Celebrate Dad |Visit Whistler on Father’s Day
Here’s one for your calendar if you haven’t already scribbled it in – Sunday, June 16th is a day to celebrate your Dad and everything he does for you. It’s 2019 Father’s Day in BC! Sure, your old man might appreciate a new tie or a pair of socks, but we’ve got some alternative ideas to take your Father’s Day gift to the next level.
Those busy Vancouver Dads are bound to need a break from city living, so why not drive two hours up the scenic Sea-to-Sky Highway and let them experience Father’s Day in Whistler this year.
This is a guide to 2019 Father’s Day for the Vancouver Dad. Escape the high rise buildings and replace them with mountains! We’ve got ideas for every sort of Dad, so what are you waiting for? Treat him!
Activities For Dads Who Love The Outdoors
- Take a Hike
Whistler has some brilliant and accessible hikes right on its doorstep, and the Ancient Cedars Trail is one of them, just a short drive north of the village. The trail is generally unknown to tourists and very quiet, so you can expect to feel fully removed from city life.
This five-kilometre round trip hike isn’t too strenuous so great for the whole family. However, you do need a car to get there. The 4.5km stretch of road from the highway to the trailhead is a bumpy ride! At the end of the trail, you’ll come across the monster cedar trees. Some of these giants are estimated to be a thousand years old!
- Go Fish!
Love to fish? Whistler is the place to do it! There are plenty of lakes (Green Lake, Alta Lake to name but a few) to try your hand at a big catch but do remember to obtain a license before you get out onto the water (everyone over 16 needs one to fish in BC).
Why not learn from the best and try fly-fishing with one of Whistler’s local tour guides. They know all the secret spots where you’ll have the best chance at catching trout and salmon. Time to try fishing in BC’s waters for Father’s Day 2019.
- Camp at Cat Lake
Want to visit Whistler in the day to take advantage of all of the amenities of a world-class resort, but then escape the busyness of the village in the evening?hy not pitch a tent for the night? Drive 40 minutes south of Whistler and you’ll reach Cat Lake – a beautiful site with a number of camping spots scattered throughout the surrounding forest. The water here is extremely mild in summer, so take a dip, roast some marshmallows after a campfire with the kids (if a campfire ban is not in effect) and enjoy sleeping under the stars for a night!
- Visit Brandywine Falls
On the scenic drive from Vancouver to Whistler, why not stop to marvel at the magnificent Brandywine Falls. Located 11km south of Whistler, this 70m cascade of water is a spectacular sight. Park in the free carpark, then take a short kilometre walk along a well-marked trail until you reach the viewing platform, where you can take in this natural spectacle.
Activities For Dads Who Love Thrills
- Take a Wild Drive
Explore the backcountry in a Polaris RZR – the ultimate off-road vehicle. The Adventure Group offers three different tours to suit your family’s needs, so don your full-face helmet and be prepared for a bumpy ride!
Follow an experienced guide, as they lead you through BC’s temperate rainforest to mountain lookouts. With both 2-seater and 4-seater vehicles, the whole family can join in the fun. Fire up the engine – it’s time for Dad to let his hair down! Make your 2019 Father’s Day away from Vancouver one to remember!
- Fly Like A Bird
It’s time to harness up and take a ride over Whistler’s valley, 600 feet up. Ziplining is one of the best ways to take in this area’s outstanding natural beauty. Hurtle over the forests below on Superfly’s side by side lines at up to 100 kilometres per hour and feel the wind rush by! This is one that the whole family will love. As long as your kids are seven years old and 60 pounds (they also have a maximum weight limit of 250 pounds), you’re good to go!
- Ride the Rapids
If you fancy getting out on BC’s waters this Father’s Day 2019, experience the thrills of the Green River with Whistler Jet Boating. On this hour-long tour, you’ll bounce through the rapids to the base of Nairn Falls, taking in your beautiful surroundings. This family-run business operates out of Pemberton and goes three times a day (9 am, 12 pm, 3 pm). Kids aged 5 and up can join the adventure, so put this on your list of family fun activities!
- Take a Leap
Is your Dad the ultimate adrenaline junkie? Why not book him a bungee jump! Don’t look down, there’s a 160-foot drop into the freezing Cheakamus River below you. Just 15 minutes south of the village, Whistler Bungee, with their perfect safety record, will fill even the biggest thrill-seekers with nerves. Don’t want Dad to have to go it alone on Father’s Day? Get strapped up and do a tandem jump with him!
Activities For Dads Who Love Sports
- Hit the Slopes
Is your Dad a big fan of winter sports? ust because it’s June don’t think you can’t strap on your skis or snowboard! Why not grab your winter gear and a ton of suncream and take him up the mountain for some sunny laps!
Hortsman Glacier on Blackcomb Mountain is open for skiing and snowboarding from June 9th into July, from 11 am to 3 pm daily. Note that you must be an advanced or expert ski bunny to ride on the glacier, and there are no chairlifts, just T-bars!
- Get a Hole in One
Escape Vancouver for Father’s Day 2019 and treat your Dad to a round of golf. The Fairmont Whistler golf course features two 18-hole courses and one 9-hole Par 3 course, so there are options for Dad’s who are novices to the sport as well as those who are pros with a golf club. Golf is the perfect way to experience Whistler’s charming landscape and tranquil surroundings.
- Two-Wheel Adventures
If your Dad is a seasoned downhill biker, why not head up Whistler bike park – one of the best bike parks on this planet. If he prefers to stick to the valley trails, hire bikes for the day and take advantage of over 200 trails around Whistler. There’s no better way to get around the area and lap up the landscape than on two-wheels and the great thing about biking in Whistler is that there’s a plethora of terrain for every ability level.
- Throw an Axe
Who doesn’t love a spot of axe throwing? It’s 2019 Father’s Day in BC, so what better place to take your Dad for an hour than Forged Axe Throwing, located just south of Whistler village in Function Junction. This indoor activity is great fun for the whole family and as long as you’re over 10 years old, you can get throwing! Think you can get a bullseye?
Hungry? Celebrate Dad Over a Delicious Meal
After an activity-filled adventure day, your Dad is bound to have worked up a healthy appetite. Here are our top picks for where to eat and drink in Whistler village.
- If it’s a quick, sweet treat that you’re after, the only place you need to know about is Purebread – a family bakery selling the most delectable pastries, bread, cake and sugary goodies. Indulge yourself this Father’s Day in Whistler!
- If your Dad is a fan of hearty meals made with fresh, local and quality ingredients, head down to Hunter Gather in Marketplace (a 5-minute stroll from the heart of the village). This eatery and taphouse serve delicious locally crafted food and beer and the casual, order-at-the-bar atmosphere makes it a great place to pop in for lunch or settle in for a long evening. Their meals are made with the best ingredients in season and their craft beers are all brewed in BC. Their chicken shawarma with a sleeve of IPA is a winning combination in our books!
- If you’re looking for something a little fancier, try Table Nineteen Resturant at Nicklaus North Golf Course, a short drive north of the village. Their dining room is open from 4 pm daily, and it’s known for being the best fondue restaurant in town! Fondue is fun for the whole family.At $48 per person, it’s at the more luxurious end of the eating scale, but kids under 10 are half price!
- The craft beer scene in British Columbia has been booming for more than a decade now, so if your Dad is into his flavourful pints be sure to take him to Coast Mountain Brewery in Function Junction, a quick 15-minute drive from town. Whether it’s a hoppy IPA or a fruity sour that floats your boat, this small and cosy tasting room is the perfect place to quench your thirst.
- If you’ve spent the day up the mountain, whether it be in the bike park or up Blackcomb glacier, step straight from the base of Whistler into Garibaldi Lift Co. Bar & Grill. This lounge bar and restaurant is known for its après, and you couldn’t be any closer to the slopes! There’s a varied menu, offering flatbreads, pasta and salads – so something for all members of the family to feast on.
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So there we have it. There’s something for every BC Dad this Father’s Day 2019. Time to escape the big smoke of Vancouver and treat your Dad to a 2019 Father’s Day to remember in Whistler. What better way to appreciate everything your old man does for you than spending the day with him in this adventure mecca! Whether he’s a thrill-seeker who would be up for bungee jumping or a nature-lover who wants to unwind at a picturesque camping spot, Whistler has options for all Dad-types out there. Enjoy your Whistler Father’s Day!