British Columbia, Canada
130km, 2hrs driving
Get a taste of the magic of British Columbia.
The Sea to Sky Highway is one of Canada’s most popular drives outside of the Icefields Parkway. It follows the eastern shore of Howe Sound, passing through small towns of Squamish and Garibaldi, whilst boasting continuous views of the surrounding mountains.
▐ Vancouver to Whistler
(~130km, ~2hrs)
Click on thumbnails for enlarged image:
Navigational Google Map:
Vancouver to Whistler
Major Roads
Stanley Park Dr
British Columbia Highway 99 – 
(Sea to Sky Highway)
▐ Vancouver to Whistler (~130km, ~2hrs)
If you are leaving from around the downtown area of Vancouver 
, a worthy detour is the Stanley Park Dr loop 
. There are multiple ponds and views of the harbour, as well as Lions Gate Bridge 
. This three lane (total) bridge can get very backed up doing rush hour, as it carries the only direct connection with North Vancouver, so avoid using it during these times if possible.
Once you have crossed the bridge, it only takes another 10-15 minutes before you reach the outskirts of Vancouver and hit the Sea to Sky Highway . The drive from here boasts amazing views of Owen Sound and the surrounding mountains as you hug the shoreline. The major stop of this itinerary is a hike to the summit of Stawamus Chief 
. The hike to the top of this huge granite dome is a gruelling climb up predominantly steep rows of steps. The view from the top of the dome is stunning and very much worth the effort. Leave from 3-4 hrs to complete the return trip. For an easier way to get a lookout over Owen Sound, take the Sea-to-Sky Gondola a few minutes up the road.
Once you have completed the hike, continue north up through the town of Squamish. The views continue to be amazing as you head inland into the interior of British Columbia. There are several places to pull out and snap photos, including views of Mt Garibaldi. Continue until you reach the target goal of Whistler 
.
Drively Planet 