A Sea-to-Sky Adventure

The Sea-to-Sky Highway is located on the traditional territories of the Squamish, Musqueam, Lilwat and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations, and connects Vancouver to the mountain resort town of Whistler.

Along the route, you’ll find many scenic rest stops that feature informative guide posts that explain the history and significance of this land to the Indigenous Peoples of the area.

This 134-kilometre section of Highway 99 is officially designated by the Province of British Columbia as a Scenic Highway, and you can see why as this four-lane divided highway winds along the edge of Howe Sound and the North Shore Mountains.

The road was first paved in 1966, and has undergone many evolutions since, including a $775-million renovation to prepare for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games that were jointly hosted by Vancouver and Whistler. Today, it is an explorer’s dream route that offers panoramic views of teal-blue waters and snow capped peaks.

Ride the Gondola

A must-do attraction along the Sea-to-Sky Highway is the Sea-to Sky Gondola. This 10-minute scenic gondola ride carries you high above the evergreen trees below to the Summit Lodge, where you’ll find a restaurant, souvenir shop, hiking trails with varying difficulty, scenic overlooks, and a jaw-dropping suspension bridge.

The gondola, Summit Lodge, and suspension bridge are all wheelchair and stroller accessible, so everyone can enjoy the staggering views from 885m above sea level.

While you’re there, we highly recommend doing the 1.3km Panorama Trail (which includes viewing platforms over Howe Sound) and the 1.6km return Wonderland Lake Loop (which leads you to a boardwalk around a beautiful alpine lake).

We also recommend that you book your tickets in advance. Although reservations are not required, this is an incredibly popular attraction and you don’t want to miss out on this amazing experience. By booking ahead, you can also save up to 10% on your admission tickets.

Another pro tip is to arrive bright and early to take the first gondola up at 9am; that way, you’ll likely have a private gondola and there will be less people on the trails and the suspension bridge.

Explore the view at Murrin Provincial Park

Murrin Provincial Park is wedged between Highway 99 and Howe Sound, and offers a wide variety of activities for every outdoor enthusiast. If you’re looking for a more relaxed vibe, find a picnic table along the roadside lake, take a dip in the refreshing water, and head across the lake on a stand-up paddleboard.

For a more physical challenge, this park is home to several hiking trails that traverse up rock cliffs toward scenic overlooks over Howe Sound.

Thrill-seekers can also feel a rush at Murrin, as this park also contains approximately 250 rock-climbing routes. Some of these routes are bolted, and they range in difficulty from novice to expert.

Hiking in the winter? Read our article about winter hiking in Murrin Provincial Park.

The Sea-to-Sky Highway is one of the best drives on the planet, and it offers so many unique experiences for every type of traveler. We hope that you enjoy your adventure on Highway 99.