121km – 1 hr 35 mins

Begin your journey in Vancouver, BC’s largest city. Conduct your vehicle handover with one of the FarOut Team members and head north to Whistler via Highway 99. Today you get to explore the Sea to Sky Highway, an absolutely spectacular drive that is guaranteed to take your breath away.

Today, it really is about the journey, so take your time as there are many viewpoints along the way. On the Sea-to-Sky corridor look out for cultural journey interpretive kiosks, that are designed in the shape of cedar-bark hats, here you can learn more about the area’s local indigenous people.

The absolute MUST of today is the Sea to Sky Gondola, where you can catch a ride to the top and enjoy the sweeping views of the Howe Sound, take a walk to the many viewing platforms, check out the suspension bridge and be sure to soak up the view with a cold beverage!

Once in Squamish, billed as the ‘Outdoor Recreation Capital of Canada’ (for a very good reason!) there are lots of options for every outdoor enthusiast. Zoom down more than 600 mountain biking trails that weave through old-growth forests, take a hike at Alice Lakes Provincial Park and stop off in the downtown core for some great food (and icecream!).

Once you have had your fill of adventure, it will be time to head further into the mountains to Whistler, where there are a number of camping options to choose from. We will happily make recommendations based on your preferences and needs.

Local travel only

Today you have the whole day to explore Whistler, a year-round mountain playground that Hello BC describes as ‘glamorous and youthful with an adventurous soul’. We are excited for you to see first-hand why this town is consistently ranked one of the top four-season resorts in North America.

Remember, Whistler has a lot to offer and we are certain you won’t be able to fit everything in so we highly recommend that you plan out your day and book activities and dinner reservations in advance. Here’s our list of top activities:

• Peak2Peak Gondola & Hiking: connecting the two mountains; Whistler and Blackcomb, the gondola also includes access to 50+km of hiking trails. On a clear day, the view is superb and looks out to snow-capped mountains, alpine lakes, and dense coniferous forests.
• Mountain Biking: a popular summer sport, visitors will see legions of armor-clad bikers heading up the slopes by chairlift to Whistler Mountain Bike Park. If this feels too extreme, there are lots of cross-country biking options where riders can take on everything from easy green trails to technical downhill descents through old-growth rainforest. Rentals are on offer throughout Whistler village.
• Audain Art Museum: One of the newest cultural attractions has become a fast favourite. With a mandate to feature British Columbian art and artists from the late 1700s onwards, the museum’s permanent collection is certainly impressive.
• Lakes, Beaches and Parks: spend a warm day on a beautiful beach by a cool, clear mountain lake, bring a picnic or take-out and relax in the sun, or rent canoes, kayaks and stand-up paddleboards for a wetter adventure!
• ATV Tours: get out and see the mountains from a quad bike on an exhilarating all-terrain tour.

We are certain that these activities will leave you hungry, and thirsty, so check out some of Whistlers great restaurants, pubs and bars! These will be some of the best après options you’ll find on your trip from Vancouver to Banff. With so much to see, do and experience, let us know if you want more time in Whistler. That’s the benefit of a fully tailor-made itinerary – you choose!

299kms – 4 hr 5mins

After an adventurous couple of nights in and around Whistler it’s time to pack up and hit the road. Make sure you pack a flask and some snacks / a picnic as there are some great stops along the way today.

On the way to Kamloops we highly recommend stops at:

• Pemberton: A small town that could only be reached by train until the 1960’s. There are lots of outdoor activities – horse-back riding, paragliding, climbing – available in Pemberton, so if you book in advance this could be your morning’s adventure. For those keen to understand more of the area’s history, check out the Pemberton museum.
• Tsutswecw Provincial Park: this 26km trail system is used for for hiking and mountain biking in summer and cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in winter. The Adams River squeezes through a narrow canyon portion of the valley to create spectacular rapids that are enthusiastically used by rafters and kayakers. This park has a beautiful waterfall on Bear Creek that is viewable from the Flume Trail System.

When arriving into Kamloops we highly recommend a vehicle re-stock in preparation for the days ahead. Kamloops has great amenities and once stocked you can head out east of Kamloops to one of many camping spots.

333kms – 4hr 34mins

Seven of the Park’s waterfalls originate on the Murtle River, but perhaps none are more famous than Helmcken Falls. This 141m water fall cascades down into the canyon below and a short hike along the Rim Trail will lead you to a stunning view of the falls. Although you can also take in this spectacular view form the viewing platforms provided, we do recommend the hike.

The park has a total of 39 fantastic falls that you can visit. Here are our top five:

• Dawson Falls – stretches its watery veil 90m across ancient lava beds.
• Moul Falls – if you’re really adventurous, you’ll continue down to the base of the chute where you can slip between the falls and the canyon and take a peek behind the falls.
• Spahats Creek Falls – Volcanic rock deposits form the layer-cake-like canyon at Spahats Falls, making it one of the most dramatic waterfalls to photograph in the Park.
• Mushroom Bowl – just downstream from Dawson Falls, watch the Murtle River split in two as it makes its way around Cambrian rock formations.
• Silvertip Falls – At 168m this is one of the tallest falls hidden under Trophy Mountain.

103kms – 1hr 03mins

Today is just a short drive, giving you time to enjoy all that Revelstoke has to offer. Our top three activities are:

1. Visiting the Revelstoke Mountain Resort: From the pipe mountain coaster to the aerial adventure park and mountain bike park there’s a full day of summer activities at the Resort. If you opt to visit we highly recommend booking your activities in advance.
2. Explore Lake Revelstoke: Head north above the Revelstoke Dam and enter into the wilderness. Secret beaches, waterfalls, turquoise waters, and old growth rainforests await. No cell service affords you the opportunity to truly be present in the great outdoors.
3. Eat, Drink & Unwind: There is a great array of dining options in downtown Revelstoke. Treat yourself to a fancy lunch and a wander around the downtown core.

287km – 3 hr 20mins

Today you will travel through Golden as you continue on your way from Vancouver to Banff. Take the day to enjoy some of the rich heritage that these areas have to offer.

Rogers Pass

Between Revelstoke and Golden lies Rogers Pass, the last great obstacle for the transcontinental railroad that first linked Canada from east to west at the turn of the 19th century. Visit the Revelstoke Railway Museum or drive the scenic Meadows in the Sky Parkway for an impressive midsummer wildflower display.

Golden

Take the gondola up Kicking Horse Mountain Resort for hiking, mountain biking and some of the finest sightseeing in the area. Gaze at the spectacular peaks of the Dogtooth Range while dining at Eagle Eye Restaurant, the highest-elevation eatery in Canada at nearly 2,400 m/8,000 ft.

Local travel only

Banff is a great resort town and the gateway to Banff National Park, Canada’s first national park. It is one of the most visited destinations in Alberta and Canada as a whole and there is a good reason why, the list of things to do really is endless! Here are a few of our favorites:

• Tunnel Mountain drive: This is a scenic route to drive around. There is a viewpoint where you can see town of Banff. Often you will find wildlife (Deer, Elk, sometimes a Bear) on this road.
• Gondola Ride: Banff’s only Gondola takes you up to the top of Sulphur Mountain and you will have a panoramic view of the Canadian Rockies. The Banff Sightseeing Gondola ride takes about 7 minutes and there is a cafeteria and restaurant at the top as well as a gift shop.
• Lake Louise: Lake Louise is a hamlet in Banff National Park known for its turquoise, glacier-fed lake ringed by high peaks and overlooked by a stately chateau. Hiking trails wind up to the Lake Agnes Tea House for bird’s-eye views. There’s a canoe dock in summer, and a skating rink on the frozen lake in winter. A short drive from Banff.

If you would like to extend your trip to stay a bit longer in Banff just let us know, again that’s the benefit of a fully tailor-made itinerary – you choose!

We also offer options for one way trips from Vancouver to Calgary, so if you want your trip to be one way from Vancouver to Banff, chat with us!

480kms – 5hrs 40mins

Doing a round trip vacation from Vancouver to Banff and back gives you a great chance to see more of BC’s Okanagan Valley. Time to start your return journey to Vancouver, via the Okanagan Valley and some wineries! Today is a longer day of driving, so we recommend that you plan to pack up and head out early to make sure you can take full advantage of what Kelowna has to offer. Plus, a glass or two of wine at the end of a long drive is a good incentive!

Local travel only

Kelowna is a city in the south of Canada’s British Columbia province. It’s in the Okanagan Valley, on the eastern shore of Okanagan Lake, surrounded by provincial parks, pine forest, vineyards, orchards, and mountains. Its downtown area incorporates waterfront City Park and a lakeside cultural district. The Okanagan Valley is the birthplace of winemaking in BC, and it is known for its top-quality wines that regularly win national and international awards. There are over 40 wineries within a 20-minute drive of Kelowna so your have plenty of options. To explore properly we recommend choosing a Guided Tour Operator to take you on one of the five unique wine trails – leave the driving to them while you sit back, take in the flavour and soak in the scenery.

390kms – 4hr 11mins

Toady its time to take a slow and scenic route back to Vancouver. There are lots of treats along the way so pick a couple of stopping points and make sure to give yourself some time.

• Hope: A small town along the Highway 1 which was part of the big gold rush of North America. Hope is home to the Othello Railway Tunnels an engineering marvel of old train tunnels and bridges that cut through the solid granite walls and pass over the wild Coquihalla River.
• Yale Historic Site: The Yale Museum offers an intriguing look at the gold rush boom of the 1800s that brought miners to the gold fields of the Cariboo and Barkerville.
• Hells Gate: one of the only descending tramways in the world. Take the tram across the narrow canyon, which early explorers had dubbed “a place where no human being should venture.”

At the end of the day it will be time to meet a member of the FarOut Wilderness team to hand over your vehicle. You’ve done your Vancouver to Banff trip!