A vehicle mostly gets used for the commute and the school run. Every so often it is worth remembering it can do something else.

Sea to Sky, Vancouver to Whistler

Highway 99 north out of West Vancouver, along Howe Sound and up to Whistler. It is the obvious one and it earns the reputation.

Worth stopping for: Porteau Cove, Shannon Falls, and the Stawamus Chief at Squamish if you want to stretch your legs on something steep. Brandywine Falls is a short walk from the highway further north.

Close enough to do in a day from the Lower Mainland without it becoming an expedition.

Highway 31A, Kaslo to New Denver

A short mountain highway between two Kootenay villages, running past forest, water and old mining country. Narrow, quiet and genuinely beautiful.

It is remote. Fuel up first, do not count on cell service, and check conditions before you go in winter.

The Sunshine Coast, Highway 101

Langdale up through Sechelt to Powell River. It is on the mainland rather than the Island, and it is only reachable by ferry, which is part of the appeal and also the thing to plan around.

Check the sailing schedule before you leave and book if you can. The drive itself is easy and the coastline does the work.

Highway 29, Hudson’s Hope to Fort St. John

Peace country in the northeast. Rolling farmland, river valley views and a good chance of seeing bears, moose, deer or elk without trying.

Sections of this corridor were rebuilt in recent years, so it may not match older descriptions of it.

Duffey Lake Road, Pemberton to Lillooet

Highway 99 carries on past Whistler and turns into something quite different. Alpine lakes, serious switchbacks, and a landscape that dries out as you drop toward Lillooet.

This is a mountain road with steep grades and no services for long stretches. Good tires, a full tank and a check of the forecast.

Before you go

Check current conditions rather than assuming. Mountain routes close and weather moves quickly, and the province publishes live road information for exactly this reason.