Vancouver to Pemberton

A trip up the Sea to Sky.

story by SIERRA SIMPSON image by ALEX GUILLAUME ON UNSPLASH

Heading out from Vancouver, the best way to start your trip is with a stop at the Cypress Mountain Lookout in West Vancouver. From this viewpoint you’ll experience a panoramic view of Vancouver! If you’re looking for a bite to eat before hitting the road, there are some great spots up there including the Cypress Creek Grill eatery, an open concept food court featuring hand-crafter pizza’s, grilled burgers, soups, and chilies.

Next on our list is Lions Bay, a small community located between Vancouver and Squamish. There you can find the Lions Bay loop that offers several hiking trails to explore that pass Crystal Falls and viewpoints of Howe Sound. The loop starts from the General Store and Café, a Sea to Sky icon offering coffee and a seasonal menu. The General Store promotes local products including artisan bread, fine meats and cheeses, West Coast Souvenirs and a liquor store offering local beer and wine.

Based in Lions Bay, Eric Lofgren created Next Level Foods, offering plant-based protein bars to meet the growing needs of consumers living a healthy, sustainable lifestyle that is plant-based, and free of common food allergens and added sweeteners. “The Lions Bay General Store and Café were the first to carry my product on store shelves, and have been super-supportive throughout, continuing to prominently display all seven of my protein bar flavours,” says Eric, “It is the perfect place to grab a next level bar to take on your hike - as well as for stopping in at the end of the day for an après pint of cold, craft beer while enjoying the view of Howe Sound.”

Also located in Lions Bay you will find Tunnel Point, a great spot to stretch your legs and check out another view. On the other side of the highway, you can hike Tunnel Bluffs, a 11.5km roundtrip intermediate hike that takes you through the trees, across creeks, over log bridges, and up to a spectacular view point. Make sure to pack lots of water and snacks for this one!

Squamish

On the way up the Sea to Sky to our next stop in Squamish, you will find gorgeous viewpoints and beaches including Porteau Cove, Furry Creek Beach and Lookout, Britannia Beach, as well as a short trail to Shannon Falls, BC’s third tallest falls and a popular picnic spot. After that, we’ve made it to the Sea to Sky Gondola in Squamish! The 10-minute gondola ride takes you up the summit where you will find hiking trails, restaurants, and dozens of veiwpoints - don't forget to take lots of pictures! At the peak of the gondola, you can grab a beverage, fresh baked pastries, and sandwiches at the Co-Pilot Café in the Summit Lodge. You will also find Backyard Bites located in the Backyard Plaza where you can enjoy an assortment of hot food options!

Be sure to check out any of these Squamish food spots and local products:

Sarah Goodman of Chiwis

photo by Audrey Thizy

HOP CREEK FARMS

Located in the beautiful Squamish Valley, Hop Creek Farms is a 33-acre farm that sustainably and ethically raises 100% grass-fed/grass-finished beef, 100% grassfed/grass-finished lamb, pastured pork, and pastured chicken. There are two creeks that intersect and run through the farm property, Dryden Creek and Hop Creek, which is what inspired the name. Order online or drop by their Farm Stand to see their selection.

CHIWIS KIWI CHIPS

Squamish-based, Chiwis Kiwi Chips is a proud Sea to Sky company, created out of a love for snacking and adventure. “Kiwi chips were a snack that I made at home and brought along on hikes, camp trips, basically anywhere I would go that required a portable delicious snack,” says Founder and CEO of Chiwis, Sarah Goodman, “as a nutritionist I am always looking for treats that would be filling, nutritious, and will give my never-ending sweet tooth what it wants without a bunch of junk and added sugars.” Order online or find a store near you on the Chiwis website.

ALICE + BROHM ICE CREAM CO.

A small ice cream business, spreading goodness and making memories with local berries and some of BC’s best dairy. Founders Matt and Katie felt a New Zealand style ice cream would fit well in the Squamish community. Matt was born and raised in New Zealand and his love for ice cream can be found in every area of the business. Katie, raised in the BC interior, finds importance in relationships and sustainability in the local food industry. The business started in 2017 when the two remodeled a 1972 Boler trailer and purchased an authentic real fruit ice cream machine from New Zealand. That is just a small piece about how Alice + Brohm was created, make sure to check them out! They now have 2 locations in Squamish.

GRAZE WILDER

On a sunny spring day in 2021, best friends of 24 years Emily and Rosie were hiking in Whistler discussing their dreams of heading home to Squamish for a luxurious charcuterie and cheese feast. Realizing they had found a gap in the market, this conversation quickly led to their launching of Graze Wilder (named after Emily's newborn, baby Jack Wilder). "We've been blown away by how supportive the Squamish community is, it truly is the best place to have a small business. There is a lot of change happening right now and it's so exciting to be a part of. Each week another new eatery is popping up, there's a real feeling that we're all in it together and everyone wants one another to succeed,” says Emily. "We personally deliver our graze boxes and boards which gives us the chance to meet our grazers; whether it be a Friday date night by the river, professionals gifting to their clients, graduation parties or more recently, brides on their wedding day." Rosie adds.

ANDREW WATSON DESIGN

BC Food & Beverage have been happy to work with Squamish based boutique award design studio, Andrew Watson Design, who created the BCFB Award trophies. They specialize in the custom design and creation of unique hand-crafted awards, trophies, and plaques. “We are fortunate to be in Squamish, a strong and vibrant community that we are very proud to be a part of,” says Kristy Pahl, HR Director at Andrew Watson Design, “when we aren’t designing and handcrafting awards, the team enjoys all the playfulness that Squamish brings including mounting biking, hiking, rock climbing, and snow sports.” For staff lunches, the team frequents local restaurant, Luz Tacos, and for treats, they are often found at Tall Tree Bakery, Sunflower Bakery, or Fox and Oat for delicious doughnuts.

Whistler

Next to visit is Whistler, located in the beautiful Coast Mountains, the little town is home to many great shops, restaurants, museums, events, and festivals to explore. No matter the season there are plenty of things to do in the outdoors including hiking trails and snow activities. With the many spots to stop along the Sea to Sky Highway, a highly recommended place to check out is Brandywine Falls, just south of Whistler. There you will find the iconic waterfall that plummets down 230 feet, as well as hiking and mountain bike trails to explore. Be sure to check out Tourism Whistler for more activity options!

BReD store front

photo by Calum Hayes

BReD MADE BY ED

We had the chance to chat with Ed and Natasha, the founders of BReD, an organic sourdough bakery located in Creekside Village, Whistler. Ed, has been a chef all his working life, studying at catering college in the UK and working at prestigious eateries in England, New Zealand, and Australia before working at Alta Bistro in Whistler. Ed created a sourdough culture while working on organic vegetable farms with his wife, Natasha, on Vancouver Island in the summer of 2014, and took it back to Alta Bistro where he set up a bread program. Natasha had worked various food and beverage jobs to supplement her income during her teaching career and had dreamt of opening a plant-based eatery, so she and Ed decided to sell their house, leave their full-time jobs, and set up a 100% plant-based organic sourdough bakery together in Creekside Village which opened in March 2019. “We have an amazing customer base of young professionals, athletes, and families who support us all year round buying their weekly bread, and morning coffee and treats,” says Ed, “there is often a line-up for hours until we sell out every day and other local entrepreneurs have opened up with complimentary businesses in the neighbourhood, like a vegan salon and a day care. We feel accepted by the long-term Whistler residents, which is especially amazing for a vegan business - and an achievement in any ski town!”

Pemberton

After grabbing some plant-based fuel from Natasha and Ed, its time to hit the road again to our final stop, Pemberton, just north of Whistler and about a 2.5-hour drive from Vancouver. From spending the day at One Mile Lake, exploring Nairn Falls Provincial Park, or checking out some of the local food and beverage spots, the community of Pemberton has a lot to offer.

MILE ONE EATING HOUSE

Mile one is a rustic, casual restaurant known for its menu of comfort food and a passion to support and showcase local products. You will find over 35 different BC craft beers, 6 regional wines, local coffee and teas, as well as a showcase of local retail items from artisan sausage to goat’s milk soap. The restaurant represents their vision of the beginning, end, or middle of one’s journey. The name ‘One Mile’ refers to the mile marker you would find while exploring the outdoors in Pemberton.

WHISTLER HARVEST

Whistler Harvest is a vertical farm, based in Pemberton, operating in the sea to sky region. They offer cultivated mushrooms and grow it yourself kits. They are proud to provide locally grown, pesticide free, non-gmo, healthy foods for their communities.

NORTH ARM FARM

North Arm Farm is a family owned and operated certified organic farm located in Pemberton. Stop by the farm to check out their store, bakery and restaurant open for all day breakfast and lunch. They also offer u-pick strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and pumpkins. Be sure to check out their website to see what’s in season!