Activities

The Sea to Sky Gondola is a must-do stop when driving between Vancouver and Whistler — and it definitely lived up to the hype. Located just two kilometres south of Squamish along the world-famous Sea-to-Sky Highway, it’s easy to spot from the road and makes for the perfect mid-drive pitstop.

The gondola ride itself is steep, fast, and incredibly fun, soaring 885 metres (2,900 feet) above sea level with floor-to-ceiling glass windows that provide jaw-dropping views of Squamish, Howe Sound, and the surrounding mountains and lakes. Once at the top, the area is well set up for visitors: there’s a café, bathrooms, seating areas, and a massive suspension bridge that stretches out over the alpine scenery. We explored the trails, climbed on the rocks to the edge of the cliffs for epic photos, and even spotted a few chipmunks hiding in the remaining patches of snow along the quieter paths.

It’s easy to spend an hour or so exploring, taking in the views, and enjoying the fresh mountain air before heading back down and continuing your journey. Whether you’re into photography, hiking, or just a fun aerial adventure, the Sea to Sky Gondola offers an unforgettable perspective of BC’s incredible landscapes.

On our drive back from Whistler to Vancouver, we made a pitstop at Shannon Falls Provincial Park — and it was the perfect little nature break. Located just 2 km south of Squamish along the Sea-to-Sky Highway, the park is home to BC’s third-highest waterfall, dropping an impressive 335 metres from Mount Habrich and Mount Sky Pilot.

The park is super visitor-friendly, with a massive car park, basic toilets, and a small shop/concession for snacks and souvenirs. The walk to the waterfall is short, easy, and suitable for everyone — you can enjoy a great view from the bottom or climb the steps a bit further to get closer to the tumbling waters. The trails loop around through open fields and forested areas, making it a really pleasant way to spend an hour or so. For those looking to extend their adventure, Shannon Falls sits right next to Stawamus Chief Park, where you can tackle more challenging hikes, scramble up granite cliffs, and enjoy panoramic views of Squamish and Howe Sound. Even as someone who isn’t a massive hiker, this stop was totally doable and a lovely way to stretch the legs while soaking in BC’s stunning scenery.

In Squamish, we had to hit the ultimate trio: thrifting, liquor & cannabis stores, and, of course, Walmart! My pick was F as in Frank Vintage, a tiny thrift shop tucked away off the main street — and honestly, Canadian thrifting totally beats what we get back home in New Zealand (so much Carhartt!). Dad went straight for the craft beers (the drinking age here is 19, which still throws me a bit), and we wrapped things up with a final Walmart stop — this time in the mountains — before continuing our mission to reach Whistler.

Squamish is a super clean, charming little town with everything you need, set against jaw-dropping mountain scenery. There’s also no shortage of nature adventures nearby: hop on the Sea-to-Sky Gondola for unreal views, or take a stroll to Shannon Falls Provincial Park for a quick hike and epic waterfalls. It was the perfect little pitstop to shop, snack, and stretch our legs before hitting the road again — a hidden gem worth slowing down for.