Squamish is Canada’s outdoor playground
With its enviable setting at the northern tip of British Columbia’s Howe Sound, Squamish is a magnet for outdoor enthusiasts. Whether you want to climb the imposing Stawamus Chief Mountain or experience the thrill of barreling along the Angry Midget mountain bike trail, this former logging town certainly deserves its reputation as Canada’s outdoor recreation capital. You’ll find that many Squamish vacation rentals place you firmly on the doorstep of endless adventures, although if you plan to enjoy a slower pace, downtown homes leave you within strolling distance of the medley of boutiques, galleries, and delis along Cleveland Avenue.
Activities and attractions in Squamish
Are you looking for attractions to see while you're in town? You'll be sure to enjoy Squamish for its hiking and skiing. Venture out of your cozy vacation rental and experience everything that Squamish has to offer. These are some of the major attractions to explore, all within 30 miles (48.2 km) of the city center:
- Furry Creek Golf and Country Club (8.7 mi / 13.9 km)
- West Coast Railway Heritage Park (1.8 mi / 2.8 km)
- Whistle Punk Hollow Adventure Golf (1.9 mi / 3.1 km)
- Murrin Provincial Park (4.4 mi / 7 km)
- Round Mountain (7.3 mi / 11.8 km)
Choose your adventure in Squamish
Squamish is no stranger to the climbing and mountain biking communities, but the opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors don’t end there. Walking routes, ranging from the gentle 4 Lakes Trail to the 3 to 5-hour Sea to Summit Trail, provide plenty of chances to soak up your surroundings. If you long to be out on the water, Squamish Estuary and Spit offers the area’s best conditions for windsurfing. And if you’re traveling with family or just fancy a beach day, the Squamish Oceanfront invites you to watch the world go by from your perfect spot on the sand or hunt for driftwood along the sweeping Oceanfront Interpretive Trail.
Squamish boasts year-round appeal
The moderate coastal climate here tends to come with an above average amount of rain. Visitors tend to agree that your best chance of avoiding the worst of the downpours is to plan your trip in the summer months of June through August. That’s not to say the rest of the year is a bust, though. The shoulder months of May and September can be a good bet if you prefer fewer crowds and a better choice of Squamish vacation rentals. From November through February, the snow-covered backcountry terrain of Garibaldi Provincial Park and Callaghan Valley holds massive appeal for winter sports fans.
Discover sweet granite in Squamish
Nature abounds in Squamish although the headline act must be the Stawamus Chief Provincial Park, where the looming Chief has proved to be the pinnacle of many climbers’ careers. Jostling for 2nd place are Smoke Bluffs Park and Shannon Falls Provincial Park, where the variety of climbs include some of the area’s classics. If you’d like to experience the thrill of the climb, but aren’t too confident of your ability to hang on, Via Ferrata enables both beginners and younger guests to ascend some of the town’s sweetest granite with the help of cables and rungs, leaving no would-be mountain adventurer behind.
Transportation to and around Squamish
The nearest airport is in Vancouver Intl. Airport (YVR), located 35 mi (56.4 km) from the city center. If you're unable to find a flight that fits your schedule, you could also fly into Vancouver Harbour Flight Centre (CXH), which is 28.6 mi (46 km) away.
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