Where it all began
Rooted in community. Fueled by sawdust, grit, and pride.
The Squamish Days Loggers Sports Festival traces its roots back to 1957, when a group of local loggers and community members organized a one-day event to showcase their skills, share their traditions, and celebrate the work that built this town – the rugged, dangerous, essential work of logging, which shaped Squamish’s identity for generations. Back then, there was no Sea to Sky Highway. Some competitors even arrived by boat, chainsaws in tow, ready to take part in a day of strength, speed, and sawdust.
What started as a grassroots gathering quickly became a hometown highlight. The earliest contests were held behind the Elks Hall and featured classic loggers sports like axe throw, tree climb, underhand chop, and birling – all raw demonstrations of the craft that defined Squamish. From those humble beginnings, the festival would grow into a beloved community tradition that still rings with that same spirit nearly 70 years later.
A celebration of strength and story
At its core, Squamish Days has always been a celebration of the town’s logging roots – not just the skills themselves, but the people and culture behind them.
Through the 1960s and 70s, Squamish Days became more than just a loggers competition – it became a true summer festival. Alongside the competitive events, locals introduced pancake breakfasts, a community parade, and family-friendly entertainment. The event began to draw visitors from across the province and eventually across the continent.
Generations of Squamish families have participated in and supported the festival – as athletes, volunteers, vendors, and spectators. Some folks have been involved since childhood and are now raising kids who compete or serve pancakes. That’s the kind of legacy you can’t buy or build overnight.
Loggers sports on the world stage
Today, Squamish Days features novice, intermediate, and open divisions with world-class competition in events like the Springboard Chop, Hot Saw, Power Saw Tree Falling, and Tree Topping. Our “World Championship” events have put Squamish on the global map – drawing top-tier athletes from across Canada, the US, Australia, and beyond.
But even as the competition has grown, the roots remain the same. The festival honours Squamish’s deep roots in the forest industry – where hard work and technical mastery were daily life – while continuing to evolve with the town itself.
Powered by volunteers and local clubs
If Squamish Days has a secret ingredient, it’s this: people power.
The festival is organized entirely by volunteers and supported by local service clubs like the Elks, Rotary, Legion, Curling Club, Marine Search & Rescue, and the Squamish Valley Equestrian Association. These groups are the lifeblood of the weekend – cooking meals, selling tickets, running logistics, and keeping the show running smoothly.
Many volunteers come back year after year, building a rare kind of camaraderie that can only be forged through shared sweat and sawdust.
A tradition that gives back
Since its earliest days, proceeds from the festival have gone directly back into the Squamish community – supporting local charities, sports groups, and service organizations. To date, over $775,000 has been donated to local causes through the efforts of the Squamish Days Loggers Sports Association.
This is a celebration with purpose. A festival that doesn’t just reflect Squamish – it supports it.
Still chopping, cheering, and celebrating – nearly 70 years in
What began as a friendly competition among loggers has grown into a multi-day, multi-event celebration that draws thousands each summer. And yet, it still feels like Squamish: warm, welcoming, loud in all the right ways, and rooted in community pride.
Whether you’re showing up for the beef bun, the birling, or the bragging rights, Squamish Days is a reminder of how traditions survive – not by staying the same, but by being passed from one set of hands to the next.
