Love Local. Love Squamish Experiences
The Squamish Chamber operates on the unceded lands of the Squamish Nation (Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw). We are grateful to work, live and play on their territory.
Read our latest guest blog from Squamish Chamber member, Rochelle Rae, owner and operator of RRM creative.
Four Local Businesses Attract Visitors to Squamish
When it comes to enjoying the great outdoors and stunning natural beauty of Squamish, the sky’s the limit. Our community is just as renowned for its music, arts and cultural scene. People of all ages love to travel the Sea to Sky corridor to take in the expansive views, enjoy exhilarating adventures, be entertained, and revel in the magic that is Squamish.
Tourism attractions, like the local businesses featured here, enrich our community in so many ways. Not only do they help bring millions of dollars to Squamish every year, according to LOCO BC, independent businesses donate up to 24 times more per dollar of revenue to local charities than multinationals.
Check out these local businesses that help put Squamish on the map.
Sea To Sky Gondola
The Sea to Sky Gondola is an exhilarating way to connect with the great outdoors year-round. The first thrill is the gondola ride offering dramatic panoramic views 885m above Howe Sound. At the summit are pristine alpine trails for hiking and snowshoeing, a suspension bridge, and a lodge housing the Sky Pilot Restaurant, Co-Pilot Café and gift shop.
The Sea to Sky Gondola is grateful for all the support from the community, especially over the last two years. In turn, they continue to support and lift the community at every opportunity. Almost 41% of their needs are met by local suppliers and they employ 138 people, an incredibly talented and knowledgeable team who care about the customers they serve and the community they call home. The Sea to Sky Gondola also donates to local causes, supports local events, and raises money for local charities and organizations. Manager Lucy Howarth explains why she loves supporting Squamish businesses:
"When you shop local, you support local. Then local businesses circulate money back into our community. That’s how we keep Squamish vibrant and thriving."
Visit the Sea to Sky Gondola along the Hwy 99, two kilometres south of Squamish
Stay in touch: Website: Sea to Sky Gondola IG: @seatoskygondola FB: Sea to Sky Gondola
Squamish Constellation Festival
The Squamish Constellation Festival brings world–class music and art to the Sea to Sky. After a two-year hiatus due to the ongoing pandemic, festival founder Tamara Stanners and her team are excited to announce the festival will be happening this year, July 22-24. They are also pleased to confirm that singer and Lilith Fair founder Sarah McLachlan will be the closing act on the final night of the 2022 Squamish Constellation Festival.
Tamara explains how they not only depend on, but also support as many local businesses as possible. Brackendale Art Gallery (BAG) events feature Backcountry Brewing, Cliffside Cider and the Graze Wilder Charcuterie company. Likewise, the Constellation Festival works hard to benefit as many locals as possible, from artists and food trucks to vendors and suppliers. They also support many local organizations, including the Squamish Arts Council, Howe Sound Women’s Centre, Squamish Hospice and donate festival passes for other fundraising efforts.
“We #LOVELOCAL. Without the support of the beautiful humans who call Squamish home, we would not exist. Every decision we make as a team is based on our real desire to create an experience that the community will love and be proud of.”
Follow Along: Website: Squamish Constellation Festival
Sea to Sky Air
Sea To Sky Air was created so that you don’t have to be a seasoned hiker or extreme adventurer to experience the super, natural Squamish attractions found in the many protected parks, ecological reserves and conservancies. The small aircraft give everyone the chance to experience the wonder of being amongst ancient mountains, fjords, waterfalls, plateaus, lakes and glaciers without the need for expert training or expensive backcountry equipment.
All five employees live locally and are passionate advocates for the area, supporting local business in a wide variety of ways, from buying sports gear to dining out. The airline company also gives back wherever possible, and are fond fans, supporters and donators to Camp Summit every year.
When asked what it is about the local business community that he found most inspiring, Operations Manager David Eastwood replied
“It’s the sense of shared pride. It really feels that all businesses in the Squamish community are hugely proud to represent Squamish, and truly care for the well-being of locals and visitors alike”
Visit Sea to Sky Air online at www.seatoskyair.ca
Stay in touch: IG: @seatoskyair FB: @seatoskyair YouTube: Sea to Sky Air
Squamish Trails Society
The Squamish Trails Society is a group of 30 volunteers dedicated to planning, building and maintaining the network of recreational trails within Squamish for both residents and visitors. Volunteers maintain 70% of the local trails, while municipal crews handle the paved commuter and dike trails. One of the Society’s most active volunteer endeavors, inspired in 2010 by a donation from the Pearson Financial Group, is the Brush Back Brigade. This dedicated crew meet regularly to clear the ever-growing brush and generally work on the trails.
As a non-profit organization, the Society relies heavily on charitable donations and contributions, and the Squamish business community continues to be very supportive of their efforts.
When asked how the Squamish Trails Society supports and gives back to the community, Treasurer Jim Gracie simply explained “by its very existence”.
“We are run entirely by volunteers who care about their community and work hard to keep our beautiful trails open and safe. These trails are not only enjoyed by locals, they also attract thousands of visitors each year who, in turn, have a positive impact on our local economy as a whole.”
Find out more about their work at squamishtrails.ca
Follow Along: FB: Squamish Trails Society
A Win-Win Way to Love Local
We hope you enjoyed getting to know these four Squamish businesses that enrich life for locals and bring tourist dollars to the community. Here’s how you can continue to show them love and support:
1) Use their services or volunteer your time
2) Buy a gift card to introduce their services to others
3) Share you love for the business on social media
4) Leave a Google Review if you’ve had a positive experience
About RRM Creative
Proud to be based in Squamish, RRM Creative is a talented group of hardworking professionals who are well experienced (20+ years) in creative communications, strategic branding, art direction and project management. Whether you have a one-time need or seek all-encompassing marketing solutions, they’ve got you covered.
About Love Local. Love Squamish
This project is brought to you by the Squamish Chamber of Commerce, made possible thanks to funding from the BC Chamber of Commerce and the Government of Canada.
