Is the Sea to Sky Gondola in Squamish worth visiting?

Sea to Sky Gondola in Squamish

When I first learned about the plan to build the Sea to Sky Gondola in Squamish, I was skeptical. As residents of North Vancouver, we often drive the Sea to Sky Highway enroute to Whistler.

Back then, I viewed Squamish as the half-way point to Whistler. Not a stand alone destination. I did not see the vision for this new outdoor attraction.

At the time, Whistler had just built the Peak to Peak Gondola, connecting Whistler Mountain to Blackcomb Mountain. Whistler hosted the 2010 Winter Olympics a few years prior and it was still buzzing from the global event.

I questioned whether this new Squamish gondola could compete with Whistler.

We first visited the Sea to Sky Gondola in May 2015 as a day trip from Vancouver. Our boys were 4 and 2 years old at the time. We returned a few years later during the winter holiday season, which felt like a completely different experience.

We recently visited the Sea to Sky Gondola again.

It was 4 years between visits. We decided to spend the weekend in Squamish, so it felt like a good time to revisit.

It was expected to be clear and sunny that day, which helped our decision.

Related – 22 Awesome Things to do Along the Sea to Sky Highway

Should you visit the Sea to Sky Gondola in Squamish?

Let’s revisit the title of this blog post. Should you visit the Sea to Sky Gondola?

The short answer is Yes. It’s a unique year-round attraction that caters to all travel styles.

If you’re a resident of the Lower Mainland, you should absolutely visit the Sea to Sky Gondola. There are plenty of things to do, regardless of the season. I’m confident that you won’t be disappointed. Unless, of course, it pours rain and/or it’s crazy busy during your visit (both could happen, so be prepared to pivot).

That said, if you’re a first time visitor to the Vancouver area, and you’re limited on time, I might give you a different answer.

Ultimately, this question is about value for your time and money.

If you have to choose between the Squamish Gondola, Whistler Gondola or Grouse Mountain tram, I’d recommend the Whistler option because there are more things to do in Whistler.

However, if you are limited on time and you are staying in Vancouver, than Grouse Mountain might be a better option. And, if you do not have a vehicle, you can take public transit to Grouse Mountain or join an organized tour.

That said, if you do have a vehicle and you have the time, we would recommend a day trip to Squamish and a visit to the Sea to Sky Gondola.

Watch – Take a virtual trip up the gondola in 30 seconds

Things to do at Sea to Sky Gondola

There’s much more to this popular Squamish tourist attraction then pretty mountain landscapes. Although, the pretty landscapes are certainly worth seeing for yourself. Over the years, the Sea to Sky Gondola has expanded it’s offerings and attractions.

Walk across the bouncy Sky Pilot Suspension Bridge (photo above)
Panoramic views of Howe Sound from the Viewing Platforms (photo below)
Take a hike. There are several trails from the summit lodge, from easy paths to backcountry alpine trails. Here’s the list of hiking trails.
Patio dining with spectacular views at Sky Pilot Eatery.
Live music, concerts and holiday festivities. Search for calendar of events here.
Snowshoeing, tubing and ski touring in the winter.
Squamish Via Ferrata tours. More info here.

Watch – Amazing views from Sky Pilot Suspension Bridge

Beautiful landscapes from the Chief Overlook Viewing Platform.

Sea to Sky Gondola in Squamish passing through old growth forest — Passengers ride up the Sea to Sky gondola to the Summit Lodge

How long is the gondola ride sea to sky?

The gondola ride is approximately 10 minutes from our base to the summit.

How many people fit in Sea to Sky Gondola?

Each gondola cabin has a capacity of 8 passengers. If you’re lucky, you might get the cabin all to yourself.

On a busy weekend in the summer, guests are asked to fill each cabin. There are often long lines in the summer months, so don’t expect to have the gondola all to yourself.

The Sea to Sky Gondola is wheelchair and stroller friendly.

How high does the Sea to Sky Gondola take you?

The elevation gain is 885 meters. This is 200 meters higher than the crest of the Stawamus Chief.

More details about the numbers here.

This is the money shot from the top of the Sea to Sky Gondola.

To get a similar photo, walk across the suspension bridge and turn right. Follow the trail to the Sky Pilot Lookout.

Our boy walking across the dizzying Sky Pilot Suspension Bridge. Look at those mountain landscapes!

Sea To Sky Gondola Map

Above is the Sea To Sky Gondola Trail Map (photo credit to Sea to Sky Gondola). As you can see, there is a lot to do once you reach the Sea to Sky Summit, including the suspension bridge, viewpoint platforms, and several walking and hiking trails.

Wonderland Lake Loop is a popular beginner trail that takes about 30-45 minutes. It’s a nice nature trail through the coastal forest. It offers several viewpoints along the trail with great views of the Summit Lodge, Sky Pilot and Co-Pilot Mountains.

You can also hike up (or down) to the summit via the Sea to Summit trail.

Entrance to Panorama Trail. The prize at the end of this trail is the Chief Overlook Viewing Platform.

It takes between 30-60 minutes. This beginner trail is flat and well marked. It’s mostly gravel.

Snowy peaks and coastal forest views from the Spirit Trail. This trail is considered easy and is family friendly.

Best view of Squamish and Howe Sound from the viewing platform.

Watch short video here.

Brave guests completing the Via Ferrata course on the Sea to Sky Summit.

Stay on the trail! There are some cliff areas to mindful of.

Top of the Stawamus Chief with views of Squamish in the distance.

Family picnic area with playground at the top of the gondola.

The kid’s play area has a slackline to practice your balance.

If hiking is not your thing, pull up a chair at Summit Lodge and enjoy the patio with stunning mountain landscapes. This is arguably the best lunch spot in Squamish.

Sea To Sky Gondola Restaurants: Where To Eat

Sky Pilot Eatery – main restaurant (pictured above) with outdoor and indoor seating.
Edge Bar – serving craft beer from every local brewery in Squamish.
Co-Pilot Cafe – located inside the Summit Lodge, serving fresh coffee, snacks and to-go items.
Backyard Bites – located in the Backyard Plaza (see photo below), serving fancy poutine and quick bites.

Backyard Plaza at Sea to Sky Summit

Order your food at the red awning (photo above) and grab one of the picnic tables.

There’s a kid’s playground here, too, so you can let the little ones run wild while you enjoy lunch surrounded by coastal forest.

If you’re lucky, you can eat your lunch inside a gondola with a table (see above). There’s only a few of these gondolas available, so if you happen to see one empty, grab it!

Outdoor seating area at Backyard Plaza. This is a nice place to enjoy a packed picnic lunch.

How to get to Sea to Sky Gondola in Squamish

The Sea to Sky Gondola is located along the Sea to Sky Highway (Highway 99). It’s only 2 kilometers south of Squamish city centre.

Address: 36800 Highway 99, Squamish, British Columbia

From Vancouver, it’s a 45 minute drive.

Is there parking at Sea To Sky Gondola?

Yes, there is a parking lot at the base of the gondola. To access the main parking lot, you will need to be driving north on the Sea to Sky Highway. The parking lot turnoff is just after Shannon Falls Provincial Park.

If you’re driving from Whistler south to Squamish, you will need to drive past the Sea to Sky Gondola and turn around at the lights at Darrell Bay/Shannon Falls. You cannot take a left turn from the highway to the parking lot.

Parking is free. However, the parking lot fills up quickly, especially on weekends. Arrive early.

Where to Stay in Squamish

During our trip to Squamish, we stated at the Sandman Hotel. It’s located off the Sea to Sky Highway, near the Walmart. It’s a fairly new property with good sized rooms. We had two double beds plus a pull-out couch, which is ideal for our family of four.

Check Sandman Hotel room rates and availability here.

Other family friendly hotels in Squamish are Executive Suites Hotel & Resort and/or Mountain Retreat Hotel.

There are also several Squamish vacation rentals to choose from, including rustic cabins and high-end condos on the waterfront. Check VRBO for availability.