Best Things to Do on the Sea to Sky Gondola, Vancouver

One of the best family-friendly ways to experience Squamish is by taking a journey up the Sea to Sky Gondola.

Just a few minutes outside of Squamish, visitors can ride the gondola to the summit and enjoy panoramic views of Howe Sound and the Stawamus Chief.

From the summit, you’ll find a wide variety of activities suitable for all ages. With hiking trails, snowshoeing excursions, scenic viewpoints, an iconic suspension bridge, and even a via ferrata tour, there’s plenty of fun in store for everyone.

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About the Sea to Sky Gondola

GETTING HERE: Upon arriving, park for free at the base of the gondola upload center (search for “Sea to Sky Parking” on Google Maps). The station is a direct exit off of the Sea to Sky Highway, the road that connects Squamish with Vancouver, and sits just a few minutes south of the town of Squamish. You can purchase your gondola tickets in the station, or pre-book them online to save a few dollars.

PRICES: You can find updated prices at their official website here. A day ticket includes a round-trip ride on the gondola, along with access to the Summit Lodge, suspension bridge, and trails found at the top.

WHEN TO GO: We recommend visiting the Sea to Sky Gondola between April and October. Temperatures will be ideal for a day outdoors and you’ll have the best chance for a sunny day. Plus, some of the best backcountry hiking trails will be open after the snows melt.

Best Things to Do at the Sea to Sky Summit

With so much to do at the summit, we decided to narrow it down to the top attractions featured at the Sea to Sky Gondola summit. Apart from the long-distance backcountry hikes, all of these activities can be completed by families with young kids.

Enjoy the view at the Summit Lodge

The central hub for all Sea to Sky activities, the Summit Lodge is where you’ll exit the gondola and begin your day. Enjoy the scenic panoramas on the viewing platforms overlooking Howe Sound, grab lunch with a view, and walk across the Sky Pilot Suspension Bridge.

Sky Pilot Suspension Bridge

The Sky Pilot Suspension Bridge is one of the most notable landmarks at Sea to Sky. Opening in 2014, this 100-meter-long suspension bridge connects the Summit Lodge to the Spirit Trail. The Sky Pilot Suspension Bridge is open all year round.

View from the suspension bridge

Walk the Panorama Trail

There’s a number of short trails perfect for beginner hikers, most of which start near the Summit Lodge. One of the most popular is the Panorama Trail. This short and flat 1.3 km (0.8 mi) trail is great for those looking to stretch their legs and wander the nearby forest. Along the route you’ll find frequent spur trails that lead out of the treeline to enjoy views of the surrounding mountain range and Howe Sound.

The view from the Chief Overlook along the Panorama Trail

Another view from Chief Overlook

The Panorama Trail is a very easy hike that can be completed year-round. Do expect to find thick snow on the trail in winter months. If hiking in the winter, we recommend bringing a pair of snowshoes. You can rent snowshoes at the Summit Lodge.

Wander along the Wonderland Lake Loop

For those looking to spend time at a secluded lake, we recommend the Wonderland Lake Loop Trail. A bit longer than the Panorama Trail, you’ll descend along a brief series of switchbacks and hike out to Wonderland Lake. The Wonderland Lake Loop trail is 1.6 km (1 mi) long round-trip. We were the only ones on the trail when we hiked this in March.

Wonderland Lake

This trail can also be hiked year-round but note that the return trail can be a bit difficult in fresh snow. If hiking in the winter, you do however have the added benefit of visiting a frozen Wonderland Lake. Just like the Panorama Trail, we recommend renting snowshoes if hiking in the winter months.

Spirit Trail

The Spirit Trail is perfect for those on the young side that want a short walk with great views. Only 0.4 km (0.25 mi) long, this easy trail is a flat walk through a forest with multiple viewpoints of the surrounding mountains, similar to the Panorama Trail. On your way you’ll also learn more about the indigenous peoples who first settled here.

If traveling with small children who want a very basic hike, we recommend the Spirit Trail. For those planning on hiking another trail at Sea to Sky Gondola, you can skip the Spirit Trail. The views and experience on the other trails will be far better, so Spirit is not worth your time.

Climb the Squamish Via Ferrata

If you’re looking for a unique way to experience the beauty at the summit, consider booking a Via Ferrata tour with Mountain Skills Academy. Put on a harness and safety helmet and climb the steel rungs that have been drilled deep into the cliff face. It’ll be the most exciting ladder climb of your life! And have we said the views are phenomenal too?

Tours run several times a day, all year-round. Mountain Skills Academy will climb rain or shine, so make sure you dress appropriately.

You’ll meet your guide at the outdoor plaza next to the Summit Lodge, get geared up, and descend into the forest below. After a short walk down through the forest, you’ll reach an outcropping with an incredible view of Howe Sound. It’s here that you’ll start your climb back up along the cliff face, up to the Summit Lodge.

The Squamish Via Ferrata is very simple and extremely safe. You’ll be clipped into a safety cable the entire time, and the climbs themselves are never too steep. If you can climb a ladder, you’ll have no problem here. Plus, the guides are all experts in both climbing and providing commentary on the history of the region, which only adds to the experience.

Our guide told us that people of all ages have completed the Squamish Via Ferrata. Recommended for those ages 7 and up, the Squamish Via Ferrata is a 90 minute long tour, and definitely worth checking out while at the summit. Just make sure to book your tickets in advance!

Tube Park

The perfect option for family fun, Sea to Sky’s Tube Park is great for riding a rush of excitement amidst a winter paradise. For $5 CAD you’ll enjoy unlimited sledding action across 4 trails of various speeds. This is a perfect mid-afternoon break from hiking and a great experience for those young at heart. Tube Park is open during the winter season.

Sea to Summit Trail

One of the most popular hiking trails in Squamish, the Sea to Summit Trail is an advanced route that follows the gondola all the way up to the Summit Lodge.

You’ll weave your way up the mountainside, stroll along Shannon Creek, and occasionally pop out of the forest for impressive, panoramic views of Howe Sound. The trail also intersects both the Stawamus Chief Trail and the Shannon Basin Trail, giving you options to extend your hike.

The Sea to Summit Trail is 6.5 km (4 mi) one-way and begins at the gondola station at the base. Do note that it is recommended to hike up the Sea to Summit Trail and take the gondola back down. The trail can be very steep at times, plus all trail markers are only facing uphill traffic. We recommend hiking the Sea to Summit Trail early in the morning, grab an early lunch at the Summit Lodge, and explore the rest of the summit in the afternoon. Once finished, purchase a one-way gondola ticket to ride back down to the carpark.

The best time to hike the Sea to Summit Trail is between mid-March and November, when most, if not all, of the snow has melted. Unfortunately, the top of the trail was covered in ice when we visited in March, so we decided against hiking the trail. I guess we’ll have to return in the future!

Alternate Backcountry Trails

There is a long list of backcountry hiking trails you can follow while at the summit. These longer, more advanced routes offer some of the best views of the surrounding mountain ranges, as well as a quiet escape into nature. Note that essentially all of these routes are only open in the summer months, when the snows have melted. You can pick your favorite route on the Sea to Sky’s trail page here.

Snowboarding and Nordic Skiing

The winter months provide one of the best options for backcountry skiing in Squamish, right here at the Sea to Sky Gondola. Alternatively, you can also embark on a Nordic skiing tour along snow-covered trails. To learn more about these winter activities, visit the Sea to Sky website here.

How Long Does a Visit Last at the Sea to Sky Summit?

Arguably you could spend an entire day exploring the summit and taking in those sweet panoramic views. However, Squamish is jam-packed with exciting outdoor activities, such as hiking to the summit of the iconic Stawamus Chief, rock climbing, mountain biking, and more. We cover full list of things to do in the area in our guide to the best things to do in Squamish (coming soon).

If you have any questions about the best things to do at the Sea to Sky Gondola summit, let us know in the comment section below.

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