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Mt Seymour
Category: Active Life Active Life [Edit]
1700 Mount Seymour RdNorth Vancouver, BC V7G 1L3
(604) 986-2261
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
17 reviews for Mt Seymour
17 reviews in English
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Review from Crystal H.
Vancouver, BC
2/9/2012 2 Check-ins Here
Sunshine + snow = one of my favourite activities, snowshoeing. The provincial park side of the mountain is a free form of exercise, topped off with a stunning view.
Yes, you have to hike up and yes, on weekends parking is a big bitch, but it is truly worth it when you sit in your snow cave peering over Vancouver.
Over the years they've widened the paths, likely because it's pretty bustling which is good, because there's less stop-and-go these days. The downside, it can be really busy. So if you're looking for a quiet moment on the mountain, you might want to consider something more back country. But you'll get your heart racing quickly, and if you're like us, you'll forgo hiking back down. We opt for a quicker pace - sliding. It's acceptable to descend on your behind :)
Do make sure you use the loo before you set off, there's nothing but snow and trees and open spaces on the trails. And if there is space, try parking at the furthest north parking lot. The end of the parking lot marks the beginning of the Provincial Park area.Listed in: The Great Vancouver Outdoors
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Review from Russty N.
Vancouver, BC
4/8/2012
I've got to admit when it comes to skiing I'm a snob. Having skied Whistler and Blackcomb for the past 20 years I am spoiled rotten with the service and amenities that those mountains have to offer. Recently we received free passes for Mt. Seymour, a local hill only 30 minutes drive from home. We decided to see what Seymour had to offer.
We went up on a beautiful Easter Sunday. The drive up was nice and relaxing and parking was not a problem. I thought it would be busier but I guess its nearing the end of the season. The parking lot is not very large so I imagine it could become very congested in the peak skiing season.
The runs at Seymour are short and not very challenging, but the nice thing was that there were no lineups so you could shoot back up and do another run in no time. Well almost.... The lifts at Seymour are old and slow. The Mystery chair takes 9 minutes to get up. The ski down takes 5 minutes. But good news, a new high speed chair is coming for the 2012/13 season.
The views from the top are stunning. I would say that the view of Vancouver is better than that at Grouse. They should advertise this more as a tourist destination just for the views.
The mountain has a cafeteria which is pretty basic. Burgers, soups, pre-made sandwiches. Don't expect to get anything international unless you think french fries are from France.
The service experience is a little to be desired. Not rude or anything, but don't expect the friendliest response to your enquiries.
Overall, a nice little mountain that is convenient and very pretty. A good place for a beginner to hone their skills as a skier or a snowboarder. I hear they also have excellent snowshoe trails. -
Review from Beverly W.
Vancouver, BC
Re: snowshoeing @ Seymour
Great place to do some snowshoeing on the week-end. Feel free to bring your dog as well. People have let their dogs off-leash but there are park rangers that patrol the trails and you could be fined if they catch you!
Unfortunately, if you are just doing snowshoeing, you are only able to park on the hill and not in the parking lots. Expect a 15-20 minute hike to the trails from your place on the hill. The earlier you go the better as you get a closer parking spot. After 10 am on the weekend you'll be hiking longer than that! -
Review from Michael Y.
Toronto, ON
1/9/2012 1 Check-in Here
Because I only went snowshoeing, I can really rate it for that. There was a large snow dump on the trails so it was super cool to see the fluffy snow and the accumulation on the tree branches. I didn't think I would enjoy it but ended up loving it. The snow made a huge difference in enjoyment. I would come back again when it snows.
The only two kinks in the experience was the parking and rentals. For snowshoeing, they make you park down the side of the road which is a bit of a hike to the chalet. We just parked anywhere and close as possible. Just tell them that you're there to ski. As for the rentals. It was so backed up and the customer service was terrible. It was obivous that the previous rental before us did not go well but we ended up with a disgruntal worker. There was some mix up with the forms and the transition to forms to payment got mixed up, which only took longer. I think I was in there for at least 30 mins to rent a pair of snowshoes. Although the beginning of the process was annoying, at the end it was well worth it.
Make sure to wear some water resistant boots or shoes! -
Review from Taylor K.
1/30/2012 1 Check-in Here
My second time snowboarding on Mt. Seymour.
We came up on previous occasions for tobogganing with our little baby and it's a good mountain for that as well.
As for snowboarding, I think it is a good alternative to whistler if you are just starting to learn. It's closer and local and for a beginner like me, it's a good mountain.
In no way is it comparable to Whistler if you are a pro skier or a snowboarder. But lift tickets are almost 1/2 the price and the wayyyy closer than Whistler.
Lots of lessons offered for kids as well. Skiing lessons for kids start at age 4. I saw lots of little kiddies on their skis going down the mountain. So cute and adorable!
And they are much better at getting down the mountain than me, without falling that is.
As for the cafeteria food, nothing special. I don't suggest their sandwiches as they do taste pretty bland and for the price, not really worth it. (I think it was $6.00 for a sandwich, which isn't that bad but still it lacked the yummy factor. The bread was dry and so was the turkey deli meat in it.)
Their chili fries looked pretty yummy from seeing other people eat.
Try to pack your own food when coming up or buy a gourmet sandwich at your local sandwich or grocery store. Those sandwiches taste better than the ones sold here. (Strictly my opinion, others might disagree).
Brought up tea in a thermo and it was nice and warm, not hot but saved myself $3.00 and I got to drink my favourite tea after a very wet day of snowboarding to warm me up. -
Review from Rachel G.
Vancouver, BC
3/5/2012
I love Mt. Seymour! So easy to get to from Vancouver, so cheap ($45 for a student for 9:30am - 10pm... can't beat that) and so chill. Also - reasonably priced food and delicious nachos.
I haven't done any summer stuff or snowshoeing at Seymour, just snowboarding. It's my favourite of all 3 local mountains (and I know it's my bro's and boyfriend's favourite too!). I usually go during the week, and I hardly ever have any waits in lift lines and most of the time it feels like I have the place to myself! The parks are super fun, good range of stuff from easy (for scaredy cats like me) to scary. They're constantly changing, too, so you won't get bored if you go up a couple times a week. There's a great variety of runs for a teensy mountain -- spread out powder runs, trees, easygoing groomed runs...
I'm glad there's still somewhere where locals (read: broke students and the rest of the working class) can still get up and have a blast for relatively little money. Keep it real, Seymour! -
Review from Gwen A.
Vancouver, BC
2/2/2012
This is a biased view, but aren't they all!
I've only been to Seymour 3 times and it would have only been once if it weren't for the Monday night free skiing for women. I cannot believe how much they charge for a place that has 3 slow lifts and 200 acres of skiing/boarding. I'm honestly bored 15 minutes into my day here and will never come here and actually pay. Even on the free nights I'm not sure that it's worth the 15 minute drive up the mountain.
The only reason I gave it 2 stars instead of one, is because out of the 3 silly "hills" on the shore, Seymour is the best. Cypress is bigger, but it just has a stark feel to it. Grouse has nicer amenities, but their runs are so short. Seymour has extremely short runs too. I'm pretty sure their longest run, I can make it down in under a minute.
Now with all of this said, I grew up in the middle of Tahoe where I had a good 17 resorts to choose from and most of them were at least decent. Furthermore, the price reflected their size and quality. I can imagine for those that live in the city and go to comor and buy all of their gear that morning (I've seen this happen several times), that any one of these three places would work for them.
But I'd rather go less often and drive 2 hours to the highly over priced, but excellent mountain, Whistler. -
Review from Roanna Z.
Updated - 4/3/2011
Aww, this might have been the last chance to snow shoe or Yak Track on Seymour for the winter. Not that there is a lack of snow, the level is a good 14 ft high or so, but while it's hovering around the freezing mark, it's getting fairly sticky on the trail. You can pretty much walk on the hard pack now.
At the top, we huddled together and had some thermos coffee and a snack while enjoying shelter in an open room which has been dug into the snow! A couple of guys with shovels dug this little fortress last night and apparently accommodated a large group of people for a meal! Amazing idea.
We had a great afternoon, and practically had the free side of the mountain to ourselves ;}Listed in: North shore businesses and…, Mountain hikes and easy…, Free Stuff!, Tail waggers welcome here
3 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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7/29/2010
Another summer hike on Seymour, up " Dog Mountain. "
Seymour looks SO different in the summer. We… Read more »
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Review from Kat S.
8/16/2010
Review # 100!
Mt. Seymour is a fantastic place to go if you have limited time, but want a good bit of exercise with nice views. The hike up to Mt. Seymour peak is scenic most of the way, and is very open, so bring your sun screen. It can also be very buggy. Up to the 3rd and final peak is a 9 km round trip, which takes roughly 3+ hrs of hiking if you are in good shape (day hike, no large packs) and add time for a stop at the top for lunch and to check out the stellar views. You can be done in 4 hrs.
I love that this trail has so many view points along the way, and offers varied terrain from rocks and boulders to roots and dirt. It does get to be a very busy trail, though, with all types using it. However, other than a bag I picked up, I didn't notice any other bits of garbage, which I usually end up collecting on other hikes. Thanks peeps for keeping the mountain clean.
The tubing hill in the winter is fun, too! This winter I will come up for the snowshoeing.
Note of caution: Please drive carefully and mind the cyclists hauling their way up the hill (it sure doesn't look easy). There's not a lot of room on this road, so don't be a jerk, give them space, and you'll get to the top when you get there.Listed in: Outdoor Recreation Time!
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Review from Peter S.
3/19/2010 1 Check-in Here
As a ski hill, it is great for beginners.
However, it's not my cuppa tea.
As a snowshoeing paradise... this mountain rules.
Advice: Don't pay to snowshoe here, just park at the far end of the parking lot, and hike up just west of the ski hill. The provincial park provides a lot of hiking choices with varying difficulties. And its free!
In about an hour and a bit you can be right behind the Ski hill peak overlooking the entire city. Views of Baker, and the island are breathtaking on a clear day.
And PLEASE don't end up like one of those Muppets who hike unprepared. Bring extra warm clothes (even if it is +2 and sunny), a lighter and headlamp, extra food, tea, cell phone, shovel, and a friend. Even if you think it'll be a short easy hike. You never know!Listed in: Get off your ass!
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Review from Dani B.
4/2/2009
This place is highly recommended for beginners to intermediate riders/skiers, but the terrain park is quite good.
This spot usually only attracts locals while the tourists are off in Whistler. Because of that, you won't find long lines or snobby folk, which I prefer.
Mt. Seymour does have one great advantage: women ride free on Monday nights! (However you must pick up a vocher, which you can get at a variety of ski sports stores in Vancouver and North Van).
It's the best for those that work M-F 9-5pm because they offer it for night riders only, so you can go straight from work for some fresh air and great snow!
There is also a free raffle in the pub at 8pm and they give away some handy snow accesories and appareal. Plus the pub food is actually reasonably priced and yummy (unlike other ski spots). I dig the yam fries in particular.
Night skiing/ boarding runs every Monday from 6-10pm (Feburary to March 15th). -
Review from Christine R.
New Westminster, BC
1/25/2009
Of the local hills, I've got a soft spot for Seymour. It's basic and unpretentious, but has all the offerings: ski runs and snowboard terrain parks, a toboggan run with a special rope tow, and a pretty, groomed set of snowshoe trails.
My friends and I got together for a guided two-hour snowshoe tour, and we had a great time. Also a great workout - despite the fact that we were all novices, we opted for the "hard" black-diamond route. However, it was mostly downhill from the direction we approached it, so it wasn't so bad. My heart was pumping on the uphill sections, though!
Since we had a group of more than ten, we qualified for the group rate, which gets you about 10% off the regular tour cost. I would definitely do it again and maybe next time I'll get the chocolate fondue package... -
Review from Chloë E.
Vancouver, BC
12/3/2008
Mt. Seymour has the highest base elevation of Vancouver's three main ski hills (the others being Grouse and Cypress), so it usually plays this trump card when it comes to deepest annual snowfall.
We skied here last winter on a foggy last day of the season and, as a result, missed the views. The staff helpfully set us up with rentals and there was no wait for the lifts. Seymour isn't the best spot for really new skiers in that when you leave the rental area there is a slope to ski down to the main lift. Anyone with wobbly new-to-skiing legs may be daunted by the challenge.
For others who are looking for a wide-variety of runs and good night skiing, Seymour will be just the lift ticket. -
Review from Cameron M.
Toronto, ON
12/3/2008
It's hard to 'rate' a mountain but Mt.Seymour gets crazy mad props for me for enough reasons that I suppose it should be 5-star.
One, it is accessible by bus. Granted its a bit of a treacherous route but you can get here with a simple bus pas and I have yet to find any summer or winter mountain fun that can say the same thing.
Two, SNOWSHOEING! Woo woo. Most fun I've had in a while. If you're in from another country and want to try something distinctly...well...northern, they can set you up very easily for some of their great snowshoeing trails. Those same trails in the summer also make for some damn picturesque and fun hikes, all without being completely impossible for the tired and out of shape such as myself.
Finally, it's in the Vancouver area. Most places are so far away from Vancouver or so far into the sticks you have to really take a greyhound or a long car trip to get there. Seymour is close. And that does mean bigger crowds but I've never had a huge issue, even on weekends. -
Review from Reena M.
Updated - 2/11/2010 4 photos
I finally went snowshoeing and it was a lot of fun. Our guide, Kristen, was very knowledgeable about the woods and explaining the history of it. The area is quite beautiful. They do group rates if you have 10 or more people, or you can do a drop in guided tour as well. I highly recommend it.
Listed in: Anti-Valentine's Day List, Tourism Vancouver, Staying Active
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/7/2009
So maybe not the greatest, or most exciting mountain, but Mt. Seymour is great for snowtubing and… Read more »
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Review from Lee N.
Vancouver, BC
10/1/2009
One of the first areas in Canada to embrace Snow Boarders. The snow can get real deep over on the backside and its easy to get to. The terrain is pretty good for a local hill. They have tubing and tobogganing which sounds lame until you are on the hill and the vis drops to 0 and you just don't want to leave, a friend thought it really lame until he was screaming more like the 10 year old girl who was right behind him ;) It has snow fun for the whole family, stay in bounds and stay safe.
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Review from Emily S.
Vancouver, BC
3/16/2010
Mt. Seymour is great. I've been snowshoeing and recently, night skiing. I went free because Monday night is Boys Night Out and Ladies Ride Free or something to that effect. Also, they were giving out free food to any guy/girl couple that showed their face near the bbq. Ah, it was a good ploy to get the guys to meet the girls and I was sad when they closed up shop around 9pm. Get there early, the line was outrageous. I think they are doing another free ladies' night next Monday and that's all for the season.
