You can go on a fully wheelchair-accessible suspension bridge in Squamish, British Columbia

tori.hlacey

If you’re looking for wheelchair-accessible things to do in British Columbia but you don’t want to sacrifice adventure, then look no further because this suspension bridge in Squamish, British Columbia is fully wheelchair accessible! 

The Sea to Sky Gondola offers a fully accessible experience that includes a gondola ride to the summit, a viewing deck with panoramic views, and a thrilling 100-meter suspension bridge that spans between two mountain peaks. It is located just outside of Squamish (about an hour and a half drive north of Vancouver) making it an easy day trip if you are staying in the city.

Upon arrival, you will take a gondola ride up to the summit, which is fully accessible thanks to a levelled platform that is completely flush with the entrance of the lift. The inside of the gondola itself isn’t huge, but I had more than enough room to pull in with my motorized wheelchair and sit with the three other members of my group. The staff at the gondola will likely flip up the benches so you can easily pull in, and then once you’re in a comfortable spot, the rest of your party can join you. They will also slow down the movement of the gondola to make things easier, but if you’re feeling rushed or unsafe, you can always ask them to completely stop it. I did this when I reached the top of the summit, as I wasn’t completely confident in my ability to quickly back up while the lift was still in motion. 

This video shows how easy and accessible it wants to roll onto the gondola in my wheelchair.

The gondola ride itself is a 10-minute journey up an 800-metre vertical ascent, providing stunning views of the surrounding coastal mountains, forests, and the Howe Sound. My favourite part was the floor to ceiling glass windows, allowing for extraordinary sightlines as we made our way up. 

Once you arrive at the summit, you can check out the first viewing platform, which is just steps from the gondola unloading platform. This 5000 sq ft. viewing deck offers panoramic views of the beautiful Sky-Pilot and Co-pilot Mountain peaks.

Tori and her friend looking out at the view on the viewing platform at the sea to sky gondola
We were truly mesmerized by the beauty of this view.
Tori in her wheelchair, looking at the camera and smiling on the viewing platform at the sea to sky gondola. Behind her you can see beautiful scenery of luscious forests, water and mountains
Some areas of the viewing deck had glass siding, making it easy to see the panoramic view.
Tori in her motorized wheelchair, looking out at the view on the viewing platform at the sea to sky gondola in Squamish British Columbia
The viewing deck was made of wooden planks, which was easy for my wheelchair to drive on.

After you’re done soaking in the views, you can relax and grab a bite to eat at the Summit Lodge, or continue on to the main attraction — The Sky Pilot Suspension Bridge. 

The Sky Pilot Suspension Bridge spans 100 meters and is quite honestly one of the most thrilling things I’ve ever experienced as a wheelchair user. Who would have ever thought that I’d be thousands of meters above sea level, crossing between two mountain peaks on a fully accessible suspension bridge? Everything felt so surreal! 

Tori driving across the sky pilot suspension bridge in her motorized wheelchair.
Rolling across the suspension bridge in my wheelchair was easy, although it is best to go slow as it is a bit shaky.

While the bridge does sway side to side a little bit, it is completely safe and sturdy for you to drive on to. The only thing that I would note is that the bridge is not wide, and my motorized wheelchair took up the majority of the width. This means that people walking the opposite direction (back to the Summit Lodge) may have a tricky time getting past you. I tried my best to avoid crossing when there were lots of people heading towards me. 

After you cross the bridge, you can enjoy another spectacular viewing area. There are also many trails available to explore at this point, however, none of them were accessible enough for me to risk trying (at least in my motorized wheelchair). It might be possible if you had an all-terrain mobility device or hand cycle. 

Overall, the Sea to Sky Gondola and Suspension Bridge is a must-see destination for anyone looking for wheelchair accessible things to do in British Columbia. The gondola, suspension bridge, and summit are all fully accessible, making it an enjoyable and inclusive experience for everyone. The panoramic views of alpine peaks and valleys truly cannot be beat, and I’m so thankful that this was an activity I got to cross off my list as a wheelchair user! 

Have you ever been on a wheelchair accessible suspension bridge? Let me know what your experience was like! 

If you’re looking for other wheelchair accessible things to do in British Columbia, be sure to check out my post on this incredible wheelchair accessible hike that takes you along a steep-walled canyon and through several tunnels, caves, and trestles! 

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