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Hiking and Exploring Squamish

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Looking to get outdoors and explore Squamish? There are plenty of options for hikes of all levels, from the Sea to Summit trail to shorter trails with stunning views. No matter what your fitness level, there’s a hike for you. And what better way to explore than by getting up close and personal with nature by hiking and exploring Squamish? But of course, there’s way more to do in Squamish than just hiking! Keep reading below to find out more!

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There are many benefits to hiking, including physical and mental health benefits. Hiking is a great option for those looking to get outdoors and explore. Hiking can help improve cardiovascular fitness, increase muscle strength, reduce stress levels, and improve mental well-being. Other than the health aspect, Squamish is one of the most scenic places in Canada, with quite a diverse range of activities you can do! Taking your time and hiking through it, is probably the best, and most accessible way to take it all in.

Be prepared to spend a whole day, or even a months, hiking and exploring Squamish. It is certainly a place you will long to return to, as there’s just so much!

The best hiking trails in Squamish

I had always found hiking to be one of my least favourite outdoor activities, to be quite honest. I found “walking” in the woods, to me, needed a bit more stimulation. (I know… there’s so much to unpack there…) But having found the mountains and frolicking in them for awhile, I have fell in love with this activity and gave me a renewed sense of being in the outdoors. It’s the perfect balance of being outdoors, taking in all the benefits of the polyphenols to de-stress, and exert as much or as little as I want it to be.

The Sea to Summit trail passes underneath this Sea to Summit Gondola, with views over Howe Sound

Getting to Squamish, the vistas over Howe Sound, the vertical, and being humbled in the mountains is something I long. No matter what your fitness level, there’s a hike for you in Squamish. While there are a lot of places to explore, here are 3 of the best hiking areas in Squamish to get you started. Check out each area for additional trails, details of how to descend, and trails maps among other information:

  • Sea to Summit Trail: This trail is a moderate to difficult hike that takes you from sea level to the summit of the Chief Mountain. The trail is 11 kilometres (6.8 miles) long and takes approximately 6 hours to complete.
  • Stawamus Chief Provincial Park: This park offers several different trails ranging from easy to difficult. Highlights include views of Howe Sound, the Stawamus Chief Mountain, and Shannon Falls.
  • Garibaldi Provincial Park: Garibaldi Provincial Park is home to many beautiful hikes, including the popular Black Tusk Trail. This moderate to difficult hike takes you through forests and meadows before reaching the stunning sub-alpine landscape around Black Tusk Lake.

Things to do in Squamish besides hike

Damian and Ian at the start of Skywalker (5.8)

This park is home to three granite peaks and offers amazing views of Howe Sound. So without a doubt, hiking is not the only thing you can do in Squamish. Below are some other activities to get your excited to exploring Squamish!

Rock Climbing: Of course, this is definitely an activity here and you may hire guides in the region to take you up some of these amazing faces. The Chief is where the climbs are at, but don’t forget Shannon Falls Provincial Park also carries a ton of climbs, including the classic and the infamous Skywalker (5.8).

Mountain biking: Given the region and the clout for outdoor adventures, Squamish hosts some of the best enduro riding. There are 5 main trail heads to access the trails. Alice Lake & Highlands, Diamond Head, Valleycliffe, and Brackendale. There are several operators in the region that will rent mountain bikes, if you’re not in a position to bring one of your own.

Kayaking Howe Sound: Squamish, situated right in the confluence of Howe Sound hosting the “Sea to Sky” corridor, you can definitely enjoy your paddling sports along with your vertical sports!

Cultural Attractions

Squamish and Lil’wat Cultural Centre: While not in Squamish proper, but in Whistler, this cultural centre is definitely worth a visit. Learn of First Nations that we reside on, on their unceded territory, their culture, and how we move forward in this epoque of reconciliation as nations to nation.

Brohm Lake Interpretive Forest: This forest is perfect for those who want to take a break from hiking and explore the area’s history and culture. The interpretive forest features several walking trails as well as an old growth forest and an abandoned logging town.

Britannia Mine Museum: Just south of Squamish by about 10 minutes, a family friendly museum hosts an award winning immersive multi-sensory live action story telling theatre, sharing the history of the mine and how the contributions to the community. There is also an interpretive tour through the old mines demonstrating how it worked in the mid 20th century.

An orca skeleton in the Britannia Mine Museum

Whether you’re looking for a challenging hike, a leisurely walk, or push yourself a bit more with some of the other activities, Squamish has something for everyone. Hiking and exploring Squamish is a great way to explore the area and get some exercise while you’re at it. So after exploring the history of the region, lace up your hiking boots, strap on your helmet, put on your life jacket, and let’er rip!

EVO Car Share: First Timer Experience

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In my most recent trip to Vancouver, I tried Evo car share for the first time and I found it to be quite convenient and ideal for my kind of trip. This blog is sharing my experience to see if it’s worth it for you to sign up to use for a trip there. Read to the end for the discount code! Signing up was a breeze, cars were in good condition, support was awesome, and it was reasonably priced! This was the kind of trip where we didn’t need a car full time, but when we did it was to suburbs where otherwise it would’ve been difficult to reach. Little did I know, this decision would revolutionize the way I explored the city. In this recount of my experience, I aim to provide you with insights into the convenience, reliability, and overall value of using EVO Car Share in Vancouver.

Signing Up for Evo Car Share was Easy:

EVO Car Share Toyota Prius’s

The journey with EVO car share journey began with a seamless sign-up process.

Before I left, I signed up from Ontario. The procedure was pretty painless, but still need some forward planning. Give at least 3 business days for EVO car share to process, after you acquire your documents to provide to them. The main thing you needed was your driving record. It can be uncertified, but minimum of 2 years worth. I sent it in and the approval came just in time. For Ontario residences, visit Service Ontario and ask for your driving record. At the time of writing, it’ll cost you $12.

After that, with just a few taps on the EVO car share app, I registered for an account and gained access to their fleet of vehicles. The user-friendly interface made navigation a breeze, and within minutes, I was ready to hit the road. EVO car share’s commitment to simplicity and efficiency was evident from the get-go, setting a positive tone for the rest of my experience.

After getting there, I was a bit hesitant to actually use it in a rush for the first time ever. I was in a rush and didn’t want to rush through the process and screw it up. Luckily, Explorations Team member, Damian, is already on EVO car share and showed me how it works. It was actually very easy. You literally:

  • Open the app
  • Reserve a car which will give you a 30 minutes time limit to unlock the door (and cancel for free)
  • Do a quick inspection outside
  • Unlock the car door from the app and then you’re good to drive!

Convenience at Every Turn:

One of the immediate benefits of using EVO car share was the unparalleled convenience it offered. Whether I needed a car for a quick trip to the grocery store or a day-long excursion to the suburbs, EVO car share had me covered. With vehicles strategically located throughout the city, I could easily find and reserve a car that suited my needs, saving valuable time and effort. The flexibility of EVO car share’s service allowed me to adapt my travel plans on the fly, giving me the freedom to explore Vancouver at my own pace.

As for the cars, EVO uses a fleet of Prius’s, so feeling a bit more guilt free about driving and then getting stuck in traffic. These cars are in fairly good condition and other users generally leave them in decent condition. They come with pre-equipped roof racks for bikes, skis, and snowboards. Furthermore CBC states that they will be increasing their fleet!

As for parking, you don’t have to pay for it, anywhere in the “home zone”, ie nearly anywhere downtown area. You can do a “stopover” and not have to pay for parking. Gas? Free. They will reimburse you too, if you need to fill up gas.

The price is reasonable, especially if you use it for commuting with gear, more than one person, and to inaccessible places by the Skytrain.

Exceptional Customer Support:

One of the standout features of my experience with EVO was their exceptional customer support. On one occasion, I encountered a minor issue with the vehicle, and with the push of a button, I was connected to a friendly and knowledgeable agent. Their prompt assistance not only resolved the issue swiftly but also reassured me that help was always just a button away. It was evident that EVO prioritized customer satisfaction and went above and beyond to ensure a positive experience for their users.

Need help? Push a button to get help, relatively quickly. They call their service line and I got connected to a very helpful agent when I was completely turned around on how to exit a building and then was afraid I would get charged for the vehicle use.

Seamless Airport Drop-Off:

As my trip drew to a close, I was impressed by the seamless process of dropping off the EVO car share at the airport. After registering the car with the Park n Fly counter and providing them with the license plate, I simply dropped off the car, took a shuttle to the terminal, and boarded my plane hassle-free. The convenience of this drop-off option was a game-changer, allowing me to maximize my time in Vancouver without worrying about returning the car to a designated location.

Affordable and Transparent Pricing:

As a budget-conscious traveler, I was pleasantly surprised by the affordability of EVO’s service. With transparent pricing and no hidden fees, I knew exactly what to expect every time I used the service. EVO’s competitive rates made it a cost-effective alternative to traditional car rentals, especially for short trips or spontaneous excursions. Plus, with flexible payment options and no long-term commitments, I had the freedom to use EVO as often or as little as I pleased, without breaking the bank.

Having said this, I would caution using this as your primary go-to car, as it could get expensive and rack up if you use it often. And if you need a car for the whole day, there are cheaper options. If you foresee using public transit or having friends and family get you around, and when you’re on your own, this is definitely the way to go.

Conclusion of Evo Car Share:

In conclusion, after I used it for my 10 days in Vancouver and had an “on-demand” car, my experience with EVO Car Share in Vancouver exceeded all expectations. From the effortless sign-up process to the exceptional customer support and convenient airport drop-off, EVO proved to be a reliable and invaluable asset during my time in the city. Whether you’re a local looking for a flexible transportation solution or a visitor seeking convenience and freedom, EVO Car Share is the perfect companion for exploring Vancouver’s vibrant streets. With its user-friendly app, well-maintained vehicles, and commitment to customer satisfaction, EVO has set the standard for modern car-sharing services. So why wait? Sign up for EVO Car Share today and unlock a world of convenience and adventure on your next trip to Vancouver.

Evo Car Share Promocode: 9RTFB9NV

Join for free and use my promocode and get $25 of drive time, just for trying EVO! evo.ca

My EVO promo code is: 9RTFB9NV. If you’re already an existing BCAA member, you get additional perks!