Sea to Sky Highway
Sea to Sky Highway
4.5
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A two-lane scenic highway passes both the Pacific Ocean and rugged mountain peaks.
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4.5
1,502 reviews
Excellent
1,117
Very good
324
Average
49
Poor
9
Terrible
3
Elaine MacDonald
1 contribution
Aug 2020 • Family
There is not enough signage on this highway and there are so many people who speed. It's a scary road to drive and I am surprised that the BC government doesn't do more to keep the speed of motorists down and drivers safe.
There are so many pick up trucks and others rushing up and down that highway. Have I said enough? Stay safe.
There are so many pick up trucks and others rushing up and down that highway. Have I said enough? Stay safe.
Written August 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kylie L
Brisbane, Australia302 contributions
Dec 2022 • Family
We hired a car to drive to Squamish to see the sea to sky gondola. In hind sight we shouldn’t have booked tickets online & bought tickets on the day. We had heavy snow the morning we set off. Driving on the highway is fine if you take it slow & stay on the salted highway. We accidentally turned off the highway and then drove down an access ramp to get back on the highway. It was extremely icy. We needed to get towed as we almost hit the side of the mountain. Locals were in the same situation with another car sliding and almost crashing into us. No one was hurt and car fine . But avoid driving in snowy conditions. Sea to sky are offering a refund because of the weather conditions.
Written December 19, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jobylake
Ottery St. Mary, UK1,178 contributions
Jul 2023 • Couples
Highway 99 is named the Sea to Sky Highway. However, my road trip through the Rockies to Vancouver took me on the route down from Whistler to Vancouver.
The route is very scenic going down but you cannot admire the beauty of what you are seeing as there aren’t many viewpoints to stop and look back to Squamish or even ahead to Vancouver without taking the Sea to Sky Gondola up. The one we did stop at had so much vegetation, we couldn't see much at all.
As this was the first time I had taken this route, there were a few blink and you’ll miss it opportunities if you didn’t know what was coming. It made the journey to Vancouver a quick one.
The route is very scenic going down but you cannot admire the beauty of what you are seeing as there aren’t many viewpoints to stop and look back to Squamish or even ahead to Vancouver without taking the Sea to Sky Gondola up. The one we did stop at had so much vegetation, we couldn't see much at all.
As this was the first time I had taken this route, there were a few blink and you’ll miss it opportunities if you didn’t know what was coming. It made the journey to Vancouver a quick one.
Written October 23, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Indah Edlightz
Ontario, Canada4,060 contributions
Mar 2021
Spectacular drive during any time of the year. All along you will want to stop to take photos as the views are truly breathtaking all the way to Whistler. luckily there are towns and roadside road widenings for you to stop by. although there are more coming back to Vancouver than going to whistler, so plan accordingly. All along the way there are lookout points and some trails for those who are more adventurous. Sea to sky gondola is on the way as well as many touristy stops.
Written August 23, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brian M
Herndon, VA281 contributions
If you are staying in Vancouver for several days, use one of them to drive the Sea to Sky Highway north to Whistler. The scenic views of bodies of water and snow capped mountains are absolutely gorgeous. Stop for breaks at Porteau Cove, where recreational divers explore shipwrecks, and Shannon Falls, where you can take a short hike to a beautiful waterfall cascading from high above. Also, on a weekday, what looks to be a very interesting mining museum is open between Shannon Falls and Whistler. This was a functioning mine up until the 1970's and has recently been funded for further renovations as a tourist attraction. We were there on a Sunday, so the mine was closed.
When you get to Whistler, which is going to be the site of the 2010 Winter Olympics, be sure to take the enclosed gondola ride to the top of Whistler Mountain... even if you don't ski. It's a 25 minute ride with amazing views (but a bit pricey at $25 a head Canadian). There's a restaurant at the top, and MANY restaurants, shops and hotels in Whistler Village, but we drove back to Vancouver after walking around a bit.
On the way back we stopped at the Roadhouse Restaurant across from Shannon Falls. We were there in mid-afternoon, so we got a window table with a great view of the falls. Service was very friendly, but we had mixed opinions of the food.
When you get to Whistler, which is going to be the site of the 2010 Winter Olympics, be sure to take the enclosed gondola ride to the top of Whistler Mountain... even if you don't ski. It's a 25 minute ride with amazing views (but a bit pricey at $25 a head Canadian). There's a restaurant at the top, and MANY restaurants, shops and hotels in Whistler Village, but we drove back to Vancouver after walking around a bit.
On the way back we stopped at the Roadhouse Restaurant across from Shannon Falls. We were there in mid-afternoon, so we got a window table with a great view of the falls. Service was very friendly, but we had mixed opinions of the food.
Written March 18, 2005
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Begonia33
Scottsdale, AZ311 contributions
Sep 2018
This road encompasses the Gold Nugget Route (Cache Creek to Whistler) and the Sea to Sky Highway (from Whistler to Vancouver). The drive from Kamloops to Cache Creek (Highway 97) goes through a high desert - average rainfall 8 inches. A surprise as we were not expecting a desert (sagebrush and cactus) in Canada. Large ranches. In this area, stop at Historic Hat Creek Ranch and Horstings Farm Market. Leaving Cache Creek on Highway 99, you are following the route taken by people going to the Cariboo gold fields. The highway has many changes in elevation and switchbacks (some with steep sides and no guardrails). The scenery is beautiful, views stunning. The forest is not as dense as the Rockies. There are lakes, fast glacier-colored rivers, tall mountains, white-topped peaks and steep ravines. There are turnouts on the road. Be careful if the turnout is across the road from you. The roads don't offer good visibility to you or the oncoming traffic. In many places the road is 2 lanes, be careful if you try to pass. Stop at the overlook to Lillooet. Lillooet is Mile zero for the 1858 Cariboo Wagon Road (Gold Rush Trail). From Lillooet the next town is Pemberton. After Pemberton, Nairn Falls - wooded trail leads to the falls. Then Whistler, surrounded by snow-capped peaks, dense green forests and fast flowing rivers. Whistler is very pretty alpine town. From Whistler, stop at Shannon Falls. Through Squamish - the Stawamus Chief granite monolith is visible from the highway. It was formed 100 million years ago when magma was forced up through the earth's crust. Then Brandywine Falls. Up a .2 mile walk from the parking lot. From here a drive along the Strait of Georgia in to Vancouver. This is a beautiful drive and definitely worth taking.
Written November 4, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
cazaresil
Moraga, CA94 contributions
Sep 2011
The Sea-to-Sky highway is a beautiful drive that unfortunately has a mere two unobstructed and worthy lookout points. The experience would be much improved with the addition of a couple of lookout points with clear views towards the Howe Sound. If you are looking for more views, be ready to spend more time and venture off the freeway. The two unobstructed view points are however great. We stopped at the following view points and parks:
Driving north:
- Went off road in Lions Bay. We spent a good time in a children and beach park just next to the marina, with open views to the fjords (not very dramatic though). It was a discovery, it took us some time to find the best place in Lions Bay for open views.
- Shannon falls: nice place but honestly, a little overrated, especially if you have been in Yosemite in May/June when the water seems to ooze from everywhere and seasonal waterfalls of Shannon's size are a common finding. We saw some crazy people climbing on wet rocks with shoes as flat as a sandal. If you don't find parking just go across the highway. There is a paid parking lot but also an empty lot where you can park for free. We went in the morning but the views to the waterfall should be better in the afternoon when they get out of the shade.
- A view point just south of Squamish where the water ends. Nice but the electricity cables ruin the whole thing!
- Lunch at Boston Pizza: good.
- Tantalus range viewpoint: nice and unobstructed view to snowcapped mountains and the Rumbing Glacier. Exits at both sides of the road.
- Brandywine falls: much much better than Shannon. More water volume and a beautiful rounded hole where the waterfall takes center stage. This is really worth it. I think we got there a little bit late, as most of the waterfall was in the shade side. I recommend to get to Brandywine early and hit Shannon in the afternoon (way back if you're doing the whole thing in one day).
We did not go all the way up to Whistler... didn't see the point in visiting a ski resort in summer. We were told about the nice village and pricey gondola, but we figured out that it shouldn't be remarkably different from places that we have visited before (Vail, Aspen, Squaw). So we turned back 10 miles short of Whistler.
Driving south:
- The highlight of the day: our family of four (kids aged 4 and 2) enjoyed an unforgettable couple of hours in the Porteau Cove beach, with beautiful warm waters, clear skies and a great view towards the Sound and the Tantalus range. There are people paddling, swimming and canoeing, activities that are more inviting in this part of the world than in our SF Bay Area home, where the water is much colder.
- Another view point about half of the way between Squamish and Vancouver. Nice but obstructed with very tall trees.
- Drove by Horseshoe Bay. Nice.
Bottom line, an absolutely great way to spend the day. After Stanley Park, this is my 2nd favorite Vancouver attraction. But I can't give five stars to a highway that is known for great views that are so hard to see. Examples of great highway drives with plently of great views would be the I-70 west of Denver, highway 1 through Carmel and Big Sur, the North Cascades highway in Washington state or the Hana drive in Maui. They all get five stars from me...
Driving north:
- Went off road in Lions Bay. We spent a good time in a children and beach park just next to the marina, with open views to the fjords (not very dramatic though). It was a discovery, it took us some time to find the best place in Lions Bay for open views.
- Shannon falls: nice place but honestly, a little overrated, especially if you have been in Yosemite in May/June when the water seems to ooze from everywhere and seasonal waterfalls of Shannon's size are a common finding. We saw some crazy people climbing on wet rocks with shoes as flat as a sandal. If you don't find parking just go across the highway. There is a paid parking lot but also an empty lot where you can park for free. We went in the morning but the views to the waterfall should be better in the afternoon when they get out of the shade.
- A view point just south of Squamish where the water ends. Nice but the electricity cables ruin the whole thing!
- Lunch at Boston Pizza: good.
- Tantalus range viewpoint: nice and unobstructed view to snowcapped mountains and the Rumbing Glacier. Exits at both sides of the road.
- Brandywine falls: much much better than Shannon. More water volume and a beautiful rounded hole where the waterfall takes center stage. This is really worth it. I think we got there a little bit late, as most of the waterfall was in the shade side. I recommend to get to Brandywine early and hit Shannon in the afternoon (way back if you're doing the whole thing in one day).
We did not go all the way up to Whistler... didn't see the point in visiting a ski resort in summer. We were told about the nice village and pricey gondola, but we figured out that it shouldn't be remarkably different from places that we have visited before (Vail, Aspen, Squaw). So we turned back 10 miles short of Whistler.
Driving south:
- The highlight of the day: our family of four (kids aged 4 and 2) enjoyed an unforgettable couple of hours in the Porteau Cove beach, with beautiful warm waters, clear skies and a great view towards the Sound and the Tantalus range. There are people paddling, swimming and canoeing, activities that are more inviting in this part of the world than in our SF Bay Area home, where the water is much colder.
- Another view point about half of the way between Squamish and Vancouver. Nice but obstructed with very tall trees.
- Drove by Horseshoe Bay. Nice.
Bottom line, an absolutely great way to spend the day. After Stanley Park, this is my 2nd favorite Vancouver attraction. But I can't give five stars to a highway that is known for great views that are so hard to see. Examples of great highway drives with plently of great views would be the I-70 west of Denver, highway 1 through Carmel and Big Sur, the North Cascades highway in Washington state or the Hana drive in Maui. They all get five stars from me...
Written September 12, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TravelTurtle66
Massachusetts192 contributions
May 2011
Not many times I would recommend a highway as an attraction but this one certainly is. Rented a car for a day out of the city and it was money well spent. The deep blue sea and snow covered mountains made an amazing experience. Lots of look-out points to take photos. Believe me you will want to take many. Be sure and stop at both Shannon Falls and Brandywine Falls on your way to Whistler. They are some of the most spectacular in North America. Brandy Wine Falls was particularly breathtaking. Don't miss it.
Written May 21, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
traveltweet
Portland, OR16 contributions
Jan 2011
We have taken the sea to sky highway several times in the past. Our recent trip was last month on our way to Whistler on our Anniversary weekend and I must tell that this continues to be our most favorite scenic drive in all of North America. Our recent drive was the first since the highway was improved in 2009 before the Winter Olympics and it is even better now. Take time when you drive and make several stops to take breath taking pictures along the way, Shannon Falls is a must stop. If you are going to Whistler and have time you could also make a short trip to Pemberton a small town covered by mountains from all side. Pemberton is about an hour drive from Whistler on the same highway. I would not go any further than Pemberton as the road conditions deteriorates beyond that point.
Written February 7, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
llleung1010
Hong Kong, China62 contributions
Jul 2014 • Family
Driving from Richmond to Whistler was not as difficult as expected because the highway roads were clean and wide. We started at 7am and reached Whislter at around 2 pm. We stopped at Horseshoe Bay, Shannon Falls, Alice Lake and finally beautiful Brandywine Falls. The stunning and breathtaking scenic views were unforgettable and enjoyable. An unexpected travel before reaching the "beautiful" early summer Whistler.
Written July 16, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
For a weekday visit in mid july, how far in advance do I ned to buy a ticket? Should I expet a waiting line to get a gondoal if I go late morning?
Written March 6, 2024
We are looking at booking s Sea to Sky day tour from Vancouver to Whistler. Do tours operate during the month of February? If so, can someone recommend a tour company.
Thanks
Written September 3, 2019
We are planning to drive from North Vancouver to Cache Creek via the Sea to Sky Highway in a day. This looks to be about 200 miles. Couple of questions. We will be driving a 30' Class C, gasoline engine. Was concerned about the stretch of road from Whistler to CC. Looks like there are several extremely steep grades, anywhere from 9 to 13 %. Is it feasible to consider this sort of route with this vehicle. Would the traffic conditions accommodate this slower vehicle? We would be driving on a monday or tuesday....not the weekend.
Written April 7, 2019
Hi Diane
If I book the greyhound to Whistler, can you make stops at Sqamish?
Written September 20, 2018
Can’t help you sorry. Ours was a private company tour.
Written September 21, 2018
Hi, I am planning to drive from Vancouver to Whistler in September. Is the drive full of upward & downward cliffs? Is it a safe & eay drive? Your recommendation about renting a car & driving Vs travelling byTour Bus? Please let me know.
Thank you!
Written August 7, 2018
Where did you see the island that is a sea lion sanctuary? We are headed up that way tomorrow. Thanks.
Written May 3, 2017
Hoping to have some experienced travelers to help me out here -
Planning a family trip with a then 14 months old in mid-late Sep. Would a day trip driving from downtown Vancouver to Squamish (Swim Lake area) be enough?
I'm planning on stopping by the following stops but would like to know if they are suitable for baby/stroller :
Whytecliff Park,
Sea-to-sky Gondola,
Tantalus Lookout,
Brandywine Falls & Swim Lake.
Thank you so much!
Written April 23, 2017
We are driving the Sea to Sky Highway mid-April with stops at Shannon Falls Provincial Park, Brandywine Falls Provincial Park, and Porteau Cove Provincial Park. Do we need to be worried at all about snow on the roads? What about on the ground in these parks?
Written April 16, 2017
Absolutely not. Street perfectly clean
Written April 26, 2017
Is it okay to make this drive in mid December? How are the road conditions?
Written December 2, 2016
I drive it twice a week for work and as long as you drive safe and cautious it will be fine. Snow tires are a legal requirement.
Written December 6, 2016
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