Watched over by the iconic peak of Stawamus Chief, Squamish is a picturesque community at the northern end of Howe Sound. It was established during the construction of the Pacific Great Eastern Railway in the early 20th century and has a fascinating industrial history as a centre for mining and forestry.
Things to do in Squamish
For a bird’s eye view of Squamish, jump aboard the Sea to Sky Gondola, which takes you high above Howe Sound and the forested slopes of Stawamus Chief. Gaze down at the 335-metre-high cascade of Shannon Falls before exploring one of the hiking or snowshoeing trails that depart from the summit station. Rock climbers can tackle the routes that lead up the sheer granite slopes of Stawamus Chief.
Squamish serves as a gateway to Alice Lake Provincial Park, which provides a habitat for chipmunks, raccoons and an abundance of bird life. You can cool off in the refreshing waters of Alice Lake or canoe along its shores before exploring along the hiking and mountain biking trails. Elevated views across the park are on offer from DeBeck’s Hill.
Squamish’s industrial history is showcased at the Britannia Mine Museum, which occupies a 20-storey ore processing building that is designated as a National Historic Site. As you admire the vintage mining equipment on display, learn about the role the site played in copper mining for almost 70 years and its innovative gravity-fed concentrator, then experience a train ride through its old haulage tunnel.
Getting around Squamish
Squamish is around an hour’s drive from Vancouver and 1.5 hours from Vancouver International Airport, which has flights to destinations across the globe. Regular buses connect from Vancouver to Squamish and travel throughout the city. Renting a car is the most convenient way of exploring the surrounding parks.