About Squamish

The District of Squamish is located in the southwest corner of British Columbia. It sits in a spectacular natural setting at the north end of Howe Sound where rugged landscapes and stunning vistas come together to create a unique and memorable location.

Located at the northern tip of a glacially etched fjord on the Pacific Ocean, surrounded by a spectacular mountain backdrop and nestled within a temperate rainforest, Squamish is recognized worldwide for its recreation, culture and incredible mountain lifestyle.  

Squamish is ideally situated on the scenic Sea to Sky Highway between Vancouver, British Columbia's largest city and Whistler, a four-season mountain resort consistently ranked the number one ski resort in North America.

A strong, vibrant and healthy community, Squamish is envied for its wide range of outdoor recreational activities. World-class trails, rock climbing parks, consistent wind patterns, a relatively mild year-round climate, a healthy wildlife population, and proximity to ocean, mountains and rivers make Squamish a sought-after destination for mountain bikers, hikers, rock climbers, kite and wind surfers, kayakers, ski tourers, wildlife viewers and backcountry enthusiasts alike. Add to that a long list of organized sport associations such as soccer, ice hockey, figure skating, horseback riding, bmx, gymnastics, rugby and football, to name a few, and Squamish is second-to-none when it comes to both recreation and physical fitness.

Recreation isn't the only thing residents are passionate about. A diverse arts and culture scene is growing here as Squamish is home to many photographers, filmmakers and artisans of every genre, and local theatre groups, dance companies, musicians and singers entertain on a regular basis. A dedicated and passionate environmental movement is also at work in Squamish, striving to protect and enhance the fragile ecosystem that is at the heart of what characterizes our beautiful surroundings. A committed group of social organizations provides support through programming and services with the goal to ensure that every resident of Squamish has somewhere to turn in their time of need.

A range of education options are available to Squamish families including a strong public school system with six elementary schools, a French school, a French immersion program, a junior high school and a high school. Independent preschools and schools offer Montessori and Waldorf-inspired education, and independent learning from preschool to Grade 12. Find a list of schools here. 

A breathtaking location, combined with a population of young, entrepreneurial people, has resulted in a centre of activity that embraces continual evolution and development.  Squamish hosts a variety of annual events such as Squamish Days Loggers Sports, the Farmer’s Market and the GranFondo cycling event, which runs through the community.  The District also boasts the largest gathering of bald eagles in North America and hosts an annual eagle count each January that draws international attention.