World first glass cube experience now open for sky-high thrills in B.C.

B.C. adventurers looking for their next thrill will want to head to Vancouver Island for a new attraction now open at the Malahat SkyWalk.

The Overhang is the first enclosed glass cube in the world to be attached to the top of a spiral tower, and is located about a half-hour drive from Downtown Victoria.

A recent visit to Canada’s first sky-high glass cube experience shows that it’s already hit with visitors from around the province and beyond.

The Malahat SkyWalk, a 32-metre-tall (105 ft) outdoor spiral observation tower, strikes a towering figure on the edge of the Cowichan Valley. It stands about 250 metres (820 ft) above the inlet below.

The weather was perfect for our day at the Skywalk, located just off the Trans Canada Highway about one hour from BC Ferries’ Swartz Bay terminal.

After stopping for a refreshing drink at the Happy Camper coffee and treat truck, we were soon strolling the 600 m Treewalk to the main attraction.

The Overhang, which was designed by B.C. structural engineering firm Aspect, awaits visitors at the top of the Malahat Skywalk. It measures 2.13 metres all around and extends beyond the summit edge of the 10-storey spiral Sky Tower.

We savoured the views from all angles as we walked up the tower, including the boats in Brentwood Bay, the hawks soaring above Saanich Inlet, and the sea of trees at Gowlland Tod Provincial Park.

The fully-accessible Overhang is custom-built with a steel support frame and five panels of structural glass. The sides and ceiling will be 36 mm (1.42 in) thick, with a base of 60 mm (2.36 in).

Each panel of the cube is also made up of multiple layers of glass that have been bound together for strength and safety. So while looking down through the inches-thick glass can be scary at first, you’re secure for your photos and selfies.

There was a bit of a wait to experience The Overhang during our trip as the beautiful weather had brought out many visitors, but soon it was our turn to step in. And it was quite a rush.

It was quite an experience at first to step out beyond the Sky Tower, but the crowd of onlookers were patient as each guest took tentative steps until their confidence grew.

Some couples posed for photos, while others used their time for an impromptu photo shoot.

The glass cube experience joins The Sizzler Slide and The SkyWeb as family-friendly attractions found at the Vancouver Island destination.

There are also several artworks dotted around the Malahat Skywalk, as well as informative signs explaining the history and nature of the area.

If you worked up an appetite during your visit, make sure to stop by Softys and Basecamp Bites, conveniently located at the entrance of the Sky Tower.

There are plenty of comfort food options to choose from at the Malahat Skywalk, including hot dogs, sandwiches, and refreshing ice cream. Perfect for when the sun is shining, and you need to cool off.

Bring your eats and treats to one of the colourful lawn chairs scattered around one of the Top 30 viewpoints in Canada.

And before you go, snap one more photo with your group at The Lookout platform or on The Perch photo op swing.