52 Weeks & 52 Places to Explore in Whistler

Despite what you might think, Whistler is not just a winter getaway. It’s a hub of activity during all 12 months of the year. There are things to do in Whistler in winter, summer, spring and fall – as the seasons change, so do the options for adventure! We’ve devised a list of 52 activities that can be enjoyed over 52 weeks of the year, so read on to discover how you can get the most out of Whistler all year-round!  

Things to Do in Whistler in Winter from December to February

1. If you’re in Whistler during the winter, you’d be a fool not to ski or snowboard in this world-class resort! One of our favourite things to do on the mountain is to ski on Blackcomb glacier. The short hike up from the T-bar is worth it for the powder turns down!

2. After a strenuous few days of skiing, take a rest day at The Scandinave Spa. For $79 you can spend the full day immersing yourself in the tranquil surroundings and repeating a cycle of hot-cold-relax.

3. For an evening activity, head to Lost Lake for some entry-level cross-country skiing, or drive out to the Whistler Olympic Park in the Callaghan Valley if you want to challenge yourself on some more difficult trails.

4. Ice skate in the heart of the village at Whistler Olympic Plaza. Go skating after sunset to enjoy this pastime under the twinkling lights of the village and next to the iconic Olympic Rings. 

Capture a magical moment on sleigh ride across Whistler

5. Take the kids on a magical horse-drawn sleigh ride with Blackcomb Sleigh Tours. Or book a private tour and make it a romantic trip to remember! Our top tip: check the time of sunset and choose the tour where you’ll see the sun going down.

6. Every Sunday night, watch in awe as world-class athletes flip and spin through rings of fire on the slopes at the bottom of Whistler Mountain. This free family event begins at 8 pm and closes with a magnificent firework display.

7. Experience the staggering acceleration of up to 4 g forces at the Whistler Sliding Centre bobsleigh run. Hurtling down this former Olympic track is sure to give you a once in a lifetime adrenaline rush.

8. After a full day of skiing enjoy a well-deserved drink at the end of it. Just metres from the bottom of Whistler Mountain you’ll find Longhorn Saloon & Grill, which is always a lively après location.

9. Still looking for things to do in Whistler in winter? Explore the pristine old growth forests on Whistler and Blackcomb with a snowshoe tour. Escape the busy village, and enjoy the silence of the mountains.

10. Drive deep into the beautiful backcountry of Cougar Mountain on a snowmobile tour. From the gentle Family Tour to the extreme Trailblazer Tour, The Adventure Group has options for all abilities. 

Rise and shine with a Fresh Tracks Ticket

11. The early bird catches the worm! Purchase tickets to Fresh Tracks and upload Whistler Village gondola between 7:15 am and 8 am. Fill up with a breakfast of champions at the Roundhouse Lodge before enjoying a lap or two of the mountain ahead of the rest of the public.

12. From January 26 to February 2, 2020, join the party during the eclectic Whistler Pride and Ski Festival. With tons of events over this eight-day festival, there’s something for everyone to get involved in.

13. Head to the Base 2 Zone of Blackcomb Mountain and spin down the slopes at the Coca Cola Tube Park. This is a great alternative winter activity to skiing and snowboarding.

Things to Do in Whistler in Spring From March to May

14. If you’re looking for the ultimate adrenaline rush, why not leap 160ft off of the Whistler Bungee bridge, towards the freezing cold Cheakamus River. A jump will cost you $140.

15. One of the most spectacular ways to soak in Whistler’s outstanding natural beauty if from the air. Fly over 12,000-year-old glaciers with Blackcomb Helicopters.

Head on over to Dusty’s to fill your heart and soul with good food, and patio beers!

16. Spring in Whistler is the season for patio beers! After sunny laps on the mountain, head for a drink at Milestone’s patio in the Upper Village, Hunter Gather patio in Marketplace, or Dusty’s patio in Creekside.

17. In late March, the Audain Art Museum put on half-day kids art camps. If your children are aged six – 13, sign them up and let them get crafty with an  art project this spring break.

18. If you’re in Whistler during April, check out all of the events going on for the World Ski & Snowboard Festival (WSSF). This five-day festival features the perfect combination of arts, sports and culture.

19. Sweat it out at YYoga, Whistler’s only hot yoga studio. Unwind and stretch in a room heated to 40 degrees!  

20. COWS Ice Cream is loved by the young, the old and everyone in between. You’ll find a line outside the door even during the winter! Choose from a massive menu of flavours, including ‘sea salted toffee’ and ‘birthday cake’.

21. Craft brewing has really taken off in British Columbia over the past few years. Treat your taste buds to a flavourful, hazy IPA at Coast Mountain brewery in Function Junction.

Nature at its best!

22. Drive 20 minutes south of Whistler to marvel at Brandywine Falls. This 70-metre waterfall is just a short, one-kilometre hike from the car park – a great sightseeing detour if you’re travelling on the Sea to Sky Highway between Vancouver and Whistler.

23. As the snow melts, the hiking trails begin the clear. Most of the higher altitude hikes are inaccessible until the summertime, but walking to the Train Wreck in Cheakamus is a perfect, easy one to do in spring.

24. Explore Whistler’s huge network of valley trails by hiring a bike for the day. Meander around the lakes on two-wheels and take in the beautiful scenery of this area.

25. If you’re in Whistler in late May onwards, be sure to check out the outdoor Farmer’s Market in the Upper Village. Every Sunday from 11am-4pm take a stroll and sample some delectable local produce.

26. May is also a great time to spot Whistler’s resident black bears, as they begin to wake up from hibernation. Head out on a bear tour and keep your eyes peeled for signs of wildlife, from the comfort and safety of a 4×4.

Things to Do in Whistler in Summer From June to August 

27. Just because the sun is shining, don’t think that you can’t get your snow fix! From the beginning of June until mid-July head up Blackcomb Mountain and ski or snowboard on Hortsman Glacier. Time to work on those goggle tans!

28. Experience a night walk like no other with Vallea Lumina. Follow an enchanted 1.5km trial through the forests of Cougar Mountain and let this multimedia adventure amaze you.

Green, blue and beautiful all over

29. Enjoy a round of golf at the Fairmont Whistler Golf Course, while at the same time appreciating the incredible landscape of the Coast Mountains.

30. Tear around the forest, hurtle over bumpy terrain, and speed through muddy puddles on a RZR tour at Cougar Mountain. Driving one of these off-road vehicles is the ultimate thrill. Choose between a 2-seater or a 4-seater to fit your group’s needs.

31. Grab your full-face helmet and head up Whistler Mountain Bike Park. This world-class bike park features everything from entry-level trails to difficult technical black runs and draws pro-mountain bikers from around the world.

32. Grab a paddle and tear through the rapids on a whitewater rafting trip. Choose between three tours – the gentle Cheakamus River trip, the exciting Green River tour, or the full-day Elaho-Squamish River excursion.

33. Want to swing through the ancient forests of Cougar Mountain? The Adventure Group’s Treetop Adventure Course features 70 different obstacles that build in difficulty as you progress through it. From rope swings to balance beams, you’re bound to work up a sweat!

No better spring activity than exploring a Whistler Lake

34. Our favourite free activity to do in Whistler during the summer is to lounge by a lake. There are five main lakes in Whistler’s valley: Alta Lake, Alpha Lake, Lost Lake, Nita Lake and Green Lake. Take a book and spend the afternoon by the water.

35. Searching for more things to do in Whistler in summer? If you want to play on the water, head to Wayside Park and rent a stand-up paddleboard, kayak, or canoe. There’s no better way to enjoy Alta Lake!

36. For a relaxing way to enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the spectacular Coast Mountains, head up Whistler Mountain and board the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola. This lift, connecting Whistler and Blackcomb mountains, is the world’s longest and highest unsupported span for its kind!

37. Crankworx, the biggest mountain bike festival in the world, returns to Whistler from August 9 to August 18. This epic festival features a jam-packed schedule of awesome events. Be prepared, the village gets extremely busy!

38. Get out into the wilderness and sleep under the stars at one of the many campsites in the area. If you’ve got a 4×4, head to Strawberry Point (a short way from Pemberton) to experience some of the most beautiful camping in BC.

39. If you’re visiting Whistler with young children, check out the Family Adventure Zone in the Upper Village. Mini-golf, bungee trampolines, go-carts and more will keep the whole gang entertained.

Things to Do in Whistler in Fall September to November 

The view makes everything worthwhile – Panorama Ridge

40. September is a perfect time to hike, especially if you want to explore the hiking trails at higher elevations from which the snow will now have melted. The 30km Panorama Ridge trail is a strenuous but stunningly beautiful option!

41. Whistler gets a lot of rainfall in the fall, but there are still plenty of activities to keep you entertained. Shelter from the rain for a couple of hours by watching a movie at Village 8 Cinemas, located in the heart of Whistler Village.

42. Hone your rock-climbing skills on the immense 5,500 square-foot indoor rock climbing wall at The Core in the centre of the Village.

43. Fancy zooming through the air, 600 feet above the valley floor and at speeds of up to 100km per hour? With Superfly Ziplines you can do just that! This exhilarating 3-hour round trip tour will take you down four tandem ziplines.

44. Head to Purebread, a wonderful family-owned bakery, and treat yourself to one of the many sweet goods on offer. From pastries and cakes to pies and savoury croissants, you’ll have a tough time choosing what to get.

45. If you find yourself wondering how to spend a rainy afternoon, head down to Function Junction (just a 10-minute drive from Whistler Village) and give axe-throwing a go! Forged is great fun for the whole family (age 10 minimum), so go throw yourself a bullseye!

46. Fall is a great time to live like a king and eat at some of Whistler’s fanciest restaurants without breaking the bank. Restaurants such as Araxi, Quattro and Il Caminetto do killer deals in the shoulder seasons.

47. Did you know that fishing is a year-round activity in Whistler? If you’re after Coho salmon, October and November are the best months to fish. The experienced guides know exactly where to find them. If you want to find out more, check out our detailed guide on fishing for salmon in Whistler.

48. Head to Table Nineteen Restaurant at Nicklaus North Golf Course and treat yourself to a delicious fondue. Their signature three-course meal, ending with a delectable dark chocolate fondue, costs $48 per person.

49. During the fall, Whistler takes on a whole new shade. As the leaves turn from green to golden red and orange take a walk along Whistler’s many valley trails and appreciate the dazzling hues that appear at this time of year.

50. Voted Whistler’s best rainy-day activity, Escape! Whistler has four rooms for you to attempt to escape from. In teams of two to six, you’ll have 45 minutes to try to solve riddles, puzzles and clues. Think you have what it takes?

51. The first week of December sees Whistler Film Festival return for its 19th edition. The town becomes buzzing with avid film fans from across North America. Join in the excitement and choose a screening to go to from over 90 incredible films.

Squamish lil’wat cultural centre is the perfect rainy day pit stop

52. Educate yourself about Whistler’s First Nations culture at Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre. Curated and interactive exhibitions will immerse you in the history of this area.

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So now you know that Whistler isn’t just a place for snow worshippers. There’s an abundance of things to do in Whistler in winter, summer, spring and fall, so pick a week and start planning your next adventure!