Arts and culture thrive along the Sea to Sky Corridor
Fall is an ideal time to discover rich and diverse cultural experiences in Squamish, Whistler, and Pemberton
Post Sponsored by Tourism Whistler, Tourism Squamish, and Tourism
Pemberton
Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre. Photo by Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre/Logan Swayze
Autumn in the Sea to Sky corridor is a chance to fall in love all over again with the stunning natural beauty of Squamish, Whistler, and Pemberton. Leaves are changing colour from forest greens to glorious oranges, reds, and golds, and the air is fresh and crisp. Peak summer crowds have dissipated, and the call of winter is far. While the Sea to Sky corridor is known around the world for its unparalleled outdoor recreation, there’s another side of the region to discover and explore.
Arts and culture thrive in Squamish, Whistler, and Pemberton. The area’s rich mountain culture comes alive through diverse experiences that range from a ride in a historic mine museum to a one-of-a-kind art gallery exhibition to a multimedia night walk in an old-growth forest.
Britannia Mine Museum. Photo by Britannia Mine Museum
The discovery starts with the drive along the spectacular Sea to Sky Highway, hugging coastal mountains that plunge into the sparkling Salish Sea. Less than an hour from Vancouver is Britannia Mine Museum, a National Historic Site that opens up a little-seen world. Panning for gold and riding an underground mine train are some of the immersive experiences that shine a light on this piece of B.C. heritage.
Ten kilometres north of beautiful Britannia Beach in Squamish is the Sea to Sky Gondola, where a 10-minute ride takes arts-loving outdoor enthusiasts 885 metres above sea level for stunning views of Howe Sound and the coastal mountains. The sky-high Spirit Viewing Platform features interpretive information on the awe-inspiring landscape and its significance to the Squamish (Sḵwx̱wú7mesh) First Nations people. At the Railway Museum of British Columbia in Squamish, history buffs can step into the CN Roundhouse to see engine 2860, better known as the Royal Hudson, from 1940, and other refurbished, historic railcars.
Sea to Sky Gondola. Photo by Destination BC/@entre2escales
Awe-inspiring scenery unfolds along the way from Squamish to Whistler, where culture vultures can adventure deeper into the arts. Stretch your legs—and your creative curiosity—along Whistler’s Cultural Connector, a scenic pathway through Whistler Village and the Upper Village that links six cultural institutions and highlights the community’s cultural evolution over time.
Audain Art Museum is among the stops on the Cultural Connector, the must-see, world-class museum housing one of the world’s finest collections of First Nations masks and a superb collection of Emily Carr paintings. The Patkau-designed building boasts works by some of Canada’s most internationally regarded contemporary artists, such as Robert Davidson, James Hart, and Jeff Wall.
Also part of the Cultural Connector, Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre invites people to discover the traditional territory of the Squamish and Lil’wat people, whose history and culture are deeply connected to the land. Not to be missed is the SLCC’s Community Reconciliation Canoe, part of its Salish Summer Carving Series 2022. Visitors have a chance to experience taking a turn at carving the canoe or signing one of six paddles. As a symbol of partnership and in the spirit of reconciliation, cedar shavings can be carved and collected as a keepsake, with a chance to be returned to a special place on the territory to honour the local Indigenous connection to the land.
Valley Lumina, Whistler. Photo by Moment Factory/Vallea Lumina
Lovers of visual art have a plethora of fine-art galleries to explore in Whistler. From contemporary Canadian art to hyperlocal exhibits, the galleries are all unique in their own way.
Whistler Museum is the place to discover the resort town’s history and distinct mountain culture. For an outdoor immersion in the arts, meanwhile, take a self-guided walking tour of the works that make up Whistler’s thriving public-art program.
Then there is Vallea Lumina. There’s nothing like it: the immersive multimedia night walk and light show takes place in the old-growth forests of Cougar Mountain and makes for an unforgettable evening of art-filled awe.
Pemberton Museum. Photo by Pemberton Museum
Less than half hour north of Whistler at the base of majestic Mount Currie is the village of Pemberton. It’s home to artists and artisans working in music, theatre, and photography as well as visual, literary, culinary, textile, and interactive arts.
A visit to Pemberton Museum is an opportunity to explore the area’s human history, with over 2,000 artifacts, 2,000 photographs, and more. The Pemberton Farmers’ Market illustrates the role food plays in culture, with goods by local growers and makers. The charming open-air market cultivates community every Friday afternoon to October 28 at the Downtown Community Barn.
For the ultimate arts and culture getaway, take a trip along the Sea to Sky corridor and spend time discovering all that Squamish, Whistler, and Pemberton have to offer. Book a two-night stay and receive two free cultural passes that can be redeemed at both the SLCC and Audain Art Museum.
Learn more at whistler.com/seatoskyarts.
Post sponsored by Tourism Squamish, Tourism Whistler, and Tourism Pemberton.