Whistler Full Day Tour 10 Hours from Vancouver

Whistler is two hours north of Vancouver, and the drive is half the reason to go. The Whistler Full Day Tour runs ten private hours up the Sea to Sky Highway, stopping at the fjord viewpoints, waterfalls and lookouts that a shuttle bus passes without slowing. You get five or six hours in the mountains and a chauffeur who handles Highway 99 in both directions.

Quick answer: what does this tour include?

A private ten-hour chauffeur-driven tour from Vancouver to Whistler and back. It covers Porteau Cove, Shannon Falls, Squamish, the Tantalus Lookout, Brandywine Falls and Whistler Village, with time for the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola or the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre. Gondola tickets and meals are paid separately.

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Pickup Date

Pickup Time

Whistler sits roughly two hours from downtown Vancouver, longer on a winter weekend or when Highway 99 slows through Horseshoe Bay.

Ten hours means about four hours of driving and six hours out of the vehicle. That is enough for two or three roadside stops on the way up, four hours in Whistler, and one stop on the way back.

It is not enough to ski a full day and sightsee. If you are here to ride, book the transfer instead and keep the whole day on the mountain.

The Honest Time Maths

Your 10 Hours

Hours 1 to 2

Howe Sound

Across Lions Gate Bridge, past Horseshoe Bay, then Porteau Cove and the fjord viewpoints.

Hour 3

Squamish

Porteau Cove and the roadside pullouts where the fjord opens up.

Hour 4

The climb

Tantalus Lookout and Brandywine Falls as the highway leaves the coast and gains altitude.

Hours 5 to 8

Whistler

Village Stroll, lunch, and your choice of the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola, the Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre or the Audain Art Museum.

Hours 9 to 10

South

Different light on the same coastline, and Brackendale in winter if the eagles are running.

Our Luxury Fleet in Vancouver

Choose the perfect vehicle for your trip. Every car arrives clean, inspected, and driven by a professional chauffeur.

Executive Sedans

Sleek and comfortable. Ideal for airport transfers and business travel across Greater Vancouver.

VIP Mercedes Benz

First-class comfort for executives and VIP guests who expect nothing less than excellence.

Luxury SUV

Spacious and powerful. Perfect for families, ski trips to Whistler, and group airport runs.

Limousines

Turn heads at weddings, proms, and special events with our stunning stretch limos.

Party Bus

Celebrate on the move. Built for birthdays, night outs, and unforgettable group events.

Sprinter Vans

Executive seating and generous luggage space for corporate groups and cruise passengers.

Mini Bus

Smart choice for conferences, tours, and large family gatherings around Vancouver.

Motor Coach

Full-size comfort for big groups, long-distance trips, and cross-border travel.

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Where You Go

Lions Gate Bridge and Howe Sound

The day starts across Lions Gate Bridge, a suspension bridge opened in 1938 with a 473-metre main span. It carries a National Historic Site designation and takes its name from The Lions, the twin peaks to the north.

Past Horseshoe Bay the highway meets the water and stays there. Howe Sound is the southernmost fjord in North America, and the road runs along its eastern shore with granite on one side and ocean on the other.

Porteau Cove Provincial Park

Porteau Cove sits on the shore about forty minutes north of the bridge. An old ferry pier runs out over the water and you can walk to the end of it.

Divers use the site year-round, with vessels sunk offshore as artificial reefs. From the pier you see Anvil Island and the Tantalus Range across the sound.

Free to enter, and the best first stop on the route.

Tantalus Lookout

North of Squamish the highway climbs, and the Tantalus Lookout is where it pays off. The pullout faces west across the Squamish River valley to the Tantalus Range, a wall of glaciated peaks that most visitors never expected.

There is a viewing platform with interpretive panels naming the summits and glaciers. It takes ten minutes, costs nothing, and it is the single best free viewpoint between Vancouver and Whistler.

Most operators drive past it. Yours will not.

Whistler Village

Whistler is consistently rated the top ski resort in North America and draws around three million visitors a year. It hosted the alpine and sliding events of the 2010 Winter Olympics.

The Village is pedestrian-only, built as a series of connected plazas along the Village Stroll. Restaurants, patios, galleries and shops run the length of it, and nothing is more than a few minutes’ walk from anything else.

Whistler Blackcomb covers more than 8,000 acres across two mountains with over 200 marked runs. In summer the same terrain becomes the Whistler Mountain Bike Park, alpine hiking trails and four championship golf courses.

Olympic Plaza sits at the north end with the rings, a playground and a summer concert stage. Lost Lake and Green Lake are both a short drive if you want water rather than shops.

You get around four hours here. How you spend them is the next decision.

Shannon Falls and the Stawamus Chief

Shannon Falls drops 335 metres in three tiers, making it the third highest waterfall in British Columbia. A flat boardwalk runs from the car park to two viewing platforms, about ten minutes on foot.

Volume changes with the season. Spring snowmelt from May to June is the loudest. Late summer runs thinner but photographs better.

Next door stands the Stawamus Chief, a granite dome rising roughly 700 metres straight out of the valley and one of the largest monoliths in North America. Climbers work its walls most days in summer. The Chief holds deep cultural significance for the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh people, and your chauffeur will give you that context rather than skipping it.

Your Whistler Choice

PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola. The reason most guests come. It links Whistler and Blackcomb mountains with a 3-kilometre unsupported span, the longest of its kind, hanging up to 436 metres above the valley floor. Two cabins have glass floors. At the top, the Cloudraker Skybridge crosses a gap at Whistler Peak to the Raven’s Eye viewing platform.

Allow two and a half hours for the full round trip including both summit stations.

Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre. A shared centre built by the Squamish and Lil’wat Nations, whose territories overlap at Whistler. Carvings, canoes, weaving, film and guided talks by Indigenous ambassadors. Allow ninety minutes, and it is the most substantial cultural stop on the whole route.

Audain Art Museum. A purpose-built museum holding one of the strongest collections of British Columbia art anywhere, including Emily Carr and a major First Nations mask collection. Allow an hour.

Just the Village. Lunch on a patio, a walk around the Stroll, and no schedule. Plenty of guests choose this and do not regret it.

Squamish

Squamish sits at the head of Howe Sound, halfway between Vancouver and Whistler. It has grown from a logging town into an outdoor sports centre, with rock climbing, mountain biking, kiteboarding and whitewater rafting all based here.

The town has good coffee, a decent brewery scene and public art along the waterfront. It works as a comfort stop on the way up or a longer lunch stop on the way down.

Brandywine Falls

About twenty minutes south of Whistler, Brandywine Falls drops 70 metres in a single clean plunge into a basalt canyon. A short forest trail leads from the car park to a viewing platform directly opposite the falls.

The walk takes about ten minutes each way on a level path. On a clear day you can see Daisy Lake and Black Tusk from the platform.

Tickets and Meals

The tour rate covers the vehicle, chauffeur, fuel and parking. Attractions are separate.

Ticket	Adult	Senior	Youth	Child
PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola	$85	$76 (65+)	$76 (13–17)	$43 (7–12)

Children under 6 ride free. Prices are for reference and change seasonally, so confirm on the Whistler Blackcomb website before you travel. We can pre-purchase so you skip the ticket window.

Check the operating calendar before you book. PEAK 2 PEAK runs in winter and summer but closes for maintenance between seasons, usually in parts of spring and autumn. Booking this tour in late May or late October without checking is the most common mistake guests make, and we will check for you.

Porteau Cove, Shannon Falls, Tantalus Lookout, Brandywine Falls and Whistler Village all cost nothing.

There is no booked meal in the rate. Whistler Village has the best choice on the route, and we will reserve a table if you tell us the cuisine in advance.

Pickup and Drop-Off

Location	What to expect
Downtown Vancouver hotels	Chauffeur meets you in the lobby
Vancouver International Airport (YVR)	Meet-and-greet in the terminal, luggage carried through
Canada Place cruise terminal	Possible only with a very long port call, see below
North Vancouver and West Vancouver	Closer to the highway, more time in Whistler
Richmond and Burnaby	Short transfer time applies

Cruise passengers, read this. A ten-hour tour needs a port call of at least twelve hours, and Highway 99 has no realistic alternative route if it closes. Most Vancouver port calls are shorter than that. We will tell you honestly if the six-hour Sea to Sky Gondola tour is the safer choice, rather than take a booking that risks your sailing.

Vehicles

Luxury Sedan — up to 2 guests
Luxury SUV — up to 5 guests, extra luggage space
Executive Van — 6 to 14 guests, high roof
Stretch Limousine — up to 8 guests
Wheelchair Accessible Sedan — 1 accessible passenger plus 3
Wheelchair Accessible Van — 1 accessible passenger plus 7
Minibus — up to 23 guests

Highway 99 climbs and curves for its whole length. We send SUVs and vans on winter bookings, and every vehicle carries water, phone charging and rear climate control.

Vehicle	Passengers	Round trip from Vancouver
Luxury Sedan	up to 2	$1,677
Luxury SUV	up to 5	$1,833
Wheelchair Accessible Sedan	1 accessible + 3	$1,846
Wheelchair Accessible Van	1 accessible + 7	$2,743
Executive Van	6 to 14	$2,314

Tour Rates

Pickup inside the City of Vancouver, returning to the same address. All-inclusive of tax, gratuity, surcharges and parking.
Pickup from YVR Airport or the Canada Place cruise terminal is quoted on request, since the routing differs.
PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola admission and meals are not included. See the ticket table above.
Rates are in Canadian dollars. Split across an executive van, this works out lower per head than most seat-in-coach day tours, and you keep the vehicle to yourselves.

Best Times to Book

June to September

Long daylight, open alpine trails, PEAK 2 PEAK running its summer schedule, and patios open across the Village.

December to March

Snow on the peaks, the Village at its most atmospheric, and the gondola running its winter schedule. Allow extra driving time and expect a later return.

Late spring and late autumn

Cheapest and quietest, but check the gondola calendar first. Shoulder-season closures catch people out.

Early starts

An 8am departure gives you the best light on Howe Sound, the emptiest lookouts and a comfortable return before dark.

Weather

Ten hours is a long day to spend under cloud. We check the Whistler forecast and will say plainly if moving the date makes more sense than paying for a view you cannot see.

Who This Tour Suits

Visitors with one free day who want the mountains without an overnight stay
Families, since the Village, gondola and lake are all easy with children
Photographers working fjord, waterfall, glacier and alpine in a single day
Couples and groups celebrating something, using the SUV or executive van
Corporate visitors wanting a day out that is not another restaurant
Guests with limited mobility, using our accessible vehicles

A note on mobility. Whistler Village is flat and largely step-free, PEAK 2 PEAK cabins are accessible, and Shannon Falls has a level boardwalk. Brandywine Falls has a short forest trail with some uneven ground. Tell us and we will plan the stops accordingly.

Why Book United CLS

We operate under provincial passenger transportation regulations and carry commercial insurance on every vehicle. Licence details are available on request.

Chauffeurs who drive Highway 99 in winter

They know how the road behaves in snow, when Horseshoe Bay backs up with ferry traffic, and which pullouts have room for a van.

We check the gondola calendar and the forecast

We earn nothing from Whistler Blackcomb. If PEAK 2 PEAK is closed for maintenance on your date, we will tell you before you book, not after.

Flat, all-in pricing

Tax, gratuity, parking and surcharges sit inside the quote. Only tickets and meals are extra, and the gondola price is published above.

One operator across two countries

United CLS runs chauffeured fleets in Dallas, Austin, Houston, Los Angeles and New York, and now serves Vancouver to the same standard.

Other Tours

6-hour Sea-to-Sky Gondola Private Tour, for a half-day version of this drive
6-hour Vancouver North Shore Adventure Tour
9-hour Vancouver Full Day Tour
8-hour Vancouver City Adventure Tour
6-hour Fraser Valley Wineries Tour
Vancouver to Whistler private transfer, one way

Skiing rather than sightseeing? Book the one-way transfer and keep your whole day on the mountain.

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How to Book

Send your date, pickup address and passenger count.

Tell us your Whistler choice and whether you want gondola tickets arranged.

We check the gondola calendar, confirm the route, and quote a flat rate in writing.

Your chauffeur calls the day before with their name and number.

You drive the coast, spend the afternoon in the mountains, and sleep on the way home.

Call (855) 500-0790 or request a quote online. Summer weekends and ski season book out first.

Whistler Full Day Tour - FAQs

How long does it take to drive from Vancouver to Whistler?

About two hours each way in normal conditions, longer in winter or on a busy weekend. The ten-hour tour allows roughly four hours of driving and six hours out of the vehicle.

Is the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola included in the tour price?

No. Adult tickets are $85 with senior, youth and child rates available. We can pre-purchase so you skip the ticket window.

How long do we get in Whistler?

Around four hours, which covers lunch, the Village Stroll and one main attraction such as the gondola or the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre.

Does the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola run year-round?

No. It operates in winter and summer but closes for maintenance between seasons, usually during parts of spring and autumn. We check the calendar for your date before confirming.

Can we ski or snowboard on this tour?

Not comfortably. Ten hours minus four hours of driving leaves too little mountain time. Book the one-way transfer instead and keep the full day on the slopes.

Is this suitable as a cruise excursion?

Only with a port call of twelve hours or more. Most Vancouver calls are shorter, and Highway 99 has no realistic detour if it closes. We will recommend the six-hour Sea to Sky tour instead where that is safer.

What is the Tantalus Lookout?

A free roadside viewpoint north of Squamish facing the glaciated Tantalus Range across the valley. It takes ten minutes and it is the best free view between Vancouver and Whistler.

When can we see the Brackendale eagles?

Peak viewing runs mid-November to mid-January, with birds present from November through January. Squamish recorded a world-record count of 3,769 eagles in 1994.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users?

Largely yes. Whistler Village is flat, the gondola cabins are accessible and Shannon Falls has a level boardwalk. Brandywine Falls has an uneven forest trail, so tell us at booking.

What should we wear?

Layers. Whistler sits at altitude and runs several degrees colder than Vancouver year-round. Winter bookings need proper coats and boots.

Is lunch included?

No. Whistler Village has the best choice on the route and we will reserve a table if you tell us the cuisine in advance.

What is your cancellation policy?

Cancel more than 48 hours before pickup for a full refund. Inside 48 hours, a partial charge applies. Highway closures and weather cancellations are handled case by case.

Book Your Whistler Full Day Tour

Ten hours. One fjord, two waterfalls, a glacier range and an afternoon in the mountains.