Grouse Mountain, the high mountains 2 buses from the city centre

The mountain was given its name in 1894 by the first mountaineer to reach the summit, who chose the name in reference to the many Sooty Grouse, a species of bird very common to the area. Barely 30 years later, the first ski lift was built here and the decades of winter sports that have made Grouse Mountain famous were finally underway.

So much so that today there's no shortage of different ways to get up the slopes. You can take a ski lift, chairlift, cable car or, for the more courageous, on foot. The SkyRide is undoubtedly the most pleasant option, offering superb views during the ascent. However, the price is still rather high: $69 for adults. At this price, the ticket also gives access to all the bus routes to the foot of the mountain and the mountain's attractions: the toboggan runs, the ice rink and the hiking trails.

If you have a SkyRide ticket, you can take a shuttle bus from the centre of Vancouver to Grouse Mountain free of charge. For sports enthusiasts who choose to hike, public transport is a convenient way to get to the starting point.

Head to North Vancouver from your accommodation, for example via the Seabus to Lonsdale Quay Market, then hop on the 236 bus to Grouse Montain (approx. €3). Known as the Grouse Grind Trail, the climb is not an easy one, however, with more than 800m of ascent over the 2.5 km route. With almost 3,000 steps, the climb is an experience in itself. Depending on your level of fitness, conquering Grouse Grind should take between 1h30 and 3h. On the way back, you can buy a ticket for the SkyRide for $10. Unfortunately, however, the Skyride ticket does not include ski and snowboard lifts.

It will cost $89 at the weekend and $79 during the week. For children aged 13 to 18 the price is $65 and $59, while for the youngest children aged 5 to 12 the price is $35 and $31. It is also possible to use the lifts at night for an additional $65. To keep costs down, the resort offers multi-day passes. The ski area is very varied and is suitable for all levels. In which case, even if your level is too low, lessons are available. There are even two Snow Parks for the more experienced skiers who want to try out a few tricks. The resort has a total of 33km of pistes. It's the second closest to Vancouver after Mount Seymour, but it's also bigger than the latter.

What's more, the resort boasts a unique attraction, theEye of the Wind. A world first, the Eye of the Wind is a wind turbine that can be raised to the top. At the top is a 360-degree panoramic view beyond compare. With Vancouver on one side and the mountains on the other, the view is magnificent. At the top, you can even watch a projection of the local flora and fauna in a high-definition cinema. Access to the Eye of the Wind and the Theatre in the Sky cinema is provided by two separate tickets.

When the snow isn't blanketing the mountain in white, there's even more to do. Not only are the immaculate white hikes replaced by brilliant green, but seasonal opportunities are also awakened. You can visit the refuge that is home to two grizzly bears, Grinder and Coola, go zip-lining, venture into the children's cabins in the canopy, practise your axe-throwing skills, listen to a nature guide tell you more about the local owls and wildlife in general, practise your golf skills on the 18-hole course and much more. It would take too long to go into detail about each possibility, as there are so many to choose from.