2008 Vancouver Official Visitors Guide - (Page 120) Beyond VancouVer (active fonts) 99 1 5 Sea to Sky Country and Whistler The 254-mile stretch of road links Vancouver’s sapphire inlets with the Coast Mountain range and beyond. Beginning at the sea, you’ll climb through old-growth rainforests before reaching Whistler, some 2,200 feet above sea level. Uninterrupted, the drive takes about two hours, but plan to spend at least a day exploring the abundant, fascinating sights and stops along the way. Sprawling vistas in Garibaldi Provincial Park provide excellent photo opportunities. Likewise, the West Coast Railway Heritage Park and the BC Museum of Mining afford pleasant breaks to stretch your legs while learning about the region’s history. Outdoor lovers should plan to spend a few hours getting to know the towns of Squamish and Pemberton. Nearby, you’ll find tons of trails to hike or bike, streams to fish and rocks to climb. The camping is good here too, if you have time to spare. Whistler may be the end of your journey, but that’s where the fun really begins; the year-round resort boasts myriad activities — from winter skiing and snowshoeing to summer horseback riding and mountain biking. With so much to take in, you might have to make Sea to Sky Country a repeat expedition. Sheer canyon walls and dramatic, cliff-hemmed mountains make Highway 99 — known as the Sea to Sky Highway — one of North America’s most magnificent byways. Photography (Clockwise from top left): Hiking near Whistler; Black Tusk in Garibaldi Provincial Park; Horseshoe Bay marina; Sea to Sky scenic viewpoint; Whistler cycling; rock climbing. ©TVan/Tourism Whistler, ©iStockphoto/Paul Morton, ©TVan/ John Sinal, ©Denise Chambers/Weaver, ©TVan/Tourism Whistler, ©Denise Chambers/Weaver 120 tourismvancouver.com http://tourismvancouver.com
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