As global restrictions ease, people are gradually resuming travel to outdoor destinations to experience natural beauty. The Malahat SkyWalk, a newly opened attraction on a Pacific island in 2021, stands 250 meters above sea level. This spiral skywalk allows visitors to stroll gently through coastal forests, rising into the clouds for breathtaking views of island coastlines, while also offering the thrilling experience of a high-speed descent via a spiral slide.
Project Background
The Malahat SkyWalk is a 600-meter-long elevated pathway with a height of 250 meters (the structure itself is 32 meters tall), located on Vancouver Island, off Canada's west coast. Winding through the forest, the walkway leads to a viewing platform that offers sweeping 360-degree views of the surrounding mountains and sea. From the highest point, visitors can opt for an exhilarating ride down the central spiral slide. Developed by A.Spire by Nature, a prominent player in Canada's tourism industry, the $15 million project has attracted four million visitors worldwide since opening on July 15, 2021.
Location
The project is situated on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada, approximately 35 kilometers north of the provincial capital, Victoria. It is about a 35-minute drive from downtown Victoria. Vancouver Island is a renowned tourist destination, divided by a central mountain range into eastern and western parts. The east coast, facing mainland North America, features more low-lying terrain compared to the rugged western coast, which faces the Pacific Ocean. The island is rich in natural resources, with dense forests, scenic beaches, and snow-capped mountains, offering breathtaking landscapes. Its mild and pleasant climate attracts a large number of visitors, as well as retirees who choose to settle here.
Opening Hours
The Malahat SkyWalk is open year-round, with hours from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM in the summer and 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM during other seasons. Ticket options include single-entry and annual passes, priced as follows: adults $34.95 per visit or $96 annually; seniors (65+) $30.95 per visit or $87 annually; children/youth (6-17 years) $20.95 per visit or $57 annually; toddlers (5 and under) are free. There is also a family pass for $95 per visit or $250 annually, which covers two adults and two children/youth.
Due to its coastal location, the Greater Vancouver area has a temperate maritime climate, characterized by mild and humid conditions year-round. Victoria enjoys comfortable temperatures, with highs of 19°C and lows of 3°C. The peak season runs from June to September, making it a popular summer vacation spot. According to local tourism authorities, the best time to visit is from mid-July to late August.
Project Transportation
Located in the renowned tourist destination of Victoria, the project's accessibility is primarily centered around driving due to the island's nature. The transportation options to reach the project include:
1. Driving: Visitors traveling from Vancouver Airport will need to drive to the Vancouver ferry terminal, take a ferry, and then continue driving to the project site. The total distance is approximately 130 kilometers, taking about 3.5 hours. For those starting from Victoria Airport, the distance is much shorter, around 50 kilometers, with a one-hour drive.
2. Shuttle Bus: Within Victoria, visitors can also book a dedicated shuttle bus that takes them directly to the project. Conveniently, the shuttle offers multiple pickup locations in the city's hotel districts and downtown area. The shuttle ride lasts around 45 minutes, and the ticket price includes both transportation and entrance fees. Prices are as follows: adults (18+) $79.95, seniors (65+) $76.95, youth/children (6-17) $66, and children under 5 years old $45.
Project Experience
To fully enjoy the experience, we arrived in downtown Victoria a day earlier and stayed overnight at a hotel. The next morning, we headed to the project site. The location is serene and isolated, surrounded by nature with no other buildings nearby. The project itself is divided into three main areas: the parking lot, forest walkway, and spiral skywalk. The parking area consists of three sections: the main parking lot, bus parking, and RV parking.
The parking lot, like many North American natural attractions, has a gravel surface without marked parking spaces, offering a casual parking experience. However, there are signs for reserved parking. From the main parking lot, visitors can easily spot the visitor center and ticket office.
The visitor center, though modest in size, includes a ticket office, gift shop, and café. The building's wooden structure, with exposed beams, large windows, deep overhangs, and low-pitched roofs, embodies a typical West Coast architectural style. A totem pole in the surrounding environment adds a touch of local Canadian history and cultural intrigue, appealing to visitors' interest in nature and history.
Tickets for the day can be purchased at the ticket office, and visitors have the option to upgrade their day pass to an annual pass after their visit by paying the difference, allowing for unlimited visits throughout the year.
The building's front facade houses the ticket office, while the rear facade contains the gift shop and café. Outdoor seating offers a space for people to relax. Inside, the combined café and gift shop create a cozy commercial space where visitors can enjoy light meals and coffee, as well as purchase custom-designed souvenirs from local artists. A walkway leads from this area to the ticket checkpoint, with a detailed map at the starting point.
The ticket checkpoint marks the beginning of the forest walkway, where tickets are scanned electronically. Smoking and pets are not allowed in this area.
After wandering along the forest walkway, visitors reach the entrance to the spiral skywalk. There are two directions: one leading up to the top and the slide entrance, and the other leading down to the picnic area. A spiral staircase in the center serves as an emergency route. The overall structure has a natural aesthetic, combining wooden beams with steel cables, wooden railings, and stainless steel mesh. The warm-toned exterior looks stunning in sunlight, resembling a giant bird's nest. As visitors ascend the spiral walkway, they are treated to beautiful 360-degree views of the peninsula and the ocean. The gentle 5% incline makes it accessible for both strollers and wheelchair users.
At the top, the view is expansive. The 250-meter-high platform offers panoramic 360-degree vistas, with transparent glass railings enhancing the immersive experience. Children can also enjoy unobstructed views. Various signs provide information about the surrounding landscapes, and on clear days, it's even possible to see distant snow-capped mountains.
One of the highlights of the skywalk is the free experience of the high-altitude slide. Starting from the top platform, visitors can slide down a 50-meter-long metal slide with a 20-meter vertical drop. While there may be a short wait, staff assist each person onto the slide mat and give them a gentle push. The thrilling descent lasts around five seconds. The slide, equipped with light openings, isn’t too dark, and the raw sensation of falling creates an unforgettable experience, making it a popular choice for families. At the bottom, staff are present to assist, and a basket system returns the mats to the top of the slide.
Another standout feature at the top is an 84-square-meter bouncing net. Constructed with woven elastic ropes, it can accommodate multiple people bouncing simultaneously. For those afraid of heights, the 32-meter drop below the net might be a challenge, but for children, it’s a high-altitude playground.
At the base of the spiral skywalk is the picnic area, which offers light snacks, drinks, a scenic viewing platform, seating, and portable restrooms. From here, the entire 32-meter-high, 10-story skywalk structure is visible, appearing even more monumental and making it a prime spot for photos. The picnic area's viewing platforms and seating reinforce the outdoor camping atmosphere. It’s easy to imagine future nighttime events being hosted here, with the luxury of mountain and ocean views surrounded by forests, similar to Whistler’s night tours. If lighting were added to the skywalk for nighttime visits, it could create a magical experience. Early design concepts hinted at a potential nighttime lighting plan. A marked trail guides visitors back to the visitor center from the picnic area.
Project Summary
Following the closure of New York’s iconic Vessel in 2021, the Malahat Skywalk opened the same year, sparking curiosity and excitement. As a new landmark observation structure, it has succeeded in revitalizing the area. The design and development team brought their expertise from the Sea to Sky Gondola project, blending the region's breathtaking views with the structure's unique charm. The slow, leisurely pace of the walkway and the rapid descent of the slide complement each other perfectly, while the accessible design, thoughtful use of materials, and attention to detail add to the project’s appeal.
Unlike the always-green "Christmas tree" at Hudson Yards, the Malahat Skywalk feels like a rustic yet inviting haven for outdoor enthusiasts and families. Though understated, its ability to spark joy in visitors makes it a destination worth experiencing.
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