So this one happened on a real whim. I am the queen of over analyzing, over planning and overthinking. But I’m starting to see that some of my best decisions come when I act quickly. A little less talking myself out of things. We had a slew of family weddings this past year across the country. As a result we had earned some Southwest companion passes and tried to make the best of them! They are set to expire in another month and my free-spirit soul wanted to really take advantage of them. So for Christmas, we gifted the boys a winter ski trip to Whistler, British Columbia via a flight through Seattle. Added bonus, ski bags also fly free with Southwest. This “Sea to Sky Highway” road trip was just about the most beautiful blend of mountains and ocean we’ve seen.
It did start out as a “what if” proposition to Chris because I had found super reasonable tickets to Seattle. Coming off a great ski weekend in Vail over Thanksgiving, he had skiing on the mind already. So within a night and minimal questions, flights, a car and the Airbnb were booked.
Day 1: A Night in Seattle
As someone who had perfect attendance her whole life, I don’t plan to repeat that for my kids. We are consistently battling to balance the kids absence days but avoid traveling on holidays off. We’ve learned right after or right before the MLK holiday is one of the best weekends for skiing. And it’s best to avoid the actual holiday weekend. So, for the sake of saving an absence day, we took an afternoon flight to arrive into Seattle by dinner.
The sun was setting as we arrived into Seattle, but dark by the time we deboarded, collected luggage and found the rental car. Getting in later the normal, we knew we didn’t have time to see much. We had already discussed that this trip would involve a lot of seafood. Coastal people living far from the coast need this fix when they find the water again! Immediately, we were off to Salty’s on Alki Beach to scratch the itch. The restaurant sat perfectly across the water for a beautiful night time sky line view.
Leading up to the trip, we were unsure of what winter driving conditions would be like up to Canada. We were also unsure of traffic, border crossing or just the sites and things we would encounter along the way. But we had also never been to Seattle and needed to see a little bit of the city. So, we did the most touristy of all the things – a walk through Pike Place Market and surrounding area. Chris found his fishermen to question, while I ate seafood chowder. The boys wrestled through the shops with donuts in their pockets. A thousand walking trips later, they still haven’t mastered that skill.
Day 2: The Ultimate Road Trip – Seattle to Whistler
The concern over driving conditions ended up being a non worry. There hadn’t been snow for weeks. Border crossing took fifteen minutes. Our biggest slow down was self imposed due to the beautiful scenery. Highway pull offs and scenic overlooks would be our only delays on our northward travel. Few words needed though, the pictures say it all. When the water meets the mountains is my favorite scenery after all.
This would be our second time going through Vancouver in less then a year. And unfortunately, we would only pass through, for the second time in a year. (Round one being the eternal layover en route home from Japan.) From the car, Vancouver does look like an awesome city to spend some time in though! Leaving Vancouver is where the real Sea to Sky Highway (BC Hwy 99) road trip begins as we finished the last hour-ish or so into Whistler. I’ll build the suspense, there is more to come, we did have to come back this way. Second time around we knew the better pictures spots and pull offs! That tuna sandwich and samosa in Lion’s Bay was a weirdly delightful though!
Day 3 and 4: Skiing Whistler Blackcomb
We debated all last year to renew our Epic ski passes or make the big change to the Ikon pass. I would love to try out some new resorts around us. But after six years, we have navigated on how to find a hotel that won’t break the bank. In my truest form, I over thought and over thought it. Then the prices started to jump and before you knew we had renewed an Epic pass. We got lucky because Whistler was covered on our pass!
The Whistler Blackcomb experience isn’t just about skiing; it’s also about soaking in the stunning beauty of the mountains. From the top of Whistler or Blackcomb, you’ll get panoramic views of snow-capped peaks, alpine lakes, and lush forests. The scenic gondola ride offers incredible views as you ascend. And if you’re feeling adventurous, you can even explore the Whistler Blackcomb Peak to Peak Gondola, which holds the record for the highest lift in the world.
The mountain is huge, so we decided we would conquer Blackcomb the first day and Whistler the next. That much conquering did require a sun up to sun down, go all day approach. And we tried. And while we covered alot of ground, there’s plenty more for a second trip. (hint, hint) While we did have a ski-in/ski-out condo, our go get’em approach meant lunch at one of the lodges. And when in Rome (or…. Canada) you’ve got to just try it. So expensive chicken tenders and poutine fries it was! Weirdly enough, because I do LOVE some french fries it would be the only time we got the deliciousness!
Day 5: Sea to Sky Highway back to Seattle … and a Birthday!
With two very full ski days behind us, my legs were jello. The boys always ask for one more day. I got to use our next day flight to Seattle as an excuse to cover up my lack of fitness. We also had a very special birthday to celebrate that day for Jake! I don’t know that he loved being in the car half the day and eating oysters. He did however get to skip a day of school, so big win there. Oh yea, we also saw an orca as we made our way down the coastal highway. That was an awesome birthday surprise!
The Sea-to-Sky Highway is one of the most breathtaking routes in the world. Stretching along the Pacific coast of British Columbia, this highway connects Vancouver to Whistler and beyond. Its winding road traverses through the lush forests, rocky mountains, and coastal vistas. Among its many highlights, there’s a hidden gem worth exploring—Samish. The town and views were beautiful and the lunch spots off the road were amazing.
We eventually made our way back to Seattle where we were quickly off to the other most touristy thing there was to do in Seattle. The Space Needle. And so unplanned, but so perfectly lucky to get there right at sunset. City skyline, the sea and the sun, all together. And then just for Jake we found pizza and a pinball arcade!
Sweet doggie, Keiko, we’re home again! I know you enjoyed your vacation from wrestling boys too!
If you’re looking for other great ski spots read here: Crested Butte, Colorado, Park City, Utah. I also snuck away to Destin for work pretty quickly after getting home from Whistler… sometimes the beach is the right spot too!
File: Sea to Sky Highway Trip
