Being a bit old school, I don't really get the reverse negative superlatives or what seems to be a bit of sour grapes in some of the previous reviews. Mount Cain is a great little community run ski hill. Yup, only two T-bars; definitely a step back in time. Just back from an epic 5 days of skiing. Fresh snow every day and lots of it. Best of the season to all the folks that make it happen at Mount Cain.
Cain sucks! JK used to suck. Seems there's been a change in management or something lately so the fun vibe is definitely back even if last year sucked for snow. Not sure about the sleds but I hate dogs running around a ski hill. Pretty sure we'd just shoot them in Whistler and drag them into the bush for the eagles.
The locals are awesome and if you're not a dick to them they're not a dick to you. Accommodation is tough to come by at times but it looks like there's a new lodge going up or something.
As a seasoned rider I have had the privilage to ride at many resorts and Cain is by far my favorite; if the distance was not so far I would love it to be my home mountain. Snow piles through the week so everyone gets a chance at some weekend powder and it has great access to backcountry.
The vibe is relaxed and the lack of mega resort allows everyone to remember why they came to a ski hill in the first place, to ride! My first day a Cain was 60cm of new and I talked to the head of the ski patrol of another mountain who said he called in sick to be there. It was an amazing day and so has every day since.
It is not a Whistler experience: high ticket prices with long lines and tracked out powder offset by a good nightlife and places for the non skier to shop. But is a real powder hound really looking for that?
Outside of North America Cain would be classified as a local club field, a concept that we could use more of for sure. If you plan to backcountry have your beacon and gear, locals have little tolerance for those that don't. Enjoy the ride.
Tried this place a couple of times and it sucks. T-bar only with no chair lift; really hurts. It's really far away, only has a couple of runs that they don't even bother pisting. "Snow" conditions were actually sheet ice. Advise anyone reading this to forget you ever heard of it and head for Whistler, you will have a much better time.
Whooee and yahoo to another great season. Just back from 5 days of the best skiing one can ever hope for. Freshies every day, ankle, knee and thigh deep with freezing levels down in the valley. My thanks and season greetings to all the wonderful people that makes Mt. Cain (Mount Cain) rule.
Mount Cain rocks, great powder in and out of bounds, unreal ski touring in the back country!
Good job to all the volunteers that keep this special place running, this is what skiing should be about, good people and great snow! Keep up the good work!
Don't be fooled by Mount Cain's two measly T-bars, it's what they open up to you that rocks and almost every weekend you can ski powder as the Mt is only open Sat & Sun. Bring your beacon, shovel and probe!
I have been skiing Cain for years and I can't remember ever seeing anyone getting a ride down on a stretcher; that's the calibre of skier you will ride with there. It is old school and I love it! Where else will you find powder addicts pulling into the parking lot at 2 or 3 AM Sat morning after a long and sometimes scary drive, pull out the ground sheet and sleeping bag and grab a few hours sleep before the lifts open. You can rent accomodations very cheap, again it's "ski bum" style or you can stay at the bottom in Woss at a "no tell motel" we affectionatelty call the "Woss vegas Hilton", comfy little rooms and good food, dont stay in rm #2. Put your name on the list after beakfast on the Mt for Sat night dinner, have an awsome meal, kick back in the lodge, tell stories of the day and if you are lucky a recording artist may show up with his guitar (or non pro, it's all good). Yes, there are a couple of people who are rude, particularly a lady director I avoid who parades around like and acts like she really does not want you there, but who gives a crap, I have no friends on a powder day anyways hahaha.
Ignore those folks, they are just showing their lack of business and local economy knowledge. With the local companies disapearing and all costs on the rise every year Mount Cain becomes more and more dependent on ticket sales.
But, you have to give credit where it's due and the overwhelming majority of volunteer staff are better than anywhere I have skied!! Don't judge these incredibly dedicated people because of a couple of clowns that want to "play" business director!
I used to keep very quiet about Mount Cain but now, as a business owner myself, I know I need to promote it, or we will lose it in time. So, volunteers, directors, keep "calling a spade a spade" and forget that the paying cutomer dictates and we all lose. The majority of people who drive six hours in horrible conditions to sleep in their car, then are treated like crap by the "elite" usually won't come back. Of course, this is what those who know nothing about simple economics want.
Please blow that off, there are only a couple of them and apparantly this is the closest they will ever come to real business & authority. Go experience Cain, you will be happy that in the future you'll be able to spin stories with your friends about having experienced it. No question, this place is for real skiers/boarders and yes, the boarders ride the T-bars all day long and never whine, again, a different calibre of riders. Why would boarders endure the trip to get there, drive four more hours right past a "larger" resort with lots of chair lifts, sleep in freezing weather and ride T-bars all day if the snow and terrain were not stellar? Because they and Cain are hardcore!