24 Hours in Squamish: A First-Timer’s Guide to Boardwalks, Ocean Saunas, and Mountain Heights
I finally made my first trip out to British Columbia! The reason for this cross-country trek was for the Travel Media Association of Canada (TMAC) annual conference, and this year we were being hosted in Richmond.A massive perk of being a TMAC member is that media members get to pick a curated group trip that’s hosted by regions around the host city either before or after the annual conference.
Welcome to Squamish
As you can imagine, being in British Columbia meant we had an impressive list to choose from and picking one wasn’t easy. Options included outdoor adventures and even culinary tours. I had a very hard time making a choice and because of a hectic few months leading up to the conference I opted for a wellness-focused trip to Squamish and Whistler. The first 24 hours were spent exploring Squamish and the following three nights were spent in Whistler. I wanted a trip that forced me to slow down, be in the moment, and be surrounded by mountains.
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Day 1: Rainforest Trails, Breathwork, and Waterfront Dining
After landing in Vancouver I met up with the rest of my group and we headed north on the Sea to Sky Highway to Squamish. Of course I’ve heard the name before but, I have to admit, I didn’t know much about this oceanfront community. One of the things I did hear was that it’s a place where people pull over for gas and a quick bite before continuing on to Whistler. Spending a day there proved that folks who did this were missing out on a community that’s filled with nature, beauty, good food and very welcoming people. I left wondering why anyone would just drive past Squamish instead of stopping to experience all of the incredible things to do in Squamish.
Squamish Canyon and the Forest Lounge
The first stop on our itinerary was at Squamish Canyon, a massive eco-tourism project that’s made up of a 1.5-km raised wooden boardwalk and built right into the Mamquam River gorge. The boardwalk takes visitors through the coastal rainforest providing dramatic views of the soaring trees and down into the gorge itself. Being on the elevated boardwalk meant that we could experience Squamish Canyon without damaging the fragile ecosystem.
This isn’t a place you go to rough it as there are amenities throughout. Close to the entrance you’ll find Moss & Mug to fuel up with coffee, teas and light snacks. Further in there’s The Forest Lounge Eatery, the onsite restaurant that’s nestled among the trees and offers an elevated view over one of the coolest looking playgrounds I’ve ever seen. The menu consists of easy to eat items like hot dogs, sandwiches, beers, cocktails, and locally made soft drinks. This was where we grabbed lunch and relaxed a bit.
After lunch we met up with Loretta Cella, the owner of Breathworks Studio, who introduced us to a nature immersion session at different spots along the boardwalk. I will admit I’m a huge skeptic as far as practices like this go, but I am open-minded enough to try it. At each stop Loretta led us through some basic breathwork where we closed our eyes, controlled our breathing, and experienced the smells and sounds of the forest. With each breath and the surrounding forest sounds the stress of travelling all day slowly melted away.
Where To Stay In Squamish: The Executive Suites Hotel & Resorts
If you’re wondering where to stay in Squamish, they you’re in luck. While the community is small they are quite a number of comfortable places to rest and relax while there. Our homebase for our 24 hours in Squamish was the Executive Suites Hotel & Resorts, about 10 minutes away from downtown Squamish. Every room is a suite. Mine had a fully equipped kitchen, a separate living room, and a private balcony that provided mountain views. Having that extra room was perfect as I had the space to spread out my things and wind down before dinner.
Some of the amenities on the property include a gym, heated pool and a hot tub. The pool and hot tub are both open all year round. I’m not a winter person but I do enjoy being in a hot tub while fat snowflakes slowly float down. Let’s keep that between us because I need to protect my reputation of being someone who dislikes winter.
Free Bird Table & Bar is the on-site restaurant and the menu is made up of dishes from America’s southern states, think pulled pork, fried chicken, and stacked burgers. They’re open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner but our 24 hours in Squamish was meticulously planned so we didn’t get an opportunity to sample their fare. I was tempted to order some fried chicken to my room though.
Here are some other places to stay in Squamish. These are just for your reference as we did not stay in any of these so we can’t vouch for them:
- Sandman Hotel And Suites Squamish
- Howe Sound Inn & Brewing Company
- Squamish Adventure Inn
- Sea To Sky Hotel & Conference Centre
Waterfront Dinner at The Broken Seal
For dinner we headed over to The Broken Seal. The restaurant sits right on the water and offers up amazing views of “The Chief”, a massive granite monolith that’s visible from anywhere in Squamish. The area around the restaurant has a lot of development happening with newly constructed condo buildings and other local infrastructure all within walking distance. The Broken Seal itself is housed on the ground floor of a condo building. The space is bright with windows all around allowing light to flood the room. The decor is quite chic with colourful wallpaper and a couple of eye-catching neon signs.
The Broken Seal
Patio dining is available but we sat inside because the winds were picking up and the temperature was dropping.
The kitchen is run by Chef Jérémy Beaulieu who moved to Squamish from Quebec and brought his French-Canadian influence with him. His menu is built around sharing plates that highlight regional ingredients. You’ll find a solid mix of seafood dishes like a ceviche made with fresh prawns and a mahi-mahi tiradito. The vegetable dishes are showstoppers themselves with the beet tartare getting rave reviews from my group. I skipped this because I’m one of those weird people who dislikes beets.
Chef Jeremy Beaulieu from The Broken Seal
After chatting with the chef for a few minutes we learned that the most popular item on his menu is their tomato tartare. This dish is totally vegan but looks like a traditional beef tartare topped with an actual egg yolk. In Chef Beaulieu’s version, the ‘yolk’ is actually a tomato emulsion made to look like an actual yolk straight from a real chicken.
The bar changes their cocktail menu with the seasons. They often do twists on classics and offer an impressive lineup of zero-proof options. I tried their alcohol-free espresso “notini” and it was very close to the real thing. The Broken Seal is fun, loud, and unpretentious. It’s a place where they sit back and let their menu do all the talking for them, and those are the type of restaurants that I love.
Day 2: Wellness and Mountain Activities in Squamish
Breakfast and Movement at Fili Space
Our second day started off early as our hosts made sure we didn’t waste a single minute during our 24 hours in Squamish. We checked out of the hotel but left our luggage in storage as we headed to FILI Space, a 3-in-1 space made up of a coffee shop, a smoothie bar, and a yoga/fitness studio. I think this was the first time I used yoga and strength training to wake up instead of coffee. Not a fan!
Our teacher led us through a series of deep stretches and movements with weights. I felt good at the end of the class but the next day was another story as that morning I used muscles I didn’t even know I had.
Their menu for the coffee shop and smoothie bar isn’t huge and I liked that. They have a number of healthy options for their smoothies and guests can personalize them by adding some extra ingredients like fruit, protein powder, or nut butters. I chose their “Golden Hour” smoothie because it contained, among other ingredients, ginger, turmeric, and coconut milk, flavours that I grew up with and love.
Howe Sound Floating Sauna with Inflow Adventures
Our next activity was with InFlow Adventures over at the Squamish Marina for one of the most unique activities I’ve ever had on a wellness trip: A floating sauna. Getting there meant hopping aboard a zodiac for a 20-minute ride to the sauna out in Howe Sound, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
We couldn’t have asked for a better morning, the sun was out, it was warm and the water was calm. On the floating sauna we had access to a changing room, and blankets but we did have to bring our own towels. We spent the next few hours doing rounds between the sauna and the freezing ocean water. Look, I’m a Caribbean boy and voluntarily jumping into a freezing ocean goes against my DNA. I did stick my toe in the water but a few members of the group were brave enough to take the plunge into Howe Sound.
One of the reasons I chose this trip is because of the mountains and this didn’t disappoint. Imagine relaxing on a sun-filled deck and being surrounded by snow-capped mountains, it’s an unforgettable experience!
Lunch at House of Lager and Sp’akw’us Feather Park
It was hard leaving the floating sauna but in the end growling bellies won out, and we headed back for lunch at the House of Lager. As I mentioned before, there’s a lot of new development happening around Squamish, especially along the waterfront, and this brewery/restaurant is one of the few buildings in the area. It sits on the waterfront surrounded by the Sp’akw’us Feather Park.
At House of Lager they focus on lagers and serve a straightforward lunch menu that includes items like salads, sandwiches, and a nice variety of other dishes. I’m a sucker for brisket so I chose the brisket sandwich and Dutch fries cooked in beef tallow. This meal hit the spot after the morning we had.
The Welcome Gate in Sp’akw’us Feather Park
The Sp’akw’us Feather Park is an 11-acre oceanfront space that has transformed the peninsula to a large public gathering space. Visitors will find a large playground, public beaches, and Indigenous public art pieces like The Welcome Gate, a 40-foot fiberglass and steel sculpture created by James Harry that stands right at the water’s edge.
Summit Views at the Sea to Sky Gondola
No visit to Squamish is complete without a ride up the mountain in the Sea To Sky Gondola. The gondola takes guests up 885 metres above sea-level and provides spectacular views of Howe Sound, the sweeping coastal forests, and the surrounding snow-capped mountains.
One of the observation decks at the top of the Sea To Sky Gondola
At the top there are a couple of observation decks, a 100-metre long suspension bridge, a restaurant, hiking trails and access to trails to backcountry routes. The gondolas as well as the patio and observation deck are all wheelchair accessible and they even offer special pricing for guests and a support person.
If you’re an avid hiker then you need to head to Squamish as they have some of the best hiking around. Guests can take the gondola up the mountain to access a number of backcountry trails with varying levels of difficulty. Just make sure you know when the last gondola is heading back down so you’re not stuck up here overnight.
Frequently Asked Questions About Things To Do In Squamish
How far is Squamish from Vancouver and Whistler?
From Vancouver, Squamish is a 45-minute drive north on Highway 99, aka the Sea To Sky Highway. If you’re driving south from Whistler it’s around 45 minutes along the same highway.
What shoes should one wear for Squamish Canyon and the Sea to Sky Gondola?
Basic running shoes or sneakers will work for both. In Squamish Canyon you’re on raised wooden boardwalks while the trails at the Sea To Sky Gondola are flat gravel. Depending on the season it’s wise to always have a sweater or jacket on hand.
Do I need to book the Floating Sauna and Gondola in advance?
Yes. The boat for the ride into Howe Sound as well as the sauna itself both have strict capacity limits. Your chances of booking a sauna visit just by walking up is close to zero. For the gondola, you can get tickets on the day of your visit but it’s always safer to buy ahead of time. You also get tickets for a cheaper rate by buying online.
Can you get to Squamish using local transportation?
Yes. The Squamish Connector is a bus service that runs between Vancouver and Squamish. They also handle local rides between spots like Executive Suites, the marina, and downtown.
Conclusion
Spending 24 hours in Squamish on my first time in British Columbia was a high point for me. I got to experience rainforest walks, unique wellness activities, delicious food, great craft beer, and spectacular views. Best of all was meeting all the people who have made it their mission to show that Squamish has so much to offer to visitors, and from the amount of construction happening around the community, they’ve also convinced people that Squamish is the perfect place to call home. If you’re heading up the coast, don’t drive past. Stop and give the area the time it deserves by exploring all the things to do in Squamish.
