Sea to Sky Adventures
• A WorldWeb.com Travel Guide for Sea to Sky Country, British Columbia.
Vancouver may be one of Canada’s largest cities, but it’s easy for visitors to this gorgeous coastal region to get away from the hustle and bustle of the urban landscape—they simply need to head up the coast on Highway 99 to the majestic area known as Sea to Sky Country. With jagged peaks and the vast Garibaldi Provincial Park wilderness giving way to mountains, meadows and vivid blue coastline, it’s easy to see how this striking region earned its name.
GETTING YOUR BEARINGS
Sea to Sky Country begins in West Vancouver, just past Horseshoe Bay where several ferries depart for Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. From there, the highway winds itself along the coastline, passing through Squamish and several small communities before ascending into the world famous town of Whistler, known for its challenging ski resort and its co-hosting role in the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. From there, the route continues inland towards the interior of British Columbia through the towns of Pemberton and Lillooet.
When it comes to getting around, most visitors to the region will choose to explore by car, meandering along the coast and through mountain passes on Highway 99, which begins in Vancouver and eventually joins up with Highway 97 North. Travelling by road is a great way to take in the scenery—except of course for the driver.
Perhaps a more relaxing and luxurious way to see the sights is via a rail tour. The Whistler Mountaineer runs between North Vancouver and Whistler and allows for amazing views combined with the old-world romance of train travel.
And for those wondering what to do when they get there? They’re in luck—the region offers many adventures and activities to suit any kind of traveller.
THINGS TO DO IN THE MOUNTAINS
The grand peaks of Whistler Blackcomb are the main attraction in Sea to Sky Country, particularly in winter months. At just 125 km (78 mi) north of Vancouver, it’s no surprise that Whistler is one of the most popular resort towns in Canada, attracting around 2 million visitors every year. Skiing and snowboarding are on the agenda for many tourists, but the mountain offers plenty of other ways to enjoy the snow too, including snow-cat tours, snowmobile tours, cross country skiing trails, snowshoe tours and sleigh rides. Of course, escaping the cold in one of the spas is also an option.
Whistler isn’t the only place in this region with an impressive array of winter adventures, however. Ice climbing tours depart from Squamish and, to the north, Pemberton offers snowmobile and snow-cat tours in a more remote, less-visited setting.
During summer, visitors can still enjoy the thrill of hurtling down the mountains with mountain biking adventures; Whistler, Squamish, Lillooet and Gold Bridge are each starting points for bicycle tours and mountain bike trails. Those in for the long haul will want to take a spin on the Sea to Sky Trail, a 150-km (93-mi) trail that runs from Squamish to Birken. Summer is also a great time for a hike. Hiking trails and rock climbing tours depart from Squamish, Lillooet and Whistler and are especially popular in Marble Canyon near Lillooet and Brandywine Falls Provincial Park near Squamish. For something truly impressive, visitors can take the short trail to Shannon Falls near Squamish—it’s BC’s third highest waterfall and stands at an impressive 335 m (1099 ft).
But if climbing to the highest peak still isn’t high enough, an airplane or helicopter tour will give tourists bird’s eye views of all that this magnificent area has to offer.
IN THE WATER
With around 100 km (62 mi) of coastline and several mountain lakes, it’s no wonder that the water is a popular place to be in Sea to Sky Country. If it’s an ocean adventure visitors fancy, Whistler and Squamish both offer sea kayaking and fishing adventures, as well as jet boating for a bit of a faster thrill.
Fishing and boating is also available inland in the many lakes in the region, like Alice Lake, Alpha Lake, Callaghan Lake and Birkenhead Lake, as well on the mighty Fraser River, which roars through Lillooet and was a hub for the gold rush in 1850s. Boat or canoe rentals are available in Whistler and Pemberton, while rafting is a popular sport for thrill seekers in Brackendale.
ON SOLID GROUND
Those who would rather take in the scenery of Sea to Sky Country with their feet planted firmly on the ground will find plenty of enjoyable activities in the diverse region. Golf is one of the most popular activities and Whistler offers the best golf experiences with four stunning 18-hole golf courses within its vicinity. World-class courses are also located in Pemberton, Squamish and Furry Creek, to name a few.
Visitors looking for something a little more original can learn about the rich history of the land with an Aboriginal culture tour in Lillooet. Visitors will explore a 5000-year-old First Nations village and participate in traditional activities, plus there’s even the chance to camp in a tipi. Those who prefer the rural scenery can enjoy a farm tour or trail ride of the countryside—both of which depart out of Lillooet.
Sea to Sky Country isn’t all about outdoor adventure, however; there are more than enough cultural attractions to please someone who prefers the great indoors. For instance, museums and historical attractions are scattered throughout the region, including Squamish’s impressive West Coast Railway Heritage Park and the BC Museum of Mining, as well as the Whistler Museum in Whistler.
GETTING YOUR BEARINGS
Sea to Sky Country begins in West Vancouver, just past Horseshoe Bay where several ferries depart for Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. From there, the highway winds itself along the coastline, passing through Squamish and several small communities before ascending into the world famous town of Whistler, known for its challenging ski resort and its co-hosting role in the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. From there, the route continues inland towards the interior of British Columbia through the towns of Pemberton and Lillooet.
When it comes to getting around, most visitors to the region will choose to explore by car, meandering along the coast and through mountain passes on Highway 99, which begins in Vancouver and eventually joins up with Highway 97 North. Travelling by road is a great way to take in the scenery—except of course for the driver.
Perhaps a more relaxing and luxurious way to see the sights is via a rail tour. The Whistler Mountaineer runs between North Vancouver and Whistler and allows for amazing views combined with the old-world romance of train travel.
And for those wondering what to do when they get there? They’re in luck—the region offers many adventures and activities to suit any kind of traveller.
THINGS TO DO IN THE MOUNTAINS
The grand peaks of Whistler Blackcomb are the main attraction in Sea to Sky Country, particularly in winter months. At just 125 km (78 mi) north of Vancouver, it’s no surprise that Whistler is one of the most popular resort towns in Canada, attracting around 2 million visitors every year. Skiing and snowboarding are on the agenda for many tourists, but the mountain offers plenty of other ways to enjoy the snow too, including snow-cat tours, snowmobile tours, cross country skiing trails, snowshoe tours and sleigh rides. Of course, escaping the cold in one of the spas is also an option.
Whistler isn’t the only place in this region with an impressive array of winter adventures, however. Ice climbing tours depart from Squamish and, to the north, Pemberton offers snowmobile and snow-cat tours in a more remote, less-visited setting.
During summer, visitors can still enjoy the thrill of hurtling down the mountains with mountain biking adventures; Whistler, Squamish, Lillooet and Gold Bridge are each starting points for bicycle tours and mountain bike trails. Those in for the long haul will want to take a spin on the Sea to Sky Trail, a 150-km (93-mi) trail that runs from Squamish to Birken. Summer is also a great time for a hike. Hiking trails and rock climbing tours depart from Squamish, Lillooet and Whistler and are especially popular in Marble Canyon near Lillooet and Brandywine Falls Provincial Park near Squamish. For something truly impressive, visitors can take the short trail to Shannon Falls near Squamish—it’s BC’s third highest waterfall and stands at an impressive 335 m (1099 ft).
But if climbing to the highest peak still isn’t high enough, an airplane or helicopter tour will give tourists bird’s eye views of all that this magnificent area has to offer.
IN THE WATER
With around 100 km (62 mi) of coastline and several mountain lakes, it’s no wonder that the water is a popular place to be in Sea to Sky Country. If it’s an ocean adventure visitors fancy, Whistler and Squamish both offer sea kayaking and fishing adventures, as well as jet boating for a bit of a faster thrill.
Fishing and boating is also available inland in the many lakes in the region, like Alice Lake, Alpha Lake, Callaghan Lake and Birkenhead Lake, as well on the mighty Fraser River, which roars through Lillooet and was a hub for the gold rush in 1850s. Boat or canoe rentals are available in Whistler and Pemberton, while rafting is a popular sport for thrill seekers in Brackendale.
ON SOLID GROUND
Those who would rather take in the scenery of Sea to Sky Country with their feet planted firmly on the ground will find plenty of enjoyable activities in the diverse region. Golf is one of the most popular activities and Whistler offers the best golf experiences with four stunning 18-hole golf courses within its vicinity. World-class courses are also located in Pemberton, Squamish and Furry Creek, to name a few.
Visitors looking for something a little more original can learn about the rich history of the land with an Aboriginal culture tour in Lillooet. Visitors will explore a 5000-year-old First Nations village and participate in traditional activities, plus there’s even the chance to camp in a tipi. Those who prefer the rural scenery can enjoy a farm tour or trail ride of the countryside—both of which depart out of Lillooet.
Sea to Sky Country isn’t all about outdoor adventure, however; there are more than enough cultural attractions to please someone who prefers the great indoors. For instance, museums and historical attractions are scattered throughout the region, including Squamish’s impressive West Coast Railway Heritage Park and the BC Museum of Mining, as well as the Whistler Museum in Whistler.
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