Sea to Sky

One Day In B.C.’s Coast Range

One of the best things about Vancouver is its quick access to some of the best wilderness in North America. Just 20 minutes from the city center, you can be crossing raging mountain rivers or climbing thousands of feet above the skyline. Go even further, and the views just get better. This is how we spent the better part of our last trip to BC.

Start Early

The summer sun rises early in the North. Suddenly, the high-rise room with floor-to-ceiling windows doesn’t seem like the best choice. Luckily, there’s Tim Hortons, Timmy’s, Tim Tim’s, or whatever you like to call it.

Fuel up at hit the road. Soak in some urban views while you crawl your way through morning traffic—it wasn’t terrible and the cityscapes really are incredible. Cross over into North Vancouver and head West on Highway 1 until you reach the mouth of the Howe Sound. There, the road turns to the Sea to Sky Highway (Route 99). Follow this slow-paced mountain road to Squamish. There is no shortage of views, and the water just turns more turquoise the further north you drive.

Don’t Dwell on the Touristy Things

There are several attractions immediately at the top of the lift: restaurant, gift shop, overlooks, paths, etc. While the suspension bridge and the overlooks are surely worth your time, it’s better to wait until later in the day when the crowds thin out and the light is better. We opted to take one of the more extensive trails into the high country.

Utilize some extra Lift

We opted to stop in Squamish at the Sea-to-Sky Gondola. There are similar options in Whistler, but this one like a newer and lesser known attraction. There is limited parking at the base of the mountain, so be mindful of that when you’re deciding what time of day to arrive. You can purchase lift tickets online or in person. This isn’t normally our kind of thing, but it cuts down on hours of hiking from sea level—which is important on a short trip. I’m always amazed at how quiet gondolas are. Once you clear the light hum of the lift terminal, all you hear is mountain air winding through the tree tops.