Sea to Sky and Peak to Peak

Storms have been rolling through Vancouver during the past week, so I thought I’d share two recent local adventures before fall turns to winter.

The Sea to Sky and Peak to Peak experiences sweep you up, down and all around the mountains between Squamish and Whistler, B.C. Both outings take you right into the wilderness within one to two hours of the city.

Sea to Sky :: Squamish, BC

Sea to Sky :: Squamish, BC

Sea to Sky :: Squamish, BC

Sea to Sky :: Squamish, BC

Sea to Sky :: Squamish, BC

Sea to Sky :: Squamish, BC

The Sea to Sky Gondola lifts off from Basecamp (at sea level) to the Summit Lodge (885 meters) in about ten minutes. I made the trip on a dreary day, but the views from the top were still vast and breathtaking — especially from the suspension bridge. If you’re really up for a challenge, you can bypass the gondola and go by foot from the parking lot to the Summit Lodge. Three viewing platforms are within easy walking distance from the lodge and a trail network leads to the surrounding mountains beyond.

Peak to Peak :: Whistler, BC

Peak to Peak :: Whistler, BC

Peak to Peak :: Whistler, BC

Peak to Peak :: Whistler, BC

Peak to Peak :: Whistler, BC

Peak to Peak :: Whistler, BC

Just up the highway from the Sea to Sky Gondola, the Peak to Peak Experience takes you from Whistler Village to the Top of the World Summit, across the valley to Blackcomb on the Peak to Peak Gondola and back down to the village on two final chairlifts. I made this journey on a much sunnier day and it was an absolute blast to see the resort in a season other than winter, without my ski goggles. Getting to the Top of the World Summit is a precarious ride past cliff faces and up steep slopes still covered in ice from last season. But the view from the top is spectacular.

Top of the World Summit :: Whistler, BC

Inuksuk at Top of the World Summit :: Whistler, BC

A small Inuksuk (20 cm) and the Black Tusk

Top of the World Summit :: Whistler, BC

Top of the World Summit :: Whistler, BC

Then the fun really begins — going back down on the Peak Express chairlift. Not for the faint of heart or fearful of heights!

Peak Express downhill

Peak Express downhill

At the bottom of the Peak Express, transfer to the Peak to Peak Gondola — a massive operation that takes you all the way across the valley between Whistler and Blackcomb.

Peak to Peak Gondola :: Whistler, BC

Peak to Peak Gondola :: Whistler, BC

I looked for bears in the riverbed below. According to a guide who was riding in our gondola, they are often visible — about 60 bears live around Whistler/Blackcomb. I didn’t see any of them but the bird’s eye view of the river through the trees was unexpectedly cool.

Straight down on the Peak to Peak

Straight down on the Peak to Peak

After a pit-stop at the Rendezvous for a glass of wine with my hiking buddy, it was time to descend back to the village, above grassy slopes and wildflowers.

On a sunny summer day, the Peak to Peak is a fantastic mountain adventure. With a day pass, you can ride the lifts either direction, as many times as you want. But you’ll have to wait until next year … the Peak to Peak experience is closed for the season and the snow has arrived!

Peak to Peak descent :: Whistler, BC

Peak to Peak descent :: Whistler, BC

Peak to Peak descent :: Whistler, BC