Squamish is a small and quiet town situated on the north end of Howe Sound on the Sea to Sky Highway. It’s approximately 50 minutes north of Vancouver and a popular midway point between metro Vancouver and Whistler.
Squamish has always self proclaimed itself as the “outdoor recreation capital of Canada” – a claim now backed up by the New York Times. The newspapers travel section is sending a lot of attention to British Columbia after ranking Squamish #32 on its list of 52 places to go in 2015. It also recommends experiencing the all new “Sea to Sky Gondola” and describes it as “an unusual combination of West Coast wilderness and accessibility.”
While most see the town as a pit stop location, it has a lot more to offer than you may think. Some of the top attractions in Squamish include:
- Rock climbing on the Stawamus Chief
- Windsurfing at the Spit
- Kiteboarding at the Spit
- Mountain bike trails
- Hiking in Garibaldi Provincial Park
- Canoeing
- Bird watching
- Squamish Music Festival
Although the town is often overlooked, Squamish has a lot to offer and would make a great place to visit during your future day trips. Given the popularity of the New York times, we’re sure a lot of tourists will also be heading north to soak in the west coast experience.
Image via TourismSquamish