Squamish: BC’s Outstanding Motorcycle Destination

Squamish: BC’s Outstanding Motorcycle Destination

Sea to Sky is the name of a very special stretch of the Highway #99, and it absolutely deserves the grand title… This route, just a 45 minute ride from both Vancouver, and Whistler includes the town of Squamish, the ultimate biking destination. Squamish is surrounded by mountains on three sides, and Howe Sound (the Pacific Ocean) on the fourth. If you’re looking for a picturesque ride through winding views of waterfalls, mountains, snatches of vast ocean, and BC rain forest, you absolutely can’t beat this route! In fact, if you’ve done Chucanut Drive in Washington, you need to chalk this one off your list as well! Since it includes the glaciers of the Tantalus Range, and Whistler Village.

Tantalus view, SquamishAugust Jack Motor Inn is an ideal place to stay, should you choose to organize a ride that passes through Squamish. August Jack is bordered by three parks, with motorcycle parking fully visible at all times. Quite a few of the ground floor units allow guests to sleep within a few meters of their babies (read: motorcycles,) making it very convenient to watch over them. Large sliding doors permit visibility and direct walk-out access to motorcycles and luggage. August Jack is located right on Cleveland Avenue, the main street in Squamish, and within walking distance of restaurants, bars, and shopping centers. The motel is also a few minutes’ walk from 2 lovely forested trails and Nexen Beach which includes the yacht harbour. August Jack is at the end of a quiet street, yet 2 – 3 minutes from the Highway. Rooms facing Cleveland Avenue provide outstanding views of the yacht harbour, The Chief (a towering granite mountain) and Shannon Falls.

The Sea to Sky Gondola is a breathtaking attraction that allows visitors to experience a birds-eye-view of the harbor, ocean, and magnificent mountainous surroundings. For the more dexterous visitors, there are hiking trails that lead up to the summit, where the Sea to Sky Gondola restaurant can be found. Season tickets can be bought online in advance, or arranged in person, and there are a number of Christmas, and winter programs, including sports and entertainment activities.

A short ride from August Jack Motor Inn, you will find Westcoast Railway Heritage Park. It is home to the largest collection of railway rolling stock in Western Canada, and the famous Royal Hudson steam locomotive. The park hosts regular seasonal events, and sports a 3 Km Miniature Railway.

There is also the award-winning Britannia Beach Mining Museum Heritage site. Less than a century ago, it served as the largest copper mining operation in the British empire. And today, the museum offers underground tours (including and underground train), mineral and geological tours, and gold panning activities.

Squamish is particularly active in the winter, when local businesses collaborate on seasonal events, fairs and festivals. The beauty of the region, and the genuine friendly, old-world-charm of the town cannot be matched. August Jack Motor Inn provides information and maps for visitors who want to experience all the sites. For bikers who want to plan their itinerary around a few breakfast runs, the local restaurants offer everything from buffet’s, to Full-English breakfast fair.

The Sea to Sky route was a main artery between Vancouver and Whistler during the 2010 Olympics, and for this reason, cell-phone, data, and Wi-Fi reception in the area are excellent… a rare treat in mountain and coast destinations.