The Sea to Sky Highway is the most popular section of Highway 99, a beautiful two-hour drive from Vancouver to Whistler traversing the varied climatic zones of British Columbia. There is so much to do within this short distance that you should plan to stretch it over a weekend. Stop by the Whytecliff Park along Horseshoe Bay to enjoy the views of the ocean and the Strait of Georgia. A 15-minute drive from here will lead you to Lions Bay, a quaint village with good hiking trails nearby.
Britarmia Beach is a must after this, where you can visit the Britannia Mine Museum that offers guided mine tours, gold panning, and other exhibits. A few kilometers north, after crossing the Shannon Falls Provincial Park on the north-east shore of the Howe Sound, yon arrive in Squamish. Equidistant from Vancouver and Whistler, it is known for the huge cliff-faced granite massif, Stawamus Chief. It has over 300 climbing routes and lots of steep trails for hikers around the back of the Chief to access the three peaks that make up the massif. You’ll get panoramic views of the waters of Howe Sound (the southern-most fjord in North America), snow capped peaks, waterfalls, and canyons.
Continue northwards and park at one of the many designated trail heads at Garibaldi Provincial Park to enjoy a hike among crystal-clear lakes, surrounded by mountain vistas and strewn with alpine wildflowers. Finally, you arrive at the final destination— Whistler. Although it is famous for the Whistler Blaekcomb, one of the largest ski resorts in North America, there are plenty of other hotels and even in summer, you’ll be spoilt for choice with options including spa, golfing, bungee jumping, ziplining, and rafting.
