Guests at Cypress Mountain Resort will now have to pay to park while visiting the popular West Vancouver winter-sport destination.
An email went out to pass holders on Monday that the resort will be introducing pay parking on opening day of the 2024-25 winter season.
With the exception of season passholders – who can park two vehicles per pass for free – guests will have to pay $10 per day in most of the ski hill’s parking areas, according to the frequently-asked-questions portal on the resort's website. Holders of three-, four- and five-day Sky Cards can also park for free.
Cypress said it’s putting pay parking in place to “create a better experience for our guests.”
“People wait and circle lots causing long traffic line ups on Cypress Bowl Road during peak times,” reads an explanation on the FAQ portal. “Our goal is to improve the guest experience, by providing an incentive to use other options, a car-pool app or coach transportation. We will see less cars on the road, improving the experience for everyone.”
The resort said it will be “reinvesting a portion of the funds to improve the parking experience.”
As of Wednesday, Cypress hadn’t issued any information about the changes to its social media channels, and hadn’t responded to requests for comment about launching the pay parking program.
Guests without a season pass won’t have to pay for parking in lot 3B, and on Nordic Road from Cypress Bowl Road to the BC Parks Nordic Area Kiosk. Those areas will remain free on a first-come, first-served basis.
The resort didn’t say how offering free parking at lot 3B – which is the first major parking area drivers encounter when heading to the alpine area – would impact traffic flow.
Guests will pay for parking through an app or at a pay station in the parking lot, with a credit card or Visa/Mastercard debit card, according to the FAQ web page.
The resort has indicated that there will be incentives for carpooling, with details coming when the pay parking program launches.
Starting this season, Cypress said there will be a free parking lot shuttle service that will pick up guests at lots 3B, 3A and 2, dropping them off at the Cypress Mountain base areas.
When pay parking comes into effect at Cypress, it won't be the only local resort to charge for parking. North Vancouver's Grouse Mountain charges for parking in all of its base lots year-round. Mt. Seymour does not charge for parking but requires reservations for some parking lots on weekends and holidays during the winter season. Whistler Blackcomb also charges for parking in its lots.
