Midway between Squamish and Whistler, the Sea to Sky Highway climbs out of the fjord country into the heart of the Coast Mountains, and this stop lies near the Daisy Lake area, about twenty kilometres south of Whistler. The lake, a long, narrow reservoir the colour of milky jade, lies below the road, with the Black Tusk, a jagged volcanic spire of about 2,300 metres, rising above it in the Garibaldi range. Nearby Brandywine Falls drops about seventy metres in a single plume, and a short walk from the highway leads to a viewing platform.
The highway was widened and improved for the 2010 Winter Olympics, and now it is a fast, well-surfaced road with passing lanes and long, flowing bends. It is a magnificent ride, with the sea on one side and mountains on the other, and there is plenty to see, from the Stawamus Chief, a huge granite dome at Squamish, to the glaciers on the high peaks. Traffic is heavy on weekends, so start early and avoid Friday evening and Sunday afternoon.
Whistler, with nearly nine thousand permanent residents, is a resort village with fuel, supermarkets, cafes, restaurants and hotels, and Pemberton, further north, is a quieter farming community known for its potatoes. The label mentions Vancouver, but the city is about a hundred kilometres to the south. Fuel can be found in Squamish and Whistler, and it is wise to fill the tank before heading north.
The road can be affected by weather. In winter, snow and ice make driving hazardous, and chain requirements apply to many sections. In summer, afternoon thunderstorms and wildfire smoke are possible. Autumn brings fog and cool nights, and spring has snowmelt and waterfalls. Whatever the season, the mountains are impressive, and the air has a clean, resinous smell of fir and glacier water.