Fraser Valley Ski Resorts; Manning Park vs Sasquatch Mountain
The Fraser Valley is home to two small ski resorts, Sasquatch and Manning Park, but where should you spend your next ski and snowboard weekend?
By the numbers:
|
Manning Park Ski Resort |
Sasquatch Mountain | |
|
2018/2019 Snowfall |
546 cm |
694 cm |
|
Number of Chair Lifts |
2 |
3 |
|
Ski-able Area |
140 acres |
300 acres |
|
Number of Runs |
34 |
34 |
|
Summit Elevation |
1789 m |
1317 m |
|
Vertical Drop |
432 m |
335 m |
|
Distance to Abbotsford Airport |
1 h 45 m |
1 h 18 m |
|
Accommodation |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Adult Lift Pass |
$69.00 |
$64.00 |
Overview:
Manning Park
Manning Park Ski Resort in located in the 708 square KM provincial park named E.C. Manning Park. The park straddles the Lower Mainland and Okanagan regions, creating a varied ecosystem, with diverse range of plants and animals. The resort sits on the approximate highest point of the #3 Hope Princeton Highway. Interestingly, during the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics snow was trucked from Manning to various Olympic venues.
Sasquatch Mountain
Sasquatch Mountain is located in the Douglas Mountain Range between Mission and Agassiz BC. The Berezan Hospitality Group bought the resort in 2006 and changed the name from Hemlock Mountain Resort in 2017.
Getting There:
E.C. Manning Provincial Park
There a number of transportation options to get you to Manning Park. The #3 Hope Princeton highway cuts right through Manning and is well maintained in the winter, but approved winter tires (Chick here for details on BC’s winter tire laws) are required and snow chains are recommended. There is a electric vehicle charging station in Hope and the resort.
Mountainman Mikes operates a weekly shuttle bus from Vancouver to Manning Park with stops at Abbotsford Airport (YXX), Chilliwack, Hope, and other cities are well.
There is a free shuttle bus that runs the several kilometres from the main resort accommodations to the chair lifts, or you can drive yourself up.
Sasquatch Mountain Resort
Sasquatch is located on the #7 Highway, turn North on Morris Valley Road at the Sasquatch Inn and Pub in Harrison Mills. The next 8 km are down a safe rural road. Finally turn left onto Hemlock Valley Road. The next 14 km can be very dangerous and is probably the main single reason that Sasquatch is not a high rated BC ski resort. There are a number steep switch backs without cement barriers. All vehicles must carry snow chains by law and dedicated winter tires are recommended. The snow and ice is regularly cleared but drive with caution and check the current road conditions. Once at the base lodge there is ample free parking.
Best Vancouver Tours operates a private shuttle from Abbotsford, Mission, and the Sandpiper Golf Course to the top of Sasquatch. Visit Best Vancouver Tours for latest pricing and to book a trip.
Accommodations:
Manning Park
Manning Park Resort operates 41 hotel style rooms, a number of free standing winter cabins and large chalets, that will meet nearly any groups’ needs. Click here to book.
There are privately operated Airbnbs in Sunshine Valley at the west edge of the Manning Provincial Park, about 45 mins from the Manning Park resort.
Sasquatch Resort
There are no hotels at Sasquatch but there are two buildings filled with privately owned apartments with a outdoor pool, hot tubs, laundry, and party/games rooms within easy walking distance of the main lodge and lifts. There are countless privately owned free standing cabins and large chalets. Check Airbnb for the latest pricing and availability.
Restaurants, Pubs, and Nightlife:
Manning Provincial Park
The Manning main resort area has a few dinning options from the restaurant style Pinewoods Dining Room to the Bear’s Den Pub and the formal Cascade Room used for catered events such as the weddings and conferences.
The Manning lodge at at the base of the chair lifts, is a ski lodge serving cafeteria burger and fries combo that will keep the kids happy and fed.
Sasquatch Mountain Resort
The main resort lodge houses the a casual cafeteria style restaurant that will fill you up quickly and get you back on the slopes.
Molly Hogan’s is the heart and soul of Sasquatch. The bar features large up mountain views and all of the chairlifts spill into the large welcoming patio. The food is well done typical bar fare (try the beef dip). The decor is a fitting and playful apres ski.
If you looking to make it off the mountain, check out the Sasquatch Inn Pub inside the log cabin building at the bottom of Morris Valley road and highway #7.
Other Winter Activities:
|
Manning Park |
Sasquatch Mountain | |
|
Snow Tubing |
Yes, details here |
Yes, details here |
|
Rentals |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Snowshoeing |
Yes, details here |
Yes, details here |
|
Rentals |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Tobogganing |
Yes, details here | |
|
Rentals |
Yes |
No |
|
Ice skating |
Yes, details here | |
|
Rentals |
Yes |
No |
|
Snowmobiling |
Yes, details here | |
|
Rentals |
No |
Yes |
Conclusion:
Both Manning Park and Sasquatch Mountain offer great valve for a weekend skiing and snowboarding getaway! However, Sasquatch edges out Manning Park for singles and adult only groups, because of the wide range of different ski in/out accommodation types. Manning Park is better for families, because they offer a wider range of young kid friendly activities.
