I LOVE Mount Seymour. Whether I’m hiking up to a scenic lookout, swimming in a crystal-clear lake, or snowshoeing through fresh powder, Mount Seymour never disappoints.
Okay, maybe I’m not the ultimate outdoor enthusiast (though I try to be), and my circle might not be the biggest group of explorers (but we sure have fun).
Still, I know Mount Seymour’s trails, hidden gems, and must-visit spots like the back of my hand. Today, I’ll share some of the top activities that make Mount Seymour an outdoor paradise!
Is Mount Seymour worth it?
Mount Seymour is definitely worth visiting, as it features a great blend of natural and enhanced terrain for skiers and riders. Additionally, Mount Seymour provides some of the most scenic hikes on the North Shore and is accessible to hikers of all skill levels.
Things to Know About Mount Seymour
Tickets
While it’s free to hike up Mount Seymour, you would have to purchase tickets for the various activities that this park has to offer. This includes skiing, snowshoeing, tubing, and tobogganing.
If you’re getting the regular pass, one of the best perk you get is the absence of blackout dates. This means you can ski all throughout the season.
Additional perks include complimentary tubing, access to snowshoe trails, and rentals of snowshoe equipment.
Regular Pass
- Adults (ages 19 to 59): $799
- Seniors (ages 60 to 74) : $649
- Super Seniors (ages 75+): FREE
- Youth (age 13 to 18): $649
- Children (ages 5 to 12): $299
- Tots (under age 5): $59
The Value Pass offers a shuttle season pass, free tobogganing, and discounts on rentals, apparel, and servicing, along with Reciprocal Mountain Deals.
Value Pass
- Adults (ages 19 to 59): $389
- Seniors (ages 60 to 74): $219
- Youth (ages 13 to 18): $259
- Children (ages 5 to 12): $109
- Tots (under ages 5): $29
However, it has blackout periods on weekends and holidays until 4:30 pm. Tubing and snowshoeing are also not included, instead, you get 25% off these activities and rentals.
For avid skiers at Mount Seymour, the best value comes from purchasing a season pass, available for sale typically from March to September or until they are sold out.
Parking
Mount Seymour has various designated parking lots that depend on the activity you plan on doing.
For example, if you are skiing or snowboarding, you are to park at P2, P3, P4, and Upper P5. Additionally, there are also parking lots designated for backcountry winter activities, which is at P1 and Lower P5.
How to Get to Mount Seymour
By shuttle: During the winter months, Mount Seymour operates a shuttle bus service from Parkgate Community Centre in North Vancouver, and opposite the Rupert Skytrain Station in East Vancouver.
Location | Price per seat | Full, Value, and Snowshoe Season Pass Holders |
Rupert Skytrain Station (East Vancouver) | $15 | FREE |
Parkgate Community Centre (North Vancouver) | $10 | FREE |
By car: To get to Mount Seymour from Vancouver, take Highway 1 northbound and exit at 22A onto Mount Seymour Parkway. Continue east for about 7 kilometers, then turn onto Mount Seymour Road.
Follow Mount Seymour Road for approximately 9 kilometers until you reach the parking areas and trailheads at Mount Seymour.
Top Things to Do on Mount Seymour
Try Your Hand at Skiing or Snowboarding
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Website: https://bcparks.ca/mount-seymour-park/
Address: 1700 Mt Seymour Rd, North Vancouver
Contact details: 604-986-2261
General Season: late November – mid April
Opening Hours: 9:30am to 10pm
With over 40 runs and 4 terrain parks, Mount Seymour is most probably the best mountain for beginner skiers and snowboarders.
The trails here are mapped out well, which makes it very enjoyable and efficient. It’s also great that you can ski at night here, too as some of the runs are lit at night.
Oh, and once you leave the ski/snowshoe area, you’re going to see three peaks, with each one higher than the last. These peaks are often referred to as the three pumps. There are terrific views from each
Pro tip:
Mount Seymour also offers ski and snowboard lessons whether it’s for you or your group. These lessons vary based on your skill level.
Bike the Trails
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Website: https://bcparks.ca/mount-seymour-park/
Address: 1700 Mt Seymour Rd, North Vancouver
Contact details: 604-986-2261
General Season: late November – mid April
Opening Hours: 9:30am to 10pm
Mount Seymour has a variety of trails with diverse terrain. Some of these trails are on old logging roads, old access roads or trails built by mountain bikers and hikers.
To start off, head to the Old Buck Parking lot and from there, you can jumpstart your ride into a huge network of trails. You can go mountain biking here anytime of the year.
Pro tip:
The biking trails can be a bit confusing, so we recommend you download the Trailforks app to navigate your way through the trails.
Head to the Tube Park
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Website: https://bcparks.ca/mount-seymour-park/
Address: 1700 Mt Seymour Rd, North Vancouver
Contact details: 604-986-2261
General Season: late November – mid April
Opening Hours: 9:30am to 10pm
The Mount Seymour Tube Park is an area where families can enjoy tobogganing or just simply enjoy a day in the snow. This are is open to everyone of all height and ages.
Now, you would have to buy a pass to toboggan at Mt Seymour, so make sure to buy your tickets ahead. It’s also important to note that sliding is only allowed in designated areas on Mount Seymour.
Pro tip:
If you don’t have your own non-inflatable sled, the tube park has big inflatable tubes and a tube tow you can rent out!
Go Hiking
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Website: https://bcparks.ca/mount-seymour-park/
Address: 1700 Mt Seymour Rd, North Vancouver
Contact details: 604-986-2261
General Season: late November – mid April
Opening Hours: 9:30am to 10pm
Hiking Mount Seymour takes approximately 45 minutes to reach the top, but once you get there, you’re rewarded with a scenic view of the city and the Coastal Mountain Range.
Apart from that climb, the park actually has an extensive trail network, with many of them leading to breathtaking lookouts. Here’s some of the shorter hikes that are less than 2 kilometers:
- Old Buck access: easy hike. Trail begins at the Vancouver picnic area parking lot.
- Mushroom parking lot: offers a chance to witness more of Mount Seymour’s past as it developed toward a major ski area.
- Perimeter: begins at the Deep Cove lookout and ends at the Goldie Lake access trail junction.
- Old cabin: short connector trail that leads to the Perimeter trail junction.
- Dinky peak: leads to the peak of Dinky Bluff, providing a beautiful view of the lower mainland.
- Flower Lake loop: goes through sub-alpine bog and pond communities. This trail lets you see a variety of birds.
- Mystery Lake: a moderate hike to Mystery Lake. Starts at the north end of Parking Lot 4.
If you’re looking for something more difficult, there’s the First Lake loop and Dog Mountain, Elsay Lake, and Baden-Powell trails that are more than 5 kilometers long.
Pro tip:
To avoid snow, it’s best to stick to the lower trails. However, consider bringing microspikes for added safety on icy days.
Go Snowshoeing at the Discovery Trails
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Website: https://bcparks.ca/mount-seymour-park/
Address: 1700 Mt Seymour Rd, North Vancouver
Contact details: 604-986-2261
General Season: late November – mid April
Opening Hours: 9:30am to 10pm
Okay, if you’re totally new to snowshoeing, then it’s best to start off your practice here at the Discovery Snowshoe Trails. It’s flat, easy, and it’s nice because they have rentals for you to try out different types of snowshoes.
This area is composed of a network of trails that make a bunch of loops around frozen ponds, which are quite gorgeous.
Pro tip:
It’s good to book trail passes online in advance to secure your spot, especially on weekends when it can get busy.
Have a Picnic at the Trailhead
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Website: https://bcparks.ca/mount-seymour-park/
Address: 1700 Mt Seymour Rd, North Vancouver
Contact details: 604-986-2261
General Season: late November – mid April
Opening Hours: 9:30am to 10pm
At Mount Seymour Park, there are two picnic areas. You can find them at the Vancouver Picnic Area, which is on the second switchback of Mount Seymour Road, and the other is just right at the end of the ski area parking lot.
These sites offer a pit toilet, large group shelter with wood stove, five picnic tables, and a single outside group fire pit.
Pro tip:
Take note that campfires are not allowed here at Mount Seymour so make sure to bring a camp stove for cooking.
Media credit: mtseymour
Website: https://bcparks.ca/mount-seymour-park/
Address: 1700 Mt Seymour Rd, North Vancouver
Contact details: 604-986-2261
General Season: late November – mid April
Opening Hours: 9:30am to 10pm
The Rock Chute Bar & Grill is an old school cozy après-ski restaurant here at Mount Seymour. It’s best if you can snag a seat at their large patio so you get a gorgeous mountain backdrop on one side and views of the city and ocean on the other.
Their menu has brunch, snacks, and main courses. And get this, they even have a doggie menu! But if you’re here for alcohol, they have a bar where you can get local craft beers, Okanagan wines and specialty liquors.
Pro tip:
For food, we recommend their pulled pork sandwich. It had a smoky flavor without being over-sauced and then sprinkled with blue cheese!
Try the Signature Hot Chocolate at Harold’s Café
Website: https://bcparks.ca/mount-seymour-park/
Address: 1700 Mt Seymour Rd, North Vancouver
Contact details: 604-986-2261
General Season: late November – mid April
Opening Hours: 9:30am to 10pm
Tucked inside the Enquist Lodge, Harold’s Cafe is the spot to warm up after skiing, tubing, or snowshoeing. They have a fireplace where you can defrost, while sipping on one of their signature hot chocolate drinks.
Pro tip:
They also sell snow protection equipment here like gloves, hats, and hand warmers to keep you comfortable during your outdoor adventures in the snow.
Watch the Sunset
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Website: https://bcparks.ca/mount-seymour-park/
Address: 1700 Mt Seymour Rd, North Vancouver
Contact details: 604-986-2261
General Season: late November – mid April
Opening Hours: 9:30am to 10pm
If you’d like to see the sunset, we say head up to Mount Seymour at about 5 p.m. The climb is actually enjoyable during this time, with afternoon shadows providing a welcome respite from the heat of the day.
Plus, the view from the top is absolutely breathtaking as the sun dips below the horizon. The good thing about heading up in the afternoon is that you’ll have the place entirely to yourself.
Pro tip:
During sunset is the best time to take a photo of the surrounding scenery here at Mount Seymour. The colors in the sky during this time are truly spectacular and a golden hour for photography.
Swim at Mystery Lake
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Website: https://bcparks.ca/mount-seymour-park/
Address: 1700 Mt Seymour Rd, North Vancouver
Contact details: 604-986-2261
General Season: late November – mid April
Opening Hours: 9:30am to 10pm
Mystery Lake, located in Mount Seymour Provincial Park, is a popular swimming spot, with Mystery Peak nearby offering great views on clear days.
During the summer, the lake is a favorite destination for families. They often hike there, enjoying picnics with their kids near the water’s edge.
Pro tip:
Although the hike to Mystery Lake is relatively easy, the trail does ascend about 150 meters and includes sections with tree roots and loose rocks, so keep those in mind.