My experience at Baby & Me

The invitation
I was recently invited to take part in the "sneak peek" of the upcoming Baby & Me series at the Sea to Sky Gondola.  I had a wodnerful experience with MetroVancouver's “Mom & Baby” hiking program this fall - both my daughter and I met great new friends - and I’ve been interested in riding the Sea to Sky Gondola ever since it opened last May, so we jumped at the chance to take part.  We were not disappointed!

The drive & ride up
The drive into Squamish from North Vancouver took us about forty minutes, and we were welcomed with blue skies and sunshine as we pulled into the Gondola's parking lot. Lots of parking, helpful staff and fast queues brought us to the launch platform in record time. The gondolas came quickly, so we never waited more than a few minutes for the next one to arrive. Each gondola moves at a steady pace up the mountain, but on the platform it was an easy step onto the slow moving lift - I had no trouble getting on with a baby in a carrier and a diaper bag on my shoulder. The ride up was also the perfect opportunity to feed my baby before the hike began at the top!  The doors closed and we were quickly surrounded by ever-expanding panoramic views of the Squamish mountains and Howe Sound. There were four moms with babies in my gondola, and with so many windows surrounding us I felt like we were in the Great Glass Elevator from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.  The ride was smooth and lasted about ten minutes, and as we climbed higher, we watched climbers and hikers below before the facilities at the top came into view.  The large wooden Summit Lodge Restaurant fit tastefully into the mountainside. The restaurant boasts a fantastic, child-friendly, delicious menu, incredible patio, coffee and gift shop. The outside deck is big enough to hold a few hundred people, and there’s even enough room for events like a small concert or other performances. It felt much like a ski lodge, with a cozy, cheerful atmosphere. There were also cute fire pits with seating around them on the patio.

The Summit & hike
Once we stepped off the gondola I was surprised by the crisp, refreshing air and the slight temperature drop.  We’d only just left the parking lot a few minutes ago, but we already felt like we were in a whole new world. We joined up with the other moms and babies in our group by the trail map and we started making our way along the Panoramic Trail, an easy hike, led by a knowledgeable and experienced guide.  I’ve spent my whole life on the coast, but everything looked different being up so high - yellow hemlock and cedar trees grew tall and strong in the mountain air, and the views were clear and seemingly endless. Mt. Garibaldi, Mt. Atwell and the Tantalus Mountain Ranges felt close enough to touch at times, and several viewing areas among the trail gave us glimpses of waterfalls, cliff faces, high peaks and deep valleys that are hidden from view from the town below.  Our hike was a gentle loop that took us to the Chief Overlook Viewing Platform and back, and this particular view was stunning with clear views up and down the Squamish Valley, straight down to the windsurfers and kite boarders below in Howe Sound.

Lunch
We made our way back to the Lodge where we were treated to a delicious lunch of salads and sandwiches catered by the Summit Lodge Restaurant set on the viewing deck. I was happy to see a small but fun kids menu, as well as ample gluten-free and vegetarian options on the regular menu. After lunch and a visit, we all headed back down the gondola at our own pace.  The ride down was just as fun as the ride up. I would find it hard to imagine the trip ever being boring with so much to see!  I was excited to return the next day, after a good night’s sleep, for another look.

The stay
Speaking of a good night’s sleep, we were treated to stay at the child friendly Executive Inn and Suites Hotel in Squamish. Our suite was beautiful and very spacious with a kitchenette, mini patio, living space, washer/dryer, bathroom and separate bedroom. Everything was clean, comfortable and well organized, but our favourite part was, of course, the heated outdoor pool with a lovely mountain view!
Our next day visit (there was still more to see!). The next day, my husband and I took our time exploring the facilities at the bottom of the gondola, including the well-stocked Basecamp Galileo Cafe and a very charming playhouse playground for energetic youngsters to burn off some energy. After another smooth ride up, we headed to the Sky Pilot Suspension Bridge, which was a highlight that must be experienced in person!  We explored a few more trails, and noted that the surrounding area was being expanded into more hiking and biking trails, and even a winter tubing hill for cold weather fun.  I kept noticing more sights and wildlife that I had missed the previous day - the beauty of this Squamish mountain was a lot to take in all at once, so it was a real treat to be able to revisit the same spots and take my time to really soak it all in.

Our next day visit (there was still more to see!)
The next day, my husband and I took our time exploring the facilities at the bottom of the gondola, including the well-stocked Basecamp Galileo Cafe and a very charming playhouse playground for energetic youngsters to burn off some energy. After another smooth ride up, we headed to the Sky Pilot Suspension Bridge, which was a highlight that must be experienced in person!  We explored a few more trails, and noted that the surrounding area was being expanded into more hiking and biking trails, and even a winter tubing hill for cold weather fun.  I kept noticing more sights and wildlife that I had missed the previous day - the beauty of this Squamish mountain was a lot to take in all at once, so it was a real treat to be able to revisit the same spots and take my time to really soak it all in.

The final word
All in all, the Sea to Sky Gondola was a leisurely family adventure that left us with fantastic memories and a fresh look at the breathtaking scenery that’s so close to us, and that is now more accessible than ever.  I’d highly recommend registering for the upcoming Mom+Baby hiking series.  It’s a great way to meet new moms and babes while exercising and exploring the great outdoors :)

A huge thank you to Angela Santoro and Kay Protheroe with the Healthy Family Expo, as well as Shannon Lorenz at Garibaldi Events, for the thoughtful invitation to experience the Sea to Sky Gondola and to spend a night in Squamish together with my family :)