Sea to Sky Gondola coming to BC coast

Click here for my recent post about the Glacier Skywalk opening this spring in Jasper National Park, and now comes news of another attraction being built in western Canada. This one is in British Columbia, just outside of the little town of Squamish. Located little more than an hour’s drive north of Vancouver, it is best known as the place where you turn right on the way to Whistler. That is likely to change in mid-May when a destination attraction opens. The new high-speed Sea to Sky Gondola situated on a strip of land between Stawamus Chief Provincial Park and Shannon Falls will carry visitors from sea level to 2,900 feet in just 10-minutes. Something of a controversy ensued when the project required that the project required the removal of about a 5-acre strip of land from the provincial park.

At the top, visitors will gaze at beautiful vistas, enjoy an entire adventure facility or just chill in a 9,000-square-foot lodge with a beer or a bite to eat while soaking up the stunning views of Howe Sound and the surrounding mountains. From the spacious lodge, a network of gentle walking trails spread out over the mountain. The Panorama Trail winds about a mile through woods, crossing cedar bridges along the way and leading to a truly stunning platform cantilevered out over the valley for views that won’t quit. Also, the 2/3-mile Spirit Trail offers an interpretive account of the local First Nations history in the region.

The park’s intentionally wobbly 1,000-foot-long SkyPilot suspension bridge spans a deep gully of the same name and offers 360-degree views of Howe Sound far below and dazzling alpine scenery. Hikers can also access some backcountry trails into more rugged terrain. Options range from rewarding day hikes to multi-day excursions along routes like the Sky Pilot Valley Trail, Skyline Trail and Al’s Habrich Ridge Trail. In winter, the gondola will access the snow-covered backcountry of the Coast Range for ski touring, snowshoeing and snow camping.

The gondola bottom (called basecamp) is at 36800 Highway 99, Squamish. FoMoInfo: 855-732-8675 (855 SEA TO SK) or 604-898-4663 (GOND). Cost: $34.95 per adult, $22.95 per youth, $13.95 per child, $89.95 per family and free for children under six years old.

Originally posted on Travel-Babel.

Story by Claire Walter