Learning to Ski & Snowboard

Learning to ski was one of the main reasons I moved to BC. If you have limited time in province you can make serious progress in one season living in Vancouver. There are three excellent ski mountains within fourty minutes drive from downtown. If you invest regular winter sessions to hone your skills I'm confident you can leave with the ability to conquer green and blue runs with your pals in the future.

Here's what you need to know.

Gear

It is best to rent equipment until you feel you want to pursue the sport/s. Sportsjunkies offer $220 season rentals, you can also rent for a season from the resorts themselves but it will limit your ability to join friends on alternate mountains. Remember to write down your sizes for future years. If you want to buy equipment Facebook marketplace has good deals at the end of the season as people depart Canada. You will need the following before starting:

Ski/board equipment: skis, poles, boots, bindings (board)
Protective gear: helmet and goggles (there are different colour lenses, tinted for day and yellow for night, try not to get scratched), some people also wear impact shorts/protectors and wrist guards when first snowboarding. Suncream is needed too.
Warm clothing: neck gaiter/headscarf/beanie/taupe or balaclava if really cold (less than -5), ski gloves (invest in ones with wrist connections, removable finger tips or the ability to type on your phone), thick socks, toe warmers if really cold (single use)
Clothing: you can wear a few different combos: pants/jacket, onesie or overall/jacket. There are plenty of options but try to buy a jacket with a pocket on the wrist/left upper chest for your ski pass. You will also need 'base layers' to wear underneath which can be as simple as leggings/sweatpants and thermals. If it is really cold you can add a third layer. Wool or polypropylene base layers are best as they absorb perspiration and don't leave you shivering. Cotton is not a good insulating base. Here's a good guide from MEC on warmth.

Logistics

I wish someone had explained how skiing 'works' before I started. There are a lot of things to remember, here's my best summation for those with private transport.

Leave home with all your gear in the boot of the car. Wear your base layers and jacket/pants if comfortable. Wear a pair of comfortable shoes in the car and don't forget to pack your boots last as you will need these first. Many people bring a change of clothes (sweatpants, tee shirt) and a small towel.
Arrive at the mountain. Lift up the windscreen wipers so they don't freeze. Put your boots on first and don't fully tighten so it is easier to walk (remember the waterproof plastic pants lining goes outside the top of the boots). Put your phone/keys/wallet and passes in accessible pockets. Put on your warm clothing and helmet then unload your board/skis and poles. Don't bring anything else with you (eg: backpack, shoes, water bottle) as it is a pain to be finding lockers on the mountain.. you are here to ski/board and not to spend all day carting stuff around!
Walk to the mountain. Boarders have it easy as their boots are comfortable and equipment easy to carry. For skiers you need to adjust to walking in your boots as the ground can be slippery (here's a video explaining). Poles clip together by pushing the small semicircular cutout of the plastic at the bottom of one pole attaching to the bottom of the other one (here's a video). You can pickup skis via the heel binding to carry them vertically or put them on your shoulder (here's a video).
Arriving at the mountain. Go to pick up your pass, all local mountains now have reusable RFID chips to gain access to the ski area. Best to grab some water, food and go to the bathroom now. Then make your way to the access areas, sometimes you need to catch a gondola to the slopes, be sure to give enough time. There are places to leave your gear outside ticket entry points. You can leave your gear whilst you eat/buy tickets/use the bathroom in metal storage stands (they look a bit like vertical bike lockers). Some people bring a lock to secure their equipment for safety too.

Lessons/Starting Out

Getting a couple of lessons is a great idea, there are defined levels and I suggest taking 2-3 self-directed sessions in between lessons to reinforce skills prior to moving to the next level. This approach will keep costs down and move you up the learning curve. Friends often offer to 'teach you'. Definitely take them up on their generosity once you've got to level 2, this will avoid frustration on both of your behalf!

Arrive at least 45 minutes early for lessons so you can get to the starting point without stressing as it all feels chaotic and disorganised. When you first start you will likely be on a small patch of snow with a very gentle slope. You will slowly progress to the 'bunny hill' or 'baby hill' which is accessed by a basic chairlift or a magic carpet (kind of like a travelator). Don't worry as the lesson will teach you how to get on and off a chairlift.

Local Mountains

You can buy season passes for local mountains. There are a variety of options including 'peak' and 'off peak' (cannot use public holidays and select weekends) tickets. If you have a defined arrival date in Vancouver I suggest buying your ticket super early at the end of the preceding season in February/March. This saves you up to 70%! Tickets only get more and more expensive the later you buy them so even though you might get a corporate discount it is better to buy as soon as you can. Sometimes this is before you arrive into Canada. You can purchase individual sessions for as little as $12.99 (evening at Seymour) but in your first season it is a great idea to pick get to know one mountain and then do the occasional day elsewhere if you wish.

Grouse Mountain (link)

The closest option and probably the best if you are a complete beginner. Served by public transport and evo car sharing you can get from downtown to the base of the skyride in twenty minutes. Opens late and offers lessons. Thirty three runs, four chairlifts (only three usually open) and fifteen night runs. Best after work resort.

Pros: location, access, events, alternate activities in all seasons, awesome views.
Cons: cost, gondola access only (takes time), limited runs for more experienced.

Cypress (link)

Only fourty minutes from downtown Cypress is incredible. The best quality snow and epic views of the ocean, city and beyond. Highly qualified instructors and options for cross country/nordic skiing. Fifty three runs over three mountains and six chairlifts. Suits those living in North/West Vancouver, downtown and Richmond.

Pros: terrain, high quality snow, cheap three day passes, best beginner area and lessons, cross country.
Cons: limited public transport access, distance from Downtown, very busy on weekends.

Seymour (link)

The Eastern city mountain is great for families and those living in Burnaby, East Vancouver, New Westminster and Surrey. There is a relaxed vibe with free snowshoeing and a 300m elevation change across fourty runs and three chairs (although the Brockton Chair seems to rarely open). Free parking, DJs and very affordable evening tickets make this a great option. They have 'ladies day' on Mondays and evening season passes for less than $200. There is a shuttle which connects to the Rupert Skytrain station.

Pros: very affordable, free parking, shuttle to the Skytrain, good for families.
Cons: no snow making, smallest resort, closes earlier.