Ski the Powder at Manning Park

• Author: TanamarTraveller
• Accommodation: Vancouver Coast & Mountains

Do you like to ski down a mountain all day by yourself (and not have to hike back up)?  Enjoy the sunny cool crisp days, with 30 cm of fresh powder snow.  Then Manning Park Resort is where you should come.

From the lower mainland the drive to Manning Park is about 2.5 hours.  It is very similar to the drive (in duration) to the drive from Vancouver to Whistler.  But unlike Whistler expect to pay less than half the price for a day on the hill.  Don’t get me wrong the amenities are in no way comparable.  Manning Park is a much smaller hill.  However, the small size is exactly what makes it a perfect place for families and new skiers.  It is a great place for kids and adults to learn to ski.  Pack a lunch and head up to the hill.  When you want a break, set up a picnic lunch on the tail gate or in the snow and enjoy the winter sunshine.  But keep an eye on your lunch as the Whiskey Jacks (local bird) are as interested in your lunch as you are.  Their particular favourite are French fries from the Day Lodge.

Manning has two double chair lifts: fondly referred to as the Blue chair and the Orange chair – no fancy names here.  The Blue chair is shorter in length.  On windy days, this is a good thing as it is usually more sheltered than the Orange chair.  The shorter runs make this the perfect first chair experience once you leave the bunny hill.  The Blue chair also hosts the Terrain Park.  You can watch those crazy snowboarders doing their 360s off the lower jumps as you make your way up the chair.  The Orange chair raises about 430 m (1200 ft.) in elevation.  It grants you access to the widest variety of runs.  You have access to many expert powder filled runs through the trees and open meadows.  As well as several intermediate (blue) runs.  Each chair of these chairs has a beginner (green) run.  There is also a handle tow and a t-bar lift at Manning Park – commonly referred to as the Bunny Hill.  And in the spring you just might see a bunny crossing the hill.  At the bottom of the t-bar lift, you have access to over 35 km of groomed cross-country skiing trails.  A new addition to the hill is the Polar Coastal – Tube Ride.  Many eager riders line up for the thrill of sliding down the hill on a large tube.  And the best part is that you don’t have to walk back up the hill.  Just relax and sit on your tube as you are pulled to the top again.  Manning Park has something for everyone.