Sea to Sky Gondola Tickets: Prices, Discounts & Tips
You’ve seen the photos of the gondola gliding above the granite face of the Chief, and now you’re wondering how to score those views without overspending. The Sea to Sky Gondola in Squamish, British Columbia, is a year-round draw for hikers, sightseers, and families — and with adult tickets starting at $73.95 online, this guide gives you the real prices, the best discounts, and the smartest ways to get there from Vancouver.
Adult day lift ticket: $73.95 CAD · Youth (13-18) day lift ticket: $46.95 CAD · Child (6-12) day lift ticket: $32.95 CAD · Family (2 adults + 2 children/youth) day lift ticket: $178.95 CAD · Average visit duration: 2 to 3 hours
| Location | Squamish, British Columbia, Canada |
| Gondola Length | 2.7 km (1.7 miles) |
| Vertical Rise | 853 m (2,800 ft) |
| Opening Year | 2014 |
| Daily Operation | Year-round, weather permitting |
Quick snapshot
- Adult online ticket: $73.95 (Sea to Sky Gondola official pricing page – attraction operator)
- Youth online ticket: $43.95 (same source)
- Child online ticket: $29.95 (same source)
- Family online: $165.95 (same source)
- Exact availability of after-4pm discounts not confirmed on official site (Sea to Sky Gondola Sunset Hours page – attraction operator)
- Costco ticket availability may vary by location (official site does not list Costco)
- Third-party promo code reliability is low (coupon aggregator – non-official)
- Vancouver’s Best Places prices (January 2026) may differ and exclude GST – not confirmed by operator (Sea to Sky Gondola Sunset Hours page – attraction operator)
- AAA ticket starting at $57 may not be consistently available (Sea to Sky Gondola Sunset Hours page – attraction operator)
- Sunset Savings: 40% off day tickets after 4pm on Saturdays and Sundays, online only (Sea to Sky Gondola Sunset Hours page – attraction operator)
- Last ride up at 8pm, last down at 9pm (same source)
- Book online for guaranteed entry and savings (official site recommendation)
- Arrive early or use Sunset Savings to avoid peak crowd (Viator listing – third-party booking platform)
Online buyers save $5 to $13 per ticket compared to the window. For a family of four, that’s a potential saving of $52 — enough for lunch at the summit café.
Here’s how ticket prices break down across tiers.
| Ticket type | Online price (CAD) | Window price (CAD) | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult (19-64) | $73.95 | $78.95 | $5.00 |
| Senior (65+) | $68.95 | $73.95 | $5.00 |
| Youth (13-18) | $43.95 | $46.95 | $3.00 |
| Child (6-12) | $29.95 | $32.95 | $3.00 |
| Family (2 adults + 2 youth/child) | $165.95 | $178.95 | $13.00 |
| Ride Down Only | $19.00 | $25.00 | $6.00 |
How much are tickets for Sea to Sky Gondola?
What are the current day lift ticket prices?
The Sea to Sky Gondola operates a tiered pricing system by age. The adult (19-64) online day lift ticket is $73.95, while seniors (65+) pay $68.95 online. Youth (13-18) tickets are $43.95, children (6-12) $29.95, and children 5 and under ride free, according to the Sea to Sky Gondola official pricing page (attraction operator). Prices are in Canadian dollars and exclude GST.
Buying at the window adds $3 to $5 per ticket: adult walk-up is $78.95, senior $73.95, youth $46.95, child $32.95, and family $178.95. The Ride Down Only ticket — useful if you hike up via the Sea to Summit Trail — costs $19 online versus $25 at the window (same source).
Are there discounted tickets for seniors or children?
Seniors aged 65+ get a dedicated online price of $68.95 — a $5 discount off the walk-up rate but still higher than the youth ticket. Children 6-12 pay roughly half the adult rate. Third-party sites like Vancouver’s Best Places (local tourism guide) list slightly lower online prices as of January 2026 (Adult $71.95, Senior $66.95, Youth $41.95, Child $28.95), though these may exclude GST and may not reflect current official rates.
Families should compare the family pack ($165.95 online) against buying two adult + two youth tickets individually ($73.95+$73.95+$43.95+$43.95 = $235.80). The family pack saves nearly $70 — a 30% discount.
A family of four can cut costs by more than 40% by choosing the family pack over separate adult and youth tickets. That’s real value when you add parking, food, and transport to the day.
The implication: ticket pricing strongly rewards advance planning for families and groups.
How much time should I spend at Sea to Sky Gondola?
What is the average visit duration?
Most visitors spend 2 to 3 hours at the summit, according to the Viator listing (third-party booking platform). The gondola ride itself takes about 10 minutes each way, giving you panoramic views of the Stawamus Chief, Howe Sound, and the Coast Mountains. Once at the top (885 m / 2,900 ft), you’ll find a spacious observation deck, the Summit Lodge, and several short walking loops.
If you plan to hike the Spirit Trail or the Upper Viewpoint Trail, allow an extra hour. The full Sea to Summit Trail — which starts at the base and climbs to the top — takes 3-5 hours and is a popular add-on for experienced hikers.
Can you spend more than a few hours?
Absolutely. The gondola operates year-round, weather permitting, and the summit offers picnic areas, interpretive signs, and seasonal events. Sea to Sky Gondola (attraction operator) states that visitors can stay as long as they like during operating hours — last ride down is at 9 pm during summer months. So a morning arrival plus a long afternoon on the trails can stretch into a 5-6 hour visit.
How to get cheap Sea to Sky Gondola tickets
Are there discounts available?
The most reliable discounts come from buying online in advance. The official site sells a Sunset Savings ticket: 40% off day tickets after 4pm on Saturdays and Sundays, online only. That drops the adult price to roughly $44.37 ($73.95 × 0.6). The ticket is non-refundable and valid from 4pm until last ride up at 8pm, last down 9pm, as detailed on the Sea to Sky Gondola Sunset Hours page (attraction operator).
Some third-party aggregators claim discounts of up to 65% and student deals at 40% off, but these are from non-official coupon sites like Tenereteam Coupons (coupon aggregator) and carry low reliability. The official site does not list such promos, so treat them with caution.
Where can I find promo codes or special offers?
Beyond the official Sunset Savings, promos occasionally appear through Costco — members report buying discounted gift vouchers at some BC locations, though availability varies. The official site (attraction operator) does not currently advertise a Costco partnership, so check your local warehouse.
Another option: AAA lists tickets starting from $57 (AAA travel membership organization), and Expedia offers adult tickets at $57.57 including taxes (Expedia travel booking site). These are often cheaper than the official online price, but read the cancellation policy: some third-party tickets are non-refundable.
Third-party deals that sound too good (e.g., 65% off) almost certainly are. Only the official Sunset Savings and family pack deliver verified, consistent savings.
The pattern: official online and limited third-party discounts are reliable; extreme coupons are not.
Can I buy Sea to Sky Gondola tickets online?
What are the official online booking options?
Yes — the official website at seatoskygondola.com (attraction operator) lets you buy day lift tickets, Ride Down tickets, and Sunset Savings passes. Online purchase guarantees entry and locks in the lower price. You choose a date and time slot (the gondola uses timed ticketing to manage crowd flow) and receive a QR code via email to scan at the gate.
The official site also sells Annual Passes, but those are only available at the window. Some third-party sites (Tenereteam Coupons – coupon aggregator) claim to offer an Annual Pass for $209 via promo, but this is unconfirmed.
Are third-party vendors like Viator and GetYourGuide reliable?
Viator and GetYourGuide are reputable third-party platforms. Viator’s best-selling Sea to Sky Gondola ticket is priced at $58 per adult for a 2-3 hour experience (Viator listing – third-party booking platform). Expedia offers a similar price of $57.57 (Expedia travel booking site). These are often competitive with official online prices but may exclude GST or have different validity windows.
The advantage of buying direct: you get the official cancel/change policy (usually 24-hour notice) and avoid middleman fees. Third-party tickets are often non-refundable once booked. Check the terms before buying.
What this means: direct purchase gives control; third-party can save a few dollars if you accept trade-offs.
- Go to seatoskygondola.com and select “Day Lift Ticket” or “Sunset Savings.”
- Choose your ticket type and quantity.
- Pick a date and time slot from the calendar.
- Complete payment with credit card or digital wallet.
- Receive your QR code via email – no printing needed.
- Arrive at the gondola base and scan your code at the gate.
How to get to Sea to Sky Gondola from Vancouver
What is the driving route?
The Sea to Sky Gondola is located at 36800 BC-99, Squamish, BC, about 45 minutes north of Vancouver on the Sea to Sky Highway (Highway 99). The drive is scenic, hugging the coast for much of the way. Free parking is available on site, with overflow lots during peak season (Sea to Sky Gondola official site – attraction operator).
For a stress-free drive, leave Vancouver by 8:30 AM to beat the weekend traffic, which builds from 10 AM onward. Returning, aim to leave the summit by 4 PM to avoid the Squamish-to-Vancouver rush.
Are there bus or shuttle options?
There is no direct public transit from Vancouver. However, several tour operators run seasonal shuttles. Pacific Coach Lines and Skylynx sometimes include the gondola in day tours. Private shuttle services or ride-sharing are alternatives. The official website does not list a dedicated shuttle, but independent operators like Viator (third-party booking platform) offer combined transport-and-ticket packages.
If you’re renting a car, note that Highway 99 is a well-maintained two-lane road; winter tires are required from October 1 to March 31 by BC law.
Driving yourself gives you flexibility and costs only gas and parking (free). Tours save you planning time but typically charge $80–$120 per person including ticket, making them viable only if you don’t have a car.
The catch: transport cost and convenience trade-offs depend on group size and car availability.
What’s clear and what’s not about Sea to Sky Gondola tickets
- Confirmed facts
- Official online prices from seatoskygondola.com (attraction operator)
- Sunset Savings 40% off after 4pm on weekends, online only
- Average visit duration 2-3 hours per Viator (third-party booking platform)
- Children 5 and under free
- Parking free on site
- What’s unclear
- Costco ticket availability varies by warehouse; not confirmed on official site
- After-4pm discount availability on days other than Sat/Sun
- Reliability of third-party coupon codes from coupon aggregator (non-official)
- Consistency of AAA and Expedia pricing over time
- Vancouver’s Best Places prices (January 2026) may differ and exclude GST
What visitors are saying about Sea to Sky Gondola
The gondola ride itself takes about 10 minutes each way, giving you panoramic views of the Stawamus Chief, Howe Sound, and the Coast Mountains.
Sea to Sky Gondola official description (attraction operator)
Most visitors spend 2 to 3 hours at the summit… Viator’s best-selling Sea to Sky Gondola ticket is priced at $58 per adult.
Viator listing (third-party booking platform)
seatoskygondola.com, expedia.com, aaa.com, cheapfunthingstodo.com, vancouversbestplaces.com
För den som planerar ett besök kan det vara värt att även utforska Squamish gondolturer och aktiviteter för att få ut mer av resan längs Sea to Sky Highway.
Frequently asked questions
Can I bring my dog on the gondola?
Yes, leashed dogs are allowed on the gondola. They ride free. Only service animals are permitted inside the Summit Lodge, however.
What is the best time of day to visit?
Early morning (before 10 AM) for fewer crowds, or after 4 PM on weekends for the cheaper Sunset Savings ticket and quieter trails.
Is there food available at the top?
Yes – the Summit Lodge has a café serving hot drinks, sandwiches, and snacks. Picnic tables are also available on the deck.
Are there hiking trails at the summit?
Yes. The Spirit Trail (easy, 1.6 km loop) and Upper Viewpoint Trail (moderate, 2.2 km) both start from the summit deck. The Sea to Summit Trail is a longer hike starting from the base.
Do I need to book in advance?
Advance online booking is recommended to secure your preferred time slot and the lower online price. Walk-up tickets are available but subject to capacity and cost more.
What happens if the gondola is closed due to weather?
The gondola operates year-round but may close due to high winds, lightning, or snow/ice. If closed, online tickets are usually refunded or rescheduled – check the official policy.
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