During the 10-minute ride to the 2,900-foot (884-meter) summit station, passengers of the Sea to Sky Gondola are treated to sweeping views of some of British Columbia’s most epic landscapes. The floor-to-ceiling windows of the gondola cars reveal the sky-piercing peaks of the Coast Mountains and the glittering fjords of Howe Sound.
The Basics
The Sea to Sky Gondola is one of the best ways to understand the majesty and grandeur of the immense landscape, which can be difficult to comprehend, let alone appreciate, at ground level. Sightseers can purchase a ticket for the gondola and make their way there independently. At the top, admire views from the observation deck, follow interpretative walking trails, or tread across the Sky Pilot suspension bridge.
Alternatively, opt for an organized day tour that includes round-trip transport from Vancouver and stops at other area attractions, such as Shannon Falls, the historic gold-mining town of Britannia, Brandywine Falls, and Whistler Village. More active travelers can combine tickets for the Sea to Sky Gondola with a whitewater rafting trip on the Cheakamus River or take part in a hiking tour during which participants trek up to the summit from Shannon Falls Provincial Park, before riding the gondola back down.
Things to Know Before You Go
- The Sea to Sky Gondola offers easy access to a summit with spectacular views.
- Food and drinks are available at the Summit Lodge Restaurant and the Summit Tea House.
- Each gondola car can hold up to eight passengers.
- The gondola is wheelchair accessible.
How to Get There
Located south of Squamish, the Sea to Sky Gondola is just a 45-minute drive from Downtown Vancouver via the scenic Sea to Sky Highway. For car-free travelers, the best way to get there is by organized tour. The Squamish Connector also runs shuttles between Downtown Vancouver and the Sea to Sky Gondola.
When to Get There
The gondola is open year-round. Go in summer for hiking, greenery, and picnics on the patio. In winter, visitors can admire the peaks, inhale the crisp mountain air, and enjoy the silence of the snow-carpeted surrounds.
Summit Activities
In winter, visitors can rent crampons and poles at the Summit Lodge and head out on the trails, slide down the slopes at the nearby tubing park (just a 5-minute walk from the Summit Lodge), or explore the backcountry on skis. In warmer months, outdoor lovers can go rock climbing on nearby granite crags, tackle hiking trails, take part in morning yoga classes, or challenge themselves on the Squamish Via Ferrata.
