Canada's Outdoor Recreation Capital: Here’s the evidence…

 

Wildlife watching & fishing 

There is a little bit of Eden here, a rarity in today’s world. We share our region with: hummingbirds, coyotes, black bears, mountain goats, mule deer, lynx, seals, otters, and more.  The Brackendale area of Squamish is renowned for its Bald Eagles. They come for returning salmon every winter and stay for two months, and can reach thousands in numbers.   You live in a different place when seeing a bald eagle or a deer on your walk or ride is a regular, not a special occasion.   [more on Squamish Wildlife]

 

Anglers come from all over to catch our salmon, cutthroat, dolly varden, steelhead. Ocean fishing excursions bring back lingcod, salmon, crab and other local delicacies.  [more on Squamish Fishing]

 

There are seven provincial parks within 25 minutes of Squamish. Each has its own character, offering wildlife, waterfalls, picnicking, camping, beaches, fishing, or wilderness trekking.  [more on Squamish Parks]

 

Calm, flat trails found through town and in the nearby forests, alpine meadows to be reached by sturdy hikes up the ridges to nearby Lake Garibaldi, and oceanfront estuary trails that are excellent for bird watching and seeing seals hunt for fish at the mouth of the Squamish River.  [more on Squamish Hiking]

 

Lovers of golf have two courses near the town, the public Squamish Valley and Furry Creek just down the road.  There are many more within a short driving distance and still others proposed for the region [more on Squamish Golf]. 

 

Surrounded by Howe Sound, large rivers and lakes, residents and visitors to Squamish go kayaking, boating, canoeing, and white water rafting. And then there is sailing, the Squamish Yacht Club hosts an annual regatta, bringing in competitors from across Canada and the U.S.  [ more on Squamish Rafting]  [more on Squamish sailing] [more on Squamish kayaking]  

 

In the local native language, Squamish translates as “Mother of the Winds.” Fresh Pacific breezes have turned the Squamish River Estuary into a the place to be for windsurfing and kite surfing enthusiasts from all over the world. When British billionaire Richard Branson wanted to launch his Virgin phone network with a parasailing publicity stunt, he came here.   [more on Squamish wind surfing & kite surfing]

 

There are hundreds of kilometres of riding trails for every skill level. The town hosts mountain biking meets and one major international event every June, The Test of Metal, a gruelling epic where 800 competitors race 67 km and climb 1,200 metres along old-growth forest trails.  [more on Squamish mountain biking]

 

The Chief is well known to rock climbers. There are other climbing opportunities including bouldering areas and the stacks at Smoke Bluffs Provincial Park. Higher altitude mountain climbers are tempted by the two peaks of Mount Garibaldi, and the Tantalus range.  [more on Squamish Climbing]

 

Like Vancouver, Squamish has mild winters with very little snow on the ground. But above, on the ridges and mountain, conditions are very different, with upwards of seven to 10 metres of snow being common. Locals have long known the open secret of these mountains, and make the most of it. In the summers, these same routes are enjoyed by ATV riders.  [More on Squamish Backcountry Skiing]  [more on Squamish Snowmobiling & ATV riding]

 

 

With the Winter Olympics came the development of the Callaghan Valley into the Whistler Olympic Park, which hosted the nordic events during the 2010 Winter Games.  That left a legacy for residents of the region: 50km of top class cross country ski trails available just a short drive from Squamish.   [more on Squamish Cross Country Skiing]