Top things to do Sea to Sky Highway, one of the most scenic drives in North America

Follow the Sea to Sky Highway from Vancouver to Whistler for dramatic sweeping views of fjords, mountains and dormant volcanoes along the Pacific Rim of Fire.

Admire four breathtaking waterfalls, access several lakes and hiking trails on this route.

At Whistler, see it all from the Top of the World Cloudraker Skybridge or take in the panoramic vista on the Peak 2 Peak Gondola, the world’s highest lift of its kind. If you are daring enough, ride the longest zipline in Canada and the USA.

Sea to Sky Highway Vancouver to Whistler

The drive to Whistler will take about 1 hr and 52 min without stops. Take your time driving this beautiful but winding highway. It is one of the most scenic drives in North America.

Enjoy the views along the way but keep your eyes on the road. Only pull off at designated spots when it is safe.

One day you may be able to take a high-speed train, Mountain Valley Express (MVX), along this route from Metro Vancouver.

The proposed MVX transportation alternative from Chilliwack to Whistler would only take one hour travelling at speeds up to 300km/h.

Find out more about the vision for the Mountain Valley Express.

Top things to do Sea to Sky Highway Vancouver to Whistler – One of the top scenic drives in BC and One of the most scenic drives in North America Sea to Sky Highway Howe Sound View. Photo Credit: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©

If you are planning a trip to explore some of the most incredible spots in BC, don’t miss our suggestions for experiences to last a lifetime below.  Please leave any comments, questions or suggestions below and remember to subscribe so you will see the next update. Get the latest travel tips and learn about destinations from near and far.

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Top things to do Sea to Sky Highway

Porteau Cove Provincial Park

Stop here to see North America’s most southern fjord. The panoramic view of Howe Sound is spectacular.

This location is a popular scuba diving site to explore marine life on the series of man-made reefs and old wrecks. As you look out over the water to the north, notice the marker buoys in the water.

There are scuba diving facilities, washrooms, picnic tables, waterfront campsites and a few Olympic Legacy Cabins available. Campsite reservations are recommended.  Download a dive map.

This park is also a popular spot for stargazing and a chance to see the dancing Northern Lights when conditions are right. Check the Aurora 30 minute forecast from the Space Weather Prediction Center.

Orca, gray and humpback whales have been spotted from the shores from the end of March until October. Raccoons, minks, river otters, coyotes, harbour seals and porpoises along with a variety of water birds can be found year-round.

Safety tips Porteau Cove

• There is an active BC Rail train track to cross entering the park. Obey all signs.
• Explore the beach, but be aware that wet logs on the beach are slippery. Use extreme caution if you plan to climb over them to get to the beach.
• Weather can change quickly, so if swimming, watch tide conditions. Find out more about the park.

Porteau Cove is a popular scuba diving spot along the Sea to Sky Highway. Photo Credit: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©

View from Porteau Cove a popular scuba diving spot along the Sea to Sky Highway. Photo Credit: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©

Britannia Beach

Top things to do Sea to Sky Highway Vancouver to Whistler – Visit the Britannia Mine Museum in Britannia Beach. Photo Credit: Destination BC/Heath Moffatt

Check out the charming, once prosperous, Britannia Beach mining town. The town flourished after copper was discovered here in 1888.

The Britannia Beach Mine is a significant Canadian National Historic Site and a BC Historic Site.

The mine opened in 1904 and became an important source of copper ore.

It became the largest mining operation in Canada during the 1920s and 30s and one of the world’s largest copper mines. The mine was in use for almost 70 years until it closed in 1974.

The mine’s innovative technology of using a gravity-fed concentrator produced a daily haul of 2,500 tons of ore. The mine also extracted some gold, zinc, lead, silver and cadmium.

Read more about the National Historic significance.

The Britannia Mine Museum, first opened in 1975, underwent a major $14.7 million revitalization project in 2010.

The Museum entry included the immersive, multi-sensory BOOM! live action Mills Show Experience. Hop on the rail train to learn what it was like to be a miner in 1914. This popular underground tour is a once-in-a-lifetime Canadian Signature Experience.

The museum is open seven days a week. Book online to avoid disappointment.

Find out more about the Britannia Mine Museum.

Stunning scenery along the Sea-to-Sky highway to Whistler. View from Britannia Beach. Photo Credit: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©

Shannon Falls Provincial Park

Top things to do Sea to Sky Highway Vancouver to Whistler stop at spectacular Shannon Falls – Best day trips from Vancouver. Photo Credit: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©

Impressive Shannon Falls drops 335 meters, making it the third highest waterfall in British Columbia. Take the short trail through the forest along the river to the falls from the parking lot.

This is always a favourite picnic stop. I have been coming here since I was a young child. The park is open year-round, but use extra caution on wet days as the trails and other surface can be extremely slippery.

Carling O’Keefe Brewery owned the area in 1976 and used the mountain water to make its beer. The land was later donated to BC Parks in 1982.

Find out more about the park.

Explore one of the most scenic roads in Canada on the Sea-to-Sky Highway. Shannon Falls Provincial Park is spectacular. Photo Credit: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©

Sea to Sky Gondola

The Sea to Sky Gondola offers breathtaking views of the Howe Sound and surrounding mountains. There are so many adventures to experience. The list below are just a few.

• Ride the eight passenger gondola.
• Walk across the 150-metres-long Sky Pilot Suspension Bridge.
• Hike three accessible easy to moderate walking trails.
• The Spirit Trail offers two viewing platforms and provides the history of the land.
• The Panorama Trail wanders through the coastal forest to the Chief outlook platform.
• The Wonderland Lake Loop provides several viewpoints and takes you to a small lake.

Find out about the Sea to Sky Gondola and ticket prices here.

Sea to Sky Gondola reopened on June 11, 2021. The gondola closed on September 14th, 2020 when vandals damaged for the cables for second time.

Sea to Sky Gondola website for further updates.

Top things to do near Vancouver – Take a ride on the Sea to Sky Gondola. It reopens February 14, 2020. Photo Credit: Tara O’Grady

Top things to do near Vancouver, see the views from the Aerial Summit Lodge, Sea to Sky Gondola. Photo Credit: Topo Films

Stawamus Chief

The towering Stawamus Chief Mountain is one the largest granite monoliths in the world. It stands 702 metres or 2,303 feet.

The largest granite monolith is El Captain in Yosemite National Park, California standing about 914 metres or 3,000 feet. Both are world famous, world-class destinations for rock climbers.

Be sure to stop at the pullout viewpoint in the day parking lot and take out your binoculars to see climbers taking the difficult challenge using ropes, chains and ladders as they make their way up.

Watch for peregrine falcons during the nesting season. Strenuous hiking trails are available.

The Stawamus Chief Mountain will always hold a special place in my heart. My beloved brother was an avid rock climber and this was his favourite climbing mountain. His ashes were scattered from the top of the mountain.

Download a park brochure.

The stunning sheer face of the granite dome of the world famous climbing mountain the Stawamus Chief. It is near Squamish, BC on the road to Whistler from Vancouver. Photo Credit: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©

The stunning sheer face of the granite dome of the world famous climbing mountain the Stawamus Chief. It is near Squamish, BC on the road to Whistler from Vancouver. Photo Credit: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©

Squamish

Squamish is located neat the foot of the Stawamus Chief.

If you are a train buff, you won’t want to miss seeing the West Coast Railway Heritage Park. It has Canada’s second largest vintage collection of locomotives. There are 90 pieces of heritage railway cars and artifacts along with a replica of a turn-of-the century railway town.

The park is open for special events and families will really enjoy the interactive day out with Thomas the Tank Engine. Tickets sell out fast for this family-fun event.

Squamish is home to largest winter gathering of bald eagles in North America between November and February. The eagles come from all over the Pacific Northwest and BC interior.

The best place to see the eagles is from the Eagle Run Viewing Shelter located on the Squamish River just off the Sea-to-Sky Highway.

Find out more about the EagleWatch Program run by the Squamish Environmental Community. Here is a complete list of viewing locations. If you want to take a closer look at the eagles, take an Eagle Float tour down the Squamish River between the middle of November and the end of January.

Find out more on the official Squamish Visitors Site.

Brandywine Falls Provincial Park

This park was formed after a volcano erupted more than 13,000 years ago. Take a short walk along the trail to the falls viewpoint to see the spectacular Brandywine Falls.

The falls drops 70 metres. Continue along the trail to see an impressive view of Daisy Lake, Black Tusk and the Cheakamus River.

Black Tusk was actually the core of a volcano. It is now a popular rock climbing spot.

Download a trail map.

Black Tusk was once the core of a volcano. Photo Credit: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©

Views of Daisy Lake and the Cheakamus River from the Brandywine lookout. Photo Credit: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©

Alexander Falls

Alexander Falls is located just south of Whistler on Callaghan Valley Road, not far from Whistler Olympic Park. This impressive waterfall can be viewed from the platform near the road.

Alexander Falls near Whistler is one of the best waterfalls in BC. Photo Credit Natalie Tsang, Flicr

Whistler

There is so much to do in Whistler.

See it all from the Top of the World Cloudraker Skybridge or take in the panoramic vista from the Peak 2 Peak Gondola, the world’s highest lift of its kind.

If you are daring enough, ride the longest zipline in Canada and the USA.

Top things to do in Whistler. Peak 2 Peak Gondola in the winter. Photo Credit: Vail Resorts, Paul Morrison

Top things to do in Whistler – Walk the Cloudraker Sky Bridge. Photo Credit: Vail Resorts/Mitch Winton

Here are just a few of the many adventures waiting for you to experience in Whistler/Blackcomb area.

• Ride the Peak 2 Peak Gondola for stunning mountain views on the world’s highest lift of its kind. Book online and save.
• Walk out on the Top of the World Cloudraker Skybridge, a 130-metre suspension bridge.
• Ride the longest zipline in Canada and the USA.
• Canoe or kayak down the River of Golden Dreams from Alta Lake to Green Lake.

• The Snow Walls are impressive hiking down the mountain from the peak in the early summer.
• Wildflowers appearing on the hillsides in late June and a trip up the Ascent Trails is well worth it—the first and second trail feature an old growth rainforest.
• Hiking is coming online with all three Ascent trails now open and over 50+ km of alpine trails to open as snow melts.
• Check up to date temperatures and mountain conditions here.

The emerald green waters of Green Lake in Whistler along the Sea-to-Sky Highway. Photo Credit: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©

• Whistler is a world-class biking destination. Mountain, cross-country, road, electric or recreational biking in the spring, summer and fall. There are so many options.
• Try a Winter Olympic sport experience. Take a bobsleigh or skeleton ride at the Whistler Sliding Centre, the fastest sliding track in the world!
• Check out the sport of axe throwing.
• Take a giant leap and feel the rush with Whistler bungee jumping. Drop 50 metres over the Cheakamus River.
• Go on a bear viewing tour. Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains are home to up to 60 black bears and cubs.
• Escape on a magical adventure filled with stardust and fairy tales. Vallea Lumina is a multimedia walk in the forest on Cougar Mountain.
• Hiking trails offer endless possibilities to explore the alpine, lakes, beaches, forests, valleys  and village. Download hiking maps here.

Stay overnight in Whistler at least two nights, but you really need to spend more time.

Hotels in Whistler

There are so many wonderful accommodations to choose from at Whistler/Blackcomb Resort. We always look for special promotions when we book.

We have our favourites and have experienced the following hotels several times: The Westin Resort and Spa, the Mountainside Lodge and the Fairmont Chateau Whistler.

All these hotels provide easy access to the gondola, restaurants and other activities.

Last time we went to the Mountainside Lodge, parking was only $20 a night and there was no resort fee, which made it good value for us.

Search for more accommodation ideas using Booking.Com and any commissions earned will go back to us to help keep this website running.

Mountainside Lodge in Whistler Village Photo Credit: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©

Motorhome Park and Camping – The closest RV site to Whistler is the Riverside Resort and Campground. It offers a variety of accommodations from RV camping, camping, Yurt and cabin rentals.

Nairn Falls Provincial Park

Continue north of Whistler on Highway 99 about 20 minutes to Nairn Falls Provincial Park.

From the parking lot, follow the 1.5 km trail to the view of the 60 metre high falls. Hike through western red cedar, western hemlock, paper birch and coastal Douglas fir.

Watch your footing, as there are many steep banks above the fast flowing Green River and the trail has lots of raised, exposed tree roots.

This area has a rich geological history of water, glaciers and volcanic islands through the ages as it transitioned from a seashore to a mountainous area.

At the falls, look for pothole erosion made by rushing waters moving in a circular motion.

If you visit the park in April and May watch for the blooms of the western flowering dogwood. It’s BC’s flower emblem.

Campsites are available in the park.

Drive the spectacular Sea-to-Sky Highway one of the most scenic roads in North America: Photo Credit: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©

Best waterfalls in BC, spectacular Nairn Falls, north of Whistler on the Sea-to-Sky Highway. Photo Credit: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©

Be sure to check back for more photos of the area coming soon.