H and I spent 2 days here in Squamish. It is a really nice small town. It is an adventurous town…read morebut not a fancy town. We stayed in the Adventure Inn. We were walking distance to downtown. We ate at a few restaurants here and checked out the cafe shops. Parking is free in downtown. Most people just head straight to Whistler and never make a stop here during skiing season. This makes sense because Whistler is way bigger than Squamish and has a lot more to do. Unless you are into hiking and mountain climbing.

Whoa what a day!!!…read more Started off with a wicked breakfast, then we hit the highway with plans to get to Whistler. I was unaware it was the Lamborghini Rally weekend for charity (somehow doesn't read quite right does it - charity & Lamborghinis!?!) - there was literally hundreds of them on the highway! I've never seen so many Lamborghini Diablos together at once! Wow! However, a really nasty crash on the Sea-to-Sky Highway shut it down around 1pm. At 3pm stuck behind miles of traffic, I made a U-turn on the highway (very dangerous manouver but had no choice) & ended up in Squamish! Turned out to be a blessing! Squamish is an amazing small town surrounded by gorgeous mountains! The main mountain that attracts serious climbers (depending on one's goal, can take 3-5 hours to climb) worldwide is - The Chief! I'm happy to report that I have successfully climbed - The Chief - over a dozen times ... in my dreams! I used to use Squamish as merely a stopover for gas or juice, on my way to Whistler & back. Well after this awestruck trip it's no longer just a pit stop! I'm going to have to return soon for a proper - whole day visit! I love it! Lots of restaurant options - like Saha (Lebanese & Moroccan) for a savoury bite - very tasty indeed or try a fantastic mushroom burger at Chef Big D's! That last recommendation comes courtesy of a close contact who drives up from Vancouver twice a year just to have this burger!!! The natural scenery up here is breathtaking & awesome to see! So much development going on as well with condos going up all over town. If you can - do make Squamish a stopover on your itinerary - you won't regret it!

The hike to Garibaldi Lake! This was a difficult one for me, maybe one of the tougher ones I've…read moreaccomplished and I'm saying that because I'm not the most patient of hikers. I'm more of a speed hiker that likes to get in and get out! But to access Garibaldi Lake, (the obvious main event to the park), you must take the Rubble Creek Trail. It's an 18 kilometer out and back hike (or as us Americans would say - "roundtrip")...that is a length of 11.5 miles long. And with that 11.5 miles, the path is all uphill! Everything about it is uphill until you eventually arrive at...Garibaldi Lake! So...for the folks out there who maybe don't hike often, I'd just suggest preparing for the long haul. The hike will be strenuous, but pace yourself, take breaks when necessary and before long...the reward will be worth the grind! And then, you'll be coming back for more! Another thing, I'm always motivated to capture undisturbed pictures in nature. And it's this inspiration that I use to discover what's out there. I want to reflect back on the experience and know I afforded myself ample time during the day to accomplish the sights and sceneries that make for memorable stories. Lol, it's this type of internal mentality that pushes me to strive for greater heights, so to speak, hehehe. Okay so this Rubble Creek Trail to Garibaldi Lake! You must make a reservation 2 days in advance prior to visiting. Just go to bcparks.ca and sign up for a pass. I also used this website for accessing Joffre Lakes Provincial Park situated in Mount Currie, BC. And btw, this Garibaldi Lake is located just north of Whistler, BC. One side note...the parks, lakes and hikes here in Lower British Columbia are simply fantastic! There's a laundry list of things to do. And especially when you speak to locals and they recommend hidden, under the radar places that the public eye doesn't know much about. I thought the Canadian Rockies in Alberta were stunning, but British Columbia nature is really, really scenic! Before arriving at Garibaldi Lake, I suggest taking a short side trek to Barrier Viewpoint for some quick panoramic looks. Also, along the trail you'll pass over a short bridge looking up at a waterfall. It's worthy of a photo. Finally arriving at Garibaldi Lake, at first it may not be so picturesque (even when the sun is out!) but give it a chance. Walk around and explore and you'll find colorful instances where you'll connect with those green and turquoise blue waters. Especially when you're looking back towards the entrance area of the lake, the return hike back down had some of my most fulfilling pictures of the day. It's weird, it's like the angle of the sun can play tricks on you. Be patient and hopefully magical moments will evolve! I tried to walk around the perimeter of Garibaldi Lake, but that wasn't possible. So...I had to relax a little and take my foot off the gas pedal, lol. In fact, some of my best views were simply looking out at the snowcapped mountain peaks. There's a glacier set in the distance as well. A lot of visitors brought their bathing suits with them. And although the lake is glacially fed and freezing, people were still swimming! I even joined in on the fun and took my clothes down to my underwear and hopped in the waters, lol. Granted, it was only briefly, but still, I wanted to leave no stone unturned while here! I'd also point out that since the lake is not navigable 360 degrees around, it sort of took the pressure off me to find the best picture angles. Instead, I really tried to embrace the setting and live in the moment! There's camping allowed here, but again you must make reservations for it. Btw, it's free to book your entry pass to the lake. Parking is free too. One last thing, remember...when you head back towards the entrance of Garibaldi Lake, you'll be pleasantly surprised with the lake colors illuminating from the tree line pathway. I left the lake around 3pm and suddenly, light greens and blues were evident! There are vault toilets at the lake. Interestingly, they ask you to bring your own toilet paper. Never seen that before. Overall, Garibaldi Lake was a wonderful way to enjoy a summer day in the great outdoors. I can't believe I hiked 18 kilometers. And the path through the forest makes for a quiet atmosphere in the woods. I would still rank Joffre Lakes as my favorite BC landmark, but this Garibaldi Lake has its value and major popularity among hikers. Thank you for taking time to read this.

All I have to say is be prepared.. As this is about an 18km hike, I recommend leaving early in the…read moremorning and staying over night in Whistler so you don't feel rushed. This time around when we went, due to the pandemic, we had to book a time slot the day of as they were limiting the amount of hikers. Driving there isn't the problem nor is the parking, it's the length of time but the reward at the end is worth it. I recommend bringing a small bag for liquids, snacks, bug spray, hat and towel as you could swim there but keep in mind you can't throw away your garbage at the site due to bears even though there's a camp site there. The hike isn't super steep and you won't have to climb anything (at least I didn't), you just have to be ready to walk a lot. The path is well marked so you can't get lost. I would say the average round trip if you aren't including staying at the destination to eat and take photos is roughly 4-5 hours round trip at a steady pace. Hike's are always calming and it helps clear your mind from stress and clutter. This is probably one of the best local hikes I've done so far and I would definitely recommend it to anything looking for a challenge and beautiful view. And if you want to be more adventurous, you can also extend your trip to panoramic ridge and black tusk!

(I was searching for this as "Squamish Adventure Centre" but this looks like the right entry.)…read more I can't speak to the info desk or tours, but wanted to get just a cup of coffee on a drive back from Whistler to Vancouver. Plenty of parking, clean restroom, attractive building. I was delighted to turn the corner and see a top-notch coffee bar! Gleaming espresso machine, vacuum brewer, and a solo hand-press espresso machine on display. he Cortado and Americano were both really good. Just thrilled to walk in with low expectations for a carafe of anything caffeinated, and instead find a pro barista who cared and made magic in a take-out cup. Reasonably priced, quick, and takes Android Pay. Marking this one on my road map.

Good Resource | Good Wifi Connection…read more This is a great place to stop at and figure out what adventures you want to do -- biking, climbing, hiking...etc. There's a gift shop and mini cafe too. I had a large mocha and a banana nut bread while I sat by the window using the wifi.

Shannon Falls was beautiful and the creek had the clearest water. Made me want to have a drink…read more Meandering through a moss covered forest to get to Shannon Falls was just magical for me. I loved every inch of that forest and the lush green moss covering tree trunks and branches. The ferns were so alive and pretty. I could forest bath here all day if I had the time. The sight and sounds of water rushing was so peaceful and tranquil. Could not get enough of this enchanting forest!

This waterfall is about a halfway point from Vancouver to Whistler, and is near the Sea to Sky…read moreGondola. We visited on a Thursday at around 4:30. There were a good amount of people there at that time, but it wasn't packed - we were able to get a parking spot (which is free). The hike to the falls is easy and quick - maybe 10 minutes? All in all, we spent maybe half hour getting there/back, and taking photos. If you live in the area, it seems like a nice park for a picnic since there is a huge open space, and some picnic tables. Nice, quick, scenic stop - the best kind!

This was indeed some of the best views I have ever seen. This area is a breath of fresh air. It is…read moreso spectacular and the gondola was fun to attend. Please be warn if you have a fear of heights. My friend and I upload with another set of friends and experienced the ride up. During the right, the gondola came to a complete stop for less than a minute. But it was windy and the gondola swung back and forth. It was a bit scary, but quickly the track continued a the gondola continued to ascent to the submit. At the top, there is the suspension bridge. Which is really nice. It gives a nice view of the submit lodge. There are small hikes around the place and the views from those hikes are magnificent. Once you're done with your hikes, you can venture inside the submit lodge. Inside is a good selection of food options.

Sea to Sky Gondola is one of those activities where you feel like it should be more novel than…read moreanything else. You hear the ride up and down is only 10 minutes and you start to wonder if the money spent is worth it. But then as you ascend up the mountain and look all around you in this beautifully clear and clean gondola, the lake below is pristine. The mountains around you barely hide the clouds as they lazily drift by. The trees envelop you with all their greenery. All of this is happening in these mere 10 minutes. However, once you arrive up top and get off the gondola a large selection of different adventures await you. You could warm yourself up at the visitor centre just right of the gondolas where you can get some hot food and look out through its huge glass windows out into the wilderness. You could also walk outside said visitor centre and onto the suspension bridge. It looks daunting at first, but it isn't too long and you get some wonderful photos from it. There are also several different hikes located all throughout the area with varying degrees of difficulty. The one just on the other side of the suspension bridge is an easy loop hike you can do under ten minutes with astounding moments of forest bathing. You can also go and ski or tube when there is snow. When you go with a tour package, usually you only have about an hour and a half of time up here, but if you're on your own this could easily be a 3-4 hour excursion. Those the price might be steep for some to utilize the gondolas, if you decide to make a day trip out of this visit it'll be worth the money to get the views, air, and experience that is Sea to Sky Gondola.

My friend flys here often as a student pilot, I love coming just to chill and take picturesread more

I recently came to Glacier Air to take the introductory flight lesson on recommendation of a…read morefriend. Akshay was my instructor. On the first lesson, we had 30 minutes of flying time. We briefly covered all six maneuvers required for the PPL flight exam AND he took the time to point out some of the beautiful geographical landmarks. Highlights included flying around the Stawamus Chief and the spin recovery (so much fun!). He performed the maneuver, while asking me to feel his movements on the controls...then asked if I wanted to give it a go on the second time around. Calm and confident flight instructor. Thanks for introducing me to Glacier Air!

We didn't see any eagles, but it was a lovely diversion after coffee & pastries at PureBread to…read moretiptoe thru the ice & snow up the berm. We're a bit late based on my cursory research, but worth a try (a gent down the way had a tripod out, maybe he found one) plus we got a touch of the outdoors. We spent a week in Whistler in a family New Years trip (started w 2 nights at the Westin in Vancouver, headed back there now - Red Eye flight home tonight)

I was expecting more when planning to visit this park, but I didn't realize that there wasn't a…read morewhole lot to see during the winter time. We didn't see any eagles, and we had to be careful where we walked, because there were a few signs warning us of not treading further on Indian reservation land. We walked along the road from the parking lot, but we didn't go far. We ended up turning around and walking on the shore along the water. Be careful, as the rocks are unsteady. If you don't want to walk along the water, you can walk on the sandy trails away from the water, but there isn't any view.

Great customer service. They call us ahead to inform us about the weather conditions and upfront…read moreand honest about our possibilities getting up in the air. It's definitely out of their control if clouds come rolling in. They wanted their customers to have a great experience. Our pilot was very professional, informative and friendly.

Kyle (our pilot) and the whole experience was amazing. The team was very responsive to our…read moreinquiries and the booking experience was very easy. Kyle made our trip unforgettable, will definitely do again if we ever find ourselves in the area again.

As a west coast kid, I always dreamed of flying over the harbour and mountains, Danger Bay/Magnum…read morePI style. Not hanging onto the side of a chopper, but looking all cool with the headset on. Since I don't have the kind of rugged job where I get to fly around rescuing seals or people or whatever, the dream came true in the form of a helicopter tour I arranged for my husband's birthday from SKY Helicopters. Their service lets you choose from an array of tours out of either Vancouver Harbour or Pitt Meadows Airport, and since it's just you and your party (up to three passengers) and the pilot, you can customize a bit. For our tour, I chose the North Shore/Howe Sound tour, which normally takes you in behind the mountains and through the Lions. The day I booked ended up being cloudy over the peaks, so our pilot Bryce took us up along the North Shore and around Cypress, up Howe Sound, getting amazingly close to the steep, forested mountainsides. I was also amazed to see how all those big mansions of West Van looked like miniature dollhouses and the cars on the highway all looked like toys. Coming back, we were able to spend a bit more time flying over Stanley Park and circling over downtown - which was great because part of the point of the trip was to get some shots of the city from the air with my husband's new GoPro. (If you're really serious about photography, they can even take the doors off, though I wasn't quite ready for that thrill on my first ride!) It was a little sad to touch down again after spending half an hour floating above the world, but the experience was great from start to finish, from the prompt response from Bryce on my initial inquiry through the website to all the emails, phone calls and texts keeping in touch about the itinerary and weather changes etc. (you never know out here!) to just taking us on a fantastic flight. I think we can all agree that Vancouver is a good-looking city surrounded by spectacular scenery. And it looks even more amazing from the air! I have experienced my city from a new angle, plus had a great subject for my 800th YELP REVIEW!!! The SKY is the ultimate high!

We had an amazing helicopter ride today with Kyle, who was very knowledgeable about the greater…read moreVancouver area and helped us make some great memories. The ride was very smooth overall, and although it was just 20 minutes, it felt like much longer. It was pure serenity among the clouds.

So fun. We didn't win but we had a great hour. Staff could…read morebe a little more energetic.

We did the outdoor escape room style activity and had so much fun! You get to walk around downtown…read moresolving clues. You get exercise and have fun while doing it.