Off the Beaten Path | Undiscovered Adventures in Whistler
There is lots of stuff to do in Whistler in any season. You’d be crazy to miss out on the adventure. Which is why we’ve decided to highlight some of our favourite Whistler outdoor activities for you here.
To make it super simple, we’ve categorized in themes: Family, Solo, and Couple. We’ve even broken our recommendations down by season, too. So whether you visit in the height of summer, over Christmas, or during the shoulder season, here’s 12 wonderful ideas for you:
Stuff To Do In Whistler In Winter
Families
An easy family activity on a sunny winter day
Whistler Olympic Park is the place for you. A legacy of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics, it’s home to Nordic skiing, skate skiing, and tobogganing. Expert guides are available to provide coaching if desired and rentals are very reasonable. For something less-intense, there is also an incredible network of snowshoe trails, which take you through the forest revealing stunning viewpoints. After an afternoon of fun on the snow, head back to the lodge for some hearty dishes prepared by Whistler Cooks.
Solo
For the solo adventurer, a great option in the winter time is Avalanche Skills Training (AST). The Mountain Skills Academy offer AST 1 & 2 courses from $279. These courses are designed to introduce you to backcountry winter safety with focus on snowpack and avalanche hazard assessment. You’ll also have the opportunity to get your hands on a beacon and probe as part of the avalanche rescue skills element.
Couples
It doesn’t get much more romantic than a sleigh ride in Whistler’s winter wonderland! Get cozy under the blankets during a private ride on Blackcomb Mountain as you gaze at the Village lights from above. As if that wasn’t romantic enough, this trip also includes hot chocolate by the fire of a mountain cabin. Absolutely a date night to remember!
Stuff To Do In Whistler In Spring
Families
Heading into spring, Whistler welcomes it’s furry friends from hibernation. A large number of black bears call Whistler home and there are wonderful opportunities to view them in their natural habitat. We recommend booking a bear watching tour either in the morning or in the evening as this is when the bears are typically most active. Tours are conducted from the safety of a Land Rover and so this is a perfect family experience.
Solo
We can’t make suggestions on stuff to do in Whistler in spring without mentioning the bike park. Typically open mid-late May, it’s the birthplace of downhill biking and absolutely worth checking out. The Intro To Park course run by Whistler Blackcomb is a great place to start. $185 includes all of your rentals, your lift ticket, and tuition from bike park pros. It’s a great introduction to the excitement of park riding in a safe and approachable way.
Couples
Get dirty with a RZR tour through Whistler’s lush rainforest. Perfect for two people, this adrenaline rush is one of our favourite spring activities. You’ll be provided with a full-face helmet and goggles before strapping into your side-by-side and hitting the dirt. Photographers are on-site, too, which means you can get a photo to remember your adventure!
Stuff To Do In Whistler In Summer
Families
In warmer months, we love lazy days by the lake. One of our favourite spots has to be Lost Lake Park. Located slightly north of Whistler Village – but still within walking distance for most – you’ll find one of Whistler’s warmer lakes. Ideal for swimming and paddle boarding, the area is very enclosed, which means you can let children run free on the beach or the lawn. There are onsite washroom facilities but we’d recommend packing a picnic in order to keep your family refreshed.
Solo
Experience the serenity of Scandinave Spa, tucked away among the cedar and spruce just north of Whistler. This relaxing oasis enforces a no talking policy, which makes it ideal for the solo traveler. Their approach is traditional Scandinavian: hot, cold, relax, repeat. The spa features a eucalyptus steam room, cedar sauna, solariums, and hot tubs. We love to take a book and relax in one of their hammocks, too. Sheer bliss!
Couples
Ziplining is a great option if you’re looking for stuff to do in Whistler in summer. Superfly Ziplining is located north of Whistler in the secluded Cougar Mountain area. They feature two of Canada’s longest ziplines at over 1km long, 200m above the forest and maxing out at 100km/hour! The beauty of Superfly is that their lines are all tandem too, which means you can ride together. Be sure to pass your smartphone to your guide to capture the moment.
Stuff To Do In Whistler In Fall
Families
Mystical adventures await you and the little ones along the trails.
Vallea Lumina is a must-see for families visiting Whistler. The multi-media experience will impress people of all ages with lights, sounds, lasers and holograms used to narrate the story of two hikers missing in the forest. Tickets include a convenient shuttle from Whistler Village. We recommend booking a later time slot to ensure that it’s fully dark when you experience Vallea Lumina. We promise you you won’t be disappointed!
Solo
Fall is a great time to go fishing in Whistler. Choose to either wade along the shore or cast from a boat with fishing guides on hand to provide tips and tricks. We love fishing as a way to find peace and quiet. The lakes in Whistler are so serene and yet so abundant in local species. August to October is prime time for Sockeye, and Chinook are a popular catch too.
Couples
Experience some of the best views that Whistler has to offer with a hike in the alpine. Fall brings slightly cooler temperatures and the shoulder season means fewer visitors riding the gondola. Our favourite trail has to be the High Note Trail. It’s accessible from the Whistler Village Gondola and Peak Chair (all included in the Peak2Peak 360 experience). Views take in the famous Black Tusk as well as turquoise lakes and beautiful alpine meadows. Be sure to find time to ride the record-breaking Peak2Peak Gondola too.
Whistler: The Year-Round Resort
You may be forgiven for thinking that Whistler is a winter town – famed for legendary snow and North America’s largest ski resort. But hopefully by sharing some of our favourite stuff to in Whistler, we’ve inspired you to visit in warmer months, too. For more ideas about things to do in Whistler at any time of the year, check out our Travel Guide – 365 Days of Whistler.