You know the feeling. You’re scrolling through Whistler hotel prices, wincing at per-night rates for a standard room. You’re picturing the village packed with tourists, the long wait for brunch, and the paid parking lots. Don’t get us wrong, Whistler has its charm. But what if there was a place 40 minutes down the Sea to Sky Highway that gave you the mountain town experience without the resort town price tag and crowds?
Welcome to Squamish. It’s a completely different vibe than Whistler, and that’s exactly the point.
The Whistler Price Reality Check
Let’s talk numbers because they matter when you’re planning a getaway. Average hotels in Whistler in the village hit $600+ during peak season. That’s before you factor in the mandatory resort fees that many properties tack on, typically adding another $25 to $40 per night.
But this isn’t just about saving money (though that’s nice). It’s about what kind of weekend you actually want.
What Makes Squamish Different
When you walk down Cleveland Avenue in downtown Squamish, you’re not strolling through a manufactured village designed to extract maximum tourist dollars. You’re in an actual town centre where locals grab their morning coffee, kids walk to school, and the guy behind the bar at the brewery probably also teaches rock climbing on weekends.
The town sits at the head of Howe Sound, squeezed between the ocean and the Coast Mountains. The Stawamus Chief, a massive granite monolith at Stawamus Chief Provincial Park, towers over everything like a guardian. It’s dramatic and beautiful.
The Adventure, Spa, and Pints Formula
Here’s where Squamish really delivers. You want an outdoor adventure? The rock climbing here is world-class, with routes at Smoke Bluffs and the Chief drawing climbers from around the globe. The mountain biking trails are legendary. Hiking ranges from gentle forest walks to serious alpine scrambles. Kiteboarding on the Squamish River estuary draws people from around the world.
But here’s the thing: you don’t have to be an adrenaline junkie to love visiting Squamish.
After a morning hike or climb, you can head to a wilderness spa experience tucked away in the surrounding area. Places like AIKA offer wood-fired saunas and cold plunge pools in a forest setting, rooted in Nordic wellness traditions. Or check out Plunge Wellness, a dedicated cold plunge and sauna studio right in town.
Then there’s the beverage scene. Squamish has quietly built one of the best craft beer cultures in BC. Backcountry Brewing won Rookie of the Year at the BC Beer Awards and serves excellent pizza alongside their brews. A-Frame Brewing brings a cozy cabin vibe with its lakeside-meets-mountains tasting room.
Want something beyond beer? Raincity Distillery handcrafts spirits from BC-grown grains and fruit. Several cideries offer crisp, locally-made ciders in charming tasting rooms.
The point is this: you can crush a hard hike in the morning, soak in a sauna by afternoon, and be sipping a locally brewed IPA on a good patio by evening. All within easy access of each other.
The Sea to Sky Gondola Question
The Sea to Sky Gondola takes you 885 metres up the side of the mountain with sweeping views over Howe Sound and the surrounding area. At the top, you’ll find hiking trails, a suspension bridge, viewing platforms, and a restaurant with breathtaking views.
How does it compare to Whistler’s Peak 2 Peak? It’s different. The Sea to Sky Gondola is more about the view and the hiking at the summit than about connecting ski mountains. It’s less crowded, tickets run around $76 compared to higher prices at Whistler, and the Summit Lodge patio is genuinely one of the best places to have a beer in British Columbia with ocean views stretching for miles.
But here’s the beauty of Squamish: you don’t need to ride the gondola to have an amazing weekend in Squamish. Unlike Whistler, where the gondolas are central to the whole experience, the town offers dozens of ways to access incredible views and hiking trails on your own terms. Take a short hike at Alice Lake for a sandy beach and swimming, or tackle an easy hike at Shannon Falls, one of the most popular spots in the area. For those with more energy, the Stawamus Chief offers three peaks with great views at every skill level.
Who This Weekend is For
This getaway works for friend groups where not everyone wants to do the same thing. Some friends can go rock climbing at Smoke Bluffs Park while others hit the spa. You can all meet up for beers later, and nobody feels like they compromised.
It’s ideal for couples who want outdoor adventure but also want to sleep in and enjoy a leisurely breakfast without rushing. The pace here is whatever you make it.
Squamish welcomes visitors but doesn’t revolve around them. You get to be part of something real rather than an observer of something curated. Take time to explore Sp’akw’us Feather Park along the waterfront, a beautiful space honouring the Squamish Nation, or wander through a local art gallery in downtown.
What You Won’t Find Here
Let’s be clear about what Squamish isn’t. There’s no luxury village to stroll through, window shopping at high-end boutiques. You won’t find that perfectly manicured resort town aesthetic everywhere you look. The nightlife exists, but it’s not the kind of après scene you get in Whistler with DJs and bottle service.
Grab fish and chips at a local spot, burgers at Flipside Burgers, or check out the restaurants within walking distance of downtown. It’s a great place to just be.
The Logistics
Squamish sits right on the Sea to Sky Highway, about 65 kilometres north of Vancouver and 58 kilometres south of Whistler. It’s an easy drive from the city, just over an hour without traffic. Most visitors reach town in under two hours from Vancouver, making it the perfect spot for a weekend getaway.
There’s free street parking throughout downtown (check the signs, but overnight parking is generally available on Third Avenue).
The town is walkable once you’re here, especially if you base yourself in a centrally located hotel. Many shops, restaurants, and outdoor adventure outfitters are within walking distance. Need bike rentals for mountain biking? Several shops downtown can set you up.
The best times to visit depend on what you’re after. Summer (June through September) brings the warmest weather and longest days, perfect for hiking trails and water sports. Fall offers stunning colours and fewer crowds. Winter can be quiet and beautiful, though some hiking trails get snowy. Spring is shoulder season, meaning better rates and a peaceful vibe before summer kicks in.
Where You Actually Stay Matters
This is where your weekend starts to feel different from a typical Whistler trip. In Whistler, you’re likely staying in a resort or a hotel that feels like it could be anywhere. The rooms are nice but generic. The vibe is polished but impersonal.
When visiting Squamish, stay with us right in the heart of downtown on Cleveland Avenue. A boutique hotel in Squamish with themed rooms, many with views of the Chief. Our hotel is in a prime location above a popular pub, so some guest rooms can get lively on weekend nights (we do offer quieter rooms, too). But that’s part of the authenticity. You’re not in a bubble. You’re in a real place with real nightlife happening around you.
The location means you can get to coffee shops, restaurants, breweries, and shops. We’re centrally located with easy access to the best outdoor sports and nature in the area. Free wifi in every room keeps you connected when you want to be, and parking is available nearby.
And the price? Significantly more affordable than comparable Whistler, with the savings leaving you more budget for actually doing things and eating well. Whether you’re here for rock climbing, hiking, mountain biking, or just soaking in the breathtaking views, our hotel offers the perfect spot to rest after a day of adventure in BC, Canada.