20 Things to Do in Whistler with Your Family (2021 Update)

Are you headed on holiday in Whistler with your family this year? This mountain town is built for families. The resort, renowned for its winter activities and epic outdoor fun in the Summer, is packed full of family adventures. Skiing and biking are just the start. 

Home to almost every family-friendly activity you can dream up — Whistler is heaven for kids of all ages. When we think of things to do in Whistler with kids, we never run out of ideas.

The best things to do in Whistler with your family can often depend on the season, though. So to help you pack your next whistler family vacation with memories, we’ve divided up the best things for your family by season. 

9 Whistler Winter Activities for Kids, Teens, and Families

While we all love Whistler for the snowy slopes, there is much more to explore if you are headed here for a winter holiday. So when you and your kids need to give your legs a rest day, why not head off-piste?

1. Winter Zip Line Adventure

Where else could you zip line through a winter wonderland?

• Price: $149.99 per Adult and 124.99 per Child 
• Ages: 7 and Up (or 60 to 250 lbs)
• Location: Cougar Mountain Base Camp

Yes, you read this correctly: You can go ziplining in Whistler in the Winter! Expect to see the mountains in an entirely new light and from a new angle with Superfly Zipline’s winter tour.

Dress for the snow, including winter pants, boots, and even goggles. Then strap into a world-class zipline course, speeding through the old-growth forest just North of the Village. It’s an exhilarating yet entirely safe activity suitable for the entire family. 

Hot Tip: Superfly Ziplines is a year-round activity! If you prefer a warmer session in the canopy, return in the Spring and Summer. Prices and opening times may vary.

2. Dog Sledding

• Price: 2021-2022 TBA
• Ages: 3 and Up
• Location: Blackcomb Snowmobiles, at the Hilton Whistler Resort

Explore Whistler’s trails with a truly Canadian experience–on the back of a dog sled. You will be racing the rest of the family across the snow, being pulled by specially-bred Arctic sled dogs. 

Sit and enjoy the ride as you learn from your musher, who will be harnessing, staging, and commanding the dogs as they handle the sled like a pro. The incredible skills of your furry sled companions will have you whisked away in awe.

3. Bubly Tube Park

• Price: $26.50 Adult, $24.50 Youth, and $20.50 Child
• Ages: 3 and Up
• Location: 4870 Glacier Ln, Whistler

We all have that one sibling who just has to try and win the race every chance they get. Declare it war! It’s time to beat them to the finish line at the tube park!

At the Bubly (formerly Coca-Cola) Tube Park, you will catch the same adrenaline as that at a Summer water park. So grab a tube and launch yourself down the exhilarating tube hill. Careful, the last one to the bottom is a rotten egg!

4. Whistler Ski School

• Price: $279 per day Child 5 to 6, $245 per Day for Youth 7 to 14.
• Ages: 5 to 14
• Location: Whistler Blackcomb, See Ticket Book or Sales Rep

Arguably the best school program on the planet, you can also hit up ski school on your next Whistler vacation. It’s perfect for helping your kids get the skills they need to conquer the hill, whether they are tiny snowboarders or skiers. 

It’s also a perfect option when the parents need a day (or two, or three) off from wrangling kids around the Village.

5. Family Après at Whistler Olympic Plaza

• Price: FREE
• Ages: All Ages
• Location: 4365 Blackcomb Way, Olympic Plaza

A fantastic day at ski school deserves a wind-down with a Family Après. Families with younger children can enjoy a free afternoon of fun activities while Mom and Dad enjoy a hot drink and live entertainment. 

The ambiance of the Village during Family Après embraces the liveliness of the festive season and the magic of our Canadian Winter. Catch the family-friendly Après event from 3 pm to 6 pm on Mondays and Wednesdays from December through March.

6. Sleigh Ride

• Price: 2021/2022 Season TBA
• Ages: All Ages

Dash through the snow the old fashion way in one of Whistler’s horse-drawn sleighs. Much more whimsical than the exhilarating ride with the dogs, there is no need to hang on tight here. 

On this tour, you can snuggle up to each other under a warm blanket as you soak in the sight of frosted branches, the sound of jingle bells, and enjoy the company of your loved ones.

7. Family Snowmobile Tour 

• Price: $199.99 per Driver, $119.99 per passenger, Children under 12 are free
• Location: Cougar Mountain Base Camp

Choose to venture through the forest in either the morning or evening light on a guided snowmobile tour. On a snowmobile, you will have access to some of Whistler’s most pristine Winter sights, with the whole family in tow. 

While there are tours fit for thrill-seekers of all levels, gliding through Whistler’s backcountry might be too much for some of the littlies. Thankfully, children can have their turn at piloting a mini-mobile with a leisurely drive through the mini route.

8. Ice Skating

• Price: $8 Skate Rental, $2 Admission Fee With Your Own Skates
• Location: Whistler Olympic Park

Entering the ice-skating rink with the family always makes for a day full of clumsy laughs and good times. Watch as the eldest finally gets to overtake Mom and Dad in hockey. Or as the youngest successfully lets go of the wall for the first time. 

It is possible to skate on the local lakes in Whistler but to be safe, try the rinks at Whistler Olympic Plaza instead.

9. Peak 2 Peak Gondola

Peak to Peak Gondola is accessible to everyone!

• Price:$40 to $85 (Varies Depending on Age and Season), Children Under 6 are Free
• Ages: All Ages
• Location: Via Whistler Village Gondola or Blackcomb Gondola

Get the whole family together and ride the Guinness World Record-breaking Peak 2 Peak Gondola. 

While the lift is there to transport skiers up the mountain, they’re not the only ones that get to feast their eyes on the view from above! Dangling between the Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains hangs a 3.03-kilometer-long gondola lift 436 meters above the ground. 

 From your seat, you will be treated to 360˚ vistas of Whistler’s Winter magic-the view doesn’t get any better than this.

Hot Tip: The Whistler Peak 2 Peak Experience is available all year round. If you’ve already taken it during ski season, head up with the family on your Whistler summer vacation for a whole new view.

11 Whistler Summer Activities for Kids, Teens, and Families

Many people flock to Whistler in the Winter, but there is also plenty of fun on the mountain in the Summer. While some of these activities can be enjoyed year-round, here are our top picks of activities to enjoy with your family in the heat of Summer.

10. The Whistler Children’s Festival

• Price: Most Events are Free, 2022 TBA
• Ages: Suitable for the Whole Family
• Location: Events Held All Over Whistler, Information at Maury Young Arts Centre 

If you intend on visiting Whistler in the Summer with your family, try to time it for when the Whistler Children’s Festival hits town. 

Each July, Whistler Village is transformed into your child’s dream with circus acts, stages, balloons, and tents taking over the lawn at Whistler Olympic Plaza. 

This event has been such a hit that it has been returning to Whistler annually for 35 years. So take the kids and let their imaginations run wild with crafts, hands-on activities,and live performances.

11. Whistler Blackcomb Family Adventure Zone

• Price: 2022 TBA
• Ages: All Ages
• Location: Base of Blackcomb 

2021 Temporarily Closed for COVID 

Wondering what to do in Whistler with kids when you’ve exhausted all the other activities? Hit up the Family Adventure Zone. This area at the base of Blackcomb is set to entertain all ages with many activities on offer. 

Activities include slides, go-karting, Mario and Friends mini golf, bungee trampolines, and batting cages. Be prepared to spend an entire day here! The fun begins in June and runs through to early September. You and your family can launch into one activity or buy combination tickets for a whole day of fun.

12. Family Axe Throwing Competition

• Price: $37.99 per person
• Ages: 10 and up
• Location: 1208 Alpha Lake Road

Find out who in your family has the best aim by trying your hand at axe throwing. Forged Axe Throwing is the only axe throwing venue in the area. Born in the backcountry of British Columbia, Forged now welcomes groups and celebrations to get competitive and maybe even discover new talent! Go up against your family and battle it out. Who will hit the bullseye first?

13. Vallea Lumina

• Price: $29.99/Adult and $22.99 Child
• Ages: All Ages (Strollers are not allowed, carriers are likely required for small children)
• Location: Cougar Mountain Base Camp

Venture out on a night walk with Vallea Lumina. Discover the legend of a long-lost trail that leads to a secret valley. This multimedia adventure takes you on a 1.5km walk under the stars, through an old-growth forest full of special effect lighting and sound.

Don’t forget to dress for the cold with mittens, a hat, and your ski pants. You can always grab a sweet hot chocolate for the trail when you arrive.

Hot Tip: Vallea Lumina is a year-round activity! Visit during the Summer for a slightly longer luminous adventure through ancient forests.

14. Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre

• Price: $20 Adult, $15 Youth, $5 Child
• Ages: All Ages
• Location: 4584 Blackcomb Way, Whistler

Learn about local First Nations culture at Squamish Lil’Wat Cultural Centre. The centre has preserved and curated carvings, canoes, sculptures, weavings, masks, and interactive exhibits to represent the evolution of local Indigenous culture. 

By visiting the centre, you will discover the story of how the Squamish Nation and Lil’Wat Nation have respectfully coexisted for thousands of years. Cultural Ambassadors from both Nations offer guided tour experiences every hour from 10 am to 4 pm daily.

15. Lost Lake Park

• Price: Free
• Ages: All Ages
• Location: 4700 Lost Lake Rd, Whistler

Quite the contrast to what is on offer in Whistler’s Winter, why not check out a day full of Summer fun at Lost Lake Park. Relax at the beach by this cool and clear mountain lake. 

You can access Lost Lake Park by walking just 15 minutes from Whistler Village. Just like a Summer’s day by the ocean, you can swim, enjoy water sports, cool off with some icy treats, and sunbathe on the dock.

16. Off-Road Bear Watching Tour

In spring, be prepared for little ones. In Fall, look for big-adults putting on winter weight.

• Price: $129.99 Adult and $89.99 Youth
• Ages: Child-friendly (booster seats provided for +40 lbs)
• Location: Pick up included

What’s the best way to safely experience the wilds of Whistler? Take your family on a guided off-road bear watching tour with you and your entire family this Summer. It’s a perfect way to catch a glimpse of a bear from the safety of a 4×4 Jeep. From May to August, your likelihood of catching a glimpse of Canada’s biggest predator is upwards of 90 percent!

Beyond bears, this 2.5-hour tour takes you to places visitors don’t normally see in the backwoods of Whistler. You will catch other animals in their natural habitat and learn about this remarkable ecosystem.

17. Cheakamus Lake Trail

• Price: Free
• Ages: All Ages (carrier may be required for small children)
• Location: Cheakamus Lake Rd, Whistler

While this hike does take between four to six hours, it is well worth it for the stunning views of a mountain-lined lake. Since the trail is relatively flat, you don’t need to be extremely fit to complete it. 

The start of the lake is just 3km from the trailhead, so the hike can be as short or as long as you please, meaning it’s perfect for children who aren’t up for the whole adventure. Be prepared for an iconic Whistler panorama. You may have already seen it on a postcard!

18. Aerial Obstacle Course

• Price: $54.99 Child 
• Ages: 7 to 13 
• Location: Cougar Mountain Base Camp

Adventure through Whistler’s treetops with Superfly’s Aerial Obstacle Course that allows you to travel through canopies with the best view from above. With 70 different obstacles to tackle, there are courses to challenge every fitness level and difficulty. 

Rush across balancing beams up to 60 feet high, and rope swings for the adrenaline seekers to get their fix. This is the best way to challenge yourself and interact with Whistler’s backcountry, with courses available to kids as young as seven.

19. Visit the Candy Shop

• Price: (Depends on How Hungry You Are)
• Ages: All Ages
• Location: #115 – 4350 Lorimer Rd Marketplace Lodge

The Great Glass Elevator Candy Shop is not your average candy store. 

With 1,000 square feet of candy, a visit to these guys deserves its own place on your itinerary. The sweet tooth of your family will be in heaven browsing the Jelly Belly flavours, Canadian made chocolates, and even a mix and match candy wall!

20. White Water Rafting

• Price: $129.99/Adult and $89.99/Youth
• Ages: 10-16 (80 lbs in low water / 90 lbs in high water)
• Location: Cougar Mountain Base Camp

Grab mom, grab dad, grab your crazy uncle and head down splash down the Green River in Whistler. Whiter water rafting in Whistler is wet, wild, and a whole lot of fun. 

Every boat is guided by a certified raft guide, who will expertly bounce you from one rapid to the next as you tour the Green River Valley for over two hours. They suit everyone up with wet suits to fend off the chills in Whistler’s cold glacier-fed waters. Don’t forget your go pro from some hilarious footage you won’t want to forget.

What to Do in Whistler with Kids? How Will You Ever Choose

Three hundred sixty-five days a year, Whistler Blackcomb makes the perfect family holiday. Whether you are hitting ski school on the mountain with your kids, whizzing through the woods on a zipline, or swimming in a cold mountain lake, Whistler’s adventures await you and your family.