An Epic 24 Hours on Whistler Blackcomb
You’ve heard about the amazing skiing and riding that Whistler has to offer. Your friends have told you about the epic adventures they have had zip-lining and bungee jumping in the stunning Coast Mountain range.
You’ve seen the photos from the nights out on the town and the hikes through the breathtaking mountain vistas. While there is enough to keep you busy in Whistler for weeks, you only have 24 hours in Whistler. How can you choose what to do?
Well – while there is an infinite number of ways to spend a day in Whistler, here’s one way to get the most out of it!
Saturday Morning In Whistler
Your alarm goes off – it’s 6 AM and still dark outside. Despite the early hour, you hop out of bed feeling energized and ready to take on the day. You only have 24 hours in Whistler but you know it will be nothing short of epic.
Grab your skis and head to Whistler Base for the Mountain Top Breakfast and Fresh Tracks. You need to get there early (between 7:15 and 8:00 AM) since only they only have tickets for the first 650 people. After uploading the Village Gondola to the Roundhouse Lodge, you will feast on a mountain-sized breakfast buffet before enjoying fresh tracks in the fresh powder or on the perfectly groomed runs before the general public is allowed to upload.
Spend the rest of the morning enjoying what Whistler is most famous for – skiing and snowboarding. With over 200 marked runs covering 8,171 acres of terrain, 16 alpine bowls, and 3 glaciers, you’ll certainly run out of steam before you run out of epic lines to ski or ride!
Be sure to try out the Peak-2-Peak Gondola which links Whistler and Blackcomb mountains. Peak-2-Peak is the highest lift of its kind in the world and offers an unparalleled perspective of beautiful Whistler. While any gondola cabin on Peak-2-Peak will offer spectacular views, a special cabin with a glass panel insert in the floor gives you an incomparable 360° views for its 2.7 mile span.
If you want the true Whistler experience, hire a guide and leave the lift-lines behind to enjoy the amazing backcountry and slackcountry (lift-assisted backcountry) skiing and riding that Whistler has to offer.
An experienced guide will take you on an adventure in the South Coast mountains that will definitely be something to write home about. And don’t worry, you don’t have to be a backcountry expert – the guides will take care of that! For the intermediate to advanced skier or rider, this will be sure to be the experience of a lifetime!
Saturday Afternoon in Whistler
You got an early start and have skied your heart out all morning. Now it’s 3:00 PM and time to head back down to the village for the rest of your big day. Grab a coffee and a bite to eat and refuel at one of the many coffee shops or restaurants at Whistler Base or along the village walk.
For hearty homemade sandwiches, soups and baked goods for a reasonable price, try Ingrid’s Village Cafe. Ingrid’s is a local’s favourite and have been fueling Whistler’s adventurers for over 20 years.
Now it’s on to the next adventure of your one day in Whistler; bungee jumping– a classic and thrilling Whistler experience.
Feel the fresh mountain wind blow through your hair as you jump off a 160ft long bridge and plunge towards the roaring, glacier-fed Cheakamus river (pronounced Chek-A-Moose) 300ft below. If you’re faint of heart or need some moral support for your jump, two people can even strap in and jump together!
You can jump in any weather conditions except lightning storms – the bridge is made of metal. So along with your camera, be sure to pack appropriate clothes for the weather on your jump day (you can also jump in your birthday suit if you’re feeling extra daring!)
While bungee jumping is a thrilling experience, you can be assured that Whistler Bungee has a perfect safety record and will provide a safe but epic adventure. Call ahead to book your bungee jumping experience. Don’t forget to enjoy the stunning sights of the Cheakamus Canyon before and after your jump, which makes for a perfect photo op!
If you’ve had your fill of thrills for the day, or if bungee jumping isn’t your thing, there are plenty of other ways to fill your afternoon. If you still want the sensation of flying through the air but prefer a more horizontal trajectory rather than a vertical one try ziplining! Experience the sensation of soaring through the rugged forest while taking in the stunning views of Cougar Mountain with Superfly Ziplines.
Superfly has two of Canada’s longest zip lines, at over half a mile long and up to 600 ft in the air, you’ll reach speeds of up to 60 mph on the ride. If a more mellow afternoon is what you are after, a scenic sleigh ride is a perfect romantic getaway or a great way to create family memories in beautiful Whistler.
Saturday Night in Whistler
Now it’s time to après! While the tradition of après may have its origins in France, Whistler certainly has its own way on how to do it!
Choose from the many lively patios surrounding the base of the Whistler Village Gondola, or any one of the cosy pubs and coffee shops lining the village walk. If you’re hungry there are a plethora of restaurants to choose from.
Ranging from the haute-cuisine of the in-house restaurants at the high-end hotels to more budget-friendly options – you’ll be sure to find something that suits your wallet and your cravings.
The Longhorn at the base of the Whistler Village Gondola is a crowd-favourite and often the first stop after a long day on the hill. For the full-on Whistler experience make sure you try a shotski (literally a ski mounted with shot glasses for you and a handful of friends to enjoy together).
Along with a smorgasbord of amazing restaurants, Whistler nightlife is unparalleled. The vibe on the village stroll on a Friday night is electric, with the music pumping from the many clubs where you can go and dance the night away. If a chill drink with friends is more your style, you’ll be sure to find it at one of the many wine and cocktail bars.
No matter your scene, there is something for you here. If you can’t decide, hop between them and get a little taste of them all.
Sunday Morning in Whistler
While Sunday morning is technically more than 24 hours into your adventure – after your action-packed day on Saturday you deserve some R&R!
After sleeping in and having a leisurely start to your day, go grab a coffee and some delicious baked goods from Purebread – a family run bakery who’s mission is “ to bake delicious bread, savouries, cakes & treats that bring a smile to peoples’ faces.”
Next, it’s time to relax and soothe your body after a busy 24 hours in Whistler. The Scandinave Spa is a unique outdoor spa experience complete with multiple pools, soothing waterfalls, relaxing massages and saunas. Nestled in a lush forest with amazing mountain views, the Scandinave spa will be sure to have you relaxed and invigorated following the previous day’s epic! If you’re in a need of a little extra relaxation, you can book a register-massage therapist for
While you can only experience a taste of what Whistler has to offer in 24 hours, it will surely be enough to convince you to come back for more! From the unparalleled skiing and riding to the après-ski adventures, your one day in Whistler will be one to remember. Next time – see how much you can pack into 48 hours. Imagine an entire weekend.