Issues to Do in Squamish With Children

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Climate you might be in search of a neighborhood getaway, day journey or planning travels to BC, Squamish affords a lot for households. Situated alongside the Sea to Sky freeway, simply an hour from Vancouver, Squamish sits on Howe Sound with the majestic monolith, “The Chief” rising above the city.

Whereas it would not obtain as many guests as its huge brother down the freeway (Whistler), it is extra average local weather, proximity to Vancouver and plethora of out of doors actions, make it an incredible place to go to with children. In case you are headed to Whistler, be sure you take a look at our Whistler with children information.

Listed here are 8 nice issues to do in Squamish with children. We’ve got included a mix of out of doors actions, studying alternatives and naturally some yummy meals ideas.

Sea to Sky Gondola

The Squamish Sea to Sky Gondola affords epic views of Howe Sound, the coastal forest and naturally, the mountains. As soon as on the prime you may take pleasure in family-friendly climbing, a enjoyable suspension bridge, restaurant and instagram-worthy lookouts. There’s additionally an incredible playground on the prime that the children will love.

Littles will just like the 400 m Alpine Valley path which scavenger hunt playing cards. The 1.3 km Panorama Path results in an awe-inspiring lookout bridge and the 400 m Spirit Path takes you thru a cultural journey of the First Nations folks.

Household tickets price $121 (2 adults, 2 children 6-18 years previous, 5 and underneath are free). The gondola operates day by day 9-5. This was one among our favourite issues to do in Squamish with children (or with out!)

Sadly, this gondola was severely vandalized in 2019 and 2020, nonetheless, the attraction re-opened June 2021 and is among the finest issues to do in Squamish with children.

Britannia Mine Museum

If in case you have spent any time on the Sea to Sky freeway, you’ve in all probability puzzled concerning the huge white constructing hooked up to the cliffs, simply earlier than Squamish. For over 70 years, this was the location of the Britannia copper mine (the biggest within the British Empire) and whereas the mine, now not operates, it’s now a Museum and Nationwide Historic Website.

The Britannia Mine Museum is basically spectacular and our youngsters liked all the interactive actions. There are quite a few buildings you can discover to study extra concerning the geography, setting, mining and mining life. For many of the mines’ life, it operated as an organization city solely accessible by water from Howe Sound. My teenage daughter actually favored seeing all of the festivities, recreation actions of the group.

Nevertheless, the actual pleasure for the children was the prepare tour into the mine with an exquisite tour information. The entire household will get to don onerous hats to your journey underground and study how the miners labored. The tour finishes with a go to to the Mill, the multi-story constructing you see from the freeway. The youngsters liked “BOOM”, a light-weight and sound present and likewise favored listening to concerning the films which were made right here.

One other big spotlight for the children was panning for gems. The youngsters are taught tips on how to use a pan to shift via the sand, the place they’ll discover quite a lot of minerals and stones, that they will take dwelling. I needed to tare the children away from this space!

We have been actually impressed with this museum and are so glad we visited. Entrance is $135/household (2 adults, 3 youngsters), $36.95/grownup, $19.95/little one 5-12, $28.95/youth 13-17, children underneath 5 are free. It’s best to guide your admission time on-line prematurely as walk-ups can’t all the time be accommodated. The museum is open day by day 9-5. Plan to spend 1.5-2 hours+ there.

Get Biking

Squamish is a biking mecca and there are all kinds of trails appropriate for households of all skills. Deliver your bikes or hire bikes from one of many bike shops and spend a couple of hours exploring Squamish’s huge path community.

Youthful children and freshmen will benefit from the inexperienced Wonderland path which winds via lush rainforest. The SORCA mountain bike abilities park situated at Brennan Park is a good place for teenagers to apply on the pump monitor, jumps and technical options.

For these with older or extra skilled riders within the household, the Diamond Head and Alice Lake path networks provide a plethora of trails. Our youngsters love the quick and flowy traditional – Half Nelson – a machine construct blue path at Diamond Head. The climb is a problem for them (9 and 11), however doable. Psudo-Tsuga is one other flowy path that was successful with the entire household.

For close by Alice Lake trails, park at Garibaldi Highlands College (solely after 4:30pm and on weekends throughout the faculty yr) and climb Mashiter. Depart of Absence, Of Mice and Males, 50 Shades of Inexperienced are all nice blue trails. Trailforks has all the small print on the paths, routes and entry and parking.

Alice Lake Seaside & Swimming

Alice Lake is the right place to go to on a sizzling summer time day. Children will love the sandy seashore, comfy temperature for swimming and floaties and docks for SUPing, canoeing or kayaking. The park is free to go to; park within the Day Use parking zone (fills rapidly on sizzling weekends). The Park is situated a 5 min drive previous Squamish.

Go to Porteau Cove Provincial Park

This attractive, small Provincial Park is situated proper on Howe Sound and affords waterfront campsites which are extremely widespread. Nevertheless, there’s additionally a Day Use space, excellent for a picnic and nice swimming on the pebbly seashore. Children will even take pleasure in trying out all the marine life on the seashore, particularly at low tide. Our youngsters spent hours strolling alongside the logs on the seashore (approach higher than any playground!). Porteau Cove is about 10 minutes earlier than Squamish on the Sea to Sky freeway.

Hike “The Chief”

This huge monolith towers over Squamish from all angles and is a favourite for rock climbers. If your loved ones is up for the problem, the views are spectacular of Howe Sound and the encompassing mountains vary. I would not try this hike with children underneath 6 as a result of it’s a ton of stairs and fairly the grind. Mountaineering to the First Peak is barely 4 km spherical journey, however plan 2-3 hours as a result of steepness. The hike begins instantly with infinite staircases going up, up, up. The higher sections are on rocks and the final part requires a ladder and chain rope. When you get to the highest and people panoramic views, watch the children as a result of there are steep cliffs, however do not let that discourage you from this traditional Squamish hike.

It is a highly regarded hike and free reservations are required for the summer time months. “As of June 23, 2021, free day-use passes will probably be required to go to Stawamus Chief Provincial Park – Chief Peaks/Bottom Path. Reserve your free day-use move at Uncover Tenting. Passes can be found to guide beginning at 7am, at some point prematurely of your deliberate go to.” – Parks Canada