Sea to Sky Highway Road Trip: The Best Stops from Vancouver to Whistler

Last updated on August 30th, 2026

In this guide we’ll share everything you need to know to take a Sea to Sky Highway road trip, including all of the best stops from Vancouver to Whistler, how long you should spend, and sample itineraries to help you plan your trip! Ready to visit one of the most beautiful drives in North America? Keep on reading!

As Washington residents, one of our favorite things to do on the weekends is to take trips up to Vancouver and British Columbia. In less than 3 hours from downtown Seattle (sometimes more with the border), we would be able to spend the weekend in one of the most beautiful places in North America.

There are so many things to do in British Columbia, but one of the best activities is to drive the Sea to Sky Highway. Not only does this highway give you access to beautiful mountain towns, like Squamish and Whistler, but it’s an absolutely epic, scenic drive with mountain and sound views, waterfalls, parks, amazing hikes, and so much more!

We have driven the Sea to Sky Highway many times, sometimes just part of the road for a day trip, while other times we made a weekend (or more!) out of it! And no matter how much time we spent, it was always an incredible adventure. 

Whether you spend one day or more, we’re sharing the best stops from Vancouver to Whistler. These are a mix of easy and quick stops, towns to explore, and longer and more challenging hikes or activities. We’re also including sample itineraries to help you figure out what to prioritize depending on how much time you have (between 1-5 days). But no matter what you choose to do, you’re going to have a blast…and you’ll definitely want to go back!

Before embarking on your adventure, please review the Leave No Trace principles to ensure you leave every place better than you found it, so that others can enjoy these beautiful places for many years to come!

These seven principles include planning ahead and preparing, hiking and camping on durable surfaces, disposing of waste properly (pack out what you pack in!), understanding campfire rules and always fully extinguishing your fires, respecting wildlife, and being considerate of other visitors. 

Why You Should Trust Us to Plan Your Vancouver to Whistler Road Trip

We lived in Washington for over 3 years and have visited British Columbia countless times. Including driving the Sea to Sky highway! Over the years of driving this route we have tried to visit new stops each time, so we can provide as many tips and recommendations as possible.

About the Sea to Sky Highway: Vancouver to Whistler

The Sea to Sky Highway is a 121 km (75 mile) stretch of Highway 99 that connects Vancouver to Whistler (well, technically to Pemberton, just north of Whistler) and takes about one and a half hours to drive. Without making stops, that is.

The road winds along the Howe Sound, with incredible mountain views the entire drive. Along the drive, there are many Provincial Parks, waterfalls, and small towns to explore, as well as both easy and difficult trails and unique attractions to stop at. It has been said to be one of the most beautiful drives in the world!

Whenever we know someone visiting Vancouver, we always recommend that they spend a day or more driving at least part of the Sea to Sky highway. The wide variety of sights along the drive make it a perfect way to both see a diverse range of scenery and get a true feel for what the Pacific Northwest is all about.

Want to Learn More as you explore?

We highly suggest downloading the Guide Along – Vancouver to Whistler (totally worth the cost!!) audio tours to navigate you on the road. Even when you don’t have service it knows where you are and provides commentary and history about the area. As well as alerts you when to stop for specific sights. These guides are fun to listen to and the narrator feels like a fun friend in the car with you!

How to Get from Vancouver to Whistler

First and foremost you’ll need to get to the beautiful Canadian city of Vancouver. The Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is the best way to get there. The Vancouver Airport is very large with over 100 non-stop destinations on 45 different airlines. So getting a flight here from wherever you live should be pretty easy! Which is why, we also recommend flying out of Vancouver as well and making it a round trip.

Once you’ve landed in the city, you’ll need to get a rental car. We highly recommend making the drive from Vancouver to Whistler on your own. That way you can go at your own pace and stop at the places that look the most interesting to you.

However, if you would rather have someone else do the driving, you could book a guided tour. But keep in mind that you will have little to no say in the stops that you make, unless you choose a private tour, which will be significantly more expensive.

But whatever you do, don’t book the Whistler Shuttle or YVR Skylynx bus service! These shuttle services takes you directly from Vancouver to Whistler. While you’ll still get to see the scenery, you will not get to experience any of the best stops along the Sea to Sky Highway, which only enhances the experience.

Map of The Best Stops on the Way from Vancouver to Whistler

The Best Stops on the Way from Vancouver to Whistler

There are so many incredible stops along the Sea to Sky Highway from Vancouver to Whistler that it would be impossible to list them all. But after many Sea to Sky Highway road trips, we have a solid handful of spots that we have loved and would highly recommend adding to your itinerary.

We’re sharing each spot in order of where they are when going from Vancouver to Whistler, how long each stop will take, mileage and elevation (if applicable), and costs (if applicable). 

Depending on how much time you have on your drive from Vancouver to Whistler, it would be very hard to visit all of these spots, but there’s still so much you can see in one or two days. We’re sharing itineraries later on in this guide to help you figure out what to prioritize depending on how much time you have, as well as some extra ideas of things to do if you have more time!

Note: We are not including spots right by downtown Vancouver, but to see all of our Vancouver recommendations, check out our 3 Days in Vancouver guide! We explore Stanley Park, Lions Gate Bridge, the Public Market, epic hikes and more! Once you leave Vancouver, you can and should opt to take a longer route by turning left onto Marine Drive and passing through West Vancouver, instead of getting on the highway, for much better views! The fastest way is not always the best way!

1. Porteau Cove

Location: Google Maps
Cost: Free!
Length of stop: 30 minutes

Although Porteau Cove Provincial Park is about 37 minutes into the drive from Vancouver to Whistler, it definitely won’t be the first glimpse of views you get! The drive leading up to Porteau Cove Provincial Park is absolutely gorgeous and the views at the park are just as great!

Porteau Cove Provincial Park is located on the most southerly fjord in North America and has incredible views of both the Howe Sound and mountains. It’s very popular with scuba divers, as there is a sunken ship that attracts marine life.

Since we aren’t scuba divers, our favorite thing about the park is to wander along the beach and also up on the boat dock, where they have a few little lookouts with 360 degree views.

This stop is pretty quick, as you can park right by both the beach and dock, making it a perfect place to stretch your legs after hitting the road! But for an even longer experience, we highly recommend camping here!

2. Britannia Mine Museum

Location: Google Maps
Cost: Between $19.95-$34.95 CAD depending on your age
Length of stop: 1.5-2 hours

We have yet to stop at the Britannia Mine Museum on our drives from Vancouver to Whistler, but we hear it’s amazing! At this museum you can learn all about mining, pan for gold, and even go on an underground tour! Make sure to book the underground tour in advance though.

The museum opens at 9 AM and we’d highly recommend getting there right when it opens to ensure you have enough time for other stops!

3. Murrin Provincial Park

Location: Google Maps
Cost: Free!
Mileage: 2 km (1.24 miles)
Elevation gain: 130 meters (427 feet)
Length of stop: 1.5 hours

Murrin Provincial Park is a hidden gem (at least to us!) along the Sea to Sky highway from Vancouver to Whistler. It wasn’t until probably our 4th or 5th trip that we even knew this park existed, but boy, we’re so glad we found it!

The parking lot for the park is located both right off the highway and just a few steps from the parking lot lies Browning Lake, a popular lake for fishing, swimming, and picnics. However, our favorite thing to do at this park is to hike the Murrin Park Loop Trail to Quercus Viewpoint. 

You’ll find this trail on the right, just after passing the beach area at the lake. It’s a bit of a steep climb at first, but thankfully it’s pretty short, so the pain isn’t for very long.

Once you reach the Quercus Viewpoint, you’ll find a cool wooden bench with the best view of the mountains, Howe Sound, and the road below! You can enjoy the view from this bench, or climb down to the big rock right below it. Either way, the view is breathtaking! 

After soaking up the views, you can either head back down the same way you came or go the other direction to finish the loop, which does have some tricky spots on the Jurassic Ridge portion, with ropes and metal steps. You may see some rock climbers on the way down too!

4. Shannon Falls Provincial Park

Location: Google Maps
Cost: Free!
Mileage: 0.7 km (0.43 miles)
Elevation gain: 39 meters (127 feet)
Length of stop: 30 minutes to 1 hour

Shannon Falls is the third highest waterfall in British Columbia at 335 meters tall! This spot is very popular and for good reason. Not only is it gorgeous, but it’s super easy to access. 

From the parking lot, it’s about a 350 meter walk through the forest to the base of the waterfall, where there is a well maintained both boardwalk and viewing area,  plus some steps up to an additional viewing area. 

It’s a very quick stop along the drive from Vancouver to Whistler, but worth making while driving along the Sea to Sky Highway!

5. Sea to Sky Gondola

Location: Google Maps
Cost: $61.95 CAD per adult (if you buy in advance) for a round trip gondola ride, $19.05 CAD just for the way down.
Mileage: If you hike to the top, then it’s 7.5 km one way (4.7 miles)
Elevation gain: 918 meters (3,011 feet) 
Length of stop: Depending on how you get to the top, this stop takes anywhere from 1 hour to 4.5 hours

The first time we ever visited the Sea to Sky Highway was to celebrate our 2 year wedding anniversary. We both visited the Sea to Sky Gondola and hiked the Sea to Summit trail (more on that in a second) in freezing cold rain to the top, defrosted in the lodge, and after the fog cleared a bit, enjoyed the views at the top.

Despite the conditions being less than ideal, the Sea to Sky Gondola has become one of our favorite stops to make on the Sea to Sky Highway. The views at the top of the Howe Sound, mountains, and Squamish are stunning and there is a fun suspension bridge to walk across as well.

This stop is a bit pricey, but if you are from the US, remember that the prices are actually lower in USD. We think it’s worth it to splurge once on the experience during your drive from Vancouver to Whistler, just try to pick a nice day! 

The gondola is open from 9 AM to 6 PM, Sunday-Thursday, and 9 AM to 8 PM Friday & Saturday (depending on the month).

6. Sea to Summit Trail

While most take the gondola to and from the summit, which is a blast, you can also hike to the top via the Sea to Summit trail. This trail is a doozy. Even if the weather had been better when we hiked it, it’s super steep, but a whole lot of fun. If you have enough time, then we’d highly recommend it. Plus, it makes the cost cheaper!

If you don’t feel like hiking to the top, there are still trails to enjoy at the summit leading to different viewpoints, so you can still get a bit of exercise in!

7. Stawamus Chief

Location: Google Maps
Cost: Free!
Mileage: 4 km (2.5 miles)-7 km (4.35 miles)
Elevation gain: 600 meters (1,967 feet)
Length of stop: 2.5-6 hours
While dogs are technically allowed, we suggest not bringing your dog on this hike, as some sections would be very difficult.

Stawamus Chief, also known as The Chief, is one of the most iconic sights in the town of Squamish. These three peaks tower 702 meters over the town and similar to many spots on this list, offer amazing views of the Howe Sound and mountains, as well as of Mt. Garibaldi.

There are three different peaks you can hike to and all of them are accessible from the same main trail. The first peak is just under 4 km round trip and takes around 2.5 hours to complete. The second peak is about 5 km round trip and will take most people 3-4 hours. The third peak, which is the tallest, is 6 km round trip and can take between 4-6 hours, depending on both your speed and crowds. 

This hike is a killer workout. There are tons of steps to climb, so if steps are rough on you, you may want to skip it. There are also some more technical sections with chains to hold onto, ladders to climb, and some drop offs. Some compare it to a Via Ferrata, but without any safety measures, so if you’re uncomfortable with heights, you may not enjoy it.

8. Visit the town of Squamish

About halfway from Vancouver to Whistler lies the town of Squamish, which is named after the Squamish Nation (Sḵwx̱wú7mesh), who reside here. This area is said to be the Outdoor Recreation Capital of Canada, with the Sea to Sky Highway nearby, tons of hiking, windsurfing, some of the best both mountain biking in Canada, and world class rock climbing.

Depending on how much time you have on your Sea to Sky Highway road trip, we recommend at least stopping in Squamish to grab a meal and stretch your legs. For coffee, we love Smoke Bluff Coffee House, which is a bit tucked away from the main downtown area. Then grab donuts at Fox & Oak or sandwiches at The Buvette and head down to the new Sp’akw’us Feather Park for a picnic. This park has sculptures, a playground, picnic tables, and a beach…all right on the water!

Afterwards, we highly recommend hiking to Mamquam Falls. This is a beautiful waterfall tucked into a gorge, with milky blue water. There is a paid attraction here, but we did the free hike!

And last, but certainly not least, grab ice cream at Alice and Brohm Real Fruit Ice Cream. They specialize in New Zealand real fruit ice cream, which they make right in front of you, mixing the ice cream and fruit in a cool machine. It’s both such a unique experience and super tasty!

9. Garibaldi Provincial Park

Location: Google Maps
Cost: Free! But you do need a free day use pass. If you plan to backpack, then you need a backcountry reservation as well.
Length of stop: Between 5 hours to an overnight adventure

Garibaldi Provincial Park is definitely our favorite stop on the Sea to Sky Highway from Vancouver to Whistler!

We visited Garibaldi Provincial Park a couple summers ago and backpacked to Garibaldi Lake, as well as hiked to Panorama Ridge. It was an epic weekend, but our feet were exhausted afterwards! 

The park is home to a milky Gatorade blue lake and epic peaks that take your breath away. The scenery reminded us a bit of Banff and it’s one of the most beautiful places we have ever been!

Exploring Garibaldi Provincial Park is a long and challenging adventure, so we would highly suggest dedicating a full day or an overnight backpacking trip to properly explore this park. If you’re not much of a hiker, we’d suggest saving this for another time, as some of the best hikes are pretty intense.

If you are up for the challenge, then here are a few we’d recommend looking into! We’re sharing a quicker overview of these hikes, but to get more details on hiking to Garibaldi Lake and Panorama Ridge, read about our trip here.

Want to get 30% off an AllTrails Plus membership? Use our code aplusk30 (you must redeem this code on the website, not the app)!

We use AllTrails Plus on every single hike and it is the most helpful hiking tool out there! Some of the features we love are offline maps (so we can navigate even without cell service), wrong-turn alerts, and its 3D maps feature, so we can get a feel for trails before we hike.

Garibaldi Lake

Mileage: 18 km (11.2 miles)
Elevation: 820 meters (2,690 feet)
Time needed: 5 hours

Although it’s not the shortest hike on the list, Garibaldi Lake is likely the “easiest” of the three options we are listing, due to its smaller elevation gain and length of time needed. 

The first part of the hike is up switchbacks through the forest, but after an uphill battle, you’ll eventually reach Garibaldi Lake. While you do not get to see the lake from high up (like Panorama Ridge), you still get the endless mountain views and get to see the beautiful water of the lake. And if you’re brave, you can even go swimming…but beware, it’s cold! 

If you want to stay the night at Garibaldi Provincial Park, then Garibaldi Lake is home to 50 reservable campsites (they fill up fast!) and makes for a pretty amazing overnight destination between Vancouver to Whistler.

Panorama Ridge

Mileage: 30 km (18.6 miles)
Elevation: 1,520 meters (4,987 feet)
Time needed: 11 hours

This hike is EPIC! We visited Garibaldi Provincial Park solely to hike to Panorama Ridge and it did not disappoint! The views from the top of the lake are freaking jaw dropping! 

The first part of the hike is the same as the trail to Garibaldi Lake, but around 6km you’ll reach a junction and will go towards the left to continue onto Panorama Ridge (the right takes you to Garibaldi Lake). 

The rest of the hike continues through the trees before you reach the beginning of a rocky climb to the top of Panorama Ridge. This climb is very challenging, but the 360 degree views on the way up help distract you from the pain. 

And when you reach the top…prepare to be amazed! 

Important note: we did this hike as part of an overnight trip to Garibaldi Lake, but many people do complete this as a day hike. It’ll be a long day and we’d highly suggest starting by 6 or 7 AM at the latest to ensure you have enough daylight. If you’re concerned about the mileage, then we recommend camping overnight at Garibaldi Lake or Taylor Meadows (make sure to reserve well in advance!). 

Wedgemount Lake

Mileage: 12 km (7.45 miles)
Elevation: 1,160 meters (3,805 feet)
Time needed: 7 hours

While we have yet to hike to Wedgemount Lake, it’s definitely on our list for next time! This hike is definitely challenging, with a 1,160 meter elevation gain in just 6 km, but similar to the other two hikes, the gorgeous lake and mountain views are a great reward for your hard work.

You can either do this hike in one day or stay the night at Wedgemount Lake, which has 20 sites. Make sure to reserve in advance though!

Important note: Wedgemount Lake is located within Garibaldi Provincial Park, but it’s actually located past Whistler. We’re including it in this section, but the trailhead is a good distance from the Garibaldi Lake/Panorama Ridge trailheads.

10. Brandywine Falls Provincial Park

Location: Google Maps
Cost: Free!
Mileage: 1 km (0.62 miles)
Elevation: Very minimal
Length of stop: 30 minutes-1 hour

Similar to Shannon Falls, Brandywine Falls Provincial Park is a quick and easy stop with a gorgeous waterfall view! While Brandywine Falls are a bit shorter than Shannon Falls (70 meters/230 feet), they are still very impressive. 

After parking in the parking lot, you’ll take a short trail to a couple different overlooks that looks down onto the falls. There is also a viewpoint of the surrounding mountains and Daisy Lake. 

11. Whistler Train Wreck

Cost: Free!
Mileage: 2.25 km (1.4 miles)- 5.8 km (3.6 miles)
Elevation: 45 meters (150 feet)-108 meters (357 feet) 
There are two different routes. We did this route which is shorter, but this route is also said to be great! 
Length of stop: 1-1.5 hours

By far the most unique stop on the Sea to Sky Highway from Vancouver to Whistler is the Whistler Train Wreck. Back in 1956, a freighter full of lumber heading south from Lillooet came into an area under construction at more than twice the speed limit and crashed off the tracks. As far as we know, no one died during this crash and while some of the rail cars were salvageable, others were not and a local logging company was hired to use their big logging machines to move the rail cars to where they are today. 

They are now covered in graffiti and you can freely walk around them, which is a lot of fun!

And while the train wreck is a cool enough attraction, the journey is also beautiful! Along the way, you cross a suspension bridge over the gorgeous Cheakamus River.

Bears do frequent this area and have been spotted on the trail, so be bear aware and know what to do if you see a bear!

12. Whistler

At the end of your Sea to Sky Highway adventure you will have made it from Vancouver to Whistler! It is a year-round outdoor town that is home to Whistler Blackcomb, the largest ski resort in North America, epic mountain biking, and insanely stunning hikes. It was also home to part of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics and Paralympics. We love Whistler so much. It is super nice and offers tons to do!

For outdoor adventures, the Peak 2 Peak Gondola is a great, accessible way to experience the area’s mountain scenery. This gondola connects the peaks of Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains. And is a Guinness Book of World Records holder for the longest and highest lift! It is a bit pricy of an experience, but once at the top, you can access different hiking trails, like the High Note Trail, plus access the Cloudraker Skybridge.

We also love hanging out at either Alta Lake or Lost Lake, which are both close to town and a great spot to swim or paddle.

And if you don’t mind a bit of a drive, one of our favorite hikes in the area is Joffre Lakes. This hike takes you to multiple bright blue lakes that look like Gatorade! However, before you go, a couple important things to know is that it requires free day use pass and dogs are no longer allowed. Nairn Falls is another gem just north of Whistler. Here you’ll find a small canyon with a glacial river and multiple waterfall viewpoints.

And for pre and post hiking fuel, Whistler has lots of great spots to eat. Some of our personal favorites include Purebread, a coffee shop and bakery. Good luck deciding what to get…they have so many options! We also love Peaked Pies. This is an Australian restaurant with a variety of Australian style pies. We loved the chunky steak and mushroom! Make sure to get it “peaked,” with mashed potatoes, mushy peas, and gravy on top. Their flat whites were solid too! Cows is a Canadian staple for ice cream and a perfect end of day treat.

When to drive the Sea to Sky Highway from Vancouver to Whistler

The Sea to Sky Highway, similar to Vancouver and neighboring Pacific Northwest cities, tend to be a tad rainy during specific months of the year. We have visited the Sea to Sky Highway during most seasons and done the drive in rain, fog, and pure sunshine. Each experience has been beautiful in its own way and still given us plenty to do! 

Here’s a quick breakdown of what to expect on the Sea to Sky Highway for each season to hopefully help you decide when to plan your trip.

Important note: Vehicles are required to have winter tires installed to drive the Sea to Sky Highway between October and March. So if you plan to visit during that time, make sure to have these installed. 

Spring

Late spring, April-May, would be considered the “shoulder season” for the Sea to Sky Highway. With possibly some rainier weather, you may not get the clearest of views at times, but there’s something magical about the Sea to Sky Highway with a little bit of fog. 

Summer

Summers in both Vancouver and Whistler are stunning! With highs in the 70-80s and lots of sunshine, it’s basically the definition of perfect weather. This would be the most ideal time to visit weather-wise, but it will definitely be the busiest time to visit. If you plan to stay overnight, accommodations will be pricier and campsites will fill up fast, so make sure to plan ahead!

Fall

Early fall, specifically September, is a great time to drive the Sea to Sky Highway! September is typically still full of sunny weather and great temperatures. While it may be a bit busier than the spring, it will likely be less busy than the summertime. 

Our first time ever visiting the Sea to Sky Highway was in October during our first trip to Vancouver. We hiked up to the Sea to Sky Gondola (more on that later!) and got rained on the entire time. The weather was freezing and pretty brutal, but luckily we still got to see some views! 

If you have winter tires, visiting in October can still be a decent time to go, but may be a bit riskier with the weather.

Winter

For snow lovers, winter would be a beautiful time to visit the Sea to Sky Highway! Some attractions may not be accessible, but many parks and overlooks will be open, as well as the slopes in Whistler. Just know you’ll have to be much more aware of the road conditions before heading out on your adventure from Vancouver to Whsitler.

To take full advantage of everything the Sea to Sky Highway has to offer, we highly recommend visiting the road in late Spring-early fall. During this time, you’ll have a better chance for less rainy weather, won’t have to worry about snow, and depending on the exact month you choose, you may experience less crowds.

How long do you need to drive from Vancouver to Whistler on the Sea to Sky Highway?

While it only takes 2 hours to drive from Vancouver to Whistler, the Sea to Sky highway is just as much about the journey as it is about the destination.

We have done day trips on the Sea to Sky Highway before, spending time on just a portion of the highway, as it’s impossible to see everything in one day. To experience all of the major highlights the drive has to offer, we suggest multiple days (between 2-5 days) or if you’re a Pacific Northwest local, breaking up the drive into multiple day or weekend trips over time so you can see everything. 

Later on in this guide, we’ll share sample itineraries to help you figure out what all you can realistically see and do depending on how much time you have. But whether you have one day or five, you’re guaranteed to see many beautiful sights!

Where to stay along the Sea to Sky Highway

If you decide to make the Sea to Sky Highway an overnight adventure, then there are a few key areas that you can stay along the way. 

Vancouver

Your Sea to Sky Highway road trip will likely start in Vancouver, which is one of our favorite cities in the world! If you are looking for places to stay before you start your road trip, here are a handful of good options!

Vacation Rentals

• Option #1: A 1 bedroom condo in Mount Pleasant
• Option #2: A 1 bedroom houseboat in North Vancouver
• Option #3: A 1 bedroom apartment in Kitsilano
• Option #4: A modern 2 bed, 2 bath in Gastown

Hotels

• The Burrard
• Hyatt Regency
• Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre
• L’Hermitage Hotel

Squamish

About halfway from Vancouver to Whistler lies the town of Squamish. If you plan to spend a few days driving the Sea to Sky Highway, then this is a great overnight stopping point! You could either stay here for one night on the way to Whistler, or for multiple nights and do day trips to Whistler (45 minutes away). Here are some suggestions of where to stay in Squamish.

Vacation Rentals

• Option #1: A 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom townhouse in the heart of downtown.
• Option #2: A 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom apartment 10 minutes from downtown.
• Option #3: A 3 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom home with a hot tub!

Hotels

• Executive Suites Hotel & Resort
• Sandman Hotel & Suites
• Sunwolf

Whistler

The ultimate final destination for your Sea to Sky Highway road trip is Whistler. This beautiful mountain town has so much to offer in terms of activities and would be a great place to spend a few days. If you decide to stay the night in Whistler, then here are a few suggestions of places to stay!

Whistler Vacation Rentals

• Option #1: A beautiful studio condo with a kitchenette
• Option #2: A studio apartment with both a pool and hot tub at the lodge
• Option #3: A 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom ski-in, ski-out condo
• Option #4: A 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom home with both gorgeous mountain views and a private hot tub
• Option #5: A 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom house within walking distance to everything!

Whistler Hotels

• The Crystal Lodge & Suites
• Summit Lodge Boutique Hotel
• Aava Whistler
• Pangea Pod Hotel (a unique experience)
• Delta Hotels by Marriott
• Hilton Whistler Resort & Spa
• Westin Resort & Spa

If you want something fancy, then the Four Seasons Resort and Fairmont Chateau are amazing choices!

Camping

Along the Sea to Sky Highway there are a few different campsites that you can stay at. If you want to save money, don’t mind less amenities, and want to be all up in nature, then check out these campgrounds!

Porteau Cove Provincial Park

Porteau Cove Provincial Park offers 44 vehicle accessible sites, as well as some walk in sites. We have stayed three times now, once at a walk-in tent site and two nights at a RV site, with electric hookups (Site #43, which is pictured above, is great!).

Reservations are available year round and in the summer months they are HARD to get! We had to make sure we were online minutes before the dates we wanted were released to get one. One thing to be aware of for this campground: there is a train that comes by and it can be very loud! But the views are amazing!

Stawamus Chief Provincial Park

Stawamus Chief Provincial Park has 52 first come, first served campsites suitable for both cars and tents. The sites are not open in the winter and all campsite fees must be paid in cash ($10 per person/night).

Mamquam River Campground

Mamquam River Campground is owned by a non-profit and is open year round. The sites are super affordable ($20/night) and you can make a reservation in advance here.

Alice Lake Provincial Park

Alice Lake Provincial Park has 96 vehicle accessible campsites. Before March 20, you can reserve sites in advance and there are some first come, first served spots, but after March 20, reservations are available for all sites.

Cal-Cheak Campground

Cal-Cheak Campground is a first come, first served campground near Whistler has over 55 sites, some of which are large enough for RV’s, but there is no electricity or water. The sites are only open in the summer months.

FREE Camping in Whistler

You cannot camp overnight in a vehicle in Whistler itself, but just outside of town is a parking area that many people will park vans in (we even saw some tents) to camp for free. It’s not super glamorous, as it’s right by the road, but it gets the job done.

Sample Vancouver to Whistler Itineraries

Depending on your interests and how much time you have, there are many different ways to combine the activities above to make the perfect Sea to Sky Highway road trip. So to help you get started, below are a few sample itineraries, ranging from 1 day to 5 days, to help you plan your own adventure!

1 Day (Option #1)

If you only have 1 day to drive from Vancouver to Whistler and want to see as much as possible, this itinerary is for you! This is a very ambitious plan, but we wanted to include it anyways. You won’t have much time in each spot, but you’ll be able to see a lot of the highlights! To have more time for longer hikes, we suggest adding another day.

You will need 10-12 hours to do all of this and have enough time in each spot, including driving time.

Porteau Cove
Shannon Falls
Sea to Sky Gondola (take the gondola both ways to save time)
Grab lunch or coffee in Squamish
Brandywine Falls
Hike to the Whistler Train Wreck
Explore the town of Whistler and grab dinner
Drive back to Vancouver

1 Day (Option #2)

If you only have 1 day and just want to see a portion of the highway from Vancouver to Whistler, without having to rush, then this is a good itinerary to follow!

Porteau Cove
Britannia Mine Museum
Murrin Provincial Park
Shannon Falls
Sea to Sky Gondola
Grab dinner in Squamish

2 Days (Option #1)

If you have 2 days to explore and want to have a day to do a more challenging hike, then we recommend this itinerary, which makes Squamish your home base. It doesn’t go all the way up to Whistler, but you’ll still be able to experience a lot!

Day 1
Porteau Cove
Britannia Mine Museum
Murrin Provincial Park
Shannon Falls
Sea to Sky Gondola
Grab dinner in Squamish
Stay the night in Squamish

Day 2
Hike Stawamus Chief, Garibaldi Lake, or Panorama Ridge

2 Days (Option #2)

If you have 2 days to explore the Sea to Sky Highway from Vancouver to Whistler and want to see some of the biggest highlights, including Whistler, without any challenging hikes or having to rush, we suggest following this itinerary. 

Day 1
Porteau Cove
Britannia Mine Museum
Murrin Provincial Park
Shannon Falls
Sea to Sky Gondola
Grab dinner in Squamish
Stay the night in Squamish 

Day 2
Visit Brandywine Falls on your way into Whistler
Spend the day in Whistler! Go for a hike (see our suggestions above), walk around town, and grab some food!

3 Days

This 3 day itinerary includes some quick stops from Vancouver to Whistler, amazing views, challenging hikes, and time in beautiful Whistler! 

Day 1
Porteau Cove
Britannia Mine Museum
Murrin Provincial Park
Shannon Falls
Sea to Sky Gondola
Grab dinner in Squamish
Stay the night in Squamish 

Day 2
Hike Stawamus Chief, Garibaldi Lake, or Panorama Ridge

Day 3
Spend the day in Whistler! Go for a hike (see our suggestions above), walk around town, and grab some food!
Visit Brandywine Falls on your way back to Vancouver
Drive back to Vancouver

4 Days 

If you have 4 days to explore the Sea to Sky Highway from Vancouver to Whistler, we suggest following this itinerary, which includes more time to explore Whistler and go for some amazing hikes!

Day 1
Porteau Cove
Britannia Mine Museum
Murrin Provincial Park
Shannon Falls
Sea to Sky Gondola
Grab dinner in Squamish
Stay the night in Squamish 

Day 2
Hike Stawamus Chief, Garibaldi Lake, or Panorama Ridge

Day 3
Spend the day in Whistler! Go for a hike (see our suggestions above) and explore the town.

Day 4
Spend part of the day in Whistler! Go for a hike (see our suggestions above) and explore the town.
Visit Brandywine Falls
Hike to the Whistler Train Wreck
Drive back to Vancouver

5 Days 

With 5 days to go from Vancouver to Whistler, you will have the most amount of time in Whistler, or more time for other activities if you choose!

Day 1
Porteau Cove
Britannia Mine Museum
Murrin Provincial Park
Shannon Falls
Sea to Sky Gondola
Grab dinner in Squamish
Stay the night in Squamish 

Day 2
Hike Stawamus Chief, Garibaldi Lake, or Panorama Ridge

Day 3
Spend the day in Whistler! Go for a hike (see our suggestions above) and explore the town.

Day 4
Spend the day in Whistler! Go for a hike (see our suggestions above) and explore the town.

Day 5
Hike to the Whistler Train Wreck
Visit Brandywine Falls
Drive back to Vancouver

Ready for your Sea to Sky Highway road trip?

Pin this guide with the best stops from Vancouver to Whistler!