Peak of Christmas at Grouse Mountain

What Is the Peak of Christmas at Grouse Mountain?

The Peak of Christmas is Grouse Mountain's annual holiday event, and it turns the top of the mountain into what the resort calls Vancouver's North Pole. Take the Skyride up from North Vancouver and you step into a snowy alpine setting with Santa's Workshop, a lit-up forest walk, an outdoor skating pond, live carols and roaming holiday characters, all about 15 minutes from downtown Vancouver.

Most of the festive activities come with your Mountain Admission ticket, an annual pass, a winter season pass or a ski lift ticket, so you can fill a whole afternoon and evening without paying for each activity separately. The event also supports the community: proceeds from Santa photos go to Family Services of the North Shore. This is also Grouse Mountain's centennial year, which adds extra celebration to the 2026 season.

Peak of Christmas 2026 Dates

The Peak of Christmas runs from November 20 to December 24, 2026. Opening weekend and the days leading up to Christmas Eve are the busiest, so a weekday visit in late November or early December is the calmer choice if you want shorter lines at Santa's Workshop and the skating pond. Individual activities such as Breakfast with Santa run on select dates only, so check the schedule before you plan your day.

Santa’s Workshop and Photos with Santa

Santa's Workshop sits behind the skating pond. Kids can meet Santa, share their Christmas wishes and have a candid photo taken with him. Photos are sold at the kiosks inside the Peak Chalet afterwards, and the proceeds support Family Services of the North Shore. In past years guests could reserve a time slot once they arrived on the mountain, which helped families spend less time in line, so look for that option when you get to the top.

Breakfast with Santa at Altitudes Bistro

Breakfast with Santa is the most popular tradition of the season and it tends to sell out. It is held in Altitudes Bistro and includes a breakfast buffet, a visit from Santa and his elves, and holiday crafts and entertainment for kids. It runs on select mornings from early December through Christmas Eve, it is booked separately from general admission, and the breakfast buffet is not included with your Mountain Admission ticket. Reservations for 2026 had not opened by mid October, so watch the Grouse Mountain website and book as soon as dates go live.

The Light Walk Around Blue Grouse Lake

The Light Walk is the best reason to stay past sunset. Blue Grouse Lake is ringed with illuminated installations, and you can wander the loop on foot or snowshoe through it when snow conditions allow. It is an easy, mostly gentle stroll, which makes it a good fit for couples, grandparents and families with kids who still have energy after the rink. Winter sunsets come early in Metro Vancouver, so the lights are on for most of an afternoon visit.

Mountaintop Ice Skating

The outdoor skating pond is framed by snow-topped trees and sits right in front of Santa's Workshop. Skating is included with admission, and skates can be rented on the mountain if you do not bring your own. Rental lines can build up on weekends and holiday breaks, so go to the rental counter early and skate while your group is still fresh.

Reindeer, Sleigh Rides and Snow Play

Grouse Mountain keeps a reindeer habitat, and guests can usually meet the reindeer and learn about them during the holiday season. Sleigh rides need a proper snow base, so they run only when conditions allow. Past seasons have also featured a sliding zone for kids. Because snow depends on the weather, treat these as bonuses and check the daily schedule on the day you go.

Live Music, Roaming Characters and Christmas Movies

The Peak Chalet hosts a rotating lineup of live music, including classic carollers, choirs, duos and other musical groups. Roaming characters such as the Grinch and Santa's elves wander the mountaintop, which makes for easy photos with younger kids. Elf Headquarters has offered crafts and a spot to write a letter to Santa in recent seasons, and the Theatre in the Sky has shown holiday movies, so there are warm indoor options when you need a break from the cold.

How to Get to Grouse Mountain

Grouse Mountain is at 6400 Nancy Greene Way in North Vancouver. By car, the base is a short drive from the Capilano Road area, and parking fills quickly on busy December days, so arrive early or use the resort's carpool program. Without a car, TransLink bus 236 serves the Grouse Mountain base from Lonsdale Quay, so check TransLink for the current schedule. From the base, the Skyride gondola carries you to the Peak Chalet and the Peak of Christmas area in about eight minutes.

Tickets and What Is Included

Admission to the festive activities is included with a Mountain Admission ticket, annual pass, winter season pass or ski lift ticket. Breakfast with Santa, skate rentals and Santa photos are separate. Ticket prices and daily operating hours change from year to year, so please confirm them on the official Grouse Mountain Peak of Christmas page before you go. We link to the source instead of listing prices here so you always see the latest numbers.

Tips for Visiting the Peak of Christmas

• Dress for snow: warm layers, waterproof boots, gloves and a hat. It is colder and wetter at the top than in the city.
• Book Breakfast with Santa the moment reservations open, because dates fill up.
• Buy your Mountain Admission ticket online ahead of time, since popular days can sell out.
• Visit Santa's Workshop early, then skate, then finish with the Light Walk after dark.
• Bring your own skates if you have them, to skip the rental line.
• Check the weather and Skyride status on the day, because high wind or heavy weather can change operations.

More Christmas Events and Lights Near Grouse Mountain

Planning to see more of the mountain? Our Grouse Mountain guide has more on visiting the mountain beyond the holidays. Make a full holiday weekend of it. For more ideas, see our guides to Christmas activities and events in Vancouver, the best Christmas lights in Vancouver, and Christmas markets in Vancouver, including the Vancouver Christmas Market. Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park opens the same day as the Peak of Christmas and is close by on the North Shore, and the VanDusen Festival of Lights is another lights favourite. If gifts are still on your list, our last-minute Christmas shopping guide can help.

Peak of Christmas FAQ