The Sea to Sky Highway is a wonderfully scenic drive along the coast between Vancouver and Whistler. While the non-stop drive only takes about 1.5 to 2 hours, leave plenty of time to make stops along the way for beautiful walks, a gondola ride and lots of photography opportunities.

Sea to Sky Highway

Top stops Vancouver to Whistler:

  1. Shannon Falls
  2. Brandywine Falls
  3. Sea to Sky Gondola

Shannon Falls
This is a very pretty waterfall and well worth the stop – it is the third highest waterfall in Canada. Shannon Falls is just a short walk from the carpark – an easy 350m walk each way, with a slight incline walking to the base of the Falls. The car park is quite small, there is a lovely picnic area with tables, plus a little shop just before the start of the walk.

Shannon Falls

Sea to Sky Gondola
Just a couple minute’s drive along from Shannon Falls, is the Sea to Sky Gondola.

It is a very pretty 10-minute ride to Summit Lodge at an elevation of 885 metres – some people prefer this to the gondola in Whistler. There are beautiful walks at the top to suit all fitness levels – and a free tour is available along The Spirit Trail.

A highlight at the top is the 100-metre long Sky Pilot Suspension Bridge.

There are excellent facilities at the Sea to Sky Gondola with a large carpark, Basecamp Café and eateries at Summit Lodge.

Sea to Sky Gondola

Squamish
We drive through the town of Squamish – quite a big centre with lots of adventure activities advertised and the Squamish Visitor Information Centre on the right.

Whistler is still another 53kms from here.

Brandywine Falls
Don’t miss beautiful Brandywine Falls. It is about a 500m walk to the falls from the carpark. It’s a very pretty walk – across a little wooden covered bridge, along a tree-lined pathway beside a fast-flowing creek (there are signs not to swim as the waterfall is not far along!). The trail crosses the tracks of the Canadian National Rail line.

The Brandywine Falls is a beautiful waterfall – the water flows off freely from the creek to fall 70m. Be sure to walk 180m beyond the waterfall to a lookout point with views over a beautiful valley.

There are toilets at Brandywine Falls but no other amenities.

From Brandywine Falls it is about a 20 minute drive to Whistler.

Brandywine Falls

AccommodationGuru.com
27 May 2018