Squamish is known for
mountain biking,
hiking,
climbing,
kiteboarding, and more. Attractions include the
Stawamus Chief, a huge cliff-faced granite
massif favoured by rock climbers. As well as over 300 climbing routes on the Chief proper, a majority of which require
traditional climbing protection, there are steep hiking trails around the back to access the three peaks that make up the massif, all giving views of Howe Sound and the surrounding Coast Mountains. In all, between
Shannon Falls,
Murrin Park, The Malamute, and the Smoke Bluffs, there are over 1500 rock-climbing routes in the Squamish area (and another 300 or so climbs north of Squamish on the road to Whistler). In recent years, Squamish has also become a major destination for
bouldering, with over 2500 problems described in the local guidebook. Kiteboarding and windsurfing are popular water sports in Squamish during the summer. Predictable wind on warm sunny days makes the Squamish Spit a top kiteboarding location in western Canada. Squamish's extensive quality trail system is a key feature of an annual 50-mile ultramarathon, the Squamish 50. Solo runners and relay teams run on many of the same trails as the Test of Metal, and pass through
Alice Lake Provincial Park and the campus of
Capilano University (formerly
Quest University). "The Double" is an award offered annually to the participant with the fastest combined time for both the Test of Metal and Squamish 50. From 1974 to 1999, Squamish served as the terminus for the
Royal Hudson steam excursion train. The train was pulled by the restored ex-Canadian Pacific No. 2860 and ran from
North Vancouver on
Howe Sound, until it reached Squamish. The train significantly boosted tourism in the region. Due to issues with No. 2860, back up locomotives were used to pull the train from 2000-2001, including No. 3716 and diesel locomotive No. 4069, until the train was phased out and no longer was running. Other tourist attractions in Squamish include
Shannon Falls waterfall;
river-rafting on the
Elaho and
Squamish rivers;
snowmobiling on nearby Brohm Ridge; and
bald eagle viewing in the community of
Brackendale, which has one of North America's largest populations of bald eagles. Squamish is also a popular destination among
Greater Vancouver hikers,
mountaineers and
backcountry skiers, who visit the large provincial parks in the surrounding
Coast Mountains. ==Politics==