A lasting legacy from the Winter Olympics is the brand new Sea to Sky Highway, - a staggering road engineering triumph that fuses Vancouver with Whistler, serving up a feast of panoramic alpine scenery along the way, with jaw-dropping views across Howe Sound.
Squamish is located halfway between Vancouver and Whistler,
and is a picturesque pit-stop. Sandwiched between ocean, river and alpine forest, Squamish is an increasingly popular hot-spot for outdoor activities, particularly rock-climbing. Train buffs should check out the Railway Heritage Park, which is home to Western Canada's last steam train, the Rocky Hudson. A growing clutch of cafes and shops makes for a pleasant layover. The ski resort of Whistler has become a year-round tourist mecca. The alpine village is one of the world's most acclaimed ski destinations, and an increasing number of Kiwis are based there on working holidays during our summer months.
Whistler, 123km away from Vancouver, is a bustling weekend hang-out for city-slickers. The village is the quintessential Northern Hemisphere ski resort, spangled in fairy-lights, and replete with gabled roofs and timber-framed lodges.
Even in the summer months, Whistler is jam-packed with visitors, who will hike and bike on the alpine trails, wine and dine - or simply shop.
The village is studded with boutiques and designer stores, running the gamut from Cartier to Versace.
Be sure to try your hand at Whistler's answer to bungy-jumping; ziplining. Seventy metres above the forest floor, you step out into thin air, and slide down the cable your body harness is attached to. It is not for the faint-hearted - but exhilarating for the willing.
