From Vancouver: Whistler, Sea to Sky Gondola & Shannon Falls

About This Experience

This full-day coach trip runs north from downtown Vancouver along the Sea-to-Sky Highway (Highway 99) with a driver and guide who narrate the route. The day combines the three things most first-time visitors want from the corridor: a ride up the Sea to Sky Gondola in Squamish, a stop at Shannon Falls and free time in Whistler Village. Pickup and drop-off are at 16 downtown hotels, and the whole loop takes about 10 hours.

In Squamish the gondola climbs for about 10 minutes to Habrich Ridge, 885 m above Howe Sound. The listing gives you about 90 minutes at the top, enough to cross the Sky Pilot Suspension Bridge (about 100 m long), walk out to a viewing platform and look over the mountains, coastal rainforest and inlets of Howe Sound. Your gondola ticket is part of the price.

The drive continues past the town of Squamish and the Tantalus Glacier to Whistler, where the time is yours. You can browse the shops and cafés of the pedestrian village, walk to the base of the Whistler Blackcomb ski resort or head out on one of the hiking trails nearby. If you want a route, a free self-guided walking tour on the AudioMe app takes you past scenic viewpoints, the village highlights and the history of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

The coach also makes a photo stop of about 20 minutes at Shannon Falls, which drops 335 m and is BC's third-highest waterfall. Meals are not included, so plan on lunch at the gondola's summit lodge or in the village. The tour runs through the year; on 9–26 November 2026, while the gondola is closed, it becomes an 8-hour day with eagle viewing along the Squamish River in place of the ride.

Highlights

• About 90 minutes on Habrich Ridge after the 10-minute gondola ride
• Sky Pilot Suspension Bridge and viewing platforms over Howe Sound
• Photo stop of about 20 minutes at 335 m Shannon Falls
• Free time in Whistler Village for shops, cafés and trails
• Views of the Tantalus Glacier and Howe Sound from Highway 99

What's Included

• ✓ Sea to Sky Gondola ticket (not during the 9–26 November 2026 closure)
• ✓ Driver and guide for the whole day
• ✓ Hotel pickup and drop-off at 16 downtown Vancouver hotels
• ✓ Coach transport along the Sea-to-Sky Highway
• ✓ Self-guided Whistler Village walking tour on the AudioMe app

Not Included

• Meals
• Gratuities
• Luggage transfer to your hotel

What to Bring

• Comfortable walking shoes for the summit trails
• A warm layer and a rain jacket for the ridge at 885 m
• Money for lunch and tips
• A phone with the AudioMe app downloaded for the village walk

Good to Know & Caveats

• The tour takes about 10 hours; from 9 to 26 November 2026, while the gondola is closed, it runs about 8 hours.
• The Sea to Sky Gondola closes for annual maintenance 9–26 November 2026 and reopens 27 November. On those dates this tour runs about 8 hours on a modified route with eagle viewing along the Squamish River, and gondola admission is not included.
• The tour runs year-round, with departures bookable on almost every date except 25 December.
• Be on time: late guests may not be able to join and are not refunded.
• You can activate your ticket in the Big Bus app or in person with Big Bus staff.
• Luggage transfer to hotels is not available, so this is not a way to move to Whistler with bags.
• Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Meeting Point

Hotel pickup is included from 16 downtown Vancouver hotels, including Fairmont Pacific Rim, Canada Place, The Westin Bayshore and Hilton Vancouver Downtown. Drop-off is at the same hotels.