Everything to Do at the Top of Whistler Blackcomb | Peak 2 Peak & More

There is so much to do at the top of Whistler Blackcomb that goes far beyond skiing or snowboarding. In the summer, the mountain comes alive with an unlimited number  of activities for the whole family. Start by hitting the Whistler peak to peak gondola and end up on top of the world.

What’s at the top of the world in Whistler? Find hiking, biking, sightseeing, and suspension bridges, or enjoy an epic feast 6,069 feet above sea level.

Come and discover why buying a ticket for the Peak 2 Peak 360 Experience will be the best decision you make on your trip to Whistler. 

Peak 2 Peak Gondola Facts

The world record-breaking Peak 2 Peak Gondola is the pride of Whistler Blackcomb and a reason to visit for many. Here are some fun facts about the Peak 2 Peak Gondola, but don’t let the breathtaking stats scare you away from this amazing experience:

• The project broke ground in May 2007 and was completed in September 2008. It opened to the public in December 2008. 
• The Peak 2 Peak Gondola was built by the Doppelmayr Garaventa Group in 2007 and 2008 at a cost of CDN$51 million.
• World’s longest unsupported span for a lift of this kind at 3.024km/1.88miles
• World’s highest lift of its kind at 436m/1,427ft above the valley floor
• World’s longest continuous lift system: Connecting three high-speed gondolas
• Ride Time: 11 minutes
• Capacity: 4,100 people per hour
• Line Speed: 7.5 metres per second (16.8 miles per hour)

How to Get to the Top of Whistler Blackcomb

There are two choices to get to the top of Whistler Blackcomb: via the Whistler Gondola or the Blackcomb Gondola. 

• The Whistler Gondola is located in the main Whistler Village at the base of the mountain and is easily walkable from Whistler Village hotels. 
• The Blackcomb Gondola is located in the Upper Village and is a great choice for those staying in the Upper Village or in the Benchlands. 

As the names suggest, the Whistler Gondola will take you to the top of Whistler Mountain, whereas the Blackcomb Gondola takes you to the top of Blackcomb Mountain. These mountains are linked by the infamous Peak 2 Peak Whistler Gondola, the longest and highest gondola in the world.

There is also the Creekside Gondola Whistler, which is located 10 minutes south of Whistler Village; however, it is only open in the summer for bike park traffic. In the winter, it is used for skiing and snowboarding and is a great option for those staying in Creekside. 

Feel Like a Challenge? Try Hiking to the Peak

In the summer, there is also the option to hike to the Rendezvous Lodge on Blackcomb Mountain via the Little Burn, Big Burn, and HeartBurn Trails. 

These hiking trails are not for the faint of heart, however, with 1,200 metres of elevation gain over 6.2 kilometres, showcasing the beauty that can be found on Blackcomb Mountain.

Hiking these trails to the top does not give you access to the Peak 2 Peak Whistler Gondola, unless you’ve purchased a Peak 2 Peak 360 Experience pass. 

You can opt to hike to the Blackcomb Gondola mid-station and download from there ($15) or download from the top with a Blackcomb Ascent 1-Day Trail Ticket ($45). 

These tickets are available for purchase only at Whistler Blackcomb Guest Services prior to the hike. 

Take Your Bike to New Heights: Top of the World Whistler

Literally, you can bike the Top of the World trail.

If you’re seeking more of a thrill as you’re exploring Whistler Mountain, then the Top of the World bike trail will provide you with a view like no other, while also satisfying your thirst for adventure. 

The trail begins at the top of the Peak Express chairlift with picturesque, panoramic views of the majestic mountains surrounding Whistler. 

Black Tusk sits prominently in the background and lakes glisten throughout the area and down into the valley below as you ride the trail, winding through Whistler’s alpine with a fun flowy vibe, hitting berms and switchbacks as you carve your way down the mountain.

Top of the World tickets ($23) are date specific and can be purchased online but also require a regular bike park lift ticket ($83) for access to the Peak Express. 

Top of the World express tickets are also available ($41)—without the need for a regular bike park lift ticket—and include one Whistler Village Gondola ride.

I should also note that this trail is by no means for beginners. Rated as a Black Diamond for its difficulty level, it is for advanced riders only.

Sightseeing Prices for 2022

***PENDING 2022 Price Updates***

2021 Sightseeing Prices

Peak 2 Peak 360 Experience passes can be purchased ahead of time or at the ticket window. Tickets never sell out for the experience. If purchased at least two days in advance there is a savings of $5 off each ticket. If purchased on the same day, the cost per ticket is $69 for adults (age 19-64), $62 for youth (13-18) and seniors (65+), $35 for children (7-12), and free for kids aged 6 and under. 

What Your Ticket Includes

In the summer, your ticket includes unlimited access to both the Whistler and Blackcomb Gondolas, the Peak 2 Peak Gondola, the Peak Express Chair (when open), the Cloudraker Skybridge, and The Raven’s Eye Cliff walk. 

With your ticket, these open-air chairlifts and gondolas provide the freedom to explore the vast number of trails scattered throughout both mountains. The ticket also includes exclusive lodging deals, on-mountain food discounts, hot beverage discounts (at GBB, Garbos Grill, and Roundhouse Lodge), while providing 20% discounts for Valley Bike Rentals and Intro to Bike Park lessons.

Guests can also ride the 7th Heaven chairlift when it’s open (select dates in June and July). Once you download to the bottom, your ticket expires. Head up either of the gondolas, spending your day exploring what the mountain has to offer, and when you’re finished, ride the gondola back down to the village. 

Hours of Operation

Hours of operation for summer 2022 have not yet been posted, but expect sightseeing opportunities to launch in late May and run through October. 

Do be aware that there are times throughout the summer where the Peak 2 Peak is closed, with either the Whistler or Blackcomb Gondolas also closed at certain times over the course of the summer season. Check their website for full details on any maintenance or weather-related closures.

Be sure to check for any closures ahead of time to see what gondolas and lifts will be open, in order to avoid disappointment. The cost of a lift ticket does not decrease when lifts are closed and remains the same until the season is over.

Alpine Hiking on Whistler Blackcomb

The hiking at the top of Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains is incredible – by taking the gondolas to the top it allows for more time hiking in the alpine with less time to get there. With two mountains to explore and over 50 kilometres in trails, lace up your hiking boots and get out there!

Hikes at the Top of Whistler 

Whistler Summit Interpretive Walk

• Length: 1.6 km (1 mi); 60 minutes 

Two loops of easy single track trails at the top of the Peak Express wind their way around the summit of Whistler Mountain. See incredible views, along with alpine ecosystems and local history storyboards.

Harmony Lake Loop

In our books Harmony Lake Loop is a bucket list for Whistler hiking.

• Length: 1.9 km (1.2 mi); 90 minutes

This is an intermediate-level trail that descends through alpine forests, away from the Roundhouse Lodge.

High Note Trail

• Length: 9.4 km (5.8 mi); 4 hours 

The best hiking experience on Whistler Mountain, this is an advanced hike starting behind the Inukshuk at the top of the Peak Express chairlift. 

You’ll enjoy stunning views of Black Tusk and Cheakamus Lake as they descend through rugged terrain that mellows into a rolling course. Loop back to the Roundhouse Lodge by heading north at the trail junction away from Flute Summit and Singing Pass.

Musical Bumps Trail

• Length: 1.5 km (0.9 mi); 3 hours

Navigate the High Note Trail to reach the beginning of one of Whistler’s most beautiful hikes that will lead you over a series of rolling hills and down into alpine wildflower meadows. 

As you pass peaks named Piccolo, Flute, and Oboe, the name behind the trail will start to become more clear. The views from this area of Whistler Mountain are truly spectacular, and if you time it just right (usually July/August) you might get lucky and witness the brightly blooming wildflowers of the alpine meadows. 

This is an advanced-level hike that gives access to the Garibaldi Provincial Park, where you can continue your hike toward Russet Lake if you please, or you can turn around and head back to the Whistler Gondola.

Mathews’ Traverse Road

• Length 0.9 km (0.6 mi); 45 minutes 

Every year, Whistler Blackcomb carves out a path in the winter snow, creating these highly impressive snow walls. But don’t wait too long to visit, as the summer sun makes these spectacular snow walls less spectacular with each day. 

To reach the snow walls, hike the steep incline of Pika’s Traverse Road onto Mathews’ Traverse Road, which will eventually lead to Whistler Mountains summit, where you can enjoy panoramic views.

Hikes at the Top of Blackcomb

Alpine Loop

• Length: 1.4 km (0.9 mi); 30 minutes

A gentle walking route that leads away from the Rendezvous Lodge with spectacular views of Fitzsimmons Valley through a sub-alpine forest, this walking trail has excellent photo opportunities and alpine ecosystem storyboards.

Lakeside Loop

• Length: 2.2 km (1.4 mi); 40 minutes 

Recommended hiking clockwise, a short climb takes you to a rich area of alpine wildflowers with Blackcomb Lake nestled below the peak of Blackcomb. Finish by descending back to Overlord Trail.

Overlord Trail

• Length 3.7 km (2.3mi); 60-80 minutes

This is an intermediate-level trail that stretches into Garibaldi Provincial Park and acts as a connector for many hiking trails on Blackcomb Mountain. With a rich variety of alpine flowers as well as incredible views of the alpine lakes scattered throughout Blackcomb Mountain, this trail has it all.

Decker Loop

• Length: 3.3 km (2.1 mi); 75 minutes 

Connecting with Overlord Trail, this is a world-class alpine trail and the best hiking experience on Blackcomb Mountain. Start this journey by hiking clockwise up and into Garibaldi Provincial Park, with incredible views of ancient mountain peaks, the Overlord Glacier, and the Decker Tarn, a glacial alpine lake.

Marmot Trail

• Length: 1.2 km (0.7mi); 40 minutes

Accessed via the Overlord Trail, this is an intermediate hike that is short and steep. The trail begins below tree line, ascending high into the alpine zone. Aptly named, stay on the lookout for wildlife and you might catch a glimpse of some local marmots. If you don’t see them, I’m sure you’ll hear their distinctive whistles that gave Whistler Village its name.

Where to Eat on Whistler Blackcomb

• The Roundhouse Lodge – Whistler Mountain

Offering cafeteria-style food options to suit any palate – from Asian stir fry to burgers and fries, coffee, snacks and ice cream — the Roundhouse Lodge is the largest restaurant in Whistler. 

In addition to providing you with fuel and refreshments for the day, the Roundhouse Lodge is also home to the Olympic Legacy Display, celebrating the success of local athletes as well as all of the medal winners who have competed in alpine events on Whistler Mountain.

The Roundhouse Lodge also holds Whistler’s best kept secret: If you’re looking for some alcoholic refreshments with a view, then look no further. Head to the Umbrella Bar for an ice cold cocktail while enjoying 360-degree views of the surrounding area (open every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday).

• Rendezvous Lodge – Blackcomb Mountain

This is a cafeteria-style food court with an assortment of choices, from Canadian classics like poutine to Mexican burritos, as well as coffee, snacks, and other refreshments.

If you’re looking for some full-service, mountaintop dining, then be sure to check out Christine’s on Blackcomb. 

Enjoy panoramic views of the Coast Mountain range, from indoors or the outside patio, with dishes prepared from local fresh ingredients and a wine list including local and international selections. This is mountaintop dining in style. Christine’s is open for lunch in both summer and winter.

What to Do at the Top of Whistler Blackcomb

Other than hiking, riding the Peak Express chairlift, and exploring the Cloudraker Skybridge, there are a few other free activities included in your Peak 2 Peak 360 Experience ticket.

For those looking to elevate their experience even further, there’s the option to add activities once at the top of the mountain at an additional cost. Here are some activities that can make your visit to the top of Whistler Blackcomb even more exciting.

• Mountain Skills Academy

Pop into Mountain Skills Academy’s alpine office located at the top of the Whistler Gondola, to see if there’s any exciting tours to take part in. Choose from mountaineering adventures, via ferrata, and glacier ascents to the family-friendly Sky Walk adventure or glacier glissading.

• Hiking Tours

Looking to hike at the top of Whistler or Blackcomb mountains but unsure where to start? Why not book a private hiking tour to take you and your group on their celebrated alpine trails. With an expert guiding you around the trails, you’ll see a totally different side of Whistler/

• Mountaintop Feast

***Unavailable for 2021, Pending Updates for 2022***

Starting at the end of June, every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday night is the Mountaintop Feast at the Roundhouse Lodge on Whistler Mountain. 

Enjoy an epic buffet of meats and seafood, fresh salads, and delicious desserts at 6,000 feet — the perfect way to end a day on Whistler Blackcomb. Live music, drink specials, and amazing views make the Mountaintop Feast one of the best dining experiences Whistler has to offer.  

Whistler Blackcomb Sightseeing, It’s More Than Just the Peak 2 Peak

The Peak 2 Peak 360 Experience is a must do when visiting Whistler. There are a vast range of experiences to choose from at the top as well as it being one of the most affordable things to do in Whistler. 

It is a perfect experience for the entire family with something for everyone to enjoy, from hiking to epic photo opportunities as well as the sights from the magnificent Peak 2 Peak gondola. 

Be sure to set aside some time during your trip to Whistler to include a visit to the top of Whistler Blackcomb – you won’t regret it.