Squamish beckons adventurers with a soaring new attraction.

by Annika S. Hipple

*****

Midway between Vancouver and Whistler along the Sea-to-Sky Highway, Squamish bills itself as the “Outdoor Recreation Capital of Canada”—and it’s no empty boast. The sheer face of the granite monolith known as the Stawamus Chief is a magnet for climbers, while trails up its back side reward hikers with magnificent views of turquoise Howe Sound and the Coast Mountains. Mountain biking, whitewater rafting, snowshoeing and sea kayaking in the fjord are among the other draws to this year-round active destination.

With the recent opening of the Sea to Sky Gondola (below), Squamish is all the more enticing. The aerial tram whisks passengers to a ridge 2,903 feet above the sound, between Shannon Falls and the Chief. Nature trails, viewing platforms and a suspension bridge at the upper terminus provide panoramic vistas. Back at sea level, Squamish’s many restaurants serve local cuisine such as crab, heirloom tomatoes and Pemberton beef, while the award-winning Howe Sound Brewing Company offers libations with memorable names like Total Eclipse of the Hop.