Grouse Mountain Skating Rink

The Peak of Christmas at North Vancouver’s Grouse Mountain is the place to find sleigh rides, skating, gingerbread houses, Santa Claus, reindeer, and more.

All of the Christmas festivities at the top of the mountain transform the area into Vancouver’s version of the North Pole. The 2025 event takes place from November 21st to December 24th. There are also special activities, including fireworks on the mountain, on December 31st for New Year’s Eve.

Other places to find amazing Christmas-themed holiday lights include the Festival of Lights at VanDusen Garden, Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge, the Shipyards Christmas Market and Vancouver Christmas Market, plus various other attractions elsewhere in the Lower Mainland.

See our article about Best Vancouver Christmas Activities to learn about the above and other Lower Mainland Christmas attractions. Continue reading below to learn about the Christmas-themed things to see and do at Grouse this December.

This article contains the following information about the Peak of Christmas:

Grouse Mountain at Christmas

The Peak of Christmas at Grouse Mountain offers some of the best Christmas-time activities in the Lower Mainland. Visitors can expect holiday movies at Theatre in the Sky, mountaintop ice skating, lit-up forest trails, sleigh rides, reindeer talks, and photo opportunities with Santa Claus.

Most of the festive activities are included with Mountain Admission, Annual Passes, Early Bird Passes, Winter Season Passes, or Ski Lift Tickets.

Grouse Light Walk Tunnel — Light Walk Tunnel at Grouse Mountain

Peak of Christmas Dates

In 2025, the attraction opens daily from November 21st to December 24th. Activities include workshops and entertainment that take place daily throughout the season, with much of the holiday programming on the weekends and the week before Christmas.

Christmas Cost of Admission

There are usually both expensive and less expensive ways of experiencing the Peak of Christmas at Grouse Mountain.

Most of the Peak of Christmas activities are included with a Mountain Admission Ticket, Annual Pass, Winter Season Pass, or Early Bird Pass. This is the “more value for money” way to enjoy Grouse Mountain’s Christmas activities, as it includes skiing (if attendees plan to ski).

The standard Mountain Admission Ticket costs around $82 for adults, $72 for seniors, $62 for youth, and $42 for children aged five to twelve. Tots aged four and under are free.

Other ticket options, including Annual Passes, change in price depending on the date and time of purchase. Full details are available on the official Grouse Mountain website.

Family Day Ticket

Families can also choose the special Family Day Ticket for two adults and two children. This is a more accessible option. Prices vary depending on the date of visit. In 2025, from November 21st to December 5th, the Family ticket costs $99. From December 6th to December 12th, the price goes up to around $135. Finally, from December 13th to 24th, it costs around $155. Visiting earlier in the Christmas season offers the best savings. A regular Family Ticket for two adults and two children is $209 outside of the Peak of Christmas promotional period. All prices listed are subject to change.

The Observatory Restaurant

For guests not into skiing, the Peak of Christmas activities (except for skiing) are also included when guests make advanced reservations for dinner at the Observatory restaurant. The restaurant isn’t cheap, but it’s very nice, and dinner isn’t much more than the cost of the gondola ride, which is included with the meal reservation. What’s more, guests can also enjoy fine cuisine from one of Vancouver’s most scenic and famous dining spots.

Observatory Restaurant at Grouse Mountain — View from the Observatory Restaurant

Peak of Christmas Activities

There’s so much to see and do at the Peak of Christmas event up at Grouse Mountain. Listed below are the main activities for the 2025 Christmas season (subject to change).

Santa Claus’s Workshop: Families can meet Santa Claus and take photos together. Photos cost around $5 each, and the proceeds support Family Services of the North Shore.
Elf Headquarters: Kids can write letters to Santa Calus and do DIY and craft activities. The headquarters are open daily from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm.
Light Tunnel and Walk: Visitors can walk through beautifully lit forest paths, with a large light tunnel entrance.
Skating Pond: There is a chance to go ice skating on the mountaintop pond. The rentals cost around $10 for adults and slightly less for kids.
Sliding Zone: The mountaintop has two sliding lanes and visitors can rent carpets to slide on.
Reindeer Talks: There is reindeer at Grouse Mountain, and there are daily talks to learn about the animal at 12:00 pm and 3:00 pm.
Live Entertainment: Carolers, choirs and music happen at the Peak Chalet on certain days. Check the official website for scheduling.
Festive Characters: Christmas Elves will be at the mountain on December 6th, 7th, 22nd, and 24th. The Grinch, too, on December 13th, 14th, 20th, 21st, and 23rd.
Sleigh Rides: The rides happen daily between 11:00 am and 8:00 pm (subject to snowfall conditions)
Christmas Movies: Festive movies at the on-site theatre run all day.
Figure Ice Skating Performances: Local talent performs skating shows from 1:30 to 2:00 pm on select days in December. The dates are, December 6th, 7th, 13th, 14th 20th, 21st, 22nd and 23rd.

Breakfast with Santa Claus

There is also the opportunity to have Breakfast with Santa Claus on days between December 6th and 24th. The breakfast buffet isn’t included with admission and costs around $70 per adult and $50 for children between ages 5 and young adults up to age 18. Admission for little ones ages 0 to 4 costs around $10.

Skiing and Snowboarding

Of course, during the Peak of Christmas event and throughout the entire winter season, there are also wonderful skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing opportunities up at the resort. See our article about Grouse Mountain in Winter for details about those activities.

What to Take to the Peak of Christmas

When heading up to enjoy the Peak of Christmas at Grouse Mountain, bring warm winter clothing, waterproof shoes, gloves, and hats. If visitors plan to ice-skate, they can bring their own skates or rent them at the mountain. Snowshoes and sleds can be rented. Don’t forget to bring a camera for Santa Claus photos, the Light Walk and scenic views.

Light Walk Video

The Light Walk is one of the main attractions at the Peak of Christmas. It’s a trail through the forest that’s open for visitors to explore during the Peak of Christmas season.

Below is a video showing what the Light Walk is like. The Light Walk is a trail that goes through the forest and around a frozen lake. The route starts and finishes with a tunnel of lights.

Guests don’t usually need snowshoes for the Light Walk, except after fresh snowfall, but many people do. From dusk until closing time the trail is lit up with Christmas lights and illuminations.

Other Information

See the Grouse Mountain website for more details about the Peak of Christmas.

See our article about Grouse Mountain on New Year’s Eve to learn about what happens at the resort on December 31st.

Click Grouse Mountain in Winter for more information about the ski resort. See our article about Lower Mainland Ski Hills for details about other snow sports destinations.

Check out any of the following for more ideas of places to see Christmas lights in the Lower Mainland: