Highway 99 conditions: Sea to Sky Highway closures and status
Live DriveBC events for Highway 99 between Horseshoe Bay and Pemberton, BC, plus what the road is, why it closes, and what to do when it does.
Highway 99 right now
2 active events between Horseshoe Bay and Pemberton.
Callaghan Creek Bridge
Construction work from Highway 99, In Whistler to In Whistler. Starting Tue Oct 6 until Fri Oct 30. Lane closures in both directions. Last update: October 5th, 2026 at 4:05pm PDT. One lane to remain open in both directions at all times. Watch for traffic control.
Highway 99
Utility work from Highway 99, Minaty Bay to At Copper Drive. Starting Fri Oct 2 until Fri Oct 23. From 6:30 PM to 6:30 AM PDT the next day, Monday to Thursday. Right lane blocked. Right turn lane closed. Expect minor delays. Last update: September 22nd, 2026 at 10:08am PDT.
Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – British Columbia. Source: DriveBC. Cameras and full map at DriveBC.
The road
The Sea to Sky Highway is the section of Highway 99 from Horseshoe Bay to Pemberton. The province’s Sea-to-Sky exit list measures it in kilometres north of Horseshoe Bay. Approximate distances from Horseshoe Bay:
- Lions Bay: km 10.5 to 13.0
- Britannia Beach: the BC Mining Museum turnoff is at km 32.2
- Downtown Squamish (Cleveland Avenue): km 44.0
- Whistler Village Gate: km 102.1
- Pemberton (Portage Road): km 134.1
Past Pemberton, the 99 continues as the Duffey Lake Road over the mountains to Lillooet.
Why it closes
There is one highway along this route. North of Horseshoe Bay, the 99 runs between the Howe Sound shoreline and steep rock slopes, then through the canyons between Squamish and Whistler. Common reasons for closures:
- Crashes and other incidents. These can close one or both directions with little warning. DriveBC posts them as incidents.
- Rockfall and slides. The province has closed sections of the 99 as a precaution when heavy rain raises the risk of rockfall, debris flows and washouts on known slide paths, and reassessed them in daylight before reopening (December 2025, May 2023).
- Avalanches. On the Duffey Lake Road north of Pemberton, the ministry has closed the highway to clear avalanche debris and to trigger remaining snow by helicopter.
- Planned work. Paving, utility and slope work can bring lane closures, single-lane alternating traffic or timed holds. These are listed on DriveBC in advance.
When it’s closed
- Check DriveBC first. It is the official source for closures, the reason, and the time of the next update. The list above comes from DriveBC data, but DriveBC itself is the final word.
- Don’t count on a detour. Between Horseshoe Bay and Pemberton, the 99 is the only highway on the province’s South Coast route map. The only other road connection from the Lower Mainland to Pemberton goes through the Fraser Canyon, Lillooet and the Duffey Lake Road, which takes hours and has its own closures. Do not use forest service roads as a shortcut.
- Be ready to wait. Obey signs and directions from crews. During mountain closures, the province has advised drivers to expect delays and to carry extra food, water and blankets.
Winter tires and chains
Winter tires or chains are required on signed provincial highways from October 1. Most designated routes run to April 30, and some lower routes end March 31, according to the province. The province’s South Coast map puts the Sea to Sky section in the October 1 to March 31 group. Follow the posted signs. A legal winter tire carries the M+S or three-peaked mountain and snowflake symbol and has at least 3.5 mm of tread, according to the province’s tire guidance. Heavy commercial vehicles must carry chains. The fine for a passenger vehicle without proper tires is $121. The Duffey Lake Road north of Pemberton is a high mountain route with winter avalanche control, so check conditions before driving it from late fall to spring.
Cameras
DriveBC’s highway cameras cover the 99. Check them before you leave, especially in snow or heavy rain.
Going without a car
- There is no public bus between Metro Vancouver and Squamish yet. A corridor-wide service is still in planning.
- BC Transit runs local systems in Squamish and Whistler. The Pemberton Valley system’s Route 99 Commuter runs between Pemberton and Whistler, according to the Village of Pemberton.
- Private coach companies run between Vancouver and Whistler, including Epic Rides and YVR Skylynx, which also serves YVR airport. Check their sites for current schedules, stops and fares.
Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – British Columbia. Source: DriveBC.
Sources
- B.C. Ministry of Transportation and Transit: Sea-to-Sky exit list: km markers Horseshoe Bay to Pemberton Portage Road (134.1)
- BC Gov News: Precautionary closure for rockfall/debris-flow risk; assessed in morning
- BC Gov News: Overnight closure Pemberton–Lillooet for slide potential
- BC Gov News: Duffey Lake Road avalanche closure, heli-bombing; carry food, water, blankets
- Province of British Columbia: Winter tire dates and designated routes
- Province of British Columbia: South Coast route map (single highway; Sea to Sky in Oct. 1–Mar. 31 category)
- Province of British Columbia: Winter tire definition, 3.5 mm tread
- Province of British Columbia: $121 fine
- DriveBC: Highway cameras
- District of Squamish: Interregional transit still in planning (MOU Sept. 22, 2026)
- Village of Pemberton: Route 99 Commuter Pemberton–Whistler
- BC Transit: BC Transit systems (Squamish, Whistler, Pemberton Valley)
- Epic Rides: Vancouver–Whistler coach
- YVR Skylynx: YVR/Vancouver–Whistler coach
