10 things you should know about this weekend - Sept, 11th

Wine Down, Sea to Sky Orchestra, HikeFest & more

1. Friday, September 11th - Orchestra & dinner

   We will not have regular table service dinner due to a special event, our End of Summer Wine Down dinner.

   The Wine Down dinner is full. However, the Sea to Sky Orchestra will play on the patio from 6pm-8pm and we will have lounge seating and standing room for those who wouldl like a more casual dining experience.

   Grab a drink from the Edge Bar or the servery fridges, get a burger, gourment hot dog, fries, or even some scoop ice cream from the Summit Plaza Barbecue. Alternatively, you can grab a sanwich, baked good or salad from the Summit Tea House.

2. Saturday, September 12th - Gran Fondo & Sunset dinner

   Although the Gran Fondo bike race is happening Saturday morning, traffic will be able to get into our parking lot during the race. The last racer is expected to pass Squamish by about 10:30am.

   We open at 10:00am. We have general information tours about the local area and the gondola at 11am & 2pm. We also have a fun kids tour that starts, daily, at 1pm at the top of the gondola.

   Stay for dinner for a fantastic sunset. Try our table service dinner or casual barbecue in the Summit Plaza. Photo by DJ Sean Kozak.

• Sunday,September 13th - HikeFest fun

  Our Second Annual HikeFest event takes place from 10am - 4pm at our Summit. This event celebrates all things hiking and walking in the outdoors. There are a number of open events and events that require registration. This is your opportunity to have someone show you a new trail, or give you some hiking tips -- or to just get outside with the kids and have some fun!

• Do I need to register for HikeFest this Sunday?

  Not for all activities. There are plenty of things for you to do during HikeFest. You can hike on your own after visiting Nadine at our information tent in the Summit Plaza at the top of the gondola. We have live music, a family games zone, two intro-to-hiking kid tours, a live eagle and owl and more.

• Does HikeFest cost money?

  The event is complementary with a valid day ticket or season pass. Purchase your day ticket online, before your visit, and save ($33.95 adult). See the tickets & passes page here.

  The only activity that has an additional cost is the exhilarating Via Ferrata climbing experience. The special HikeFest price is $25 (regularly $109). To register for any of these events, please call 604-892-2551 as soon as possible! Make sure to leave a voicemail so we can call you back.

• Where can I eat?

  At the base

  Basecamp Cafe: Grab a coffee and some snacks for your ride up to give you some energy before your activities. Baked goods, granola bars, chips, hot breakfast items, sandwiches and more.

  At the top

  Tea House (inside): Grab 'n go sandwiches, baked goods, salads, espresso/drip coffees, wraps and more.

  Summit Servery (inside): Soups, burgers, fries, lettuce wraps, make-your-own-salad, make-your-own-sandwiches, pulled pork sandwiches, ice cream and more.

  Plaza Barbecue (outside): Scoop ice cream, gourmet smokies, burgers, fries and more.

• Live music

  This Friday, Sept 11th, The Sea to Sky Orchestra will play from 6pm-8pm. There will not be any table service dinner, as we have a special wine pairing event called the Wine Down dinner, however we will have seating available on the patio, as well as food from the Tea House and Summit Plaza Barbecue.

  This Sunday, at HikeFest, we will have a number of music and dance acts.Visit the Summit Plaza (at the top of the gondola) to check out the live music and entertainment:

  12pm - 4pm - Cam Salay (acoustic folk, rock, covers)

  11am - 11:30am - The Vancouver Morris Men perform (dance)

  12:30pm - 1pm - The Vancouver Morris Men perform (dance)

• What to bring for your hike

  Layers: Prepare for feeling hot and sweaty, and feeling a cool

  Water bottle: You can refill it at the base. We have reusable bottles for sale at the base and summit, as well as bottled drinks.

  Snacks: granola bars, hard fruits, nuts.

  Camera: If you want to capture a moment with your friends/family during one of your activities/hikes.

• Lots of kids activties:

  Kids' activities include:

  The Mountain Equipment Co-op Games Zone (Summit Plaza)

  The expanded Alpine Alley Tour (leaving from Summit Plaza Map)

  Photos with Hagrid the Owl and Emily the Eagle (Summit Plaza)

• Clinics: Running and strength training

  10:30am - Trail Running Clinic with Challenge By Choice
  Intro to trail running, open to all abilities. Free. Please register by calling 604-892-2551.

  1:30pm - Mountain Athletic training with The North Face
  Join a North Face trainer who will take you through a workout aimed to prepare you to achieve your outdoor goal, whether it’s finishing an Endurance Challenge, becoming a stronger skier, or conquering the Sea to Summit Trail. Mountain Athletics is The North Face approach to training, designed to help athletes of all levels have longer days and more fun outdoors. No matter what you train for or how you train for it, The North Face has the program, durable apparel and supportive community to help you reach your goal.

  Please register now by calling 604-892-2551. Check with one of our guides at the Sea to Sky Gondola tent in the Summit Plaza for any walk-in availability.