amyx

I couldn't believe that it costs $26 per person for admission. I heard that the view of the city was amazing from the mountain top, but is it worth that much? Is there somewhere else that offers similar views of Vancouver but at less price (preferably free)?

I don't mean to sound cheap, but certain things are meant to rip you off if you are not careful. I just wonder if this is one of them.

detraveler

I have been there and the view is amazing. Given how far up on the mountain you go I doubt there is another option with the same view but I'm not certain. There are a number of things to do at the top. We spent the better part of the morning there walking around, taking the chair lift even higher, and I recall watching a movie in the visitor center.

If you go get there early we arrived when it opened one day in August and had the car almost to ourselves on the way up. When we left there was a long line to get a ride up the mountain.

Borealis

Oh my YES!! It certainly is worth it!!!
We were there one autumn in the late afternoon, watched the sun set over Vancouver Island in the distance, and saw the city lights gradually brighten as it got dark. Incredible view!!

Perhaps you could walk up the mountain for free !!!

BikerScott

If you really don't want to spend the $$$ on Grouse and have a car, there's a really nice lookout at the switchback on the road up to Cypress Mountain.
Take the 99 heading towards Whistler - you'll see the turnoff on your right.
There's quite a large pull-off at the switchback - nice views over Vancouver and Stanely Park across the water.
Maybe not quite as spectacular as Grouse, and you'll be outside so it's a bit weather-dependant, but a nice place to watch a sunset for free.

GaryA

The most important thing of course is to go up on a clear day or at least one where the cloud cover is well over the Mountain peaks. Otherwise you're not likely to get much joy out of the view of fog. But on a clear day there is no big city I can think of which can be viewed so spectacularly as Vancouver can from the top of Grouse Mountain.

Now if you are energetic you can walk up the grouse Grind, (not in winter though), and hundreds do almost every day. The path pretty well follows the same route as the gondola and an average person can make it in a grueling 60-90 minutes up and about 45 minutes down. But obviously you have to be in reasonably good shape and since the best views are of the city lights at night you'ld probably still be advised to take the Gondola down since more accidents happen on the Grind going down than up.

But to answer your question - yes it is worth $26 and while great views can be had from Holleyburn, (Cypress Bowl), and Seymour they're not nearly as panoramic.

amyx

Alright, the consensus seems to be obvious. If it's a clear evening, we will go for it then. Thanks to all!

BTW, I am going to go for the free Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge, instead of the overpriced Capilano Suspension Bridge. Good move?

BikerScott

I prefer the Lynn Canyon bridge, but it is a bit more rugged (ie. non-touristy). Lots of nice trails to hike up there as well that aren't that strenous, although the trails can be a but mucky.

Lovejoy

Amyx,The Grouse Mtn. website says the adult rate is $24.95CAD to ride the Gondola.This equals $18.69USD at todays exchange rate.So assuming you are using USD the cost may not be as bad as it seems.

victorious

Where is the Lynn Canyon bridge? Is it near the city? Is it possible to get there without a car?

BikerScott

It's in North Vancouver.
Website w/ directions:
http://www.dnv.org/ecology/park_map/choose_map.html

nikkivn

Grouse is worth it! We were lucky in that it was a clear day yet snowing on the top and we went skating!!

We didnt bother with Capilano as relatives there took us to Lynn BRidge and it was really nice though the bridge is a bit scary!