Water and Trails at Alice Lake Provincial Park
There are four fresh water lakes in the park – Edith, Stump, Fawn and Alice – interconnected by the Four Lakes Trail. During the summer months, Alice Lake is a popular beach and family-friendly swimming area, with fishing, canoeing and stand-up paddleboarding, a picnic area and flat trail around the lake. There are hiking, horseback and mountain biking trails through dense forest, and excellent views of towering mountains. During the summer months canoe, kayak and standup paddleboard rentals are available.
The park is home to one of the most challenging and enjoyable trail networks on the West Coast, making it a favourite destination for mountain bikers. Alice Lake is a dog-friendly park. The 6km Four Lakes Trail takes you past all four lakes, under a canopy of tall Douglas fir and western red cedar. The DeBeck’s Hill Trail offers another 3 km loop option. DeBeck’s Hill is a more challenging hike, with a climb of 274 metres. The trailhead for DeBeck’s is located at the south beach parking lot. The summit of DeBeck’s Hill provides incredible views of the ice-capped Tantalus Range to the west and Mount Garibaldi to the east, and the valley below. Other trails include Mike’s Loop Trail, Jack’s Trail and Bob MacIntosh Memorial Trail.
Hiking, Fishing and Fishing at Brohm Lake
Brohm Lake Recreation Area is located off Hwy 99, 15 kilometres north of Downtown Squamish. The Lake Trail is a 3.6-kilometre loop around the 13 hectare lake, and there are five other trails in the 12 kilometre network. Most of the trail network is considered easy grade, but there are sections, leading to the higher rock bluffs, that involve some elevation hiking. From some of the viewpoints you can see the majestic Tantalus Mountain Range. The lake is a popular for swimming, fishing and paddling. The lake has plenty of rock outcroppings and cliffs, and even a few rope swings. There’s parking and a picnic area, but these can fill up quickly during the summer months.
The Brohm Lake Interpretive Forest was established in 1974, providing an opportunity to learn about forests, forest management practices, the area’s ecology and local cultural history. Experienced mountain bikers and hikers can venture deeper into the network of trails, connecting with Cat Lake, Alice Lake and Garibaldi Highlands hiking and biking trails.
Introduction to Flight Experience
Sea to Sky Air provides an opportunity to spread your wings in BC’s Coast Mountains, in an exhilarating grab-the-wheel co-pilot experience. Your family will learn the ABCs of aviation in a detailed ground briefing, and then get in the driver’s seat to practice the basic maneuvers of flight with one of Sea to Sky Air’s seasoned mountain pilots. If you’ve watched the eagles soar over Howe Sound, or looked up at the peaks of Mount Habrich and Skypilot, you can enjoy an unforgettable birds-eye-view from a plane. Flights are an hour long and cover an area 150+ square kilometers. It’s the perfect opportunity to tick learning how to fly a plane off your bucket list.
Horseback Riding on a Squamish Ranch
Located on the banks of the Cheakamus River, Cheekye Ranch encompasses more than sixty acres of coastal forest, and offers spectacular views of the river and surrounding Tantalus mountain range. Trail rides are available, with knowledgable guides. Dressage, jumping and horsemanship lessons are also an option, from Cheekye’s team of qualified instructors.
Cheekye Ranch also has two birthday packages to choose from: the 2 hour “Birthday Party Package” and 4 hour “Birthday Party & Pony Ride”. Both packages include a tour of the ranch, an introduction and time with the horses, and a a mini grooming/horsemanship lesson, followed by snacks and cake.
Just feet from the Cheakamus River, tucked into the forest, Cheekye Ranch’s yurts provide the perfect wilderness getaway, with horseback riding, leisurely strolls along the dyke and designated fire pits on the riverbank. The 24′ glamping yurts have running water and electricity, with a woods feel. Each yurt has a queen size bed, a sleeping loft with two twin beds and a hide-a-bed, sleeping up to 6 people. There’s a living room area, kitchen, BBQ on the deck for cooking and a full bathroom.
Elevated Adventure at the Rope Runner Aerial Adventure Park
Enjoy spectacular views and outdoor adventure on this safe, supervised rope course. A full body harness and CLiC-iT Safety System are provided, with instructions and a demonstration. Visitors are continuously attached to the safety cable at all times. There are 50 elements of varying difficulties, with no set course. Guests can explore the park at their own pace and comfort level. The minimum child height is 49″ (125cm). Closed toe shoes must be worn. Anyone under 19 years of age must have a consenting parent or legal guardian sign a release of liability waiver.
The park is popular with families, birthday parties, team building activities, or something unique to do for bachelor or bachelorette parties. For birthday parties, Rope Runner offers a safe outdoor adventure. Enjoy up to 2 hours on the rope course. A covered reserved party area is included for the duration of your session.
Ride the Sea to Sky Gondola
The ride up to the summit usually provides spectacular views of Howe Sound, Shannon Falls, the lush coastal forest, the Stawamus Chief climbing area and other surrounding mountains. At the top there are two different interpretive loop walking trails featuring cantilevered viewing platforms. Other attractions include the Sky Pilot Suspension Bridge and numerous hiking trails. Over 100 events are hosted at the summit each year. We hope to have good news about the gondola’s reopening in the near future.
The Basecamp Cafe is open, and is serving hot coffee, sandwiches and soups. The Sea to Sky Gondola Gift Shop offers a selection of outerwear, customs prints, gift items, and many items.
Due to an act of vandalism on September 14th, 2020, the gondola is currently closed.
Experience Squamish’s New Disney-like attraction BOOM! at the Britannia Mine Museum
Britannia Mine Museum offers an immersive historical experience. The 10-acre site includes guided underground tours and self-led exploration of the social history of Britannia Beach. The underground train takes you into an early haulage tunnel, to discover what it was like to be a copper miner, with demonstrations of actual working drills. The museum’s new Disney-like attraction BOOM! will introduce your family to the story, sights and sounds behind the architectural marvel, Mill No. 3. You’ll discover first-hand the historic Mill’s purpose, the giant machines that made it work, and the thunderous roar of a working mill.
Other attractions include a mineral gallery, gold panning pavilion, foundations exhibit, giant haul truck, the Beaty Lundin Visitor Centre, heritage building, the award-winning “Groundbreaking” film, historical buildings and artefacts and a gift shop.
Get Up Close and Personal with Historic Locomotives at West Coast Railway Heritage Park
Enjoy a ride on the Canadian Pacific F unit #4069 big train, mini-rail train and a track speeder. The mini-rail ride covers over 2km of track in 20 minutes. It departs from Silver Fox or Twin Cedars, the route makes it’s way to Wilkie Station and the seasonal Garden Railroad, and then all the way around to Mason Station.
Climb aboard the locomotives and get an engineers’ view from the cab. The crown jewel of the museum’s collection is the 2860, one of 65 ‘Hudson’ type 4-6-4 steam locomotives built for the CPR. The Canadian Pacific Railway Royal Hudson 2860 was finished in June, 1940. Other features include the Canadian Pacific 4069 passenger locomotive and vintage CP passenger cars, Pacific Great Eastern 561 freight locomotive, Pullman Spirit observation car, BC Rail Budd diesel rail car BC-21, Canadian National 6520 FP9A diesel passenger locomotive, Canadian Pacific 6503 S3 switcher, the new Henry Pickering open observation car, CPR No. 8 Alberta business car and Pacific Great Eastern 2-6-2ST steam locomotive.
There are food services and a picnic area. Open every Saturday, all summer.