Local ski hills set to party this weekend

High altitude hockey summit - This weekend at Grouse more than 100 local minor hockey players will don international jerseys and re-create men’s hockey match-ups from the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.

Devin Manky photos

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As part of an inaugural winter festival, the three North Shore ski hills are rehearsing a spectacular program that includes an ice-ensconced movie theatre, flashy ’80s snowsuit fashions and the reviving of Olympic spirit at a Canadiana-themed lodge.

City and Slope is a four-day celebration of music and mountain culture that extends from the shores of Yaletown to the North Shore slopes starting on Feb. 9.

On Cypress Mountain the resident pub will be dressed up in a sea of red and white decor to commemorate the two-year anniversary of the 2010 Winter Olympics. “Canada House” will be brimming with Canadian-inspired fare and live concerts featuring The Town Pants and the Adam Woodall Band. Later in the evening watch as fireworks light up the night sky over the snow-laden slopes.

Over at Grouse, the resort will remain open for 36 consecutive hours, giving snow revelers a chance to ski or snowshoe until the sun rises on Sunday morning.

During the weekend a host of local minor hockey players ages 7-8 will take to Grouse’s 8,000-square foot skate pond and re-create match-ups from the Vancouver Olympics, sporting replica jerseys from those hockey nations.

Cinephiles will be treated to an extraordinary movie screening experience: a ski-in cinema showing classic flicks from dusk to dawn. Park yourself on the custom-made snow seats and settle in front of the big screen.

And wherever you are on Saturday night, look skyward at 10 p.m. as the iconic lights on the Cut ski run, seen from all the points of the Lower Mainland, will have some added twinkle. Bearing torches, dozens of Grouse Mountain employees, passholders and local volunteers will ski in a glowing procession from the top of the Peak run to the bottom of Cut.

To cap off the City and Slope celebrations Mount Seymour is embracing ’80s ski culture on Sunday.

“There will be prizes for best-dressed skier and snowboarder plus giveaways and all the ‘80s music you can handle in your neon onesie”, according to Mount Seymour’s website.

For more information about festival events, visit  CityandSlope.com.