchery
http://www-heb.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/facilities/capilano/capilano_e.htm

It has been awhile (35 years) since I was there so I can't tell you what it is like now.

The Capilano Suspension Bridge is open 363 days a year.
http://www.capbridge.com/rates_information/

The Hatchery, Sspension Bridge and Grouse Mountain are all on the same street, Capilano R. so it will be the same bus (I'm pretty sure of that)

http://tripplanning.translink.bc.ca/ is the site to plan the route

The Bus we caughr to Grouse Mountain goes past the suspension bridge.

All day pass for public transportation $9.00. Good luck with the translink website trying to figure out your trips it is a lousy site, better to just ask a bus driver or let me know where you want to go, be happy to assist as I am a retired transit employee.

Thanks for all your helpful replies. I am so keen to see what is up the top. Bit worried about what we need to wear though - jeans cover the coldest days we have hear but I fear we will need something a little warmer :-) Should be good looking forward to it. Thanks again.

Jeans will work for the limited time you may want to spend outdoors. Just don't be trying to get off Grouse Mountain at the end of the day when the line up will be long and you will need to stand outside.
The Suspension Bridge will be fine in Jeans.
It is the coat and shoe option that will really matter.

The top of Grouse in the winter is very different from the summer. It's entirely covered in snow. You'll want to wear properly insulated boots which won't get ruined when you walk through the snow. You'll want to make sure they're waterproof otherwise your feet will get wet. Jeans are okay, as long as you don't plan to roll around in the snow with them, otherwise they'll get wet. And wet jeans in a cold climate is no fun. You'll want to wear a warm jacket, gloves, and a hat.

Most of Grouse is designated as a ski hill in the winter. They have a small pond which freezes over which they turn into an ice skating pond, but it's very tiny and the ice is rough. They also have snowshoeing and a sleighride (though not a traditional sleigh - more like a sleigh pulled by a diesel vehicle). You could easily spend an afternoon there, but it's not cheap. To get to the top of Grouse costs about $35 per person. You should still be able to buy slightly-discounted tickets from Tourism Vancouver's tourist info center. Snowshoe rentals, ice skate rentals, etc - cost extra.

What's available in the summer on Grouse won't be available in the winter. The Grizzlies are hibernating in their bunker and there aren't any lumberjack shows, birds of prey exhibitions... and unless it's a clear day, don't count on much of a view.

Their casual restaurant (not the fancy Observatory), however, is a lovely place to have lunch on a winter's day on Grouse. :) It's where I took some Aussie family friends on New Year's Eve for the afternoon, and they loved it.

The easiest way to get to Grouse Mountain by public transit is to go Waterfront Station (downtown, north foot of Seymour Street) and take the Seabus across to Lonsdale Quay (a transit hub/waterfront market area) in North Vancouver.

The Seabus departs every 20 minutes and the crossing takes less time than that. Once at Lonsdale Quay, when you get off the Seabus, there's only one way you can go... and you're basically in the same building as the bus depot. You can't miss it. There will be several bus stop signs inside the bus depot - the one you want is bus #236. To make matters easier, the bus literally says "Grouse Mountain" on it.

That bus probably comes every 20-30 minutes. Once on the bus, it leaves Lonsdale, drives up Capilano Road. The Capilano Suspension Bridge (which costs $28 per person) will be a major stop which will be announced. The Capilano Salmon Hatchery is practically next door. You'd want to get back on the bus for the short drive up to the top of Capilano Road which is where you take the Skyride to the top of Grouse Mountain. The bus stop is literally at the base of the Grouse Mountain Skyride entrance. It's very simple.

However, you should probably buy a day pass for public transit. It costs $8. Otherwise, the Seabus/bus fare is only good for 90 minutes after you purchase it. Afterwards, you'll need to buy a new fare upon boarding... and the bus only takes exact change in coins - a hassle when you're doing multiple stops and you plan on using it throughout the day.

As I said in my previous answer to you, all day transit pass $9.00, Seabus runs every 15 minutes weekdays and 30 minutes after 645pm weekdays, Saturday and Sunday 30 minutes in the morning and evening and 15 minutes midday, the #236 Grouse Mountain departs Lonsdale Quay every 15 minutes except for very early in the morning and late at night.

Thanks for the updated info yvr - sorry for the duplication!

I'm sorry i cant answer your question on transport costs as we drove around. I'm Australian, my husband is Canadian and he did all the driving. We are going back for a visit in December/January as well....anyways coming from a fellow Aussie this is what i wore last time i visited Grouse (that was in a Dec too) I wore long johns, jeans over them, two pairs of socks and comfy boots (waterproof), singlet, t shirt, long sleeved t shirt, jumper, and jacket. Scarf, gloves and beanie (or toque as the Canadians call them). AND i was still cold, not horribly so but it is a huge temp drop from Aussieland!! The ice rink is small but so so fun, its just an amazing time of year to visit. We are taking our 4 kids up there this year and i know they will have a blast with the ice, snow, sleighrides etc.
Instead of Capilano suspension brisge i would check out Lynn Canyon suspension bridge. Capilano charges to cross it whisch is ridiculous when you can go just down the road to the same thing at Lynn canyon which is free.
Have fun, if you have any more questions dont hesitate...i lived in Vancouver for a cpl years and hubby is a wealth of information...

Thanks for the helpful replies. I especially appreciate the what we should wear answers!! It is hard for us Aussies to realise it isn't all sunshine elsewhere in the world.

Hi There,

Maybe I am a bit late, but I still want to through in my two cents worth. My parents were here a few years ago in December to visit us and we went up to Grouse Mountain for about half a day. Make sure you can go on a fairly sunny or clear day and maybe you can go in the afternoon so can catch the sunset from the top. We stayed for most of the afternoon until the sun was setting and wore just regular clothing like jeans, sweater and comfy walking shoes. Most of the walking area on top of Grouse Mountain is nicely groomed by machines and you won't be knee deep in the snow. Unless you really want to go walking in the deep snow.

I recommend you go inside of the Theatre In The Sky and see the movie "Born to Fly" which lasts for half an hour and covers a bit of history on Grouse Mountain and BC from a birds eye view. This movie is included with you gondola ticket as well as the sleigh rides. If there is enough snow you can also take advantage of the free sleigh rides on top of Grouse Mountain. There is also Santa's workshop on top of the mountain and an ice skating pond. The views from up here are beautiful as well.

Good luck with your plans and if you have any more questions feel free to contact me!

Greetings from Vancouver,
Ann :)