Sea-to-Sky Gondola

Tickets & Visitor Guide to the Howe Sound Gondola

⏱ Half day👤 All ages$$

The Sea-to-Sky Gondola is one of the highlights of the famous Sea-to-Sky Highway, the scenic route that hugs the coast and climbs from Vancouver toward Whistler. Located near the town of Squamish — about an hour north of the city — the gondola rises some 885 meters up the mountainside above Howe Sound, a stunning fjord, in a journey with ever-expanding views over the water, the cliffs (including the famous Stawamus Chief granite monolith), and Shannon Falls.

At the summit lodge, the real rewards unfold. The Sky Pilot Suspension Bridge sways across a gap with dramatic views, and a series of viewing platforms — including the cantilevered Chief Overlook and the Spirit Viewing Platform — offer jaw-dropping panoramas of the fjord, the surrounding mountains, and the valley far below. From the top, a network of walking trails ranges from easy, accessible boardwalks and viewpoints to longer, more challenging alpine hikes, plus a lodge with food and a deck for soaking in the scenery. It's spectacular in summer and a snowshoeing destination in winter.

It makes an excellent half-day outing from Vancouver, easy to combine with the drive to Whistler (it's right on the way) or with stops at nearby Shannon Falls and Squamish. Allow a couple of hours at least. Bring layers and good shoes for the trails, and check conditions, as the summit weather and visibility can differ from the coast. The Sea-to-Sky Highway drive itself, one of the most beautiful in Canada, is part of the experience.