Big Family Fun | 24 Spring Break Adventures in Whistler

Spring Break in Whistler is a magical time of the year when you can be cruising down the ski slopes in the morning and splashing around in a lake in the afternoon. As the flowers flourish, so does the list of activities. 

Say goodbye to dark mornings with frozen toes and hello to the sun on your face, longer days, and endless possibilities for adventure.

In between the peak winter ski season and busy biking months of summer lies a time where Whistler village quiets down. Spring truly is a hidden gem in Whistler’s calendar, with killer deals on accommodation, dining and activities.

Looking for ideas for the best spring break activities for families? Read on to get the low-down on how you and your family can fill your days on your 2022 Whistler spring break.

1. Fly Like A Bird 

What better way to marvel over BC’s rugged Coast Mountains than soaring through the air like a bird? Ziplining is a breathtaking ride, even for the most adventurous daredevils. Take a flight over Cougar Mountain with Superfly Ziplines.

Nothing quite beats the feeling of gliding through the sky, 600 feet off the ground. There are tour options for thrill-seekers of all ages – children can join the adventure from just 7 years old, as long as they’re 60lbs. Reaching speeds of 100 km an hour, ziplining is the ultimate experience. Just be sure to look around and take in the spectacular views!

2. Taste the Best Ice Cream In the World

No, the best ice cream isn’t located in California or Switzerland, it’s in Whistler at Cows Ice Cream shop. Of course, one of the best spring break activities for families has to consist of licking up a couple scoops of delicious ice cream!

In addition to awesome flavours, the Cows in-house gift shop is also packed with hilarious and amazing tee shirts – perfect for a souvenir to take home.

3. Pack a Picnic

Head over to Nesters Market or Fresh Street Market and gather items for a picnic. Sure, it’ll be cold, but taking a walk down to lost lake and setting up shop for a few hours will be so worth it. 

4. Take To The Slopes

Ready, set, shred. An excellent adventure any day.

Although the snow is melting to reveal fresh green grass in the village, 1500 meters up on the mountain peaks, winter is still holding strong. With a base of three metres in places, there’s still plenty of fun to be had skiing and snowboarding on Whistler and Blackcomb mountains.

Spring break ski trips in Whistler are affordable too, with up to 40 percent off ski and stay packages. The days of not being able to feel your toes are long behind us, and now we welcome sunny laps, goggle tans and a healthy dose of vitamin D. Whether you’re a newbie on the planks or an avid snow junkie, there are options for everyone. The family-friendly zones make for a fun and safe adventure day for the whole gang. With Whistler Mountain staying open until the last week of May, there’s no excuse not to head up and cruise the groomers on your skis or snowboard.

5. Catch the Latest Flick 

We won’t judge you for bringing your kids to the cinema because we know that every parent deserves at least a two hour break. Get some freshly popped popcorn from concessions, wander into the dark theatre, pick your seats and enjoy some screen time. 

The Village 8 Cinemas are located in Whistler Village and play everything you’d find at a big box office theatre back home. 

6. Teach Your Kids About the Land They’re On 

A great spring break activity for the whole family is learning about the culture of the Squamish Lil’wat peoples. Friendly Cultural Ambassadors from both the Squamish and Lil’wat Nations are around daily to provide guided tour experiences on the hour, every hour, from 10 am through 4 pm. 

Look around at bold art and cultural artefacts, read stories and explore carved canoes, and wander along an interpretive trail before stopping by the Thunderbird Cafe and gift shop. The Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre is easily accessible from the village and open daily.

7. Take a Cold Plunge 

After a day of warm spring skiing, why not make the most of the late afternoon sunshine and plunge yourself into one of Whistler’s many lakes. Lost Lake is loved by locals for its warm water and dog-friendly beach. On the other side of town is the larger Alta Lake.

8. Raise Your Adrenaline with Whitewater Rafting

With older kids, it may be difficult to find something that even they can enjoy. Luckily, there’s Whitewater Rafting. All you need is a waterproof camera, towel, and of course, a sense of adventure. Wet suits and life jackets are provided.

To be fair, in the winter months it’s less about getting pummelled by big rapids and more about wildlife viewing. You can expect to see one of largest gatherings of bald eagles in the world, all the while enjoying a warming hot drink. You can also catch a glimpse of bears, elk, and deer. If you are birder, expect to see some very interesting waterfowl.

9. Dining Deals Galore

After a jam-packed, adventure-filled day, the whole family is going to be in need of a hearty meal. The latter half of spring is known in this resort town as shoulder season and from mid-April to mid-June, many of the restaurants in town offer incredible deals.

Whistler is known for its world-class dining and even the fanciest restaurants in town, Rimrock Cafe, Il Caminetto, and Araxi to name but a few, offer deals that aren’t going to break the bank. Be sure to take full advantage of the slow season during Whistler spring break 2022 and sample some of Whistler’s most exquisite cuisine!

10. Throw an Axe 

Nothing says family spring break like throwing axes together

Whilst it’s not unusual for May to experience temperatures in the mid-20s, March is a cooler month and often accompanied by spring showers. What better way to wait for the drizzle to pass than by popping into Forged Axe Throwing. Grab an axe and spend an hour learning a new skill. Anyone over the age of 10 can give this sport a go!

11. View Whistler from the Air

If you’re searching for an unparalleled bird’s-eye view of Whistler, taking the family on a heli-adventure will be a memory to last a lifetime. Blackcomb Helicopters offer a range of tours, including their 12-minute Whistler Explorer Tour for $179 per person, and their 24-minute BC Experience Tour for $294 per person

On this tour, not only will you gaze in awe at Cheakamus Glacier and the famous Garibaldi Provincial Park, but you’ll also get to set foot on a 12,000-year-old glacier during the landing on Rainbow Mountain. A great advantage to this activity is that you can experience it with even the youngest members of your crew – children under 2 can ride on a parent’s lap, for free!

12. Visit an Art Exhibition

Besides incredible architecture, the Audain Art Museum also has incredible art. Along with a permanent collection which celebrates artistic differences in BC from the late 18th century to the present, the museum features a rotating collection that’s sure to engage all audiences. 

13. Shop Until You Drop 

From touristy spots to big names such as Lululemon and Gap, Whistler has it all. Treat yourself to a new pair of mittens or pants, or go all out and bring home a new pair of skis and snowboards. 

If your boots aren’t feeling great, take them to Surefoot and have them fitted to your feet. Trust us, there’s nothing worse than ill-fitting boots. 

14. Jam Out With the Locals 

The Whistler Racket Club hosts an all ages jam night every Tuesday. Whether you’d like to bring an instrument along, take the microphone, or simply spectate, all is cool and groovy at this casual event. 

If the kids are getting antsy, you can order them some food or even book a tennis or pickleball session on the adjacent courts. 

15. Cross Country Ski

With over 120 kilometres of trails on a 7,000 hectare landscape, the Callahan Cross Country Ski Area has something for everyone. If you’re new to cross country skiing, rent a pair of classic or skate skis at the Alexander Falls Ski Touring Centre, located at the first entrance to Ski Callaghan.

If you’re not a fan of skiing, bring your pup along to enjoy the biggest off-leash trail network in the Sea to Sky. Both your kids and dogs will enjoy 30 kilometres of dog-friendly terrain. 

16. The Ultimate Night Walk 

Whistler has a fairly new attraction that quickly got a name for itself as among the best that the town has to offer. Vallea Lumina is a 1.5 km multimedia night walk that immerses you in an enchanted story of hidden wonder. As you wander through the forests of Cougar Mountain be prepared to experience a light show like no other. It’s truly a magical experience for anyone spending spring break in Whistler

Opening between November through April and May through October, this is an activity for those visiting Whistler anytime. It’s free for kids under 5 (age 6-15 pay $24.99, and the adult price is $29.99), but do be aware that strollers are not permitted.

17. Kids Art Camps

If your kids are more artsy than sporty, check out the spring break camps that the Audain Art Museum put on in late March. The half-day camps for children aged six through 13 give kids the opportunity to get creative with paper mâché, watercolours, sculpture, and more. While the younger members of the family explore their artistic flair, there’s time for the adults to check out Scandinave Spa!

18. And….Relax

Scandinave Spa is popular among both locals and tourists

After taking advantage of the plethora of adventures on Whistler’s doorstep, you may be feeling a little exhausted. If this is the case, a day at the Scandinave Spa should be your next stop. At these open-air baths, you can relax and rejuvenate in a hot pool, steam room or sauna before taking a quick plunge into the freezing cold water, and then making the short leap into one of the solariums to fully unwind.

Close to Lost Lake, the spa is located in the woods and makes for an utterly tranquil experience. $79 gives you access to the baths, and you can stay for as long as you like. Add a massage to the mix and you’ve got yourself the ultimate relaxation recipe. Note, that you have to be 19+ to enter the baths.

19. Experience the PEAK 2 PEAK  

Riding the famous PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola is an iconic way to get up in the mountains and lap in the views. Linking Blackcomb and Whistler, the PEAK 2 PEAK cable car is the world’s longest and highest unsupported span for a lift of its kind, making this gondola ride surpass all others. Spring sightseeing begins on April 23rd!

20. Snowshoe Tours

With the wild amount of snow Whistler gets each year, there are so many places to snowshoe. Whether you’d like to embark on a self-guided snowshoe adventure or would like to go on a snowshoe tour, you bet we’ve got it here. 

21. Ice Fishing

Fishing in the springtime? Yep, you betcha. Ice fishing happens to be one of the best spring break activities for families in Whistler. If you’re not afraid to brave the cold, enjoy a luxurious portable ice shelter and catch yourself a tasty dinner. Fishing Licenses are required. 

22. Skate in the Olympic Plaza

The Olympic Plaza is definitely the most picturesque place to ice skate in Whistler. Located in the heart of Olympic Village, bring your own skates and enjoy a day of skating for only $2. If you need to borrow skates, you can do so for $8. To keep the rinks safe and family-friendly, both hockey and figure skating are not permitted at Whistler Olympic Plaza.

23. Backcountry Snowmobile Adventures

The backcountry isn’t just for skiers and splitboarders, it’s also for snowmobile adventures! Enjoy untouched blankets of snow, incredible vastness, and crisp, mountain air as you slash through the fresh powder of the backcountry on a winter snowmobile. Snowmobile tours are offered in the Callaghan Valley, Cougar Mountain, and Pemberton. 

Dress warm before you take this leap of faith over Spring Break 2022.

24. Are You Brave Enough? A Winter Bungee! 

Are your kids big-time thrill-seekers? If zip-lining doesn’t get your heart going enough, time to up the adrenaline and take a leap of faith. Whistler Bungee is arguably the town’s most exhilarating activity.

Drive 15 minutes south of Whistler, and you’ll be taking a 160ft (50 metre) jump directly over the ice-cold Cheakamus River (a stunning setting, if you can appreciate it alongside the fear!). There’s no age minimum, so as long as your kids are at least 45 lbs the whole family can get the blood pumping! Buddy up for a tandem jump if you need some moral support!

Plan for an Epic Whistler Spring Break 2022

So what are you waiting for? Spring break in Whistler combines the best that this town has to offer – adventure, the outdoors and total relaxation, all doused with a sprinkle of sunshine and more daylight hours.

Whether it’s a spring break ski trip with the kids or an action-packed family vacation that you’re looking for, the opportunities for adventure in Whistler are never-ending. Get out there and take advantage of everything that this diverse village has to offer in the springtime!