Before you book a ride from Lynn Valley to Grouse Mountain, open the Uber app and look at the upfront price, because our estimate of about $19 is only a guide. The trip is 8 km, takes about 15 minutes, and the likely range is $17 to $22.
How we got to $19
We used average rideshare rates: a $2.50 base fare, $1.15 per km, $0.35 per minute and a $2 booking fee. Put 8 km and 15 minutes together and the total sits just under $19. These are estimates, not Uber prices.
Demand is the biggest variable. A busy period at a 1.2 multiplier gives about $22, very busy at 1.5 gives about $27, and peak demand at double the normal rate gives about $36.
Comfort runs about $23, with XL (up to 6 seats) near $27 and Premier near $40. XL is worth a look if you are bringing skis, a snowboard or a larger group.
Taxi meter and phone numbers
Whalley Taxi and Royal City Taxi each publish a $3.75 flag fee and $2.18 for every km. Across 8 km a taxi meter would read roughly $21. That meter figure has no waiting time or extras in it.
If you want to speak to someone first, Vancouver Taxi (604-871-1111) and Yellow Cab Vancouver (604-681-1111) both list app booking, card payment and wheelchair accessible vehicles.
Planning a trip to a mountain
Ski areas and mountain attractions tend to fill up and empty out at the same times of day, so prices can rise when many people want a car at once. Check the app a little before you plan to leave and compare it with the figures above.
Tell the driver exactly where you want to be dropped, and check the pickup pin when you leave. Ask whether your gear will fit before the car arrives. Skis and boards often do not go in the cabin of a standard car, so a larger vehicle may be the safer choice.
If you need an accessible vehicle, book it ahead.
Coming back down is a separate booking, and the price depends on demand at that moment. If you plan to leave when many other people do, expect the multiplier to be higher than on the way up, and consider whether waiting a short while makes sense.
For a trip this short, the regional minimum fare of $4.43 does not come into play, since the estimate is far above it. The difference between the rideshare and the taxi is only about $2, so choose whichever car can reach you first.