by Alison H.

Member since:
March 23, 2007

The Sea to Sky Highway: Vancouver to Whistler, B.C., Canada

July 29, 2009 08:26 PM EDT (Updated: July 30, 2009 01:02 PM EDT)

views: 325 | rating: 10/10 (14 votes) | comments: 57

This highway is one of the most spectacular I have ever driven; it rivals Norway for scenic beauty... and here you'll see a little of Whistler, site of the 2010 Winter Olympics.

My sister and I met up in Vancouver for a week of fun together in May. You may have seen my previous photo essay of some Vancouver sights. After three days in the city, we drove up to Whistler, a ski resort and the site of the 2010 Winter Olympics. Since I was behind the wheel on the way to Whistler, I only took a few photos when we made stops; most are from the return trip to Vancouver, when my sister drove.

Norway--or British Columbia? Howe Sound and the Sunshine Coast

A scenic overlook along the highway

The Galileo Cafe in Britannia

Here we are in Whistler Village. Walking down into the village. Lots of shops and restaurants. There's a broad choice of eateries, and a large supermarket, too.

C'est moi

My sister poses outside an ice cream shop

Condos and flowers and my sis

A fantasy playground, all of wood

The Chateau Fairmont. It would have been fun to stay here. Rates are reasonable if you book in January for your May trip.

A scenic overlook on the return trip. Looking west, before reaching the sea...

An impressive rock face...

One of our first views of the sea on our way back. Facing west/northwest...

This so reminds me of the coast of Norway...

More Norway! A railway line that connects to Whistler runs along the water. The scenic, relaxing way to travel to Whistler.

There was a lot of road construction to maneuver on the highway. Can you imagine the volume of traffic that will be going back and forth between Vancouver and Whistler during the Winter Olympics?? The road ought to be in great shape by autumn...

Driving back past Britannia. This is the British Columbia Museum of Mining in Britannia. Copper used to be mined here.

Heading back to Vancouver....a stand of alder trees.

Thus concludes our trip from Vancouver to Whistler and back. I hope you enjoyed it!

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Tags: the sea to sky highway, vancouver to whistler, british columbia, canada, canada travel, bc travel, northwest travel, northwest, travel in the northwest, whistler bc, west coast friends, west coast view, howe sound, sunshine coast

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Comments: 57

ChrisJerri S. Jul 29, 2009, 8:36pm EDT

It looks very European to me. Part of it reminds me of when I visited Germany.

Alison H. Jul 29, 2009, 9:27pm EDT

Thanks for commenting, Jerri.

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ChrisJerri S. Jul 29, 2009, 8:37pm EDT

I love that playset! A beautiful functional piece of sculpture.

Alison H. Jul 29, 2009, 9:28pm EDT

It is a work of art!

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Krystal Harwell Jul 29, 2009, 8:41pm EDT

I remember going to Vancouver and then going to Whistler back in high school. It was very beautiful! But I wouldnt dare walk across the wooden bridge....

Alison H. Jul 29, 2009, 9:29pm EDT

Thanks for commenting, Krystal. Did you mean the wooden bridge on the playground equipment?

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Marianne M. Jul 29, 2009, 8:42pm EDT

Stunning scenery, Alison. Looks like you had a fun trip!

Alison H. Jul 29, 2009, 9:30pm EDT

Thanks for commenting, Marianne! It was spectacular; fun, too!

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Verie Sandborg Jul 29, 2009, 8:43pm EDT

The scenes are beautiful, the roads look pothole-free, and the town looks lovely and clean. Is the economy built around tourism and skiing? Did you stay overnight or did you just drive there for the day?

Alison H. Jul 29, 2009, 9:31pm EDT

Yes, Whistler is built around skiing and tourism. We had thought to stay there one night, but by the time we thought of it, it was too expensive

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Debby O. Jul 29, 2009, 9:00pm EDT

Awesome photos!

Alison H. Jul 29, 2009, 9:31pm EDT

Thank you, Debby!

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Mary M. Jul 29, 2009, 9:21pm EDT

Chef Gordon Ramsey is setting up his next Hell's Kitchen winner in a restaurant in Whistler.

Alison H. Jul 29, 2009, 9:31pm EDT

Is that a TV program? I am so out of it. Thanks for commenting, Mary.

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Tanya P. Jul 29, 2009, 9:29pm EDT

Beautiful country. I love that you and your sister enjoy each other so much.

Alison H. Jul 29, 2009, 9:32pm EDT

Thanks for commenting, Tanya. We do enjoy spending time together!

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David W. Jul 29, 2009, 10:06pm EDT

One terrific shot after another. It was a joy to browse your montage.

Alison H. Jul 30, 2009, 1:28am EDT

Thanks, David!

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Kushal Poddar Jul 29, 2009, 10:16pm EDT

Alison, the first part of these reminds me of Darjeeling. And then it is more beautiful...

http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977754784

painter’s block

Alison H. Jul 30, 2009, 1:35am EDT

Thanks so much, Kushal.

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Heidi S. Jul 29, 2009, 10:31pm EDT

Wonderful photos of what looks like a fantastic place to visit. Thanks for sharing!

Alison H. Jul 30, 2009, 1:36am EDT

Thanks for your comments, Heidi!

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Adrian Eve Revenaugh Jul 29, 2009, 10:36pm EDT

Alison,
You've whet my whistle for home. NORTH!
What a fine road trip and it is wonderful to see sisters who're friends.
Nicely done.

Alison H. Jul 30, 2009, 1:37am EDT

Thanks, Adrian. North is the way to go!

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Kathryn E. Jul 29, 2009, 10:44pm EDT

No wonder the Scandinavians love the PNW. really gorgeous. My husband is in Lahti, Finland right now for a track meet. I have been to Malmo and Copenhagen.

BC is gorgeous, I love Vancouver and Victoria very much, and the Gondola in the Banff area. The Canadian Rockies are so much better than most of the US Rockies, Tetons excepted.

Alison H. Jul 30, 2009, 1:33am EDT

Thanks for commenting, Kathryn. There seems to be no end to the spectacular scenery in B.C.!

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Kathryn E. Jul 29, 2009, 10:45pm EDT

Featured in the Triple Name Club.

Alison H. Jul 30, 2009, 1:34am EDT

Thanks for the feature!

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Karen E. Jul 30, 2009, 1:05am EDT

I can't believe we have been here so many years and never been to Whistler. It is beautiful indeed. I particularly like the rock face.

Alison H. Jul 30, 2009, 1:38am EDT

Who knew the area was so spectacular?? I have to go back.....

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Granny Janny H. Jul 30, 2009, 2:15am EDT

I hope to go there some day. Thanks for taking me along. i'll pass on the crowds and go when it's less crowded than the olympics.

Alison H. Jul 30, 2009, 12:22pm EDT

Thanks for commenting, Janny. May was a great time to go....

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Dusty Hubbard Jul 30, 2009, 8:56am EDT

It is so picturesque. I would love to visit there one day. Beautiful pictures!

Alison H. Jul 30, 2009, 12:23pm EDT

It is picturesque. Thanks for commenting, Dusty!

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Jennifer Lee Jul 30, 2009, 10:41am EDT

What is that building in the next to the last photo? It's in such a unique location. Loved your photo essay. The playground was beautiful as were the mountains and the sea. In some of the shots, it looked like a lake. I imagine that it is the same way in Norway though I've never been. Thank you, Alison.

Alison H. Jul 30, 2009, 1:04pm EDT

Oops! The caption for that photo was above it instead of below it...I went back to edit. It is the British Columbia Museum of Mining. Copper used to be mined there.

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Nana to Seven Cutiepies Jul 30, 2009, 12:51pm EDT

This is a beautiful place, the views are gorgeous and so are your photos. That play area is a wonderful work of art too. I bet the train ride along the water is a wonderful trip.

Thanks so much for sharing with my group.

Alison H. Jul 30, 2009, 1:05pm EDT

Thank you so much for your comments, Nana!

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JustMe ~I'm happy to be~ Jul 30, 2009, 2:20pm EDT

Thank you so much for sharing your journey with us........what an incredibly beautiful place.

Alison H. Jul 30, 2009, 7:21pm EDT

Thank you, JustMe

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lynn a. Jul 30, 2009, 3:22pm EDT

You've taken some very interesting photos, and the ones of the water are just absolutely beautiful to me with the cliffs and the trees. It is a stunningly beautiful area, and like someone else said, seems so clean. And just think, when the Olympics are there, we can see more footage of the area. Your essay will cause me to remember I want to look. Very nice work.

Alison H. Jul 30, 2009, 7:22pm EDT

Thanks so much, Lynn!

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Marge H. Jul 30, 2009, 4:21pm EDT

Breath taking scenery. Makes me want to go there. Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful photos.

Alison H. Jul 30, 2009, 7:22pm EDT

Thank you, Marge! It is truly a spectacular drive, mile after mile...

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Natalie Neal Whitefield Jul 30, 2009, 6:01pm EDT

One of our very favorite places! Thanks for taking us with you. We are featuring your adventure this week here at Home Comfort

Alison H. Jul 30, 2009, 7:23pm EDT

Thanks so much, Natalie!

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Joffrey Célibataires Jul 31, 2009, 4:45am EDT

Thank you for this article.
Really good photos.
I have nver been there but I would like to go !

Joffrey Célibataires

Alison H. Jul 31, 2009, 8:48am EDT

Thanks so much, Joffrey! I hope you get to go one day.

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Human, Katherine, seeker of intergalactic life, inhabitant of Earth Jul 31, 2009, 12:56pm EDT

I very much enjoyed going along...Awesome...beautiful scenery...Just breath taking...sigh...I haven't seen any rock faces or big mountains for way too long.
So did you all drive up and back in one day?

Alison H. Jul 31, 2009, 11:30pm EDT

Thanks, Katherine! Yes, we went all the way there and back in one day. It would have been nice to stay over and spend more time in the area...next time, I guess!

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Karen G. Aug 2, 2009, 10:38pm EDT

very beautiful

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Wilma M. Aug 3, 2009, 6:53am EDT

Gorgeous pictures, Alison. I was in Vancouver 3 wks ago but we didn't have enough time to go up to Whistler. Maybe after the Olympics are gone next year. It does look a lot like Norway.

Alison H. Aug 3, 2009, 9:25pm EDT

Yes, after the Olympics...book way ahead. It would be so worth it to stay there, but not at top prices.

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Curt L. Aug 5, 2009, 12:35pm EDT

What a glorious trip this looks to have been!
I admire you!
Exquisite photos!

Alison H. Aug 31, 2009, 12:20pm EDT

Oops, I forgot to get back to you, Curt. Thank you so much!

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Digital Diva S. Aug 31, 2009, 9:07am EDT

Wow the photos are breathtaking - what a great trip!

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Alison H. Aug 31, 2009, 12:20pm EDT

Thanks so much, Diva!

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