Whistler Travelers Recommend

A venue for the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics and one of Canada’s most famous ski resorts, Whistler also makes a fantastic summer vacation destination, particularly for visitors who love the outdoors. From ziplining to mountain biking, here’s how to make the most of the warm summer season in Whistler.

• Take to the treetops, traversing ziplines and treetop canopy courses.

• Drive around off-road mountain tracks in an all-terrain vehicle (ATV).

• Soar over the alpine peaks of British Columbia’s Coast Mountains during a flightseeing tour.

• Speed down mountain bike trails on Whistler Blackcomb, or check out viewpoints and local sights during a more leisurely electric bike excursion.

• Learn about the region’s indigenous peoples at the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre.

• Soak in outdoor pools at a spa with mountain and valley vistas.

• Sample regional specialties, including ice wine truffles, during a food-focused tour of Whistler Village, which makes stops at some of the resort’s most lauded restaurants.

• Take in the dramatic views from the Peak 2 Peak Gondola, which links Whistler Mountain to Blackcomb Mountain, or the Sea to Sky Gondola in nearby Squamish, which offers views of the Hope Sound and Shannon Falls. Hiking trails lead off from the summit stations.

• Play golf on one of Whistler’s award-winning courses.

• Raise your pulse during an exhilarating rafting trip along the white-water rapids of the Elaho, Cheakamus, and Squamish Rivers.

North of Vancouver, Whistler is a compact, year-round outdoor playground. In just a single day, you can ski, snowboard, hike, or mountain bike down Whistler Blackcomb’s world-class runs—nestled among the Coast Range mountains, home to glaciers and alpine lakes—and have time for sightseeing and fine dining. Here’s how to maximize 24 hours in Whistler. 

Morning: Go Peak to Peak

Whistler Blackcomb is Canada’s premier ski resort and one of the largest in North America. Its Peak 2 Peak Gondola connects Whistler and Blackcomb mountains, showcasing the region’s spectacular scenery. The gondola spans about 2 miles (3 kilometers) of fresh mountain air, making it one of the world’s longest. Come in winter and be treated to spectacular snowy scenes; in summer, glide under blue skies and endless panoramas. You might use the gondola to access ski terrain or snowshoeing and hiking trails high on the mountains, or simply to enjoy sightseeing from this lofty perch. 

Afternoon: Choose Your Outdoor Adventure

Whistler is packed with outdoor adventure options. One extremely popular activity is ziplining over white-water rivers and alpine forests. Or get your adrenaline pumping on a helicopter tour of Whistler, which shows off some of the area’s pristine scenery without the challenges of hiking and skiing into the backcountry. In winter, snowmobiling is another top choice: guides lead you along groomed trails perfect for getting a feel for this thrilling sport, no experience required. Of course, you can also get a lift ticket and ski, snowboard, or ride to your heart’s delight.

Night: Enjoy the Dining Scene

The folks at Whistler know a thing or two about great dining. After all, visitors need high-quality fuel for all those outdoor activities. The restaurants clustered in Whistler Village are especially top-notch, with menus incorporating everything from inventive cocktails and regional wines to tapas, sushi, and more. Several tours take you to the best of these restaurants, including some of the more hidden gems, and typically include food and drink. As the night grows later, Whistler keeps the party going with lively bars and pubs that feature music and stand-up comedy.

One of North America’s largest and most celebrated ski resorts, Whistler Blackcomb sits in the spectacular Coast Range, north of Vancouver. And there’s much to celebrate, from ski runs fit for Olympians (and novices) to top-notch dining to outdoor activities for every fitness level. Here’s how to experience all of Whistler in three glorious days.

Day 1: Hit the Slopes

When Vancouver hosted the 2010 Winter Olympics, Whistler’s world-class ski runs gained international attention. There are two primary mountains here: Whistler and Blackcomb, each boasting numerous runs of varying difficulty. Skilled instructors will show you the ropes if you’re new to skiing or snowboarding, or just want to brush up on your abilities. Or, if you want to explore the natural beauty in a more relaxed manner, guided snowshoeing trips trek around the mountains—and going with a guide ensures that you stay safe traveling through avalanche territory. In warmer months, when the snow melts, hiking trails crisscross the mountains. Lace up your boots and ride the Peak 2 Peak Gondola, which runs year-round, to access backcountry terrain. Alternatively, book a half- or full-day mountain biking tour, suited for riders of all levels.

Day 2: See the Sights

With so many mountains surrounding Whistler begging for exploration, getting a bird’s-eye perspective might be the best way to take it all in. Numerous options exist for seeing the glacier-capped range by air. A shorter helicopter or flightseeing tour is a great option for travelers wanting less physical activity. Other options take you heli-hiking or heli-skiing, dropping you deep in the wilderness for access to untouched alpine terrain. Other flights simply land in the backcountry for a picnic after aerial pursuits, allowing you some time in the backcountry without needing much in the way of ability, skill, or equipment. Unwind with a trip to the luxurious Scandinave Spa, complete with multiple hot pools in a mountainside setting. End your night in Whistler Village, where you can grab a top-notch dinner, or explore multiple restaurants via a food tour. The nightlife, ranging from live music to hip cocktail bars, will keep you busy if you’re looking to spend a night on the town.

Day 3: Pump the Adrenaline

Whistler is a hub for adventure enthusiasts, as there are myriad options year-round for getting your adrenaline flowing. Often these activities last only a few hours, so you can combine several in one day. Maybe you’ll start the morning flying through the air on a zipline over pristine alpine forest. Or dig a paddle into frothy white-water on a nearby river. If there’s snow on the ground, you might opt to zoom through the winter terrain on a snowmobile, a perfect option for visitors lacking ski or snowboard experience or interest. If you enjoy horseback riding, nearby Pemberton is ideal for this sport, with guides leading groups on 1- or 2-hour trips. Other options include riding the Peak 2 Peak Gondola, a year-round attraction that is worthwhile for the views—whether you’re skiing or not. You might also try the Via Ferrata, essentially a high ropes course built high i the mountains.

Two days in Whistler, British Columbia’s premier ski resort, is plenty of time to explore the area’s stunning mountain scenery and indulge in more relaxing epicurean pursuits as well. Fly over glaciers, take a backcountry tour, go white-water rafting, hit the slopes, and more. Here are a few ways to maximize 48 hours in and around Whistler. 

Day 1: Get to Know Whistler

**Morning:**See Whistler and its spectacular mountain scenery from above on the Peak 2 Peak Gondola, which spans Whistler and Blackcomb mountains. One of the longest gondola runs in the world, the Peak 2 Peak is ideal for general sightseeing, or for accessing prime skiing, snowshoeing, and hiking terrain.

**Afternoon:**Whistler is surrounded by the glacier-capped Coast Range. See it all by helicopter, soaring above the mountains. Some tours touch down in the backcoutnry, leading you to untouched wilderness for picnics and hiking. Others simply give you the bird’s-eye view—and what a view it is.

**Night:**Discover Whistler Village’s diverse dining scene, enjoying inventive cocktails, stellar wines, and a wide range of cuisines, from international flavors to well-executed comfort food. Whether you pick a restaurant squarely on the region’s radar for top-notch dining or go with an underrated gem, there’s something for every diner in Whistler.

Day 2: Explore the Great Outdoors

**Morning:**If you’re visiting in the colder months, you might opt for a snowmobiling tour of the Whistler backcountry. Guides take even inexperienced snowmobilers on exhilarating trips into the winter wonderland. In warm weather, white-water rafting tours get your adrenaline pumping while allowing access to the area’s endless scenery. 

**Afternoon:**Again, as with most things in Whistler, your activity options depend on the time of year. In summer, don’t miss the Via Ferrata—essentially a high alpine ropes course that traverses the mountains. In winter, you might pick a snowshoeing tour, another way to access remote mountainous terrain with the help of a guide. 

**Night:**The adventures don’t stop at dinnertime—and again, your options are seasonal. Snowmobile up to Crystal Hut, high above Whistler Village, for a fondue dinner under the stars. Or, in warmer weather, drive your ATV to a scenic spot for an evening salmon bake with a view.

Snow-loving families need look no further than the mountainside village of Whistler for a wintertime getaway with opportunities for skiing, snowboarding, and skating. It can be especially fun to buckle into snowshoes to explore the scenery or board a snowmobile for a tour. See below for more family fun ways to experience the area.

• Join a snowmobile tour for first-time riders and speed beyond the confines of Whistler Village and Blackcomb Mountain to explore the network of backcountry trails that crisscross Cougar Mountain.

• Leave the skiing to head out on a snowshoeing adventure that includes an optional Peak 2 Peak Gondola ride over Whistler’s peaks and valleys. Look out for native wildlife, including foxes and bighorn sheep, as you stomp.

• Take the little ones on a half-day snowshoe tour through the forest and down the old trapper’s path known as the Medicine Trail. You’ll head through a canopy of giant cedar, fir, and hemlock trees before arriving at Totem Pole Lake. During this wintery outdoor activity, you’ll get to sample teas made from medicinal plants at Trapper’s Cabin by the lake.

• Take part in a kid-friendly snowshoe tour that visits Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre to learn the story of Canada’s First Nations people.