Squamish and the Sea to Sky Highway

Squamish is an outdoor-recreation town at the head of Howe Sound, about 65 km north of Vancouver on Highway 99, the Sea to Sky Highway. The drive takes about one hour, and coaches from downtown Vancouver cost roughly CAD 25-40 one way with several departures daily. A car makes it easier to link the sights along the highway, which is itself part of the appeal: viewpoints over Howe Sound appear along the route in British Columbia's Coast Mountains. A suggested day begins with a stop at Shannon Falls Provincial Park, just south of town, where a short, easy path leads to a waterfall dropping about 335 metres, among the tallest in the province. Next comes the Sea to Sky Gondola, which climbs from the valley floor to a summit lodge with a suspension bridge, viewing platforms and short trails; visitors should check seatoskygondola.com for current fares, hours and parking. The Stawamus Chief, the granite monolith above town, draws rock climbers and hikers, and its three-peak trail is steep and demanding, so most day visitors choose the gondola or an easier walk instead. Lunch in downtown Squamish suits a break, with cafes, breweries and casual restaurants near Cleveland Avenue. In the afternoon, visitors can walk the Squamish Estuary and Spit area, known for wind-sport activity and bird life, or explore the Brackendale area, which hosts wintering bald eagles from late autumn to early winter. The best season is May to October, when trails are dry and the gondola operates with the clearest views. Winter brings snow and shorter days, so visitors should check road conditions on DriveBC before travelling. Because the trip is short, a return to Vancouver in the evening is straightforward, and many visitors combine Squamish with a stop at Britannia Mine Museum or extend onward to Whistler on a longer day.