Squamish, in British Columbia, Canada is getting a reputation for being the outdoor recreation capital of Canada, as it possesses so many activities in its vicinity. It gives people the opportunity of rock climbing, horseback riding, mountain biking, mountain climbing, whit water rafting, not to mention that it’s near the ski fields, so there are plenty of exciting winter activities.

Squamish is only 60km from Whistler, which of course is home to some of Canada’s (and even the world’s) best skiing and snowboarding.

Like Whistler hotels, Squamish hotels offer many convenient options. There’s accommodation for singles, couples, family groups, as well as larger groups.

The Sea to Sky Hotel
One of Squamish’s finest hotels, is the Sea to Sky Hotel, which offers full service, with spacious luxury rooms (all with heating and air conditioning), wireless Internet, beautiful mountain views from the private balconies, TVs, mini-fridges, and microwaves. If that’s not enough, there are a choice of rooms, ranging from one bedroom suites, to rooms with two Queen sized beds.

The Garibaldi Springs Golf Resort
Garibaldi Springs Golf Resort is another of Squamish’s finest accommodations. Offering brand new executive suites, one of the features of the hotel is its 18 hole golf course. The resort also offers Rockwell’s restaurant and bar with an outdoor terrace, an indoor/outdoor pool with Jacuzzi, a well equipped fitness centre, meeting and event space for conferences, as well as a business centre.

There are 111 suites to choose from at the Garibaldi, ranging from studio suites, one or two bedroom suites equipped with kitchens and balconies, and one or two bedroom suites with laundry facilities, as well as fireplace and golf course views are also available.

All rooms have well equipped kitchens with full sized refrigerators, stoves, dishwashers and microwaves, dining accessories and even a coffee maker. All rooms possess flat screen TVs with DVDs, plus cable TV channels, all rooms have wireless high speed Internet (which is available for a small fee)

The August Jack Motor Inn
Another Squamish accommodation is the August Jack Motor Inn, which offers convenient, cheap accommodation for those on a budget. All rooms have digital cable TV, plus high speed Internet available in the lobby (or via WiFi in the rooms). With rates beginning as low as $85 per night, the August Jack Motor Inn offers something for the budget conscious holiday maker, who still wants to appreciate the conveniences of home.

If you’re looking to stay somewhere near to Whistler this winter, without breaking the bank, then have a look at Squamish, a place which really does have so much to offer.

If you’ve booked accommodation in Whistler, and you’re a keen rock climbing enthusiast, then it’s not far to travel to visit Squamish, one of the best destinations for rock climbing enthusiasts in Canada. Only 60km from Whistler, Squamish is home to the Stawamus Chief, which is the second largest granite monolith in the world, measuring over 2000 feet.

Climbing in Squamish
People have been climbing in Squamish since the late 1950s, and there are over 1,500 climbing routes that can be taken on granite rock, as well as a bouldering field. There are climbs suited to beginning climbers, as well as those for the seasoned rock climbing enthusiast.

Even a beginner can climb part of the Chief (although definitely not to the top), by climbing an area which is known as The Apron, which is a great way for beginners to experience one of the world’s greatest climbs.

Experienced climbers love the challenge The Chief provides, because it’s slick granite rock with very few ledges and holds. It’s definitely not a climb for the faint of heart!

Other Climbing Areas
About a hour’s hike from The Chief, you’ll find the Smoke Bluffs, which provide a great area for beginner climbers.

Even closer to Whistler accommodation, is Cheakamus Canyon, which is between Squamish and Whistler. It’s a great destination for the adventurous climber.

One of Squamish’s downfalls is the weather. While generally sunny from May to September, and okay for much of March and April (although there’s a risk it will be wet). The rest of the year it’s generally too wet or too cold, although it rarely snows at Squamish south, so die hard climbers have been known to visit in the off season to make the most of the empty climbs.

Climbing Gear
Standard climbing gear is necessary for most of the climbs around Squamish, while climbs requiring larger gear will generally be mentioned in any guidebooks (so check before you visit them). For those who are more adventurous, it’s a great idea to bring placing gear. If you need to buy any gear, it’s possible to do so in Squamish itself.

Whistler Accommodation
If you are a climbing enthusiast, then Squamish is one of the best places to visit, and if you need a place to stay, there’s great accommodation in beautiful Whistler (which possesses many other outdoor activities). There are many great Whistler accommodation lodges and hotels, as well as condos and B&Bs.

If you’re travelling to Whistler this summer for your vacation stay in one of the luxury or owner direct Whistler acccommodations, be sure to stop for a day or so, (or a few hours) in Squamish, BC, Canada.
Squamish, only 1 1/2 hours from Whistler, and right along the Sea-to-Sky highway on your ride up from Vancouver, is known across Canada as the recreation capital.

Squamish tourism has been bustling with activity as more travellers are finding their Squamish accommodations in this small town nestled right along the coast. But don’t be fooled by the quiet surrounds, this town is bubbling with activities for the sports enthusiast. From some of the best hiking in BC, to wind surfing, kite boarding, kayaking, rock climbing and more, this town has it all.

To some who travel to Squamish for the day, or stay in one of the few accommodations in Squamish, will find this town offers some of the best wind surfing and kite boarding around. For those interested in carving up the water this summer, be sure to visit the Squamish Windsport Society.

The Squamish Windsport Society is a non-profit society providing sailors with access to high wind sailing where the Squamish River meets Howe Sound. Squamish has more high performance sailing days on the water than most other places in North America. Squamish is outstanding in terms of  moderate wind speeds, reliable and consistent conditions, easy access, availability of supreme conditions for many additional outdoor activities, and spectacular ocean-side mountain surroundings.

Warm winds and sunshine are a blessing to all those people familiar with cold and blustery storm fronts which power windsurfing and kite sails in most other places across the country. The warming air of springtime north of Squamish causes the southerly “thermal inflows” to build, coming in off the cool ocean, and in the summer the afternoon winds blow like clockwork. The winds accelerate up Howe Sound through the valleys of the Sea-to-Sky Corridor, reaching peak speeds through the Squamish narrows consistently at strengths between 15 and 25 knots. The more the sun shines, the stronger the winds blow. From time to time frontal systems pass through with strong winds and temporarily break up the regular pattern. Sailing into the sunset is possible in Squamish.

So if you’re hitting Whistler this summer for your golf vacation or hitting the Bike track, or just visiting and renting a place in Whistler, be sure to stay a day or two in Squamish and take in secrets this recreation capital is known for across Canada.

If you’re trying to catch the last bit of winter before spring time for some serious hiking in Squamish, February is an ideal time to visit this beautiful city. Tucked away between Vancouver and Whistler, British Columbia, Canada, the town of Squamish has an ever-growing offering of accommodations and lodging with something to suit all tastes.

With the Whistler 2010 Olympics approaching, now is the perfect time to take in the attractions Squamish has to offer – especially the hiking. The city is in a boom, with condo, home and other accmomodations booming throughout the city, along side a luxury new golf course too, providing yet another activity to lure you to this mountainous city.

If you’re traveling to Squamish this year, almost any accommodation for rent will have a mountain views from your balcony or window. You can find some great rates on lodges with spacious rooms, high speed internet, and other great amenities, such as those found at the Sea to Sky Hotel.

Most accommodations in Squamish are close to trails, parks, the grocery store & shopping. Though your hear to take in the adventure, so relax at a local bed and breakfast (B&B) and take in some mountain biking, kayak excursion, or day’s rock climbing on the great Chief.

The Seqwamus Chief Provincial Park protects the 700 metre massive granite cliffs that stand at the southern entrance to Squamish on the scenic Sea to Sky Highway. Hiking trails to The Chief’s three summits offer rewarding views of Howe Sound, Squamish townsite and surrounding mountains. This park has opportunities for camping, hiking, rock climbing and scenic viewing atop the Chief.

So when traveling to Squamish, finding a Squamish accommodation shouldn’t be to difficult to find. Some good recommendations include August Jack Motor Inn, Seak to Sky Hotel, Howe Sound Inn, Drden Creek Resorts, and a number of condo’s, townhomes, lodges and cabins owned directly by owners for rent.

Brrrrr…..what just happened? One day we had that nice sunny warm weather here in Whistler, and now, well….we still go the sun but that cold breeze brings back memories of last years fall season. That’s right, it’s that time of year again. Fall is back and winter ski and snowboard season is right around the corner, and the local BC ski resorts are getting prepared.

For those visiting British Columbia for the upcoming ski season, be sure to visit the winter vacation resorts in Whistler, Squamish, Pemberton and Big White. And while your planning your winter vacation, be sure to book your accommodation and lodging early. Whistler has a range of luxury accommodations to rent to those owner-direct condo’s and lodges to pile the friends and family in for a week of winter fun.

So if you’re travelling to BC, Canada for this winter season, have a peak at the North West Telegraph Traveller’s Guide To: Skiing and snowboarding in North America.