SEA-TO-SKY HIGHWAY AS A DESTINATION
You can find many points of interest on this journey, from water to woods to scenic golf
There’s no reason to rush it, this itinerary can take one to three days, and covers 163 km for an ideal road trip along the Sea-to-Sky corridor (Highway 99) from Vancouver to Pemberton, just north of Whistler. Seven interpretive kiosks, designed in the shape of cedar-bark hats, are part of the Cultural Journey component of the route. Heading north, stop at kiosks 1 through 5, as they are on the east side of the highway. Southbound, stop at kiosks 6 and 7 on the west side of the highway.
VANCOUVER
Start in downtown Vancouver with a visit to iconic Stanley Park; watch marine life at the Vancouver Aquarium and stroll along the seawall. Explore Vancouver’s history by visiting Gastown — the city ’s birthplace — and Chinatown, home to the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden and a lively summer night market. Cross the Lions Gate Bridge to reach North Vancouver and West Vancouver.
NORTH VANCOUVER AND WEST VANCOUVER
19.3 km • 20 mins
In North Vancouver, step along the thrilling Capilano Suspension Bridge, which swings 135m above ground. From early spring to early fall, hike the Grouse Grind (dubbed “Mother Nature’s Stairmaster”) and indulge in a burger on top of the mountain. You’ll have earned it. Ride the aerial tram down, then head to West Vancouver for scenic views of Howe Sound and the Georgia Strait at Whytecliff and Lighthouse parks.
HORSESHOE BAY
25.0 km • 22 mins
From West Vancouver, take Highway 99 toward Squamish. Along the way, detour west to Horseshoe Bay to dig into crispy fish and chips and watch the ferries sailing into port. A waterfront playground makes a great family rest stop. The first cultural interpretive kiosk is near Horseshoe Bay.
PORTEAU COVE PROVINCIAL PARK
3.1 km • 4 mins
North of Horseshoe Bay is Porteau Cove Provincial Park, a popular scuba diving destination. Arti- ficial shipwrecks and reefs support hundreds of species of marine life, such as octopus, lingcod and starfish. Not a diver? Explore the rocky beach or take a dip in the ocean.
SCENIC GOLFING
5.1 km • 4 mins
Just north of Porteau Cove, Furry Creek’s greens line the waters of Howe Sound, making it one of B.C.’s most scenic golf courses. Tee off from Hole 14 (the signature hole) to be immersed in classic west coast scenery: islands, ocean and mountains.
BRITANNIA BEACH
2.9 km • 2 mins
Continue north to Britannia Beach to visit the Britannia Mine Museum National Historic Site. It showcases the history of the mine and the area, but it was once home to the largest copper producing mine in the British Commonwealth. Board a mining train and travel deep into an old mining tunnel. Pan for gold, engage in interactive exhibits and see historic mining equipment. Cultural kiosk 2 is near Britannia Beach.
MURRIN PROVINCIAL PARK
11.3 km • 10 mins
Just north of Britannia Beach, Murrin Provincial Park’s rock climbing walls (with names such as “Petrifying Wall” and “Bog Wall”) provide excellent and varied climbing opportunities that range from novice to expert. Post-climb, relax with a swim in the lake or walk around the pleasant lakeside trail.
SHANNON FALLS PROVINCIAL PARK
20.4 km • 20 mins
Be sure to stop at Shannon Falls Provincial Park. These dramatic falls rise 335m above Highway 99, making them some of the highest in the province. Walk an easy trail to the viewpoint to watch the cascading waters up close.
STAWAMUS CHIEF
1.5 km • 3 mins
The Stawamus Chief is hard to miss: it’s considered one of the largest granite monoliths in the world and its sheer rock face dominates the view from the highway. Adventurous visitors can try scaling the walls of this world-class climbing destination. Not a climber? Hike one of the challenging peak trails for fantastic views of Howe Sound and the Squamish Valley, or look for peregrine falcons, which frequently nest here. Kiosk 3 covers information about Shannon Falls and the Stawamus Chief.
SQUAMISH
8.5 km • 9 mins
Squamish, billed as the “Outdoor Recreation Capital of Canada,” is an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise. Zoom down more than 600 mountain biking trails that weave through old-growth forests, windsurf at the Squamish Spit, or hike in a provincial park. Learn more about the area’s history at Kiosk 4 near the Squamish Adventure Centre. Cap off the day with a locally brewed beer and fresh food at a restaurant, or visit one of Squamish’s many art galleries. Overnight in Squamish.
GARIBALDI PROVINCIAL PARK
37.0 km • 49 mins
En route to Whistler is Garibaldi Provincial Park, which commands 480,000 ac of backcountry. Trek to clear lakes and alpine wildflowers in the summer, or go mountaineering. Five different access points are located along the highway.
ALEXANDER FALLS AND INTERPRETIVE FOREST
23.6 km • 24 mins
For a quick waterfall side trip, detour west from Highway 99 via Callaghan Valley road to Alexander Falls Recreation Site. View a serene waterfall, take in scenic mountain views and watch for wildlife, such as black bears, alongside the road. Backtrack to Highway 99 and continue north. Just before Whistler is the Whistler Interpretive Forest Recreation Site, containing a 9,000 ac network of trails that are perfect for walking, and mountain biking. Cultural kiosk 5 is just south of Whistler.
WHISTLER AND OPTIONAL ROUTES
121 km • 1 hour 36 mins
Whistler is consistently ranked one of the top four-season resorts in North America, and boasts a number of outdoor activities in the summer: hiking, and mountain biking are the most popular. Take the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola to hit the best trails — in one day on both of Whistler’s mountains. Dine on the mountaintop or at restaurants in the pedestrian-only village. Learn about the local First Nations at the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre, housed in a stunning and ecofriendly designated LEED building.
THE ROADS BACK
If returning to Vancouver via the Sea-to- Sky, look for cultural kiosk 6 near Garibaldi Provincial Park and kiosk 7 south of Britannia Beach. Optional: For a different scenic route back to Vancouver, follow Highway 99 north to Pemberton, which offers exhilarating paragliding and soaring. Continue north to Lillooet; the stretch of Highway 99 between Pemberton and Lillooet is also known as Duffey Lake Road, and features spectacular roadside scenery. Highlights include hiking at Nairn Falls Provincial Park. Optional: From Lillooet, continue north or head south down the Fraser Canyon via Highway 12 and Highway 1 back to Vancouver.