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Squamish Canyon opens in British Columbia’s iconic Sea-to-Sky corridor
From a local idea to a world-class experience, the new 1.5-kilometre elevated boardwalk is designed to make the outdoors more accessible without compromising the environment
- Aug 13, 2025
- 975 words
- 4 minutes
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Twelve years ago, Robin Sherry had a vision: to create a safe and accessible space for people to connect with the outdoors while safeguarding the natural beauty of Squamish’s forests. It was an idea that stemmed from Sherry’s passion for preservation and his observations of the town’s growing popularity.
Between 2011 and 2021, Squamish grew by 39 per cent, and it is estimated that its current population of 24,000 could balloon to more than 43,000 by 2036. While a population boom may drive economic growth, spawn new businesses and lead to increased diversity, residents are concerned with how the town will tackle the inevitable growing pains — from housing shortages to infrastructure delays and over-extended social service organizations. For his part, Sherry, a former member of Squamish’s Search and Rescue team, feared that more people would bring more accidents, adding pressure to an already overwhelmed response team.
“During an 18-month period when I was on the water and fire department team with SAR (Search and Rescue), we had six or seven deaths in swift water,” says Sherry, as he stands overlooking Squamish’s Mamquam Falls, a ruggedly beautiful attraction that can also be dangerous. Multiple water-related fatalities have occurred here. “It was one of those nails in the coffin to be like, we need a place that can educate people and have presence.”
The Sea to Sky Gondola opened in 2014, creating a safe and approachable option for a wide range of visitors keen to experience Squamish’s natural beauty. In a town known for its extreme adventures, the Sea to Sky Gondola provides an all-ages option.
But Sherry wanted more. He began to brainstorm: how could he create something that supported the community, strengthened social ties and respected the environment, while also designing an experience nature lovers could bring their elderly in-laws and small children to? That’s when the idea for the Squamish Canyon boardwalk was born.
After years of business research, navigating permits, paperwork, design planning and assembling a dedicated team (most of which is local), construction of the approximately 1.5-kilometre boardwalk finally began in the fall of 2023.
“Everything we did was intentional, from the overall experience to sustainability, constructability, impact on the forest, easability and guest aesthetic,” says Sherry, running his hand over the boardwalk railing made of B.C.-sourced yellow cedar. “There is a lot of wise behind this project.”
Located just 15 minutes from downtown Squamish, the canyon experience begins by taking visitors on an immersive walk through towering second and third-growth forests. The elevated boardwalk continues along a trail to the ridge of the Mamquam River, with rest stops and cantilevered platforms offering places to pause and reflect. It ends in the forest lounge, a place for adults to relax, while kids explore the nature-inspired play area. There’s an artisan gift shop and a cafe, as well as a space for live performances and a communal meeting area.
“I designed this to allow the experience to build,” says Sherry, making his way through the first portion of the boardwalk, the smell of fresh cedar in the air. “I let this place dictate itself. It almost told me right away what needed to happen.”
Flirting with the canyon edge, the boardwalk is meticulously designed to showcase the best views. Guests can get close to Mamquam Falls, safely fulfilling the urge to capture that “Insta-worthy” photo, while feeling the adrenaline of being high off the ground and close to the rushing water.
Built by Ridge North America, the impressive infrastructure allows visitors to immerse themselves in the rugged topography safely and securely. Interpretive plaques along the way satisfy their curiosity. Vegetation grows beneath the wooden boardwalks, which are treated to dissuade pests and rot. “In a few years, this wood will go grey and blend in with the forest and granite rock,” says Sherry.
The boardwalk is also designed to withstand a magnitude 8.0 earthquake as well as a 200-year flood. However, one of the most impressive facets of construction was the dedication and care Sherry and his team put into ensuring the landscape was minimally impacted.
“I am proud to say that not one mature tree throughout the boardwalk was removed,” says Sherry. While standing beneath a grove of particularly picture-perfect trees, he explains that only about 25 per cent of a tree can be impacted before it has a high chance of not surviving.
During construction, temporary boardwalks were erected to protect the flora. In some places, the construction team used helicopters to drop materials in. To drill the foundation, they brought in a small spider excavator (a specialized type of all-terrain excavator designed to navigate difficult and hard-to-access terrains). “This was not the cheap way to go,” says Sherry.
When he arrives at the forest lounge, Sherry can’t help but smile as he talks about the children’s play structure. “I’m a big kid,” he says with a grin. “I wanted something that everyone could climb on. It’s also designed so that parents have a place to chill out.”
For Sherry, who spent more than a decade bringing Squamish Canyon to life, the finished attraction is a work of art — an idea that came to life through hard work, passion and a commitment to creating a safe space for people to experience nature without risking their safety or the environment. “It’s one of those things where you hold your breath the whole time until it’s done,” says Sherry.
Squamish Canyon officially opened at the beginning of August 2025. Visitors can expect to spend about one to two hours exploring the boardwalk, which is open year-round. Purchase tickets online (where you can save 10 per cent) or at the ticket booth upon arrival. To learn more about the canyon, visit squamishcanyon.com
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