Pemberton (British Columbia)

The Pemberton area is part of the traditional territory of the Lil'wat First Nation. European presence started with the Fraser Gold Rush in the 1858 with permanent non-native settlement beginning in the 1870s, but settlement was slow until the valley was connected to Vancouver by rail in 1915. In the days of the Fraser Gold Rush Trail, steamboat and other water traffic voyaged from New Westminster via Harrison Lake near the east end of the Fraser Valley to Port Douglas at the north end of Harrison Lake, then up a rough wagon road along the Lillooet River to the south end of Lillooet Lake, then by boat again to Port Pemberton at the Head of Lillooet Lake (near today's Mount Currie), then overland along the Birkenhead and Gates Rivers to Anderson Lake, where more boats to Seton Portage and Seton Lake landed at the head of another wagon road near Lillooet. One of the early attractions of the valley was the richness of the soil and farming continues to be important to the area. The Pemberton Valley is an important centre for seed potatoes and, more recently, organic farming, with a big Slow Food / Tere Madre movement. Pemberton is a bedroom community of Whistler.
Tourism has become more important to Pemberton, including outdoor recreation, eco & agro-tourism. The nearby mountains and lakes provide a wealth of opportunities activities at all levels, for the most intrepid to generally being outdoors and taking in the scenery. For the outdoor enthusiast there is in the summer: biking, backpacking, boating, hiking, horse riding, golfing, & mountaineering. In the winter, there is skiing, sledding, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, snowboarding, ice climbing, hockey, skating & curling on the smaller lakes. For flight enthusiasts Pemberton is a centre of hang gliding, paragliding, gliding, skydiving, and heli-tours with the town's own airport for private planes, small jets & helicopters. The Valley hosted the Canadian Paragliding Nationals in 2012.

Visitor information

• Pemberton & District Visitor Information Centre

  phone: +1 604-894-6175
  address: Hwy 99 & Portage Rd
  Information on local businesses, events and activities.

By car

The main way in and out of the Pemberton area is Highway 99. Pemberton is considered the end of the Sea to Sky Highway, even though Highway 99 continues north to Lillooet. The portion of Highway 99 between Pemberton and Lillooet is usually referred to as the Duffy Lake Road. Pemberton is 158 km north of Vancouver and 33 km north of Whistler Village. About 22 km & 20 minutes from Whistler northern town limits to the edge of Pemberton.
4x4 roads:

• North: dirt & gravel High Line via Seaton Portage & Selath to Lillooet
• West & north: dirt & gravel Hurley Pass to Braelorne & Goldbridge in summer only. Winter via snowmoble.
• East: In-shuck-ch Forest Service Road (FSR) via Lillooet Lake, Skookumchuck Hot Springs, Port Douglas, & Harrison Lake to Harrison Hotsprings.
• Link TransBC road reports
• Link RSR road reports

By bus

• The Pemberton Valley Transit System (WAVE) runs a commuter bus between Pemberton & Whistler. There are four trips, with two in the morning and two in the late afternoon/early evening. Bus terminus pick-up/drop-off in Pemberton between AG Grocery & Old Pemberton Hotel. The fare is $4.50 each way (senior and student fare is $4). The other main stop is at Hwy 99. WAVE drops off & pick up at Pemberton Gateway Village Suites Hotel; Northbound Portage Rd Stop #102834; & across the street at the Petro Can Southbound Portage NS Arbutus Stop #102833 (Eastbound #100)
• WAVE A shuttle mini-bus Valley Commuter Service runs between Pemberton & the nearby First Nations (Aboriginal) townsites of Mount Currie Old Site, & Mount Currie New Site/Xit'olacw, that meets up with Whistler Greyhound & WAVE buses. Stops at all aforementioned bus stops.
• Parkbus Service for 46 passengers from downtown at Burrard Street in Vancouver to: Shannon Falls, Stawamus Chief, Alice Lake, Garibaldi, Joffre Lake, Cypress, and Golden Ears Provincial Parks.

By rail

There is no direct rail service - the Rocky Mountaineer just passes through.

• Lillooet - Salath - Seaton Portage

By plane

Pemberton Regional Airport

• Air: heli-skiing, charter planes & helicopters

• Pemberton Regional Airport

  phone: +1 604-894-6135

• Coast Range Heliskiing Ltd

  phone: +1 604-894-1144
  address: Head Office: 1641 Airport Road. Booking Office Whistler, 218-4293 Mountain Square

• Blackcomb Aviation

  phone: +1 604-894-5153
  address: 1850 Airport Road

• Tyax Adventures

  phone: +1 250-238-0177
  address: 17 - 1850 Airport Road
  Winter Dec-May – Ski plane: wheels & skis that lands on a hard surface runway or snow & ice. Access backcountry: ski touring, winter camping, sightseeing or simply transportation. In old Pemberton Soaring hanger.

• BCFS Fire Attack Base

  phone: +1 604-894-5436
  address: 2000 Airport Road
  The BCFS Fire Attack Base logistics & training base; aircraft kept at Pemberton Aerodrome.

By bike

You can cycle to Pemberton via Highway 99.
1st & 2nd only bikes in summer go on front bumper rack on WAVE Transit buses and placed in the underneath carriage on Greyhound. Greyhound is attempting to collect cargo fees even though Whistler - Pemberton is a commuter route.

The village of Pemberton is small so it's easy to get around it by foot. However, travel to other parts of the Pemberton Valley or to the Provincial Parks is easiest by car or bike.
The Pemberton Valley Transit System operates a bus that connects Pemberton village with Mount Currie and Xit'olacw. The bus runs every 1½ to 3 hours from 6AM to 7:45PM and sticks close to Highway 99 so it's not very useful for visitors. Fares are $2.50 for adults and $2 for seniors and students.

• Birkenhead Lake Provincial Park

  address: Blackwater Creek Rd
  Well maintained dirt road. The park is focused on a very pretty lake ringed by mountains. There is a beach for swimming and canoe rentals are available. There are also a couple of day long intermediate hikes to the south end of the lake that parallel the north and south shores. The tip of south end of park is on a 100-year lease and has a subdivision with private entry.

• Joffre Lakes Provincial Park

  address: Highway 99
  A gem of a park that is easily accessed. The highlight is the hike that winds its way past three turquoise alpine lakes to below the Matier Glacier. Lower Joffre Lake, the first lake, is a short 5-10 walk from the parking lot and is well worth the stop. The hike to the middle and upper lakes is moderately difficult with some rocky sections and an elevation gain of over 350 m. The hike one-way is 5.5 km but well worth it if you have the time.

• Nairn Falls Provincial Park

  address: Highway 99
  Small park with its focus on the 60-m Nairn Falls. Accessible year round but camping is summer only.

• Pemberton & District Museum & Archives Society

  phone: +1 (604) 894-5504
  address: 7455 Prospect St
  The compact site in the heart of Pemberton village displays five historic buildings from local history, stuffed with artifacts of how the settlers lived. In the yard are old farming machines. An interesting place to pass a couple of hours. The society which runs the museum also preserves about 25 m of archives.

• Lil̓wat7úl Culture Centre

  phone: +1-604-894-6115
  address: 82 Ir 10 Rd
  Exhibits of cedar baskets, wood carvings, mask, buckskin clothing. Cultural programs of stories, drum making, guided nature walks. These add up to Nt̓ákmen (Our Way), the traditional values that inform all aspects of a person’s life, from how they live on the land to using the Líl̓wat Ucwalmícwts (traditional language). The setting — the administrative and educational centre of a nation moving to self-determination — is itself educational.

Hot Springs are plentiful and beautiful in the area. Caution: There is a phenomenon called supernatant liquid. A layer of lighter, fresh, cooler water can float on top of the denser, mineral-rich, hot-springs water. Dipping your toe into the top of the pool may deceive you. The water underneath may be hot enough to scald, and cause 2nd or 3rd degree burns. Check out the temperature below the surface first before jumping into the pool, by dipping in with a bottle on a stick or lanyard, or with a long-handled cooking-pot. Don't use your bare hands or feet.

• Keyhole Hotsprings

  address: Upper Lillooet FSR 42.5 Km
  Three amazing cascading rustic pools, hanging off the side of the cliff like birds nests. The third and lowest pool sits right in the river. Each pool is fashioned out of native stone found on site & mortar by local & regional volunteers. Part of Meager Creek Hotspring/Geothermal Vent System. Lillooet River Trail is an easy 1 mile/1.6 km trail parallel to the river. Parking lot at ~ 42.5 Km, with bridge and an improved dirt road. The old trail at 44 Km is permanently decommissioned & closed. Area up hill of Hotsprings is a designated "Ungulate Area" for mountain sheep and goats. If you must bring a dog, keep it leashed. This is also a good idea because of all the Grizzlies & other bears around. Road snow-ploughing scheduled for Upper Lillooet Hydro Project, i.e. dams. Parking lot may not be ploughed.

• Meager Creek Hot Springs

  address: Upper South Creek FSR 11 km + 4 km up hill + 9.5-km trail
  Three beautiful volunteer-built cascading large pools, with the lowest pool beside Meager Creek. No dogs or camping allowed poolside. Best to keep dogs leashed as it is a wildlife area, i.e. mountain sheep, mountain goats, coyotes, wolves, deer, moose, grizzlies & black bear. Vehicle access: 4-wheel drive vehicle or a full size pick-up with high clearance. Or deep winter via snow mobile.

• Skookumchuck Hotsprings

  address: In-shuck-ch Forest Service Road
  Key words Google Maps: Skookumchuck Hot Springs.

• Sloquet Hotsprings

  address: Sloquet Creek FSR 10 Km
  The Hotsprings consists of a series of small but excellent hot pools in a wilderness setting. Hot water pours out of the forested side of the bank of Sloquet Creek & flows into 2 intimate 2-person double upper pools- tight fit, then into a the larger shallow lower pool. On occasion, the water in the upper pools may be too hot to bathe in. The 3rd pool farther down the creek is just right temperature.

Climbing: surrounded by the Coastal Mountains, Pemberton has some of BC's finest hiking and back country camping opportunities. It also offers many opportunities for rock climbing and mountaineering. While not as popular as Squamish, there are several climbing areas located within a short drive of the village. Detailed listings can be found in any of the area's climbing guide books.
Other:

• The Meadows at Pemberton

  phone: +1 604-894-6197
  address: 1730 Airport Rd
  A par 72 course with full service club house.

• Big Sky Golf

  phone: +1 604-894-6106
  address: 1690 Airport Rd
  18-hole course with a 19th hole bar & restaurant.

• Cayoosh ExpeditionsExperienced paraglider pilots and skilled outdoor guides Corinne and Jim offer tandem paraglider pilots in some of the best free flight conditions in North America. They have been building the sport of paragliding in the Pemberton Valley for decades. They also can sell paragliding gear, up to complete wing and harness sets.

• Sea To Sky Paragliding

  phone: +1 778-892-7733
  Instructor pilot Guy offers tandem paraglider flights, mostly from Mt Mackenzie. When the Canadian National Paragliding Championships were held here in 2017, Guy organised them.

Biking: Almost 200 km of free trails for cross-country skiing, biking, walking, or riding a horse in the whole Valley System.

• Ironman triathlon

• The Nimby Fifty in spring is a sanctioned Mountain Bike Race.

• Be Natural, herbal apothecary and foods

  phone: +1 604-894-8884
  address: 108, 7433 Frontier St
  A health food store offering vitamin supplements, herbal blends, homeopathics, essential oils, personal care, bulk herbs and foods, healthy snacks, and specialty and organic groceries. Private health consults available by a trained Clinical Herbalist with knowledge in herbs, vitamins, nutrition, Bach Flowers, Reiki, and Reconnective Healing.

• The Market at Mile One

  phone: +1 604-384-3842
  address: 109 7330 Arbutus Street
  Hamburger & hotdog buns baked daily on site, carries Pemberton Meadows Natural Beef, local Two Rivers Meat, Pemberton Potatoes, BC Ocean Wise Tuna & Salmon, Pemberton Distillery Real Vanilla & Elixrs/Mixers, BC cheeses: i.e. Little Qualicum Cheeseworks.

• Pemberton Distillery

  phone: +1 604-894-0222
  address: 1954 Venture Pl
  Local maker of spirits and some non-alcoholic mixers. They're most noted for their Schramm Organic Potato Vodka, made out of local "Pemby" spuds, gin, absinthe, whiskey and fruit liqueurs, which is available on-site and served at some local establishments in Whistler and Pemberton. Tastings and tours available; call ahead. During summer, also at Pemberton Farmers Market, the Barn in downtown, W 3:30–6:30PM.

• North Arm Farm

  phone: +1 604-894-5379
  address: 1888 Hwy 99
  Local farm with a produce shop and bakery. They sell their own organic produce and produce and cheese from other BC farms. There is also a lunch menu with home-made sandwiches.

• Mile One Eating House

  phone: +1 604-384-3842
  address: 107-7330 Arbutus Street
  Not fast food, but fast slow food. Independently owned and operated, offering breakfast, lunch and dinner. The cuisine is "100 mile" inspired, with local natural beef and potatoes from the Valley, buns from the bakery across the street, Ocean Wise tuna caught off the Coast, and BC cheeses and veggies. WiFi hotspot.

• The Market at Mile One

  phone: +1 604-384-3842
  address: 109-7330 Arbutus Street
  Slow food.

• BlackBird Bakery

  phone: +1 604-894-6226
  address: 7424 Frontier St
  Croissants, cinnamon buns, freshly baked breads. Fresh roasted and ground coffees. There's a small comfy couch in back and a small south facing terrace. WiFi hotspot.

• Mount Currie Coffee Company

  phone: +1 604-894-3388
  address: 2-7331 Arbutus St
  Local favourite for coffee, gelato and paninis. Sit outside in the covered all weather patio. WiFi hotspot.

• BackCountry Pizza

  phone: +1 604-384-1888
  address: 104-1436 Portage Road
  Small south facing terrace. Great pizza by the slice. Eat at the small counter or take out. A local favourite.

• Portage Station Restaurant

  phone: +1 604 894-1100
  address: 1436 Pemberton Portage Road
  2 patios & a long sit up bar. Great Local craft beer selection. Breakfast menu includes Eggs Benedict.

• Pemberton Valley Supermarket

  phone: +1 (604) 894-3663
  address: 7438 Prospect St
  If you are cooking on your own, this is a quite serviceable place to get a full line of groceries and fresh produce. There is a nice deli at the front offering hot meals and sandwiches.

• Black Squirrel

  phone: +1-604-894-6197 ext 5
  address: 1730 Airport Road
  A delicious range of steaks, burgers, salads, and draught beer in a beautiful green setting surrounded by high mountains. In summer, the open, high-roofed deck is insanely pleasant. Watch incoming aircraft fly by low on their approach to nearby Runway 06. Satisfactory vegetarian options.

• Pemberton Gateway Village Suites Hotel

  phone: +1 604 894-8888
  address: Office #211, 7330 Arbutus St.
  Construction nearby off site. Condo-style units have kitchens, heated bathroom floors, Deluxe Suites have balconies, 42-inch flat screen TVs, full-sized stainless steel refrigerators, lamps w/ integrated wireless phone chargers & USB ports. All suites have free Wifi. On-site restaurant (Mile One Eating House), store (The Market at Mile One), spa (Ivy Spa), hair salon (Mynt), & massage (Leaning Cedar). Free parking, free bike and ski lockers. 360° mountain views.

• Pemberton Valley Lodge

  phone: +1 604-894-2000
  address: 1490 Portage Rd
  All-suite hotel (units range from studio room to two bedroom), contemporary, lodge-style atmosphere. Outdoor hot tub with 360⁰ mountain view.

• Nairn Falls Provincial Campground

  phone: +1 604-986-9371
  address: Highway 99
  Seasonal, bookings for busy summer weekends are best made months in advance, 1/2 the spots may be booked in advance on line the rest 1st come 1st serve on site.

• Greenwood Country Inn

  phone: +1 604 894-5607
  address: 1371 Greenwood Street
  This friendly, comfortable B&B is a delightful base for adventures in Pemberton. Margit, the innkeeper, is helpful and accommodating. And, she makes a mean breakfast. Most rooms have access to a kitchenette, which gives you the flexibility of self-catering or enjoying her delicious-breakfast. Free Wi-fi. No smoking. One room can accommodate a small pet.

• Sea to Sky
• Whistler
• Squamish