11 Stunning Stops on a Winter Road Trip to Squamish
11 Stunning Stops on a Winter Road Trip to Squamish
Drive alongside North America's southernmost fjord spanning 46km from Horseshoe Bay to downtown Squamish. Along the way, see the sights and savour the wintry seaside views as you make your way to the heart of Sea to Sky Country.
1) Porteau Cove Provincial Park
The perfect place to break up your drive and stop for a photo-op at the iconic viewing deck. Families may enjoy skipping stones on the rocky shoreline or packing a picnic to eat at one of the many picnic tables.
2) Furry Creek
Driftwood strewn beaches and lush coastal trees and plants line the shore of Furry Creek. The area's namesake creek runs through the middle of town beneath an old rail bridge which serves as a popular footpath for visitors looking to capture the unique view.
3) Britannia Mine Museum & Britannia Beach
No drive to Britannia Beach is complete without a stroll along the beach itself and a journey to the Britannia Mine Museum, a living relic of the yesteryears of the British Commonwealth and copper mining era. The once-bustling copper mine now acts as an interactive museum complete with an underground tour, gold panning pavilion, BOOM! multisensory mill show and is rampant with Sea to Sky views from every window, deck and doorway.
Reminder - we’re open today and Sunday but closed Mon Dec 24th and Tues Dec 25th. #happyholidays A post shared by Britannia Mine Museum (@britanniaminemuseum) on
4) Murrin Provincial Park
Stretch your legs at the roadside Browning Lake which is both picturesque and easily accessible. For those looking for an extended activity, hike around the 1.8km Murrin Park Loop Trail where you will walk alongside steep rocky bluffs and moss drenched rainforests to the stunning Howe Sound viewpoint pictured below.
5) Shannon Falls
Squamish's most accessible waterfall is in Shannon Falls Provincial Park. The base of the falls is just a 5-10 minute walk from the parking lot. It is impressive at any time of year, but in winter when the lighting is just right, it comes alive.
6) Stawamus Chief Provincial Park
Whether you plan on hiking up the mountain or viewing it from town–the Stawamus Chief is one of Squamish's most iconic landmarks. During winter the 4km roundtrip trail to the first peak can be icy, hikers should carry microspikes and allow between 2-4 hours to complete the trail. For those wishing to view the monolith from town, the best views can be seen from the Shannon Falls parking lot, the Squamish Estuary or from outside the Visitor Information Centre.
7) Downtown Squamish
The streets of downtown Squamish are dripping with charm and paved with rainbow crosswalks and decorated streets. In the winter, the view of Mount Garibaldi covered in snow from Cleveland Avenue is a sight that will thaw you from the inside out. Take some time to explore the quirky shops and eateries, they will not disappoint.
8) The Squamish Estuary
On a clear day you can see all of Squamish's biggest landmarks from the end of Spit Road in the Squamish Estuary; the Stawamus Chief, Mount Garibaldi, Shannon Falls even Mamquam Mountain. The best part is how easy access the area is, from the last parking area you can walk less than .5km to the end of the Spit or opt for a 30 min hiking trail for even better views.
9) Eagle Run Dyke
Situated across the river from Brackendale Eagles Provincial Park, the Eagle Run Dyke is one of the best places to watch eagle action all day long during peak season. Volunteer EagleWatch Interpreters are stationed along the dyke from 10 am to 3 pm from November 9 to mid-January with high power spotting scopes and adaptors for cell phone photography.
10) Brohm Lake
Head into the woods for a relaxing winter walk around the roadside Brohm Lake. Popular viewpoints include the wooden bridge directly south of the parking lot (a 10-minute walk) and the view of Brohm Lake (a 5-minute walk). For those looking for a longer hike, the Tantalus Viewpoint on the west side of the lake is a worthy winter destination, you can read the trail summary here.
11) Tantalus Lookout
An ideal final destination to complete your winter road trip. The viewpoint is located just off the Sea to Sky Highway and looks out towards Squamish and Paradise Valley and the Tantalus Mountain Range located in Tantalus Provincial Park which remains snow-covered year-round. Keen eyes can also spot the Stawamus Chief and the tip of the Howe Sound Fjord on the southern side of the valley.