Sea to Sky Gondola, Squamish

Sea to Sky Gondola in Squamish, British Columbia

The first time we learned of the proposed plans for the development of the Sea to Sky Gondola we were driving to Whistler and passed a large sign promoting the project. This was a few years ago. I remember saying to Nicole, “I don’t understand why they would want to put a gondola here when Whistler is only 45 minutes away?”

For those of you that don’t know, Whistler recently built the world record breaking Peak to Peak Gondola that connects the peak of Whistler Mountain to the peak of Blackcomb Mountain. It has since become a major attraction for British Columbia tourism, attracting visitors to the mountain resort year round.

Sea to Sky Gondola, Squamish, BC

I’ll be honest, I couldn’t see the vision for the Sea to Sky Gondola project and questioned whether it would succeed in attracting enough visitors to make the significant investment worthwhile.

Located about halfway between Vancouver and Whistler, the town of Squamish is continuously building its brand as an outdoor adventure destination, but it’s not an easy task with the former Winter Olympics venue located down the road.

We don’t spend a lot time in Squamish. In fact, aside from a quick gas station break or occasional hike to the peak of the Stawamus Chief (the most recognized mountain in Squamish), we mostly just pass through on our way to Whistler.

That changed last week when we visited Squamish’s shiny new outdoor attraction.

We’ve made it a priority to spend more time exploring our big beautiful backyard this year, so we decided to visit the Sea to Sky Gondola while on en-route to Whistler for a weekend retreat.

Sea to Sky Gondola, Squamish

Sea to Sky Gondola, Squamish

We arrived at the base of the gondola around 10:00 AM, which is important to note because by the time we left at 1:00 PM the free parking lot was completely full. It was a sunny Saturday in late May, so I’m not sure if this is the norm. Regardless, if you plan to visit the Sea to Sky Gondola on a weekend in the summer, make sure you arrive early because it’s become quite a popular attraction and parking is limited close to the entrance.

There’s overflow parking available across the highway from Shannon Falls Provincial Park. We’re told that there’s a free shuttle service on the weekends. Or, you can walk 15-minutes to the Gondola through the connector trail.

Sea to Sky Gondola, Squamish

Our boys really enjoyed the ride up and down the gondola. The comfortable 8-seat gondolas are mostly windows from top to bottom, offering panoramic views of Howe Sound and the Sea to Sky Highway below. Even on a busy Saturday we didn’t have to wait more than 2 minutes to catch our ride.

We were pleasantly surprised at the length of the gondola ride. Initially, we thought it was just a quick trip to the first crest, but the summit is much higher than expected. It takes about 10 minutes from base to top, traveling 885 metres above sea level.

Sea to Sky Gondola, Squamish

As we approached the Summit Lodge and viewing deck, we were impressed by the level of investment put into this outdoor attraction. It’s a beautiful facility with huge Douglas Fir beams and massive glass windows, giving it the quintessential Pacific Northwest vibe similar to that of Whistler.

Sea to Sky Gondola, Squamish, BC

The large viewing deck provides outstanding views of the blue-green waters of Howe Sound and the lush Squamish Valley. There’s another viewing area called the Chief Overlook Viewing Platform, accessed by the 1.6-kilometre Panorama Trail. We skipped this one because we weren’t sure how our little ones would handle the hike, though we’re told it’s an easy trail that’s more of a walk than a hike.

Sea to Sky Gondola, Squamish, BC

I recently purchased a monopod for my GoPro camera and tested it out for the first time that afternoon. I’m still trying to get the hang of it, but so far I like it. Here’s a link to the product, in case you’re interested.

Suspension Bridge, Sea to Sky Summit, Squamish, BC

The Sky Pilot Suspension Bridge connects the Spirit Trail/Spirit Viewing Platform to the Summit Lodge Viewing Deck. The bridge is approximately 100 metres long and is a must do for anyone visiting the gondola.

Suspension Bridge, Sea to Sky Gondola, Squamish, BC

I have a mild fear of heights, so crossing the bouncy suspension bridge while holding my camera in one hand and Braydon in the other was quite nerve-raking. Fortunately, it doesn’t appear Braydon has a fear of heights at all… he would have run across the suspension bridge if I let him!

Suspension Bridge, Sea to Sky Gondola, Squamish, BC

We didn’t trust Connor’s wobbly toddler legs walking across the suspension bridge so we strapped him into our Onya Baby carrier to be safe. Like his brother, Connor would have run across the bridge if we let him, but it has too many open areas for our liking.

Sea to Sky Gondola, Squamish

Sea to Sky Gondola, Squamish

Sea to Sky Gondola, Squamish

Sea to Sky Gondola, Squamish

Sea to Sky Gondola, Squamish, BC

Sea to Sky Summit, Squamish

Suspension Bridge, Sea to Sky Summit, Squamish, BC

We really enjoyed our Sea to Sky Gondola experience.

We’re glad we made the stop and will certainly return again in the future. It’s a fun place to spend the day and it’s very family friendly (children under 5 years old are free). Even if all you do is take the gondola and have lunch on the sundeck, it’s an ideal day trip from Vancouver. There’s a cafeteria-style restaurant inside the lodge that serves sandwiches, salads, snacks and baked goodies. Or, you can sit back and enjoy a cold beer while taking in the spectacular views.

Although I failed to see the vision for the project prior to it being built, I totally get it now. It’s a great addition to Squamish and the never-ending list of must-visit British Columbia tourist attractions.

There are dozens of hiking trails at the summit, so we can see ourselves introducing our boys to the easier trails over the next few years. And, for the more adventurous hiker, you can hike from the base to summit – here’s some info about the trail.

To learn more, visit the website – http://www.seatoskygondola.com/visit

~~~~~~~~

Have you visited the new Sea to Sky Gondola? What did you think?

 

Here’s a great video that gives you a different perspective of the Sea to Sky region.

Our Sea to Sky 2014 from Sea to Sky Gondola on Vimeo.

 

Below is a map that shows you where the Sea to Sky Gondola is located.

British Columbia’s newest attraction – Sea to Sky Gondola in Squamish is a post from: Traveling Canucks

Related posts:

  1. Cliffwalk at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
  2. Road trips are always a good idea, especially in British Columbia
  3. Looking Back – 30 photos that tell our 2014 Story

Contributor
No Comments
Comments to: British Columbia’s newest attraction – Sea to Sky Gondola in Squamish

Recent Articles

Good Reads

Gemstones have been a source of fascination for centuries due to their unique colors, properties, and potential to influence emotions and energy. In addition to their aesthetic value, gemstones have been highly regarded by many cultures for their alleged ability to attract positive energy and prosperity. This article​ will discuss the ⁤arrangement of different gemstones […]

Worlwide

Overview VipsPM – Project Management Suite is a Powerful web-based Application. VipsPM is a perfect tool to fulfill all your project management needs like managing Projects, Tasks, Defects, Incidents, Timesheets, Meetings, Appointments, Files, Documents, Users, Clients, Departments, ToDos, Project Planning, Holidays and Reports. It has simple yet efficient layout will make managing projects easier than […]
Gemstones have been a source of fascination for centuries due to their unique colors, properties, and potential to influence emotions and energy. In addition to their aesthetic value, gemstones have been highly regarded by many cultures for their alleged ability to attract positive energy and prosperity. This article​ will discuss the ⁤arrangement of different gemstones […]
Bathroom lighting may not be a top priority for many homeowners in Singapore, but it can greatly impact our‌ experience in the ⁤space. To achieve optimal ⁤bathroom lighting, there are several factors to consider and tips to keep in mind when⁢ discussing lighting ‌concepts with your interior design‍ firm in Singapore. Why is Bathroom Lighting […]

Trending

Turquoise Jewelry is one of the ancient healing stones used for personal adornment and astrological benefits. The rare greenish blue-colored pectolite is celebrated for its enchanting powers among many crystal lovers. It is a hydrated phosphate of copper and aluminum that ranks 5 to 6 on the Mohs hardness scale. It is deemed a protective […]
Singapore is recognised globally as a prime destination for foreign investors. Its business structure is well-developed, and its tax system is favourable to business owners. The government has a strong support system for entrepreneurs and provides legal protection for intellectual property rights. All of these conditions create an environment that is ideal for Singapore company […]
2020 has been a year that represents aggressive and sustained volatility with a confluence of unexpected situations, including economic shifts and market disturbance confluence. The COVID-19 pandemic forces businesses to adjust their methods of operations to ensure survival. These adjustments become the trajectory and guidance of what 2021 should look like and what companies should […]
COVID-19 pandemic has affected Thailand’s economy and labor market. World Bank’s Thailand Economic Monitor predicted that it would take Thailand over two years to return to its pre-COVID-19 growth and domestic product output levels. Although the country has successfully curbed the pandemic tide over the last few months, the economy remains severely hit. Nevertheless, heavily […]