Summer trails
Yew Lake Trail (barrier-free): Length: 2-kilometre loop. Suggested time: 1 hour.
This self-guided interpretive trail begins near the alpine ski facilities and goes through sub-alpine meadows. It provides access to an additional short loop through a fascinating old-growth forest stand. Sorry, no dogs allowed. The Yew lake trail is closed to dogs due to the sensitive marsh ecosystem. Guide dogs for the visually impaired are welcome.
Black Mountain Loop
Length: 2.5 kilometres. Suggested time: just over 90 minutes. Elevation change: 100 metres.
Situated astride Black Mountain Plateau, the trail winds through sub-alpine meadows, skirting the edges of several mountain lakes. Quoted length and time include the recommended side trips to enjoy the Yew Lake viewpoint and the Vancouver look-out.
Baden-Powell Trail
This trail extends for 48 kilometres from Horseshoe Bay (West Vancouver) to Deep Cove (North Vancouver) along the North Shore mountains. The Cypress Park section passes over Black Mountain and along lower Hollyburn Mountain.
Horseshoe Bay to Cypress Mountain Resort (Alpine ski area)
Length: 8.5 kilometres (one way). Suggested time: 6 hours. Elevation change: 1,040 metres.
The trailhead is in a parking lot at the North end of Eagleridge Drive (just off Hwy 1) near Horseshoe Bay. The trail goes up to Eagle Bluff, over Black Mountain and down into Cypress Bowl.
Cypress Mountain Resort (Alpine ski area) to Craigmohr Drive (West Vancouver)
Length: 9.5 kilometres (one way). Suggested time: 4 hours. Elevation change: 470 metres.
From Cypress Bowl, the trail runs east through ancient forest on Hollyburn Mountain, intersects the Hollyburn Peak Trail, and heads down near Hollyburn Lodge to continue southeast through West Vancouver Municipal Mountain Lands to Craigmohr Drive.
Cabin Lake Trail
Length: 1 kilometre. Length from Cypress Mountain Resort parking lot: 7 kilometres (return). Suggested time: 3 hours. Elevation change: 275 metres.
Follow the Baden Powell Trail up Black Mountain for 2.7 kilometres to the Cabin Lake trail. The trail passes several small lakes, the Yew Lake Lookout and the south summit of Black Mountain before connecting back to the Baden Powell Trail.
Hollyburn Peak Trail
Length: 1.3 kilometres. Length from Nordic Ski Area: 8 kilometres (return) Suggested time: 4 hours. Elevation change: 400 metres.
From the Nordic Ski Area Parking lot, hike up the powerline road to the Baden-Powell trail. Follow the signs up the mountain to the Hollyburn Peak Trail. This trail leads to the top of Hollyburn Mountain and offers spectacular views of the surrounding area.
Howe Sound Crest Trail
Length: 29 kilometres (one way).
Trail begins in the Cypress Mountain Resort Alpine ski area and leads north along Mount Strachan’s western slope past the Lions and Deeks Lake before descending to Hwy 99 just south of Porteau Cove Provincial Park. Sections of the trail are extremely rugged and easy to lose in inclement weather. Only experienced and well-equipped backcountry travellers should attempt to hike this trail beyond the Bowen Lookout. Winter use of the trail is not recommended beyond Bowen Lookout.
Four Lakes Loop
Length: to First Lake 1 km, to West Lake 1.7 km, to Blue Gentian 2.1 km, to Lost Lake 3.2 km, total loop via Brother’s Creek Trail 7.2 km.
From the BC Park’s information kiosk at Hollyburn Mountain’s nordic ski area parking lot, follow the Burfield Trail to the Baden-Powell Trail (100 metres past First Lake). Follow the Baden-Powell Trail for 500 metres to the West Lake Trail junction. Carry on along the West Lake Trail past West Lake and on to the Blue Gentian Trail. At Blue Gentian Lake head east along the Lost Lake Trail descending once past Lost Lake to the Brother’s Creek Trail. Head up the Brother’s Creek trail returning to Blue Gentian Lake. Go west on the Blue Gentian Trail for 300 metres which returns you to the Baden-Powell Trail. Return to the nordic ski area by heading up the Baden-Powell Trail.
Winter trails
There are three winter backcountry access trails; the Hollyburn Peak, the Black Mountain Plateau, and the Bowen Lookout Winter trails.
Cypress Mountain Resort provides an alternate network of 11 km of self-guided snowshoe trails within the Nordic Ski Area boundary. Trail tickets are required and are available with trail maps at the Nordic Ticket office.
Know before you go
- Winter trails are marked with bright coloured plastic or bamboo poles.
- Winter trail distances may change due to varying snow levels.
- Washrooms are available for backcountry visitors in the Black Mountain Lodge.
- Snowshoes, poles, ice picks, and crampons are not permitted inside any buildings.
- Uphill travel and access to any other area within the Alpine or Nordic Ski Area Boundary is not permitted at any time.
- Parking in Cypress Park is limited. Carpooling or using Cypress Coach Lines’ scheduled bus service is recommended for all persons using winter trails.
- Dogs must be on leash and under control at all times. Please bag and remove all dog excrement.
Safety notes
- These winter trails are in a backcountry setting outside of the alpine ski area and are not patrolled. You are responsible for your own safety.
- Backcountry users must be knowledgeable of the hazards of winter travel, and equipped for self-rescue in case of accidents.
- Access for rescue personnel and transport vehicles is limited. Search and Rescue response would likely be required if injured or disabled on these backcountry routes.
Hollyburn Hiker’s Access
Length: 6 kilometres (return).
The trailhead is located 25 metres north of the BC Parks information kiosk in the Nordic Ski Area. When fully installed for the season, this trail is marked to Hollyburn Peak.
Black Mountain Plateau Winter Trail
Length: 7 kilometres (return).
Passage through the downhill ski area on the Backcountry Access Corridor (BAC) requires a free BAC Tag.
The trailhead is located at the termination of the Backcountry Access Corridor approximately 30 m west of the lower terminal of Eagle Express Quad Chairlift in the downhill ski area. The trail is marked to the south summit of Black Mountain and loops on the plateau. The winter access route is open from 7 am to 10 pm only.
Bowen Lookout Winter Trail
Length: 3.5 kilometres (return).
Passage through the downhill ski area on the Backcountry Access Corridor (BAC) requires a free BAC Tag.
The trailhead is located at the termination of the Backcountry Access Corridor approximately 30 m west of the lower terminal of Eagle Express Quad Chairlift in the alpine ski area. The trail passes the Yew Lake meadows and is marked to Bowen Lookout. The winter access route is open from 7 am to 10 pm only.
Winter Access to the summer hiking trail known as the Howe Sound Crest Trail is not recommended due to dangerous avalanche terrain and other serious hazards.
Free BAC tag
A free “Exclusion of Liability/Assumption of Risk” BAC tag is required for travel along the Backcountry Access Corridor for access to Bowen Lookout and the Black Mountain Plateau winter trails. BAC tags may be obtained free of charge from Cypress Mountain Resort on behalf of BC Parks at the Black Mountain Lodge “Backcountry Self Registration Area.” (These tags are not available at any other location). You must acknowledge the requirements on the BAC tag and display it at the Cypress Mountain Resort ticket checking gate before proceeding beyond the alpine ski area into the backcountry area.
Commercial use
Commercial activities such as snowshoeing, winter hiking, fondue tours or other special events conducted as a commercial opportunity must be authorized with a valid park use permit. If you are participating in a tour or group activity where you have paid a fee, it is your responsibility to ensure that your operator has obtained the appropriate permissions from BC Parks and Cypress Mountain Resort. If in doubt, ask your tour operator, or contact BC Parks.
Cypress Mountain Resort
Cypress Provincial Park has a lot to offer anyone interested in public winter recreation.
Alpine area
Cypress has 53 downhill winter skiing and riding runs accessed by six (6) chairlifts and two (2) surface lifts with runs for all abilities.
Facilities include the Crazy Raven Bar and Grill, Cypress Creek Grill, Gold Medal Cafe, Big Bear Sports “The Cypress Mountain Store”, snow school for lesson programs and rental centre.
Summer dining is available at the Crazy Raven Bar & Grill, open June through until early September.
The summer mountain bike park is not in operation until further notice.
Nordic area
The Nordic area includes a cross country skiing area with 19 km of trails, a huge snowtubing park and unique Snowshoe Fondue Tours. The area has varied snowshoe trails, regularly groomed Nordic ski trails, and family friendly facilities.
Nordic facilities include the Hollyburn Lodge, Nordic Cafe, ski school for lessons programs, ski rental facilities and retail stores.
Find more information on Cypress Mountain Resort