You can ride to the top of Cypress to catch the sunset this summer
If you’ve ever found yourself stuck in traffic during golden hour and wished you could just float above it all, well, now you kind of can.
Cypress Mountain is bringing back its Sunset Scenic Ride for the month of August, offering visitors a chance to watch the sun dip behind the mountains from nearly 1,500 metres up.
It’s the kind of thing that feels far away, but it’s only a 30-minute drive from the city.
“We tested it for four nights last year and people loved it,” Karla Grenon, the resort’s director of sales and marketing, told Daily Hive.
“This year we’ve expanded it to every Thursday to Sunday night in August.”
Floating above the forest on Cypress Mountain’s Sunset Scenic Ride. (Supplied)
The setup is, you take the Lions Chair up from the base, walk a short gravel path, and hop on the Sky Chair to reach the summit; 1,440 metres (or 4,750 feet) above sea level.
From there, it’s a full 360-degree view: the city behind you, Howe Sound ahead, and a sky that shifts from gold to pink to blue before night falls.
“Once you’re up there, you can’t even see Vancouver,” Grenon told Daily Hive. “It feels like you’re in another world.”
How it works
If you’re planning to catch the sunset at the top, you’ll need to time your evening carefully.
The chairlifts take about 30 minutes total one way, so you’ll want to give yourself at least an hour round trip, more if you plan to linger or grab a bite at Crazy Raven Bar & Grill at the base.
Here’s a rough guide for this weekend:
- Sunset on Aug. 1: 8:50 p.m.
- Sunset on Aug. 31: 7:55 p.m.
- Best time to start your ride up: no later than 8 p.m.
August rides run later on Thursdays through Sundays, with the last Lions Chair up at 8:45 p.m. and last Sky Chair ride down at 9:30 p.m.
“The view coming down into the city after sunset is pretty incredible, too,” Grenon said.
“You’re just floating above all the lights.”
What to bring (and wear)
This isn’t a walk in the park; it’s a ride into alpine terrain.
Even in August, temperatures at the top can drop quickly once the sun goes down.
Grenon recommends wearing layers, bringing a sweater or windbreaker, and wearing proper shoes; you’ll be walking on a gravel path between lifts.
A clear view over Howe Sound from the top of Cypress Mountain. (Supplied)
And if you’re afraid of heights?
“You can always just try the Lions Chair and see how you feel,” she said. “Some guests choose to turn around after that… and that’s totally fine.”
Thursday nights get a musical twist
If you’re into live music, Cypress is adding something extra on Thursday evenings: acoustic performances at the top of the mountain.
Expect sitar, guitar, or percussion as part of the natural backdrop.
Grenon calls it “the ultimate date night,” especially for folks who work weekends.
Grab dinner, ride into the sky, and watch the sun set to a soundtrack of soft music and mountain silence.
If you’re looking to go once, a single round-trip ride up the Lions and Sky Chairs costs $31 for adults. Want to go all summer? Cypress also offers a 2025 Scenic Ride Season Pass for $99 that includes unlimited scenic chairlift access for the season.
It’s not for everyone, Grenon is the first to admit that.
“You’re on an open chairlift, heading into alpine conditions,” she said. “If you’re not into heights or cold air, it might not be your thing.”
But if you are? It’s a rare way to experience Vancouver from a totally different angle.
Sunset Scenic Ride at Cypress Mountain
When: Every Thursday to Sunday in August
Time: Between 4 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. (last upload at 8:45 p.m.)
Where: Cypress Mountain- 6000 Cypress Bowl Rd., West Vancouver
Tickets: From $31
Want to stay on top of all things Vancouver? Follow us on X