Vancouver Snowshoeing, Hiking, Nature Tours -- Snowscape Ecotours

Snowscape is owned and operated by Devon Girard, an all-around mountain enthusiast who enjoys sharing his passion for the outdoors with others.

As visitors (or residents ;-) fly into Vancouver, they are often impressed by the combination of ocean, city and mountains. True, the view of Vancouver from above is awesome... yet this is just the beginning.

Vancouver is one of very few large cities in the world with immediate and convenient access to pristine nature. Within easy driving distance of downtown, there is literally a lifetime's worth of stunning coastlines, forests and mountains to explore.

An experience of this unique city cannot be complete without venturing into the local wilderness. Snowscape specializes in quality, single day nature tours... spring, summer, fall or winter.

Snowscape's founder and lead guide, Devon Girard, is also the author of Vancouver's local snowshoeing guidebook.

The book includes sections on How To (clothing, equipment, technique, navigation and safety) and Where To, including maps and directions to a variety of snowshoe routes throughout Vancouver's local mountains; 25 excursions from beginner to hard-core.

(click to preview the table of contents)

A Vancouver Guide to Snowshoeing: How to Safely Explore our Local Mountains in Winter is available at many outdoor sports stores in the Vancouver area, including Mountain Equipment Co-op.

You can also purchase the book directly by contacting snowscape at info@snowscape.ca.

Table of Contents for A Vancouver Guide to Snowshoeing: How to Safely Explore our Local Mountains in Winter:

PART I : PREPARATION
Why Snowshoe?
Backcountry Beauty
Safety
Technique
Equipment
Clothing
What to Pack

PART II : ADVENTURE
Mount Seymour
Lynn Headwaters
Grouse Mountain
Cypress Bowl
Deeks Lake

There are a wide variety of summer hikes to choose from. A strenuous hike along the Howe Sound Crest Trail, for example, would be a rewarding challenge for a fit and experienced hiker... whereas the beautiful yet gentle trail to dog mountain is ideal for families or groups with mixed experience levels.

In Vancouver, even when it is hot and sunny it is a good idea to prepare for rain:

-- several pairs of socks
-- shorts/pants, shirt, sweater/fleece
-- toque
-- footwear (running shoes or hiking boots)
-- rain jacket
-- backpack with extra sweater, food and water (or mocha ;-)

Important: all clothing (including socks) must be non-cotton! Wool or synthetic fibers only.

howe sound crest
Full-day excursion, moderate fitness level required. Arguably the most spectacular terrain in the local mountains. 9 hours round-trip from downtown.
Download tour description here.

Some of Vancouver's most scenic and enjoyable backcountry terrain lies tucked behind the Cypress Bowl downhill ski resort.

The Howe Sound Crest stretches for 10 spectacular kilometres north of Cypress, an unbroken ridge flanked by breathtaking views of sea and sky on either side.

This sidewalk through the clouds is a local treasure that deserves to be more popular.

Tours are priced according to their duration, the transportation expense involved and the number of participants.

Detailed tour and pricing information on the Howe Sound Crest tour can be found in this document.

The price jump for larger groups is due to the need for an additional guide and vehicle. Groups of four, five or six people provide the highest value.

Snowscape rents vehicles as-needed to match the number of passengers; these fees can be waived for groups providing their own transportation.

All prices include pickup from downtown, equipment rental and guiding services.

seymour mountain
Full-day excursion, moderate fitness level required. Climb over and around stunning alpine peaks overlooking Vancouver. 8 hours round-trip from downtown.
Download tour description here.

Seymour consists of three main peaks, each offering its own unique flavor of the same incredible panorama.

Tours are priced according to their duration, the transportation expense involved and the number of participants.

Detailed tour and pricing information on the Seymour Mountain tour can be found in this document.

The price jump for larger groups is due to the need for an additional guide and vehicle. Groups of four, five or six people provide the highest value.

Snowscape rents vehicles as-needed to match the number of passengers; these fees can be waived for groups providing their own transportation.

All prices include pickup from downtown, equipment rental and guiding services.

dog mountain
Half-day excursion, suitable for beginners. Hike through beautiful old-growth forest en route to a viewpoint overlooking Vancouver. 6 hours round-trip from downtown.
Download tour description here.

The trail to Dog Mountain winds through beautiful forest on its way to an open viewpoint and offers a rewarding yet gentle introduction to the backcountry.

Tours are priced according to their duration, the transportation expense involved and the number of participants.

Detailed tour and pricing information on the Dog Mountain tour can be found in this document.

The price jump for larger groups is due to the need for an additional guide and vehicle. Groups of four, five or six people provide the highest value.

Snowscape rents vehicles as-needed to match the number of passengers; these fees can be waived for groups providing their own transportation.

All prices include pickup from downtown, equipment rental and guiding services.

grouse mountain
Half-day excursion, suitable for beginners. Includes a variety of optional activities in the Grouse Mountain resort area. 6 hours round-trip from downtown.
Download tour description here.

The first peak beyond Grouse is an easy 30-45 minutes from the Chalet, perhaps as long as an hour if there is deep powder.

The peak offers a nice view of Vancouver to the south, Crown Mountain and The Lions to the west, Mount Seymour to the east and the near-infinite Coast Range to the north. Even if this is as far as you go, you won't be disappointed.

Tours are priced according to their duration, the transportation expense involved and the number of participants.

Detailed tour and pricing information on the Grouse Mountain tour can be found in this document.

The price jump for larger groups is due to the need for an additional guide and vehicle. Groups of four, five or six people provide the highest value.

Snowscape rents vehicles as-needed to match the number of passengers; these fees can be waived for groups providing their own transportation.

All prices include pickup from downtown, equipment rental and guiding services.

Snowscape offers summer tours to a variety of beautiful nature areas close to Vancouver.

Click on the pictures for detailed descriptions of each tour.