First light of 2015: time lapse video of New Year's Day sunrise at Cypress Mountain (VIDEO)

One of the best spots to watch the sunset and capture all of Metro Vancouver’s beauty is at Cypress Mountain viewpoint. From here on a clear day, sightseers and photographers will have a panoramic view of the downtown skyline, Burrard Inlet, the region and beyond.

New Year’s Day 2015 was no exception when a small crowd gathered in the early morning hours to watch the year’s first sunrise at 8:08 a.m. Time lapse video submitted by Allen Weng shows eager early risers taking in the scenery and 2015’s spectacular first light.

Occasionally, a fog bank blankets the region below and provides viewers with a surreal view of the “cloud city.” When this occurs, the only structures that appear over the clouds are a few of the tallest buildings in downtown (Shangri-La Vancouver, Trump Tower and One Wall Centre) and the towers of the Lions Gate Bridge.

The viewpoint is located along the roadside of Cypress Bowl Road, about halfway up Cypress Mountain on the way to the ski facilities, at an elevation of about 300 metres above sea level.

Consider traveling up to the viewpoint when the skies are clear and after rainy weather, which washes out the pollutants from the air and leaves you with clear breathtaking views as far as Vancouver Island. There are parking spaces and picnic tables at the viewpoint.

Feature Image: Allen Weng