Sea to Sky Gondola: what to know before you go
Fall and winter hours (including the November maintenance shutdown), what tickets cost, the trails at the top, and the rules for hiking up with a dog.
The Sea to Sky Gondola is the fastest way from the 99 to the alpine. The ride climbs from a base 2 km south of downtown Squamish to a summit lodge at 885 m, with views over Howe Sound, Shannon Falls and the Stawamus Chief on the way up. Here’s what the gondola publishes about its fall and winter season, what tickets cost, and what you can do at the top.
Hours, and the closure to plan around
Hours shrink as the days do. Per the gondola’s hours and prices page, the 2026 schedule is:
- Oct. 13 to 30: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends. The last ride down is an hour after the last ride up.
- Oct. 31 to Nov. 15: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, last ride down 6 p.m.
- Nov. 16 to 26: closed for maintenance.
- Nov. 27 to Dec. 31: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, last ride down 6 p.m.
The after-4 p.m. Sunset Savings deal, up to 40% off online tickets Friday to Sunday, runs through Thanksgiving weekend and ends Oct. 11.
Tickets
A day ticket covers the round-trip ride and access to the Summit Lodge, the suspension bridge and the trails. Online is cheaper than the ticket window:
- Adult (19–64): $73.95 online, $81.95 at the window
- Senior (65+): $68.95 online, $76.95 at the window
- Youth (13–18): $43.95 online, $51.95 at the window
- Child (6–12): $29.95 online, $37.95 at the window
- Family (2 adults, 2 children or youth): $165.95 online, $191.95 at the window
- Children 5 and under: free
- Ride down only (for hikers): $19 online, $25 at the window
There are no reservations for rides, and standard day tickets are good on any day until the printed expiry date. Everything at the gondola is cashless, food outlets and shops included, so bring a card. Upgrading a day ticket to an annual membership is allowed within seven days of purchase, per the FAQ.
At the top
The Sky Pilot Suspension Bridge is part of the trail network, so your ticket covers it. The easy front-country walks start near the lodge:
- Spirit Loop: a short, wide, easy trail with views of Howe Sound, Sky Pilot and Goat Ridge, reachable from the Backyard Plaza or the bridge. Stroller accessible.
- Panorama Trail: the other stroller-friendly loop, per the gondola’s FAQ.
- Wonderland Lake Loop: a quiet forest walk to a boardwalk around a small lily-pad lake, with an optional single-track spur past the Wonderview viewpoint.
Beyond those, the summit is a jumping-off point for backcountry routes. As days shorten and snow arrives, conditions change fast, so check the gondola’s conditions updates before heading past the front-country loops. The gondola has gone paperless on trail maps; download its free trail map app before you go.
Hiking up instead: the Sea to Summit
The Sea to Summit trail is the earn-your-view option: 6.5 km one way, from 35 m to 885 m, with 918 m of total gain. The gondola rates it advanced, with fixed lines, roots, granite bluffs and steep sections, and says it takes three to five hours. It shares the Stawamus Chief trail at first and splits right at marker 20. Markers run every 50 m, numbered 1 to 128. It’s built as an up-trail only, so ride down. Children 12 and under who hike up with an adult get a free ride down. There’s no water on the trail, so carry at least a litre.
Dogs
Pets can’t ride up. Dogs can hike the Sea to Summit, then ride down on a dog ride-down ticket ($19.05), with partial proceeds going to the BC SPCA. At the summit, dogs must stay in the shaded Dog Parking area by the plaza. They’re not allowed on the suspension bridge, the viewing decks, the Backyard eating area or the front-country loops. Leash your dog at the base, in the parking lot, at the summit and on the gondola, per the pet policy.
Getting there and parking
The base is at 36800 Highway 99, about 45 minutes’ drive from Vancouver. Parking at the base is $10 plus tax for the day through the Pay By Phone app or Guest Services, and annual members park free. Without a car, the gondola points to the Squamish Connector shuttle from downtown Vancouver and to BC Transit’s seasonal Route 5 South Park. Check both for current schedules on the getting here page. The cabins, Summit Lodge and main viewing deck are wheelchair and stroller accessible, weather permitting. For an emergency on the mountain, call 911; the gondola’s own assistance line is 604-892-2555.
Sources
- Sea to Sky Gondola: 2026 hours by date range, Nov. 16–26 maintenance closure, day ticket and ride-down prices
- Sea to Sky Gondola: Sunset Savings up to 40% off after 4 p.m., Fri–Sun, online only, June 13–Oct. 11
- Sea to Sky Gondola: No ride reservations; tickets valid until expiry; cashless; annual upgrade within 7 days; parking $10 + tax; trail map app; accessibility; Panorama and Spirit trails stroller accessible; suspension bridge included
- Sea to Sky Gondola: Gondola cabins, summit features
- Sea to Sky Gondola: Spirit Loop description
- Sea to Sky Gondola: Wonderland Lake Loop description
- Sea to Sky Gondola: Sea to Summit: 6.5 km, 35 m to 885 m, 918 m gain, 3–5 hours, advanced, marker 20 split, markers 1–128, up-trail only, kids 12 and under ride down free, water, emergency numbers
- Sea to Sky Gondola: Pet policy: no pets riding up, dog ride-down $19.05, BC SPCA, Dog Parking, leash rules
- Sea to Sky Gondola: Address, 2 km south of Squamish, 45-minute drive from Vancouver, Squamish Connector, BC Transit Route 5
- Sea to Sky Gondola: Accessibility of cabins, lodge and deck
