Squamish All Sports

Cocktails on the beach are nice but, at times, we prefer a more active holiday—something that beautiful Squamish, B.C., delivers in spades. With our gear securely loaded into our Chevy Colorado, we recently made the one-hour drive from Vancouver to Canada’s outdoor adventure capital for some serious physical fun.

stay: The Executive Suites Hotel & Resort offers the look and setting of a modern country cabin, with all the comforts of home (i.e., a cool downtown condo). Suites provide plenty of space for gear, plus full kitchens for fuelling up. Best of all, if you need to rent, say a stand-up paddleboard (SUP), the hotel offers them at a rate of just $30 for three hours. Executive Suites Hotel & Resort, 40900 Tantalus Rd., Squamish, 877-815-0048, www.executivesuitessquamish.com

climb: The via ferrata at Squamish’s Sea to Sky Gondola is perfect for rock-climbing beginners. This brand-new, 60-metre vertical pathway is rated a newbie-friendly 1 out of 10 in terms of difficulty and includes a set of iron rungs fixed firmly into the rock, which you use as stepping points to work your way up to the summit. www.seatoskygondola.com

paddle: Learn the basics of SUP—from getting on the board to balancing and turning—from the experts at Sea to Sky Adventure Company on quiet, clear Brohm Lake or Squamish River. Our Morning Cruise and Coffee ended on a high note, with an excellent cup of joe (our guide, Ian, swore it’s the best coffee in town) at Galileo Coffee. www.seatoskyadventurecompany.com

hike: No visit to Squamish would be complete without a trek up the three-peaked Stawamus Chief. A trio of trails, which include steps, ladders and chain work, take about two hours each to hike, and the 360-degree view of the dreamy green water of Howe Sound once you reach the top is well worth it. www.env.gov.bc.ca

drink: Getting your carbs after a workout is key, and what better way to replenish your store than with a cold beer? Howe Sound Brewing in downtown Squamish pairs its uniquely local ales with tasty plates; try the New York-style deep-fried cheesecake with berry compote with a malty King Heffy Imperial Hefeweizen. Howe Sound Brewery, 3781 Cleveland Ave., Squamish, 604-892-2603, www.howesound.com

—Karen Kwan