Cypress Mountain Park

Cypress Provincial Park is a year round, summer and winter recreation destination based in the North Shore Mountains. Cypress Provincial Park is a provincial park measuring over 3,012 hectares. The Vancouver park includes three dominate mountain peaks - Mount Strachan 1,454 metres (4770 feet), Black Mountain 1,217 metres (3992 feet) and Hollyburn Mountain 1,325 metres (4347 feet).

Most of the Cypress Provincial Park is considered protected parkland maintained by the Canada government while a small section of the park is a ski and snowboard resort operated by private interests.

Living in the back country wilderness regions of these mountains are many wildlife species. Some of the wildlife to watch out for include grizzly bears, coyotes, black bears, deer, bobcats, cougars and many various bird species.

SUMMER

During the summer months Cypress Provincial Park is a destination for activities and adventures including hiking, backpacking, wilderness camping, picnicking and birdwatching.

The Vancouver, Canada recreation trails provide the best opportunities to view and explore some the remote wilderness lakes and surrounding alpine meadows in the park. The park enjoys many lakes like the Blue Gentian Lake, First Lake, Yew Lake, Cabin Lake and West Lake.

The Vancouver backcountry hiking trails in the Cypress Provincial Park are challenging. The trails are wilderness trails therefore they are muddy, slippery and are covered in exposed tree roots and boulders.

The backpacking trails lead to wilderness campsites. There are no services provided at the campsites. These Vancouver wilderness campsites are located at Enchantment Lake, Magnesia Meadows, Brunswick Lake and at Deeks Lake.

Not all trails are backcountry tough and rugged. There are some short, scenic and interpretive hiking trails suitable for all ages and fitness levels. Some have interpretive signs explaining the surrounding fauna and flora.

Some of the Vancouver recreation trails located in the Cypress Provincial Park include the Yew Lake Interpretive Trail (2 kms loop), Black Mountain Trail (2.5 kms loop), Baden Powell Trail (14 kms of 48 kms trail in park), Cabin Lake Trail (7 km return), Hollyburn Peak Trail (8 kms return), Howe Sound Crest Trail (29 kms one-way) and the Four Lakes Trail (7.2 kms Loop).

For those who wish to picnic and enjoy nature there are 2 day use picnic areas in the park. There is the Highview Day use Picnic Area. It includes views overlooking Vancouver and Vancouver Island. And there is the Quarry Day Use Picnic Area. It is a bigger picnicking site with large grass lawns but with no stunning views. Both picnic sites provide pit toilets.

WINTER

During the winter months Cypress Provincial Park is a great destination in the North Shore Mountains for adventure. Some of the winter activities popular on this Vancouver mountain include downhill skiing, snowboarding, cross country skiing and snowshoeing.

The ski and snowboard trails range from easy (green runs) to challenging (black runs). There are 53 runs servicing 242 hectares of skiing and snowboarding terrain. Night skiing is provided on selective runs covering the slopes of Black Mountain and Mount Strachan. To access the alpine runs there are 6 chair lifts and two are high speed... and 3 are surface lifts (rope tows).

There are 19 kilometres of cross country ski trails - both groomed and classic. And 7 kilometres are available for night skiing. There are two warming huts located on the trail network. A store is available for equipment. There is a Nordic School and lessons.

There are 10 kilometres of trails designated for snowshoeing. Warming huts and some trails are shared with xc skiers.

Some of the services and facilities located in the resort village on the mountain include a lodge, cafe, pub, sport store, snow tube park, snowshoe rentals & tours, ski lessons, ski rentals, meeting & banquet rooms and first aid station.