Squamish Community

Situated at the head of Howe Sound and surrounded by mountains, Squamish is cradled in natural beauty as only a West Coast community can be. Growing in fame as the Outdoor Recreation Capital of Canada, visitors will discover the abundance of attractions, activities and opportunities to explore in the community of Squamish.

Before the white man came to the Squamish Valley, the area was inhabited by the Squohomish tribes. These Indians lived in North Vancouver and came to the Squamish Valley to hunt and fish. The first contact the Indians had with the white man was in 1792, when Captain George Vancouver came to Squamish to trade with the Indians near the residential area of Brackendale.

During the 1850s gold miners came in search of gold and an easier gold route to the Interior. Settlers began arriving in the area in 1889, with the majority of them being farmers relocating to the Squamish Valley. The first school was built in 1893 and the first hotel opened in 1902, on the old dock in Squamish.

Squamish means Mother of the Wind in Coast Salish, which is testimony to the winds that rise from the north before noon and blow steadily until dusk, making Squamish a top wind surfing destination, and host to annual PROAM sailboard races.

The Stawamus Chief, the second largest freestanding piece of granite in the world, has made Squamish one of the top rock climbing destinations in North America.

Choose the Right Location for You

Valleycliffe, Hospital Hill and the Plateau
These interconnected sub-divisions lie only 2 minutes south of downtown Squamish. Nestled in the valley of The Stawamus Chief is Valleycliffe which is compromised of mainly single family homes of similar style and size. The Plateau has similar homes, but the lots tend to be less level. Hospital Hill is located by Squamish Hospital on a hillside. Nearby 'Smoke Bluffs' overlooks downtown Squamish and the Howe Sound; homes here vary in style, price and size. Amenities include two elementary schools, playgrounds, trails, tennis courts, convenience stores and a neighbourhood pub.

Downtown and Dentville
Both these areas offer the older 'character' residential homes. Downtown is convenient for all your shopping needs but the average size lot is smaller than its neighbour Dentville which is about a 5-10 minute walk away. Both areas are seeing residential redevelopment and a changing focus on the style of properties available. Amenities include one elementary school, a senior secondary school, parks and access to the estuary which is becoming a world-renowned windsur.ng and kite-boarding destination.

Finch Drive
Finch Drive, known for its small hobby farms, is tucked away at the base of a hillside just North East of Downtown and is a blend of rural and residential homes.

The Business Park
Over the last few years this areas has seen numerous companies buying lots of land for commercial purposes - it is now the new location for Wal-Mart and Home Depot.

Garibaldi Estates and North Yards
North Yards follows the diked banks of the Mamquam River from BC Rail?s main yard to Garibaldi Estates, which then covers the area up to the Squamish Valley Golf Course and along the Squamish River. This area has level lots and has seen much redevelopment in recent years; houses, duplexes and townhome complexes to suit the 1st time buyer and family demographic. There has also been some commercial development including outlet stores and a new cinema. Amenities include an elementary school, playgrounds, parks, multi-trials, dike walks, restaurants, convenience stores, a small plaza with a pharmacy, grocery store, a post office, specialty shops and the vet.

Garibaldi Highlands
Situated on the hillside above Garibaldi Estates. The Highlands showcases large single family homes with some of the most incredible and magnificent views; including the surrounding mountain ranges as well as the Howe Sound. Only 7 minutes drive from Downtown, 3 minutes to the convenience stores and both golf courses. Amenities include an elementary school, playgrounds, parks, multi trails and tennis courts.

Brackendale and Eagle Run
Almost a village of its own these sub-divisions are considered to have their own distinct character. A strong focus on residential homes of varying styles, sizes, prices. Internationally famous as ?The Nesting Ground? of the Bald Eagle, which flock there in their thousands each November. Nestled in the valley to the west of The Squamish River this area is often dubbed as ?Sunny Brackendale?. Less than 9 minutes drive to Downtown its amenities include an elementary school, a junior high school, parks, trails galore, eagle watching, convenience stores and restaurants.

Out of Squamish
The Upper Squamish Valley is a rural residential area 20-35 minutes north of Squamish offering acreages of varying sizes and improvement levels, beautiful views, waterfalls and mountains. The Cheakamus Valley, also known as Paradise Valley, is located 30 minutes from downtown on the banks of The Cheakamus.