Less than an hour’s drive north of Vancouver, Squamish has long been seen as Whistler’s distant cousin; a little pit-stop town where one might grab a cup of java before heading to their final destination. That all began to change when the Sea to Sky Gondola opened its doors in May 2014.
The scenic 10-minute gondola ride brings visitors from the base at Highway 99 up to the summit, 850 metres above sea level. At the top, guests are greeted with breathtaking views of Howe Sound, the Pacific Ocean, Squamish Valley and Atwell Peak.
It took 18 months and $23 million to build the gondola, with helicopters used to install all of the towers. Within weeks, the internationally-acclaimed outdoor attraction put Squamish on the map. So much so that the Sea to Sky Gondola made the New York Times’ list of 52 Places to Go in 2015.
Outdoor enthusiasts of all ages and abilities now have the chance to explore the trails 885 metres above sea level thanks to the relatively new Sea to Sky Gondola in Squamish. Casual sightseers can take a comfortable 10-minute gondola ride up the lower sections of the Stawamus Chief and Shannon Falls Provincial Park. Once at the top, there are eight accessible hiking routes to explore, a 100-metre-long suspension bridge and a number of cantilevered viewing platforms that look out over Howe Sound and the surrounding coastal. Adventure junkies can make their way up the Sea to Summit trail on foot.