Vancouver doesn’t often get a white Christmas, but its three local mountains usually do. Grouse, Cypress and Seymour are all about 30 minutes from downtown, and each has its own way of doing Christmas: a mountaintop Santa’s workshop on Grouse, Santa in a yurt with tobogganing on Seymour, and family ski days on Cypress.
Grouse Mountain: The Peak of Christmas
From November 20 to December 24, Grouse turns its summit into a small North Pole. Ride the Skyride up for:
- Santa’s workshop, with photos for $5 each (proceeds to Family Services of the North Shore).
- Reindeer, and a lit Light Walk around Blue Grouse Lake.
- A mountaintop skating pond. Skate rentals are $10 for adults and $6 for kids.
- Sledding, with sled rentals at the Fireside Hut.
- Breakfast with Santa, booked separately.
It’s included with a Mountain Admission ticket or pass. Full guide: The Peak of Christmas at Grouse Mountain.
Mount Seymour: Santa at Seymour
Santa sets up in a yurt on Mount Seymour on select days from November 28 to December 24, 2026:
- November 28 and 29, December 5 and 6: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
- December 12 and 13: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- December 16 (3:30 to 7:30 PM) and December 18 (11:00 AM to 6:00 PM)
- December 19 to 23: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- December 24: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Each booking includes a five-minute visit with Santa for up to four people, a digital photo and two tobogganing tickets (tobogganing runs 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, snow permitting). Kids can decorate a giant bauble in Santa’s Workshop. Parking is free, and house-trained pets are welcome. Everyone entering the yurt needs a ticket. Prices are on Mt Seymour’s booking page.
Cypress Mountain
Cypress, in West Vancouver, is the largest of the three for skiing and snowshoeing, and has a tube park that books up over the holidays (tickets online only, no walk-ups). Last season it held a Holly Jolly Day with cookie decorating, live music and a visit from Santa. Watch Cypress’s events page for 2026 dates.
Skiing Over the Holidays
All three mountains aim to open by the holidays, but opening day depends on snow. The week between Christmas and New Year’s is the busiest of the year. Buy lift tickets and lessons online in advance, and expect full parking lots by mid-morning. In 2025, all three were open on Christmas Day.
New Year’s Eve on the Mountains
Grouse Mountain held a family fireworks show at 7:00 PM and a midnight pyromusical last year, and Cypress has run New Year’s Eve events too. 2026 plans haven’t been posted yet. See New Year’s Eve in Vancouver.
Getting There
Grouse is the easiest without a car: take the SeaBus or a bus to Lonsdale Quay, then the #236 bus. Seymour runs a shuttle bus in the winter season. For Cypress and Seymour, drivers need proper winter tires, and roads can be icy. More on the weather: Vancouver weather in December.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which mountain is best for Christmas with kids?
Grouse has the most Christmas activities in one place. Seymour’s Santa visit includes tobogganing and is great for younger kids.
When is Santa at Seymour in 2026?
On select days from November 28 to December 24, 2026.
Is there always snow on the local mountains at Christmas?
Usually, but not always. Check each mountain’s snow report before you go.
Christmas by Area
- Christmas on the North Shore
- City of Vancouver
- Burnaby and New Westminster
- Richmond and Delta
- Surrey and White Rock
- Tri-Cities
- Langley and the Fraser Valley
- Squamish and Whistler
Part of: Vancouver Christmas Guide 2026 › Christmas on the North Shore
