Mount Cain Alpine Park is a fun winter getaway located on the northern end of Vancouver in Canada’s British Columbia province. The mountain on which the resort is situated is named after a local pioneer settler named Nathan Cain. The resort is run as a non-profit outfit with workers that are mostly volunteers, who take a lot of pride in their work. The well-oiled resort’s team is dedicated to creating the best ski and snowboard holiday experience ever for thrill-seekers.
Mount Cain has been described as one of the best ski resorts in British Columbia. Whether you are a beginner or an expert, the resort has something for every level skier and snowboarder. From its wide selection of trails for beginners and intermediates to advanced terrain that challenges even the boldest of skiers, you’re surely going to enjoy your time on the slopes.
The family-friendly resort environment is filled with tons of activities for visitors of all ages and cadres. These include tobogganing, tubing, sledding, hiking, snowshoeing and more. And you can enjoy all these with the inexpensive season pass and lift ticket specials on offer before and after the official ski season commences.
Access the backcountry, and enjoy alpine, Nordic, and telemark skiing at the resort. it offers just over 100 acres of terrain to explore, from back and side country skiing to beginner terrain on both sides of the mountain.
If that doesn’t convince you to start planning your next trip, the snow definitely will. All 15 meters of it, every season.
Services
Mountain Features
Resort Features
Mount Cain Ski Field is estimated to be open
Between the dates of December 4, 2022, and estimated to close on April 16, 2023, for the 2022 season.
Ski life Services at Mount Cain Ski Resort open as early as 9:30 AM and last to close is at 3:30 PM.
Mt. Cain’s terrain is not very big. But don’t let that fool you. The resort has excellent slopes that provide lots of fun for skiers and snowboarders. It has 21 trails located on a 457-meter vertical, with the highest lifted point being 1,610 meters and the lowest point being 1,190 meters.
The resort’s 14.1 kilometers of slopes have the following stats:
Many of the runs at the resort are located off the lower T-bar and suit beginners and intermediates. However, advanced and expert runs are located on the upper part of the T-bar and are mostly left au naturel. The advanced slopes have amazing black runs with great tree skiing opportunities amidst a high alpine old-growth forest.
The resort has an easily accessible backcountry that includes two large alpine bowls with chutes, cliffs, and pillow trees. Snow revelers also get access to the mountain’s backside which offers big mountain terrain and an adrenaline-inducing side country playground. However, you need the appropriate safety equipment to access unmonitored terrain in the backcountry. Even so, skiing or snowboarding there is entirely at your own risk.
In addition to the ski and snowboard terrain, there is a superb picnic site on the top of the T-bar, which is also a popular place for parties and meetups.
Lifts at Mount Cain Ski Resort
Mount Cain Ski Resort is a low-key resort and in keeping up with this vibe, it has only three lifts: 2 T-bars and 1 rope tow. These lifts are conveniently placed to transport riders to most parts of the resort.
The details of the resort’s lifts include:
Winter sports and thrills at Mount Cain Ski Resort are some of the most affordable in British Columbia. To get your winter tickets, please visit the resort’s website to purchase them online.
Take advantage of lower ticket prices when you purchase your tickets before the season’s onset. In addition, the more number days you buy on your pass, the more the discount. Also, remember that weekday riding is cheaper than weekend riding, and passes tend to be more costly during the holidays and the season’s peak.
You can get various kinds of tickets at the resort, including day lift tickets and season passes. Season passes offer the best value for money if you intend to spend more than 10 days at the resort.
The following are the lift pass details that you need to note:
Curious to know what the snow is like today at Mount Cain Ski Resort?
Well unfortunately as far as we could find there isn't one anywhere and believe us we have looked. We will update one here as soon as there is one or pop us a message if you have found one you want to share.
Among the many attractions at Mount Cain Ski Resort is the great snow. The resort receives an impressive average seasonal snowfall of about 15 meters. This is massive and only comparable to the legendary powder falls in Japanese ski fields.
The southwest-facing nature of the slopes means that when snow storms work themselves up, they dump massive loads of the famous dry, BC Powder Highway snow. The other reason for the great snow is the resort’s proximity to the ocean guaranteeing the snow quantity. The resort’s terrain’s elevation is also second only to whistler.
The resort is usually open 2 to 3 days a week, leaving the 4 days of the massive snow to accumulate. On top of this, the resort’s grooming staff keeps the snow in great condition for a great time on the slopes.
In the following live graphic, you can see the currently estimated snow depth for the Mount Cain Ski Resort.
Knowing the projected weather conditions at and around the resort can help you plan your trip better. The following graphic shows an updated forecast for the Mount Cain Ski Resort’s weather.
Mount Cain is the ideal destination for people of all ages and skill levels who enjoy winter sports and other snow activities. The resort has a small village at the base of the resort, with some accommodation options scattered on the resort’s slopes.
The lodging options at the resort consist of an assortment of rustic chalets, townhouses, and private cabins. The main lodging and dining place at the resort is the Main Lodge which offers great hotel-style accommodation. For more convenience, it is advisable to book your slot before the beginning of the skiing season.
If you don’t mind the commute, you can stay in the nearby Sayward or Woss towns, which offer more lodging and dining options. If you are on a shoestring budget, you can also find budget-friendly spots with superb food and cozy rooms.
Some great places to stay at the resort include:
You can also find excellent off-mountain accommodation including:
Mount Cain is the ideal destination for people of all ages and skill levels who enjoy winter sports and other snow activities. The resort has a small village at the base of the resort, with some accommodation options scattered on the resort’s slopes.
The lodging options at the resort consist of an assortment of rustic chalets, townhouses, and private cabins. The main lodging and dining place at the resort is the Main Lodge which offers great hotel-style accommodation. For more convenience, it is advisable to book your slot before the beginning of the skiing season.
If you don’t mind the commute, you can stay in the nearby Sayward or Woss towns, which offer more lodging and dining options. If you are on a shoestring budget, you can also find budget-friendly spots with superb food and cozy rooms.
Some great places to stay at the resort include:
You can also find excellent off-mountain accommodation including:
Mount Cain Ski Resort is situated in northern Vancouver, near Schoen Lake and Schoen Lake Provincial Park. It is about 75 kilometers northwest of Sayward, 400 kilometers from Victoria, and about 287 kilometers from Nanaimo where you can take the ferry from the mainland.
The drive to the resort is an experience by itself. It’s a 16-kilometer road trip on Highway 19, on an unpaved road, a drive that takes roughly 30 minutes. Due to the challenging driving conditions on the unpaved road, uphill traffic is permitted only up to 1 PM while downhill traffic runs from 1 to 6 PM.
If you don’t wish to drive yourself to the resort, then you can take the only shuttle bus that operates from the resort’s parking lot from 8:30 AM to 4 PM.
Other approximate driving times to the resort from various locations include:
When driving on Highway 19, it is compulsory to fit snow chains on your tires. Before leaving with your car or rental vehicle, ensure that you read the manufacturer’s instructions and specifications on fitting snow chains on your vehicle. The snow chains are also required for 4 x 4 vehicles with snow and all-weather tires.
The resort also has parking policies for all vehicles which include:
You may also use the following checklist before driving up to the resort:
The resort is located at the northern end of Vancouver Island, Canada, near the Schoen Lake Provincial Park.
The resort receives a massive average seasonal snowfall of 15 meters of the famed British Columbia powder.
The resort has 21 trails that collectively makeup 14.1 kilometers of slopes. As the resort’s terrain is not that massive, it only has three lifts, two T-bars, and one rope tow.
Yes, there is ample parking at the resort for those who need to spend the night or several days at the resort.
Yes, the resort is beginner-friendly with great green runs served by a rope tow and friendly T-bars.
Yes, the local administration required that all vehicles driving up the unpaved road to the resort off Highway 19 have fitting snow chains, even if the vehicles are 4 x 4 and have snow tires.