Whistler: Sea to Sky Gondola & Shannon Falls Day Trip
The Sea to Sky Highway climbs 670 metres to Whistler in one morning
You ride a gondola 850 metres above Howe Sound, stand in the spray of a 335-metre waterfall, and have free time to explore Whistler Village at your own pace. The tour includes entry to both the gondola and Shannon Falls, a local guide, and round-trip transport from downtown Vancouver: no separate bookings needed. The whole day is about seven to eight hours door-to-door.
Step-by-step itinerary
Scenic drive and Whistler visit
- Depart from Port of Vancouver
- Drive through Stanley Park
- Cross Lions Gate Bridge
- Drive along Sea to Sky Highway
- Stop at Shannon Falls
- Ride Sea to Sky Gondola
- Optional Sky Pilot Suspension Bridge walk
- Arrive in Whistler Village
- Join guided walking tour (optional)
- Free time to explore Whistler Village
- Return along Sea to Sky Highway
- End tour at Port of Vancouver
- Stanley Park passing by
- Lions Gate Bridge passing by
- Shannon Falls Entry included 20m
- Sea to Sky Gondola Entry included 2h
- Peak 2 Peak Gondola passing by
- Whistler-Blackcomb Mountains passing by
- Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Center passing by
What’s included
Your day includes round-trip transport from downtown Vancouver, entry to the Sea to Sky Gondola and Shannon Falls Provincial Park, a professional local guide, the optional guided walking tour in Whistler Village, and all taxes and fees. You drive through Stanley Park and cross the Lions Gate Bridge on the way out, stop at Shannon Falls to see the waterfall, ride the gondola 850 metres to the summit, and have free time to explore Whistler Village before returning to Vancouver along the same scenic highway.
Times
Next departure: 1 May 2027
Before you book
Operated by Discover Canada Tours
Prices and times updated today
Traveler reviews
The experience
Shannon Falls drops 335 metres into a narrow gorge, and you stop long enough to feel the mist and take the photo. The waterfall is British Columbia's third-highest, and the spray hits harder than you'd expect from a distance. After that, the mini-coach continues north along the Sea to Sky Highway (ocean on one side, the Coast Mountains rising on the other), until you reach the Sea to Sky Gondola station. You board the cable car and ascend 850 metres in about ten minutes. At the top, the view opens across Howe Sound and back toward the glacial fjord you just drove alongside. On a clear day you see all the way to the peaks around Whistler.
Whistler Village is where the tour slows down. There's an optional guided walk through the village if you want it, but most people skip that and just wander: the shops, the galleries, the patios along the stroll where locals sit with coffee and watch the mountains. The guide will point out the Peak 2 Peak Gondola if you're curious about it (that one spans between Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains, but it's not part of this tour). You get a few hours to move at your own pace, grab lunch, or ask the guide about other activities you could do with the time. Then it's the drive back down the Sea to Sky Highway, retracing the route to Vancouver.
The whole day runs from downtown Vancouver, so you don't arrange your own transport or buy tickets separately. The guide is local and knows the stops well. Round-trip takes you from the Port of Vancouver through Stanley Park and across the Lions Gate Bridge on the way out, then back the same way when the tour ends. It's one of the standard routes out of the city, and the timing is built so you're not rushed at any single stop.
Is this one for you?Book this if you want the main Whistler highlights and the Sea to Sky Highway in one day without arranging your own transport or buying separate tickets: the fixed itinerary and included gondola entry mean you show up and go, no logistics to handle.
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Top questions
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 11 years); Infant (under 3): free.
What happens if it rains?
It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.
What's included in the tour price?
Sea to Sky Gondola entry, Shannon Falls Provincial Park admission, round-trip transport from downtown Vancouver, a professional local guide, and taxes and fees. The optional guided walk in Whistler Village is included but not mandatory.
How long is the full tour?
Approximately seven to eight hours from departure at the Port of Vancouver to return. This includes drive time, stops at Shannon Falls and the gondola, and free time in Whistler Village.
Is the gondola ride included or do I pay extra?
The Sea to Sky Gondola entry is included in the tour price. No extra charge.
Can I skip the guided walk in Whistler Village?
Yes, it's optional. You can join the walk or explore the village on your own during your free time.
What if I want to ride the Peak 2 Peak Gondola between Whistler and Blackcomb?
The Peak 2 Peak is not part of this tour, but you can ask your guide about it during your free time in Whistler. You'd need to arrange and pay for it separately if you choose to do it.
Do I need to be fit for this tour?
The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. The gondola ride is seated, and most of Whistler Village is walkable at your own pace.
Where does the tour depart from?
The Port of Vancouver in downtown Vancouver. The route goes through Stanley Park and crosses the Lions Gate Bridge on the way to Whistler.
What if the weather is bad?
The tour operates in most weather conditions. The Sea to Sky Highway and Whistler Village are accessible year-round, though views from the gondola may be limited on very cloudy days.
Is there time for lunch in Whistler?
Yes, you have free time in Whistler Village where you can stop at restaurants, cafés, or grab food from local shops.
Whistler: Sea to Sky Gondola & Shannon Falls Day Trip
10h · EN
from CA$ 282.45 per person
≈ US$ 205 in your currency
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