Sea-to-Sky Highway and Squamish
BC Highway 99 / Stawamus Chief And Shannon Falls Provincial Parks · Squamish, British Columbia
The Sea-to-Sky Highway is Highway 99 between Vancouver and Whistler, about 120 km of winding road cut into the cliffs above Howe Sound, a fjord. It starts at Horseshoe Bay and runs past waterfalls, climbing walls and mountain peaks, and it was upgraded ahead of the 2010 Olympics. Squamish, roughly halfway, is the main stop. It sits below the Stawamus Chief, a granite monolith that draws climbers and hikers, and is close to Shannon Falls, the Sea to Sky Gondola and, in winter, the bald eagles at Brackendale. Kiteboarding at the Squamish Spit and rock climbing keep the town lively. The drive takes about 1.5 to 2 hours without stops, but a proper trip needs a full day. It suits visitors of every age with a car. Expect crowds on summer weekends, rain and fog in winter, and closures after slides or crashes, so confirm road conditions first. Whistler is the usual end point, and the Britannia Mine Museum is a worthwhile early stop for history.
Highway 99, Squamish, Squamish, British Columbia, V8B 0A1, Canada
The highway is open all year, but it can close for crashes, rockfall, slides or winter weather, and there is no easy alternate route, so a closure can mean long delays - check road reports before you leave. Seasonal attractions keep their own hours. The Sea to Sky Gondola typically runs daily in summer with shorter winter hours and may close for maintenance or high winds - confirm. Provincial park trails, such as the Chief and Shannon Falls, are open in daylight all year, though snow and ice can close upper sections. Parking at popular trailheads is limited and may require advance reservation or fees in peak season - confirm before you go.
Sea-to-Sky Highway and Squamish on Spottos · Explore more places on Spottos