From Vancouver: Full-Day Whistler Tour

About This Experience

Landsea Tours runs this 10.5-hour guided day from Vancouver to Whistler along the Sea-to-Sky Highway, past 7,000-foot peaks, the granite face of the Stawamus Chief and the fjord of Howe Sound. A local guide covers the history of the region on the way. Pickup is from the Sandman Hotel Vancouver Downtown at 8:00 am, or from one of 81 listed hotels downtown and near the airport if you call ahead to arrange it.

The listing's itinerary includes sightseeing as you cross the Lions Gate Bridge (about 15 minutes), a Howe Sound viewpoint (about 13 minutes) and a stop of about 15 minutes at the Stawamus Chief, the 700 m granite dome at the southern edge of Squamish. The rest of the Squamish section changes with the season, so the date you book decides whether your day includes Shannon Falls or Squamish Canyon.

In summer (April to 12 October) the description adds Shannon Falls and a ride on the Sea to Sky Gondola with the Sky Pilot Suspension Bridge. From 26 October to 31 March the winter version visits Squamish Canyon and Mamquam Falls instead. The inclusions list names only transport, pickup and the guide, with no gondola or canyon ticket, so confirm with the operator what your date covers before you rely on either.

Both versions end with about 3 hours of free time in Whistler Village to browse the shops, sit in a café or take a short hike on the forest trails nearby. Food and drinks are extra, so plan on buying lunch in the village. On the way home the tour heads back down the Sea-to-Sky Highway to your drop-off, and on public holidays the return traffic from Whistler can add time to the day.

Highlights

• Photo stop of about 15 minutes at the Stawamus Chief granite dome
• Howe Sound fjord viewpoint and a crossing of the Lions Gate Bridge
• Summer route with Shannon Falls and the Sea to Sky Gondola area
• Winter route with Squamish Canyon and Mamquam Falls
• Shops, cafés and forest trails in Whistler Village

What's Included

• ✓ Hotel pickup and drop-off (arranged by phone in advance)
• ✓ Round-trip transportation from Vancouver
• ✓ Local tour guide
• ✓ About 3 hours of free time in Whistler Village
• ✓ Pickup options at 81 hotels downtown and near Vancouver Airport

Not Included

• Food and drinks
• Gratuities
• Sea to Sky Gondola or Squamish Canyon tickets (not listed as included; confirm with the operator)

What to Bring

• Comfortable shoes
• Jacket
• Money for lunch and tips
• Warm layers and waterproof boots in winter

Good to Know & Caveats

• Be ready for pickup at the Sandman Hotel Vancouver Downtown at 8:00 am. Pickup from other listed hotels only happens if you phone ahead to schedule it.
• The listing runs year-round: a summer route to 12 October 2026 and a winter route via Squamish Canyon and Mamquam Falls from 26 October 2026 to 31 March 2027. Christmas Day and New Year's Day are not bookable.
• The winter route does not use the Sea to Sky Gondola, so the gondola's 9–26 November 2026 maintenance closure does not change it.
• No gondola ticket appears in the inclusions list in any season; confirm with the operator before booking if the gondola matters to you.
• Traffic on the return from Whistler can be heavy on public holidays.
• Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Meeting Point

Default pickup is at the Sandman Hotel Vancouver Downtown at 8:00 am. Pickup and drop-off at 81 other listed hotels downtown and near Vancouver Airport are available only if you call the operator ahead to schedule it.