The Sea-to-Sky Highway is one of the most beautiful drives in the world, and at Christmas it leads to two very different celebrations. Squamish, about an hour from Vancouver, has a Santa train and a mountaintop holiday trail. Whistler, about two hours away, has snow, skiing and a village that feels like a Christmas card.
Squamish
- North Pole Express at the Railway Museum of BC: a full-size heritage train ride with Santa, on weekends from November 28 to December 20, plus Monday, December 21. Departures at 11:00 AM, 1:00 PM, 3:00 PM and 5:00 PM. Book early; most departures sell out.
- Spirit of the Season at the Sea to Sky Gondola: a decorated forest trail, Santa photos in the Summit Lodge, storytime and local makers, 885 metres above Howe Sound. 2026 dates haven’t been announced; last season ran from November 29 to December 31.
Whistler
- Wintersphere Whistler, December 19, 2026 to January 2, 2027 (closed December 25), 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM at the Whistler Conference Centre: free, with Santa visits, a holiday café, kids’ crafts and a holiday maze.
- New Year’s Eve in Whistler Village, December 31: a free program through the day, ending with the Luminosity Parade at 7:45 PM to Skier’s Plaza. See New Year’s Eve in Vancouver.
- Skating and the Snow Zone at Whistler Olympic Plaza, with free sledding if you bring your own sled.
- Skiing and snowboarding: Whistler Blackcomb is open over Christmas and New Year’s in a normal season. Holiday weeks are the busiest of the year, so book lessons, rentals and rooms early.
Tourism Whistler posts the full holiday event calendar closer to the season.
Driving the Sea-to-Sky in December
- Winter tires (or chains) are required on Highway 99 north of Horseshoe Bay in winter. Check DriveBC before you leave.
- It gets dark by about 4:30 PM, and conditions can change quickly past Squamish.
- Bus services run between Vancouver and Whistler if you’d rather not drive.
A Sea-to-Sky Christmas Day Trip
Take a morning North Pole Express departure in Squamish, have lunch downtown, ride the Sea to Sky Gondola for the holiday trail (if it’s open), and drive home along Howe Sound before dark. For an overnight, carry on to Whistler. More routes are in Christmas day trips from Vancouver.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Squamish from Vancouver?
About an hour by car from downtown, longer in snow.
Is there Christmas in Whistler Village?
Yes. Wintersphere runs from December 19 to January 2, and the village holds a free New Year’s Eve celebration with the Luminosity Parade.
Does the North Pole Express sell out?
Most departures do. Book early and only through the Railway Museum of BC.
Christmas in Other Areas
- City of Vancouver
- North Shore
- Burnaby and New Westminster
- Richmond and Delta
- Surrey and White Rock
- Tri-Cities
- Langley and the Fraser Valley
Part of: Vancouver Christmas Guide 2026
