What to do in Squamish…When it Rains

Alright, we’ll level with you. Sometimes it rains in Squamish! That’s the price we pay for living in such a beautiful place, we guess. But don’t despair. While you might have been dreaming of endless days hiking in the sunshine, there’s still heaps of things to do in Squamish when it rains.

In fact, if you brave the rain, you’ll likely be treated to a side of Squamish most people don’t see – and get the whole place to yourself! To save you from a rainy day of despair, here’s 30 things we love to do in Squamish when it rains.

Indoor Adventures in Squamish

• Climb to new heights

  

  With such good outdoor options, you know the indoor climbing gym in Squamish has to be good.

Channel your inner Alex Honnold and scale the heights of indoor climbing gym Ground Up. With 650 sq meters of climbing walls reaching up to 12 meters high, and a 30 meter long bouldering wall, this is a rainy day activity that will keep you occupied for hours.

• Become a Ninja Warrior

Ever fancied taking on the legendary Ninja Warrior course? Well, now you can! The Squamish Ninja Gym lets you pit yourself against loads of the classic obstacles that you’ve seen on TV. Everyone’s welcome, from kids age 7+, and you can choose how seriously you take it!

• Jump for joy

Feel like a kid again and learn some aerial skills at Airhouse trampoline centre. With drop-ins for everyone from 3-year=olds to adults, the staff will have you flying, spinning, and feeling like a pro in no time. There are also camps available for kids who want to take their airborne skills even further.

• Pamper yourself

As far as rainy day activities go, grey skies are a perfect excuse for some me-time. Treat yourself to a full body massage from a registered massage therapist at one of Squamish’s wellness centres, like Squamish Integrated Health or Sea to Sky Massage.

• Get your skates on

Make like a hockey pro at Brennan Park Recreation Centre. Squamish’s largest community centre houses an 25m v 60m ice arena where you can skate the day away. If getting on the ice isn’t your thing, stop by when the local teams are playing hockey to get a taste of true Canadian culture.

• Try your hand at axe throwing

  

  A little friendly competition never hurt anyone.

Take a trip beyond Squamish for our favourite rainy day activity – axe throwing (duh!). Just a 30-minute drive north of Squamish, you’ll find Forged Axe Throwing in the trendy Function Junction neighbourhood outside Whistler. Trust us, learning the quintessential Canadian sport is worth the trip. And there are plenty more rainy day activities for kids in Whistler too.

• Take a dip

Brennan Park is also home to a 25-metre lane pool and a leisure pool. So whether you fancy a workout or a splash-around, they’ve got you covered. There’s even a whirlpool and steam room to chill out afterwards. If you’re really bold, brave the damp and go for a dip in one of the local lakes!

• Do some sun salutations

Another great way to get active when it’s wet outside is to check out a local yoga class. Not only will you treat your body and mind to a great workout but you’ll also meet some lovely locals and hopefully pick up some insider Squamish tips. There are beautiful studios to choose from including Shala Yoga, Breathe, and Ashtanga Yoga Squamish.

• Flex your green thumb

As far as things to do in Squamish that you can take home with you, adding a new plant friend is a great option. With beautiful, locally owned stores like Nootka and Sea or Wonderlands House Plants and Coffee, plant shopping can be a great, tranquil rainy day activity.

Discover the Local Culture

• Unearth history at the Britannia Mine Museum

  

  Deep in the heart of Britannia Mine, visitors get to experience a taste of what mining entailed in the old days.

Discover the fascinating history of Squamish, which began life as a mining town long ago. Go underground and explore the mines for yourself, and then watch it come to life in a live-action show. The Britannia Mine Museum is a perennial favourite with families who visit Squamish – don’t miss out.

• Get artistically inspired

The stunning surroundings of Squamish have inspired many artists, both local and visiting. Some of the best are on display at the Sea to Sky Arthouse in downtown Squamish. You can even take home a print tote bag or a wood carving of your favourite piece.

• Learn about local Indigenous cultures

The Squamish people have lived in this beautiful region of the world since time immemorial. What better rainy day activity than to discover the fascinating history, cultures, and legends of the Squamish Nation and their neighbours the Lil’wat Nation, at the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre in Whistler.

•  All aboard!

Long before there were roads to Squamish, there were trains. Explore the replica turn-of-the-century railway town and trains at the West Coast Railway Heritage Park. Then test your brainpower against Squamish’s first ever escape room – in a vintage rail car!

• Check out a community event

A thriving, active community, there are always things to do in Squamish. From concerts to festivals, film screenings to street markets, you’ll find a great way to pass a rainy day on the Squamish Events listing.

• Squamish Town Hub

Downtown Squamish is a great spot to while away an afternoon eating, drinking, and checking out the local stores. And the Squamish Town Hub is one of our favourites, combining a food truck, ice cream stall, and boutique stores. Nearly everything is locally produced and sure to please the whole family.

• Meet the maker’s at the Farmer’s Market

As far as things to do in Squamish, exploring the Farmer’s Market is a great rainy day activity that allows you to not only get out of the house but to discover a new treasure from one of the local makers. From vendors to local musicians and activities for the little ones, the Farmer’s Market is a lovely way to spend your day.

Enjoy the Local Food and Drink Options

• Go cafe-hopping

When you simply don’t want to go outside, spend the day watching the rain from inside any (or many) of Squamish’s local coffee shops. Cloudburst Cafe, Counterpart Coffee, and Fergie’s Cafe all offer delicious food and drink that gets the local seal of approval.

• Get your caffeine hit

Squamish is home to beloved local coffee roasters like Galileo Coffee Company, making some of the best coffee in the region. Sadly, their cafe in Britannia Beach has closed, but you can find their coffee at their new location in Squamish. Keep your eyes out for their soon-to-open roastery in Squamish’s Industrial Park.

• Taste your way through Squamish

Craft drinks culture is going strong in Squamish. Sample all the best local brews by embarking upon your own Craft Tasting Trail. You’ll taste everything from hoppy beers at Backcountry Brewing to cider made with BC apples, to revitalising local kombucha – and everything in between.

• Try fantastic food trucks

  

  Good local food, in a fun (and dry!) outdoor setting.

A great thing to do in Squamish if you’d like to experience some of the local flavours is to explore some of the great food trucks that call Squamish home. From well-established Locavore, to Wild Wolf Espresso for a boost of caffeine, to the locals’ favourite Flipside Burgers that is scheduled to reopen in March 2023, you have an array of delicious options.

• Brunch, brunch, brunch!

A long brunch is the perfect antidote to the dreary skies, and there’s plenty of choice in Squamish. The Zephyr Cafe offers hearty and healthy vegetarian and vegan options, while the Crabapple Cafe specialises in delicious farm-to-table dishes. On Sundays, Locavore is the place to be for a mimosa-fuelled morning!

• Wine and dine

There’s no shortage of excellent restaurants in Squamish that will brighten a dreary evening. Pepe’s Chophouse offers a broad menu with delicious dishes to suit everyone’s taste. The Salted Vine is another favourite, with a Pacific Northwest-inspired menu and a focus on sustainable, organic ingredients.

• Work, wine, coffee, and dine

Cordelia’s Locket is a local and female-owned wine bar in downtown Squamish that features a great menu and a beautiful view for all your coworking or remote working needs. If you have to work but are looking for things to do today or need a change of scenery, post up at Cordelia’s Locket for a bit and reward yourself with some wine.

• Sample some cider

If beer isn’t quite your thing, check out Cliffside Cider downtown. A delicious cidery down by the water, it’s a great place to drop in for a refreshing drink after enjoying one of the many outdoor activities Squamish has to offer.

• Lunch by the Water

A long-time staple in the Squamish community, the Watershed Grill is a fan favourite located along the river. Popular on sunny days for its patio but also a great rainy day activity, enjoy casual local dining and keep your eyes peeled on the shoreline for eagles and other wildlife.

• Sweet spots you donut want to miss

If a gourmet sweet treat is likely to light up your rainy day, look no further than the Fox and Oak for incredible donuts, or Alice and Brohm for their rich and delectable ice cream. While ice cream may not seem like a go-to rainy day activity, the seasonal flavours and fruit ice cream – with real fruit chunks – from Alice and Brohm are too good to miss. As for the Fox and Oak, do you really need an excuse to indulge in a gourmet donut?

Get Outside Anyway!

• Hike in the Rain

  

  A misty, mountainous and magical place to hike, even in the rain

Honestly, the views around here are so good, they’re still worth seeing in the rain. If you stick to trails in the forest you’ll stay out of the worst of the rain. Or if you don’t mind getting wet, hike the Squamish Chief. While the views won’t be panoramic, you will likely have the usually busy trail all to yourself!

• Brohm Lake Interpretive Forest

The Brohm Lake Interpretive Forest takes advantage of beautiful Brohm Lake and its surrounding forest to provide over 10km of fantastic, intermediate hiking trails.

If you’re looking for things to do in Squamish that are both active and help you learn a bit more about the area, you can teach yourselves some facts about the local wildlife and forests along your walk.

• Hit the Gondola

Get high above the valley without getting wet with a trip up the Sea to Sky Gondola! One of the most popular things to do in Squamish rain or shine, hopefully the clouds will break for a moment so you can take in the spectacular view where the ocean meets the mountain. Failing that, you can still enjoy a delicious coffee up in the clouds.

• Fishing

You’re probably going to get wet anyway, right? So don’t let a bit of rain stop you sampling Squamish’s world-class fishing opportunities. With many species of salmon and trout, and both lake and river fishing available, it’s worth hiring a local guide to make the most of the experience.

• Trail Running

Squamish is spoiled with incredible trails – and they’re all the better in the rain. The Four Lakes trail at Alice Lake Provincial Park is a good place to start. The 6km trail takes you through dense rainforest with plenty of lakeside views that are just as pretty in the fog.

• Eagle Viewing

  

  Bald eagles are present all year around, but especially in Winter

During the colder months, Squamish is one of the best places in the world to see bald eagles in the wild. The eagles return in the winter and feed on the enormous salmon populations. You can view eagles from the Eagle Run Viewing Centre, or take an eagle viewing raft trip to get up close and personal.

• Whitewater Rafting

In the summer, a trip down the Elaho-Squamish River is one of the most exhilarating whitewater adventures in the region. With class 4 rapids and adrenaline-pumping cliff jumping, this is one for the adventurous souls in your party. And rain or shine, you’re guaranteed to end up soaked!

• ATV touring

Puddles are for jumping in. And jumping in puddles is way more fun on an ATV! Hop aboard and get ready for an adrenaline=filled rainy day activity as you explore the incredible single track in the backcountry of the Callaghan Valley, just north of Squamish.

• Kayaking

The shimmering turquoise Howe Sound is perhaps the crown jewel of Squamish. And exploring the sound in a kayak is a classic Canadian adventure not to be missed. You can rent kayaks or traditional Canadian canoes and go exploring, or book a guided kayak tour.

• Mountain Biking

Perhaps the most popular activity for adventurous types in Squamish is mountain biking. And the enormous trail network has something for everyone, from beginners to old hands. Plus, it’s a great excuse to get outrageously muddy and treat yourself to a craft beer when it’s all over.

• Chasing waterfalls

Squamish is surrounded by incredible waterfalls just waiting to be discovered. And something about the atmosphere on a rainy day makes them look even better. Check out Shannon Falls near Squamish or explore future afield to find Alexander Falls, Crooked Falls, or High Falls Creek.

Don’t Let the Rain Ruin Your Adventures in Squamish!

On the coast of BC, a bit of rain is inevitable every now and then. And we don’t mind – it gives us our lush coastal rainforest and our powder-filled winters, so there’s no reason to let our local weather put you off from exploring Squamish.

From adrenaline-filled indoor adventures, to fascinating local history, to simply deciding to get wet, there is a long list of fun things to do in Squamish when it rains.