Hubby and I are in the process of trying to work out a way to get everyone up to Whistler for a few days during the games. We think we may have found some accommodation, but we'll have to wait and see.
Anyway to get to Whistler you travel on the Sea to Sky Highway. In the last month, I've driven it more times than I have done in 12 years in BC. I drove up the Sea to Sky yesterday so I thought it was time I told you a bit about it.
The Sea to Sky Highway is part of Highway 99, winding from Vancouver to Pemberton. The Sea to Sky has undergone a whole slew of improvements in the lead up the Games. It's still a windy road, and days like yesterday don't show the drive at it's best. It was raining and foggy, so visibility was low.
But on a clear day the views and attractions along the Sea to Sky are stunning and well worth a stop. The drive from downtown Vancouver to Whistler Village is about 2 hours, but you could spend a full day stopping to see the sights. (the photos were all taken on a previous drive up in November)
Horseshoe Bay - home of the BC Ferry terminal. Ferries leave from here to Vancouver Island, Bowen Island and the Sunshine Coast. Most people spend a lot time in the ferry lineups here, but explore the community. There's a marina here too and in the summer the people watching can be amusing. Trolls has great fish and chips and there's quite the supply of ice cream shops.
Lions Bay - I have to say we have only stopped in Lions Bay once. It's quite the picturesque little village, but I can't tell you much about it.
Porteau Cove - is a provincial park with camping, showers, washrooms and picnic areas. Porteau Cove is quite famous for it's scuba diving.
Britannia Beach - was a mining community built around the copper mine. The mine has not been in use for 30 or so year, and is now a museum.
Murrin Provincial Park - rock climbing, fishing, swimming (although I wouldn't recommend swimming in February)
Shannon Falls - at 335m they are the third highest in BC. The day I stopped there was no one else around, part of the falls were iced over, it was freezing cold, but beautiful
The Chief - second largest granite monolith in the world after the Rock of Gibraltar. In the summer look up and you'll see rock climbers hanging everywhere.
Squamish - is the largest town before Whistler and a mecca for outdoor adventures. The area is host to rock climbing, mountain biking, hiking, and rafting.
Brackendale - between November and March thousands of bald eagles like to hang out in Brackendale. I saw about a dozen just perched in trees along the side of the highway.
Alice Lake - popular campground with hiking trails, mountain biking, fishing, canoeing and swimming.
Brandywine Falls - smaller than Shannon Falls but worth a stop. Apparently the name Brandywine is the result of a bottle of brandy and a bottle of wine being wagered on a bet about the height of the falls.
Whistler - is a whole 'nother post of its own.
Beside the towns and attractions above along the Sea to Sky there are 18 viewpoints. Some are accessible for northbound traffic and other to southbound traffic just look for the signs.
image - FusionPanda
At the larger viewpoints, besides awesome views you'll also find bear proof rubbish bins, and picnic tables. The viewpoint at Tantalus is my favourite, there's even a bench to sit awhile.
And at 7 points along the highway you will find informational kiosks, part of the cultural journey from Vancouver to Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre in Whistler. The kiosks will focus on important First Nations places and legends at each stop. They aren't finished yet, and I can't find any info on when they are expected to be complete.
And this view as I drove home made the whole day worth it.
