Squamish, BC: Complete Town Guide

Squamish is a fast-growing mountain town of about 25,000 people at the head of Howe Sound, about an hour north of Vancouver on the Sea-to-Sky Highway. Calling itself the "Outdoor Recreation Capital of Canada," it sits beneath the giant granite face of the Stawamus Chief, surrounded by waterfalls, rivers, glaciers and forests. Squamish is world-famous for rock climbing, mountain biking, kiteboarding and the winter gathering of bald eagles at Brackendale. Halfway between Vancouver and Whistler, it combines a relaxed small-town downtown with some of the most spectacular scenery in Canada.

Squamish sits on the traditional and unceded territory of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation), whose ancestral homeland includes Howe Sound and the Squamish Valley and whose name the town shares.

Squamish at a Glance: Quick Facts

Statistics Canada counted the population again in May 2026, but community-level results are not expected until 2027. Figures on this page use the 2021 census unless stated.

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History of Squamish

The Sḵwx̱wú7mesh

The Squamish people have lived around Howe Sound and the Squamish, Cheakamus and Mamquam river valleys for thousands of years, with villages along the rivers and the shoreline. The Stawamus Chief and other landmarks hold deep cultural and spiritual meaning for the Nation. Today the Squamish Nation has several reserves in and around the town, including Stawamus, Yekw'apsem and Cheakamus, and is a major partner in the area's economy and future.

Railway and logging town

Settlers arrived in the late 1880s, farming hops in the valley. In 1914 the Pacific Great Eastern Railway (later BC Rail) began operating from Squamish, making it a railway and logging town. For decades Squamish was reached from Vancouver only by boat or rail, until the highway from Horseshoe Bay opened in 1958. The town was incorporated as a village in 1948 and became the District of Squamish in 1964.

Mill town to adventure town

Logging, the Woodfibre pulp mill across Howe Sound and BC Rail's operations dominated the local economy for most of the 20th century. As those industries declined, Squamish reinvented itself as an outdoor recreation destination. Climbers discovered the Stawamus Chief in the 1950s and 1960s, mountain bikers built hundreds of kilometres of trails, and kiteboarders flocked to the windy Squamish Spit. The Sea-to-Sky Highway was rebuilt for the 2010 Winter Olympics, and the Sea to Sky Gondola opened in 2014, putting Squamish on the global tourism map.

Recent decades

Squamish has grown rapidly as people moved from Vancouver for its lifestyle and lower housing costs, though prices have since risen sharply. The Woodfibre LNG export facility, approved by the Squamish Nation under its own environmental review, is being built on the old pulp mill site across Howe Sound and has been a source of local debate.

Key dates in Squamish history

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Geography of Squamish

Squamish lies at the head of Howe Sound, where the Squamish, Mamquam, Cheakamus and Stawamus rivers meet the sea. Granite cliffs, including the 700-metre Stawamus Chief, rise directly above town, and the glaciated peaks of Garibaldi Provincial Park dominate the skyline to the northeast. The town stretches north along the valley toward Brackendale and the Squamish Valley. Strong daily inflow winds from Howe Sound make Squamish one of the best kiteboarding and windsurfing spots in Canada; the town's name is often linked to the Squamish word for "mother of the wind."

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Squamish Neighbourhoods

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Squamish Climate and Weather

Squamish has a wet, mild coastal climate with warm, sunny summers. It gets much more rain than Vancouver in fall and winter, and the surrounding mountains get heavy snow. In summer, afternoon winds sweep up Howe Sound, and the valley can be noticeably hotter than Vancouver.

Figures are approximate, based on Environment and Climate Change Canada normals for the area.

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Urban Planning in Squamish

Squamish's planning challenges are housing affordability, growth and protecting its natural setting. The District has created a housing society to build affordable homes, and new neighbourhoods are being developed on the Oceanfront and in the Northyards and Garibaldi areas. Other big issues include managing tourism and traffic on the Sea-to-Sky Highway, flood protection along the rivers, wildfire risk, and the impacts of the Woodfibre LNG project.

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Squamish Landmarks

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Squamish Demographics and Population

The 2021 census counted 23,819 people in Squamish, up about 22% from 2016, one of the fastest growth rates in BC. Squamish is young and active, with many families and outdoor enthusiasts who moved from Vancouver.

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Ethnicity and Cultural Diversity

Figures are rounded from the Statistics Canada 2021 Census Profile. Squamish has a long-established Punjabi Sikh community with roots in the forest industry, and a growing number of residents from around the world.

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Languages Spoken in Squamish

English is the main language. Other languages spoken include Punjabi, Tagalog, French, German, Spanish and Japanese. Sḵwx̱wú7mesh sníchim, the Squamish language, is being revitalized by the Nation, and you will see it on signs around town.

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Religion in Squamish

Most Squamish residents reported no religion in 2021. Christians are the next largest group, and there is a long-standing Sikh community with a gurdwara in town.

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LGBTQ2S+ Squamish

Squamish is an inclusive community with Pride events in the Sea to Sky corridor and local support groups. Whistler's Pride and Ski Festival is nearby each winter.

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Homelessness in Squamish

Rising rents have made homelessness more visible in Squamish, including encampments in the downtown area. The District has hired a public safety director and works with BC Housing and local non-profits on shelter, supportive housing and outreach.

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Squamish Economy

• Tourism and outdoor recreation: climbing, biking, kiteboarding, hiking, rafting and eagle-watching bring visitors year-round, along with the Sea to Sky Gondola.
• Industry: Squamish Terminals handles forest products and bulk cargo, and the Woodfibre LNG facility across Howe Sound is under construction.
• Small business and tech: many remote workers, startups and outdoor gear brands are based here.
• Film: Squamish's mountains and forests appear in many movies and TV series.
• Food and drink: craft breweries, distilleries and restaurants are a growing part of the local economy.

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District Government, Mayor and Council

Squamish is governed by a mayor and six councillors, all elected at large for four-year terms. Voters also elect two trustees to the Sea to Sky School District (School District 48), and Squamish is part of the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District.

Mayor and councillors (term 2022–2026)

The next civic election is Saturday, October 17, 2026. With Mayor Hurford not running again, Squamish will elect a new mayor.

Other levels of government

Squamish is in the federal riding of West Vancouver–Sunshine Coast–Sea to Sky Country and the provincial riding of West Vancouver-Sea to Sky. The Squamish Nation is a separate, self-governing nation.

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Policing and Crime in Squamish

Squamish is policed by the Squamish RCMP detachment, and Squamish Fire Rescue provides fire protection. Search and rescue in the surrounding mountains is handled by the volunteer Squamish Search and Rescue team. Crime rates are moderate, with most reported crime being property crime such as bike theft and car break-ins at trailheads.

For emergencies call 9-1-1. For non-emergency matters, contact the Squamish RCMP.

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Military in Squamish

Squamish has no military base. The Royal Canadian Legion is active locally, and Remembrance Day is marked each November 11 at the downtown cenotaph.

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Squamish Sister Cities

Squamish does not currently promote any formal sister city relationships. Check with the District of Squamish for the latest information.

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Getting to and Around Squamish

Driving

Highway 99, the Sea-to-Sky Highway, is one of the most scenic drives in the world, following Howe Sound from Horseshoe Bay. It can be busy on summer weekends and during ski season, and conditions can change quickly in winter, when winter tires are required.

Cycling and walking

Squamish has hundreds of kilometres of mountain bike trails and an extensive network of walking paths, including the Mamquam Blind Channel trail, the estuary trails and the Squamish Oceanfront.

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Schools in Squamish

Squamish is part of the Sea to Sky School District (School District 48), which also serves Whistler and Pemberton. Howe Sound Secondary is the main public high school, along with Don Ross Middle School and several elementary schools. Independent options include Coast Mountain Academy and Squamish Waldorf School. The hillside campus of the former Quest University is now used for post-secondary programs.

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Squamish Public Library

The Squamish Public Library downtown offers books, e-books, streaming, programs and study space. Membership is free for residents.

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Arts and Culture in Squamish

Filming locations

Squamish's mountains, forests, rivers and the Stawamus Chief have appeared in many films and TV series, and the area often stands in for remote wilderness.

Media

• Local news: The Squamish Chief, The Squamish Reporter
• Regional: CBC, CTV, Global BC and CityNews

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Squamish Nightlife

Squamish's evenings are casual and outdoorsy. Downtown and the Business Park have popular craft breweries such as Howe Sound Brewing, A-Frame Brewing and Backcountry Brewing, plus distilleries, pubs and restaurants. After a day of climbing or biking, patios fill up quickly in summer.

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Parks and Nature in Squamish

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Natural Attractions in Squamish

Squamish's nature is spectacular. In winter, hundreds to thousands of bald eagles gather along the Squamish River at Brackendale to feed on salmon. The Stawamus Chief draws climbers from around the world, and hikers can reach its three peaks on steep trails. Garibaldi Lake, with its turquoise water and glaciers, is one of BC's most famous hikes. Shannon Falls cascades down cliffs right beside the highway. The forests are lush coastal rainforest of cedar, fir and hemlock.

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Things to Do in Squamish: Top Attractions

1. Ride the Sea to Sky Gondola for views of Howe Sound.
2. Hike the Stawamus Chief.
3. See Shannon Falls.
4. Watch bald eagles at Brackendale in winter.
5. Hike to Garibaldi Lake.
6. Swim at Alice Lake.
7. Try rock climbing at the Smoke Bluffs.
8. Mountain bike Squamish's famous trails.
9. Watch kiteboarders at the Squamish Oceanfront.
10. Tour the Britannia Mine Museum nearby.

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Sports and Recreation in Squamish

Squamish is a paradise for outdoor sports: rock climbing, mountain biking, hiking, trail running, kiteboarding, windsurfing, whitewater rafting, fishing, backcountry skiing and paddling. The Brennan Park Recreation Centre has a pool, arena and fields. Events such as the Test of Metal mountain bike race have helped make Squamish famous.

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Annual Events and Festivals in Squamish

Dates change from year to year, so check with organizers before you go.

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Sustainability and Green City Goals

Squamish's environmental priorities include protecting its estuary, rivers and salmon habitat, preparing for floods and wildfires, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and managing the impacts of tourism and industry. The Woodfibre LNG project has been a major focus of debate, with supporters pointing to jobs and the Squamish Nation's involvement and critics raising climate and safety concerns.

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Services and Amenities

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Squamish FAQ

Is Squamish part of Metro Vancouver?

No. Squamish is in the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District, about an hour north of Vancouver on the Sea-to-Sky Highway.

How far is Squamish from Vancouver and Whistler?

About 1 hour from downtown Vancouver and 45 minutes from Whistler by car.

What is Squamish known for?

The Stawamus Chief, the Sea to Sky Gondola, rock climbing, mountain biking, kiteboarding, bald eagles and Shannon Falls.

When is the best time to see eagles in Brackendale?

December and January, when salmon runs bring large numbers of bald eagles to the Squamish River.

What is the population of Squamish?

The 2021 census counted 23,819 people.

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Sources

• District of Squamish: 2022 election final results
• The Squamish Reporter: Will Squamish councillors run again? (2026)
• Statistics Canada: Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population

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