Are you in search of the very best issues to do in Whistler this summer season?
As a British Columbia resident who’s been visiting Whistler for the previous 20 years, I’ve a number of experience and recommendation to share with you on easy methods to plan the very best summer season adventures in Whistler. Whether or not you’re in search of among the most iconic and well-known adventures, in search of one thing off the overwhelmed path, or in search of one thing new to do in Whistler this summer season, I’ve put collectively this information to assist guarantee your subsequent summer season journey to Whistler is stacked filled with adventures.
And sure, I’ve tried the entire issues that I’ve supplied on this journey information, so know they’re mother and adventure-seeker-approved! I’m excited to share my suggestions from an area perspective that can assist you plan the very best issues to do in Whistler in the summertime.
How To Plan The Excellent Day In Whistler
Earlier than you head out in your journey day in Whistler let me share a few of my greatest suggestions for easy methods to make it an ideal day. I discover that the recipe for an ideal Whistler day is to start out with a giant morning journey (don’t fear I’ve obtained the total record beneath), head into the village for lunch and a brief stroll, then discover a extra leisurely afternoon exercise, like hanging out on the lake. Spherical out your day with dinner within the village after which end off with some high quality downtime at your resort. Relying on what number of days you might be spending in Whistler, you are able to do this each day (and have an action-packed trip) or you possibly can alternate scheduled days with unscheduled days, and let the adventures discover you!
Guided Adventures In Whistler
Let’s begin with the massive adventures, these guided experiences in Whistler that can take you to locations that may solely be explored with an area {and professional} information.
ATV Tour on Cougar Mountain
Photograph Credit score: Journey Awaits
Some name them RZRs or ATVs however you’ll be calling them Facet by Sides while you declare the motive force’s seat with The Journey Group (TAG) ATV Tour. TAG will decide you up in Whistler Village and take you on a brief 10-minute drive to their base camp on Cougar Mountain. After an interactive hands-on security briefing and driving lesson, you’ll load up onto your two or four-person Facet by Facet and head out together with your information on the paths.
Our household cherished being within the 4 seater Facet by Facet and the children cherished that they had been allowed to take a seat within the entrance (yup, that meant I used to be caught within the again!). Dad took the spot behind the wheel, which had us going by means of large mud puddles, carving round corners on the path, and ultimately popping out to a giant broad opening that regarded out over the mountain ranges of Whistler’s Backcountry.
That is the right journey for households or teams that wish to do one thing collectively, discover an space outdoors of Whistler Village, and get into the backcountry and discover. Ebook this prematurely.
Ziplining within the Village or Cougar Mountain
Photograph Credit score Tourism Whistler Justa Jeskova
There’s nothing like flying by means of the air, touring by means of old-growth forests, and being part of the tree-top cover. Or hovering like an eagle by means of the canyon on the longest zipline in Whistler. Two totally different firms in Whistler supply ziplining, together with Ziptrek Ecotours and The Journey Group (TAG).
Ship your loved ones flying by means of the timber as they expertise ziplining in Whistler with Ziptrek Ecotours! The mixture of ecotourism and journey is ideal for not solely adults however the entire household. The number of the tour retains everybody transferring and engaged. Every line additionally provides a spread for every rider. The instructors encourage you to go ahead, backward, sooner, and even “freestyle” the place you possibly can go the other way up (which is more durable than it seems!).
TAG provides a excessive ropes and zipline course out of their Cougar Mountain base camp. My children cherished the excessive ropes course because it was self-directed however fairly difficult (and designed for all ages). As soon as up within the sky, the ziplining is an unbelievable option to expertise the distinctive ecosystem that makes up the Whistler space, and I really like that it’s a respectful and eco-friendly option to traverse by means of the timber. Ebook this prematurely!
Self Guided Experinces In Whistler
Should you wish to take the lead in your adventures and journey at your personal tempo, then maybe try a few of my favorite self-guided experiences in Whistler that are equally superb and to not be missed.
Vallea Lumina Whistler
Photograph Credit score Second Manufacturing unit/Vallea Lumina
Whether or not you might be 6 years previous or 65 years previous, a go to to Vallea Lumina will convey out your childlike marvel and have you ever believing in magic throughout the first 10 minutes of the stroll. This expertise is hosted by The Journey Group (TAG) and after checking in at base camp, you’ll be invited onto a path that’s lit by lanterns. As you wander down the path you’ll study of two “misplaced” hikers, and study extra about their story as you observe their journey by means of the enchanted forest as they make their manner house.
This multimedia expertise is placed on by Second Manufacturing unit and makes use of a mix of lights, music, projection, and different visible results to create a 4D multimedia immersive expertise that can go away you asking “how” all whereas appreciating the magic because it unfolds earlier than your eyes. Ebook this prematurely.
Mountain Biking At Whistler Bike Park
Whistler Bike Park is undoubtedly certainly one of Canada’s greatest mountain biking parks, that includes 70 marked trails spanning over 80 kilometers and nearly 5000 vertical toes. With gondolas and chairlift entry, you possibly can spend your day descending by means of the world-class trails and never losing time peddling uphill!
Should you’re new to mountain biking please know that you’re welcome at Whistler Bike Park. They’ve a number of superb applications each in small teams in addition to one-on-one non-public instruction. I’m an enormous advocate for classes and loved participating of their ladies-only collection, which occurs a couple of occasions a yr.
So whether or not you’re a seasoned rider or new to hitting the hill, a visit to the Whistler Bike Park in the summertime is each crammed with adrenaline in addition to nice recollections. On certainly one of my newest mountain biking journeys, I got here round a nook and located a bear subsequent to the path. It is a common sight in Whistler however it nonetheless at all times catches me off guard. The bear didn’t care a lot about my existence however it was neat to see it on the path subsequent to us! Ebook this prematurely.
Bike The Valley Path
Photograph credit score: Journey Awaits
The Valley Path in Whistler is a fantastically paved community of trails that spans over 46 kilometers across the Whistler space. My children love using these trails as they’re comparatively flat, broad, and straightforward to navigate. I usually pack a daypack crammed with necessities (snacks and treats) and spend the day hopping from playgrounds to the waterparks, and from lake to lake, all by pedal energy. There are a number of nice rental retailers in Whistler to lease your bikes from, and you may select between pedal bikes or e-bikes in your tour.
Leisurely Adventures In Whistler In The Summer time
Need to do one thing spa-mazing or simply decelerate your tempo whereas exploring Whistler? Right here’s an inventory of my low-key experiences awaiting your exploration.
Scandinave Spa
Photograph Credit score: Tourism Whistler/Chad Chomlack
One among my favourite locations in Whistler for some high quality grownup rest is the Scandinave Spa. At this Nordic-inspired spa, you’ll spend your time transitioning between cold and warm swimming pools or hanging out in certainly one of their spa lounge rooms. Their sizzling experiences embody out of doors sizzling tubs which might be surrounded by the forest, piping sizzling saunas, in addition to steam rooms. Their Nordic experiences embody chilly plunge swimming pools (together with a frosty waterfall!). Their rest rooms range from cedar pavilions crammed with comfy lounge chairs to a yoga studio the place you are able to do yoga at the back of the room after which cuddle into an outsized bean bag chair within the entrance.
Among the different facilities that I really like are the massive hammocks, the place you possibly can zip in all cocoon-like after visiting a sizzling room and slowly drift off for a nap all whereas respiration within the deliciously recent mountain air. In the summertime I really like hanging round their out of doors firepits, protecting my toes heat whereas I get pleasure from gown life and a heat drink.
You possibly can take your relaxation to an entire different degree by including a therapeutic massage therapy to your expertise (which continues to be on my to-do record!). One factor to notice although, there may be completely no speaking at Scandinave Spa, as it’s meant to be a quiet rejuvenation expertise the place respect for all visitors is non-negotiable. So make certain that you’re comfy with no speaking earlier than you guide your reservations for this adult-only expertise.
Spend The Day At The Lake
Photograph Credit score: Journey Awaits
Whistler has a number of nice lakes that make for the right place for a seashore day. You possibly can stroll to Misplaced Lake from the Village the place you’ll discover a heat and swimmable lake, an amazing seashore space, meals and ice cream truck distributors, in addition to facilities like washrooms. Enjoyable reality: relying on while you go, the Western Toads could also be migrating and you might get to see tons of (or hundreds) of child toads migrating by means of the park. Make sure you be careful for the protected areas and don’t journey your bike or stroll by means of these areas.
There are different lakes you possibly can hang around at as nicely together with Inexperienced Lake and Nita Lake, however in the event you’re staying in Whistler Village, then Misplaced Lake is the preferred and most accessible.
Practice Wreck Hike
Photograph Credit score: Journey Awaits
The Whistler Practice Wreck path is extra of a stroll however has a giant payoff on the finish. This forested path spans 5 kilometers (spherical journey) and takes you thru the old-growth forests earlier than reaching the path’s most well-known characteristic, an precise practice wreck website! Within the 1950’s there was a path derailment and as a substitute of hauling them out they left them. They’ve since been coated in graffiti by native artists and at the moment are a serious vacationer attraction and artwork set up in Whistler.
This simple path is appropriate for vacationers of all bodily ranges and makes for an amazing cease in your option to or from Whistler. Count on to come across a wide range of wildlife alongside the best way, together with black bears and deer, so remember to keep alert and follow protected climbing.
Go Mountaineering In Whistler
Photograph Credit score: Journey Awaits
Should you’re in search of a more difficult hike, there’s no scarcity of hikes in Whistler price exploring. There are each Alpine Trails, that are accessed by taking the gondola to the highest of the mountain after which beginning your hike from there, in addition to Valley Trails, which may be accessed by both strolling or driving from Whistler Village.
The Alpine Trails system consists of each simple inexperienced trails (instance: Spearhead Loop – 1.2 km, 1 hour, 30 m elevation change) to troublesome black diamond trails (instance: Excessive Be aware Path – 9.4 km, 4 hours, 420 m elevation change). These alpine trails supply beautiful views of Black Tusk and Garibaldi Provincial Park.
Photograph Credit score: Journey Awaits
The Valley Trails system options many loop trails such because the Misplaced Lake Loop (5 km, green-easy) and Alta Lake Loop (7.4 km, blue-moderate). Each supply beautiful lake and forest views and may be accessed by strolling from Whistler Village. And if you’re in search of one thing more difficult, the Historic Cedars Path requires a 4.5 km drive up a gravel street to the trailhead the place this 5 km intermediate path will take you previous Cougar Lake and a number of other huge Cedar timber.
As at all times, hike safely! Please guarantee you’ve gotten the ten climbing necessities with you, select a path that matches your climbing capacity, and let somebody know the place you’re going and while you anticipate to be again.
Peak 2 Peak
Photograph Credit score: Journey Awaits
Should you like large views and scenic settings, then a visit on the Peak 2 Peak Gondola is for you! This journey is a good way to see Whistler Village from an entire totally different vantage level. Buy your tickets in Whistler Village on the base of Whistler Mountain and from there you’ll take the Whistler Village Gondola as much as the Roundhouse Lodge the place a simple 10-minute stroll will take you to the place the Peak 2 Peak takes off. Traversing 4.4 km between Whistler Mountain and Blackcomb Mountain, the 11-minute Peak 2 Peak Gondola expertise offers you unbelievable 360-degree views of the village, volcanic peaks, coastal rainforests, and historic glaciers.
Traveler Tip: Plan to spend a couple of hours having fun with this journey and don’t rush it. I discover that a number of the individuals I like to recommend this expertise to decide on to have lunch up at both the Roundhouse Lodge (prime of Whistler Mountain) or Rendezview Lodge (prime of Blackcomb Mountain) earlier than or after their Peak 2 Peak Gondola expertise in order that they’ll spend extra time taking within the unbelievable views (I believe that is the third time I’ve stated unbelievable on this part, sorry not sorry. Does it get any extra Canadian than that?).
Village / Buying Stroll
Photograph Credit score: Journey Awaits
Some individuals go to Whistler for the village buying and that’s not a foul factor. With so many fantastic retailers and locations to discover, there’s lots to see in such a small space. A few of our household favorites embody the Rocky Mountain Chocolate store, Lululemon (aka journey garments), and naturally, Cows Ice Cream store.
In conclusion, Summer time is a magical time in Whistler and there are such a lot of enjoyable issues to do contained in the village but in addition on the outskirts of city. Should you take me up on my recommendation of doing one large journey within the morning and being extra laid again within the afternoon, you’re certain to have an unbelievable journey to this mountain village and undoubtedly it’ll go away you with just one drawback… a craving to come back again and spend extra time. Simply ask me… I can’t get sufficient of my favourite mountain city!
Visitor Writer: Jami Savage is a Canadian-based Journey Author who’s obsessed with instructing vacationers easy methods to use their tourism {dollars} as a pressure for optimistic change. You possibly can study extra about her and discover journey inspiration by visiting www.adventureawaits.ca.
Learn Subsequent:
10 Child Pleasant Actions in Whistler
Should you discovered this info useful think about shopping for me a cup of espresso aka serving to me pay to place children by means of faculty! Simply scan the QR code or click on the hyperlink. As at all times, thanks in your assist!
Get Journey Insurance
Sadly, there are a number of issues that may go fallacious on any journey. Be ready for the worst with journey insurance coverage. We use Travelex or Security Wing (usually cheaper).
Ebook Flights
I exploit Skyscanner to search out flights. I exploit it a lot, I wrote a whole information to discovering low cost flights with Skyscanner!
Ebook a Place to Keep
I like to recommend utilizing Expedia.com or Motels.com for many resort bookings. I want to guide immediately with Marriott once I keep there due to their glorious navy low cost.
Should you want staying in a trip rental as a substitute, I like to recommend VRBO.
Lease Garments
Lease garments in your journey with Journey Fashion Knowledgeable for under $50 a month! The primary 30 days are free!
Select Actions and Excursions
To seek out nice actions in any space I exploit Get Your Information and Viator. If we’re visiting a metropolis with a lot of well-liked points of interest I at all times verify CityPass and GoCard to see if they’ve low cost playing cards out there. Groupon additionally tends to have a number of native journey offers.
After I need to guide a full-on multi-day tour I exploit TourRadar. They’ve obtained implausible weekly offers. If I’m going someplace in Mexico or the Caribbean I exploit Apple Holidays.
Lease a Automobile or Take a Lyft
Most of the time Lyft is cheaper than Uber. Use my Lyft hyperlink for an $18 credit score! For a automobile rental in any nation, I like to recommend Hertz or Uncover Automobiles.
Save Cash on Gasoline
Upside, a free app will get you money again on fuel! Use promo code RV2Q2 to get an additional 15¢/gal bonus in your first buy.
Get a Visa
I exploit iVisa to get all of my Visas.