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Major city · Canada

Squamish

Stay 1–2 nights if you climb, ride or hike; otherwise pass through on Highway 99 and give Shannon Falls and the Chief a half day.

Not yet checkedSourcesWhat these labels mean

Squamish sits on Highway 99, 60 km north of Vancouver and 55 km south of Whistler, at the head of Howe Sound. It is a working town of about 20,000 that turned into Canada's outdoor-recreation hub: granite climbing on the Stawamus Chief, mountain-bike trails, rafting on the Squamish and Elaho rivers, and wintering bald eagles. A car makes it easy; buses run through to both ends of the corridor.

basic guide: no trip line yet
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
More ways in
Print / PDF guide
Local time, weather, currency, airports
Weather
see forecast
Currency
CAD
Best months
May–Sep for dry trails and reliable winds; Dec–Feb for bald eagles
avoid Oct–Apr for rain (over 2,200 mm a year, mostly in long winter stretches)
Airports
YVR · YSE
Nights
1–2
Rules in force · 6Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
  • North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
  • North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
  • North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
  • Canada ↗Visa-exempt travellers flying to or through Canada usually need an eTA; check your passport on the official Government of Canada site (canada.ca) and apply only there.
  • Canada ↗A Parks Canada pass is needed to stop in national parks such as Banff and Jasper; some spots (for example Moraine Lake) are reached only by shuttle or tour, so book ahead.
  • Canada ↗Keep well away from bears, elk and moose; carry bear spray on Rockies trails and follow trail closures.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾

Not in this guide yet

  • Walking areas with bag rules
  • Day plans checked against opening hours
  • Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
  • Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Squamish911 ▾
  • Police, fire, ambulance911

Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.

EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about Squamish, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Show all 12 answers

Cost cheat-sheet

2026 desk estimate · check

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

  • Coffee$3–6 (≈ US$3–5)
  • BeerBrewpub draught beer$7–9 (≈ US$6–7)
  • Museum or sight ticketBritannia Mine Museum adult admissioncheck$41.95 (≈ US$35)
  • Budget bedHostel or campground bed, a night, per personC$45 (≈ US$35)
  • Mid-range bedMotel or inn double room, a night, per roomC$190 (≈ US$140)
  • High-end bedMotel or inn double room, a night, per roomC$320 (≈ US$250)

A day, not counting the bed: Budget C$90 (≈ US$70) · Mid C$170 (≈ US$130) · High C$300 (≈ US$250)

Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →

DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Stawamus Chief granite climbingSea to Sky GondolaShannon FallsMountain biking and raftingWinter bald eagles
Airports
YVR Vancouver International (YVR Skylynx bus to Squamish, about 2 h; driving is about 1 h 15 min) · YSE Squamish Airport (Private and charter aircraft only)

Best months at a glance

From the guide's best and avoid lists

  1. Jan

    Care

    4°C (39°F)

  2. Feb

    Care

    6°C (43°F)

  3. Mar

    Avoid

    9°C (48°F)

  4. Apr

    Avoid

    13°C (55°F)

  5. May

    Best

    17°C (63°F)

  6. Jun

    Best

    20°C (68°F)

  7. Jul

    Best

    23°C (73°F)

  8. Aug

    Best

    23°C (73°F)

  9. Sep

    Best

    19°C (66°F)

  10. Oct

    Avoid

    13°C (55°F)

  11. Nov

    Avoid

    7°C (45°F)

  12. Dec

    Care

    4°C (39°F)

Best: May–Sep. Mixed: Dec–Feb. Avoid: Mar–Apr, Oct–Nov. Month by month →

Warmest Jul (23°C (73°F)), coolest Jan (−1°C (30°F) low), wettest Nov (20 rain days), driest Jul (9). Averages, not a forecast.

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Squamish: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

4°C (39°F)

−1°C (30°F)

19 rd

Feb

6°C (43°F)

0°C (32°F)

16 rd

Mar

9°C (48°F)

2°C (36°F)

18 rd

Apr

13°C (55°F)

4°C (39°F)

16 rd

May

17°C (63°F)

7°C (45°F)

15 rd

Jun

20°C (68°F)

10°C (50°F)

13 rd

Jul

23°C (73°F)

12°C (54°F)

9 rd

Aug

23°C (73°F)

12°C (54°F)

9 rd

Sep

19°C (66°F)

9°C (48°F)

11 rd

Oct

13°C (55°F)

6°C (43°F)

17 rd

Nov

7°C (45°F)

2°C (36°F)

20 rd

Dec

4°C (39°F)

−1°C (30°F)

20 rd

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

The town sprawls, so a car is the practical choice. BC Transit's Squamish Transit System runs several routes daily, and Squamish Taxi covers short hops. Highway 99 links everything; trailheads and the gondola base have parking.

See & doDay-trips, door to door

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time

Britannia Beach and the Britannia Mine Museum

go

Door to door: About 30 min

Drive Highway 99 south about 10 min

Underground and mill tour runs about 75 min; book ahead in summer.

Whistler

go

Door to door: About 1 h

Drive Highway 99 north, or YVR Skylynx bus

Easy add-on; sleep there if you want the village at night.

Pemberton

overnight

Door to door: About 1 h 30 min

Drive Highway 99 north past Whistler

Better as a night or two than a return day.

Garibaldi Provincial Park

go

Door to door: About 1 h to trailhead

Drive to the Rubble Creek or Diamond Head trailheads, then hike

Full-day alpine hike; check trail and snow conditions first.

Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

Downtown / Cleveland Avenue

Walk to pubs, cafés and shops; motels and the brewpub inn are here.

Garibaldi Highlands / Tantalus Way

Quieter, closer to Alice Lake and the golf course; needs a car.

Squamish Valley Road

Rural cabins and campgrounds north of town; 15–20 min drive to services.

PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
$90–150 (≈ US$70–110) excl. bed
Mid
$150–260 (≈ US$110–190) excl. bed
High
$260 (≈ US$190)+ excl. bed

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
Motel or inn double room1 × 2 nights × C$190C$380
Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × C$170C$680
YVR Skylynx, airport to Squamish, one way2 × C$60 · checkC$120
Sea to Sky Gondola adult day ticket2 × C$48 · check; online booking is cheaperC$96
eSIM, about a week of data2 × C$25C$50
Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurgeC$133
Trip total≈ C$365 per person per day, bed includedC$1,459≈ US$1,100

2026 estimate in Canadian dollars; prices are shown before sales tax. Flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.

Prices of common things

Coffee$3–6 (≈ US$3–5)
Pub main (burger, pizza)$18–28 (≈ US$14–25)
Brewpub draught beer$7–9 (≈ US$6–7)
Bunch or brunch plate$16–22 (≈ US$12–16)
Canoe or paddleboard rental, first hourcheck$28 (≈ US$25)
3-hour group sailing tripcheck$99–139 (≈ US$75–110)
Britannia Mine Museum adult admissioncheck$41.95 (≈ US$35)

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

Squamish is a small, low-crime town; the real risks are weather, steep trails and wildlife. Tell someone your route, carry layers and bear spray, and check BC Parks advisories before you go.
  • Rain is the default from October to April: bring a shell, not an umbrella.
  • The Chief hike is steep and rocky with chains and ladders near the top; wear grippy shoes and start early.
  • Bear and cougar country: carry bear spray on backcountry trails, make noise, store food in the car boot, not the cabin.
  • Cell coverage drops in the Squamish Valley and on backcountry routes.

Emergency numbers

Police, fire, ambulance
911

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

Fill in, then print or save as PDF

Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

SquamishSquamish

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

To this address, pleaseTo this address, please

Emergency

  • Police, fire, ambulance911

Embassy

No embassies in Squamish; most are in Ottawa, with consulates in Vancouver. US citizens: US Consulate General, Vancouver.

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • YVR Skylynx, airport → Squamish: about $60 (≈ US$45), about 2 h (check)
  • YVR Skylynx, downtown Vancouver → Squamish: about $40 (≈ US$30), about 1 h (check)
  • Sea to Sky Gondola adult day ticket: $48 (≈ US$35), cheaper booked online (check)

Say or show

  • Thank you — Thank you
  • Sorry — Sorry / Excuse me
  • Where is the trailhead? — Where is the trailhead?
  • Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
  • Where is the toilet? — Where is the toilet?
  • Is it far on foot? — Is it far on foot?

Tipping is expected: 15–20% at restaurants and bars, 10–15% for taxis.

Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Squamish. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: May–Sep for dry trails and reliable winds; Dec–Feb for bald eagles · avoid Oct–Apr for rain (over 2,200 mm a year, mostly in long winter stretches) · month by month →
  2. 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 4 day-trips, door to door
  6. 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. Airport-to-bed contract for YVR: last Skylynx departure, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
  2. Four walking and driving clusters with rescue anchors: downtown Cleveland Ave, the gondola and Shannon Falls, the Chief and Alice Lake, Squamish Valley.
  3. Place pages with verified cutoffs (Sea to Sky Gondola, Shannon Falls, Britannia Mine Museum, Railway Museum) and eat pages with last orders.
  4. Wet-weather and hostile-arrival fixtures so gates A–D can go green.

Meanwhile

Back to Canada

Sources