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Driving Directions

Please note: individual condo directions will be forwarded once fully paid reservation has been received. [ Print a friendly version here ]
Seattle to Vancouver

Travel Time: Seattle to Vancouver - approximately 2 1/2 - 3 hours
Distance: approx. 176 kilometres or 110 miles

Directions (via Second Narrows Bridge):
During heavy peak traffic times travelers can take the alternate Truck Border crossing by using Exit 275, off of I-5, before getting to the main Douglas Border crossing. Drivers can then follow the Pacific Highway (also known as 176th Street or Hwy 15) through Surrey, over the Cloverdale Bypass to Hwy 1 (the Trans Canada Highway).

Exit onto Hwy. 1, traveling west, and follow the highway out of Surrey, over the Port-Mann Bridge, through Port Coquitlam, Burnaby and East Vancouver.

Hwy. 1 then travels over the Ironworkers' Memorial Second Narrows Bridge, through North and West Vancouver toward Horseshoe Bay. Before Horseshoe Bay, take the Squamish - Whistler exit (#0 or 1), onto Hwy. 99 North, also known as the Sea to Sky Highway. Follow the directions to Whistler below.

Directions (via Lions Gate Bridge):
Once in Canada, after going through the Douglas Border crossing, I-5 becomes Highway 99 which travels north into Vancouver. The trip will take you through the Massey Tunnel and over the Oak Street Bridge. Once across the Oak Street Bridge, you will notice that cross streets will all be numbered in descending order from 73rd St. down.

When you reach the 41st Street intersection, turn left and travel west until you see the next major intersection - Granville Street. Turn right on to Granville and head north on Granville, which will lead you over the Granville Street Bridge into downtown Vancouver.

While on the bridge, move over to the far right lane and take the Seymour Street exit. Travel north on Seymour, until you get to Georgia Street, and turn left onto Georgia Street. Georgia Street will take you out of downtown Vancouver, through Stanley Park and over the Lions Gate Bridge.

Once across the bridge, stay to the left, follow the off-ramp around and exit via the Marine Drive West turnoff towards West Vancouver. Once on Marine Drive get in the right-hand lane, as you will be making the first right onto Taylor Way. After travelling up the hill on Taylor Way, turn left onto Highway 1 West towards Horseshoe Bay. Before Horseshoe Bay, take the Squamish - Whistler exit (#0 or 1), onto Hwy. 99 North, also known as the Sea to Sky Highway. Follow the directions to Whistler below.

Vancouver to Whistler

Travel Time: Vancouver to Whistler - approximately 1 1/2 - 2 hours
Distance: approx. 160 kilometres or 100 miles

Directions:
Follow Highway 1 West toward Horseshoe Bay. Before Horseshoe Bay, take the Squamish - Whistler exit (#0 or 1), onto Hwy. 99 North, also known as the Sea to Sky Highway.

Once on Hwy 99 North, past Horseshoe Bay, the trip to Whistler can vary depending on road conditions and traffic. Remain on Hwy 99 North until you reach Whistler.

Take your time as you will pass by several lakes, towns and view points along the way. Two major viewpoints include Black Tusk and Shannon Falls.

Depending on your final destination, you will pass through various Whistler Neighborhoods en-route to Whistler Village. These are marked by large wooden signboards at the neighborhood entrances. Driving from Vancouver to Whistler, you'll pass them in the following order: Function Junction, Spring Creek, Bayshores, Whistler Creek (Creekside), Nordic Estates, Alta Vista, Blueberry Hill, Brio, Whistler Village, Whistler Cay Heights, Whistler Cay, White Gold Estates, Nesters, Spruce Grove, Nicklaus North, Alpine Meadows, and Emerald Estates.

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Road and Driving TIPS

Winter Driving: It is recommended that your car is equipped with proper snow/winter tires for the drive from Horseshoe Bay to Whistler. If you have all-season tires, please carry chains and know how to put them on. In case of heavy snowfall, a shovel and road salt are advisable.

Highway Regulations: Use of seatbelts in BC by drivers and passengers is mandatory. Use of headlights during daylight on all vehicles is highly recommended. The maximum speed limit on Highway 99 is 80km per hour with many slower areas along the way.

Metric Equivalents: All highway signs are posted in metric (kilometres per hour).

30 mph = 50 km/h, 50 mph = 80 km/h.
Gasoline is sold in litres: 1 US gallon = 3.78 litres
1 kilometre = 5/8 or .621 miles; 1 mile = 1 2/3 or 1.6 kilometres.

Highway 99 Driving Tips: The spectacular two-hour drive along the Sea to Sky Highway (99 North), from Vancouver to Whistler, offers awe-inspiring, scenic views, and was rated the 'Most Romantic Road in the World' in the Prestigious Robb Report Magazine in 1998. For a safe and enjoyable journey along a mountain highway, such as Highway 99, drivers need to be alert at all times. Maximum speed is 80 km/h (50 mph), which is actively enforced by police, and the use of safety belts and child car seats are required by law in British Columbia.