When one thinks of skiing in Canada, the Canadian Rockies come to mind, specifically Whistler. This small, mountainside town in British Columbia has long been a popular winter destination for many Canadians. When Whistler played host to the 2010 Winter Olympics, hundreds of thousands of dollars went into making Whistler a ski resort mecca, putting it on the map internationally as well. Since the Olympics, Whistler has stepped up its tourist game and has created several fantastic attractions and adrenaline-filled activities to experience and we here at Road Affair don’t want you to miss out on any of them. That is why we have crafted this list of the best things to do in Whistler, so you can focus on packing instead of planning!
Hit the Trails at Whistler Blackcomb
Standing in the backdrop of Whistler Village sit two large mountains, Whistler Mountain and Blackcomb Mountain, which together offer over 200 ski runs and over 3300 hectares of ridable terrain. Whistler Blackcomb Resort is truly a paradise for powder-hungry riders as the resort boasts the longest ski season in all of Canada. In fact, you can even summer ski on the resort’s Horstman Glacier!
In addition to regular skiing and snowboarding, the resort also offers heli-skiing and backcountry skiing, along with a snow tubing hill.
In the summer, hundreds of cycling enthusiasts head for the mountain to hit up Blackcomb’s incredible mountain bike park. The Whistler Mountain Bike Park features over 4,900 vertical feet of lift-serviced trails suitable for all types of riders. Other activities include hiking, alpine hiking, mini-golfing, ATVing, ziplining, and much more.
View Glaciers on the Peak 2 Peak Gondola
One must-see in Whistler for tourists is the Peak 2 Peak Gondola at Whistler’s Blackcomb Resort. A trip on the Peak 2 Peak Gondola is suitable for the entire family and offers unmatched views of the rocky mountains, ancient glaciers, and coastal rainforests in the area. Seriously, you will want to triple-check that your camera or phone has a full battery!
The gondola runs pretty fast, lasting about 10 minutes from peak to peak, and if you’re extra lucky you’ll get seated in one of the two glass-bottom gondolas (they are red), allowing you to glance directly down to Fitzsimmons Creek while you pass between the two mountains.
The Peak 2 Peak Gondola is quite an impressive ride and feat of engineering as it holds the world records for the highest lift of its kind (1,427 feet), the longest unsupported span for a lift of its kind, and the longest continuous lift system.
Once at the top of one of the peaks, visitors can explore one of the many alpine loop walks or sign up for a guided hiking tour. There are over 50 kilometers of trails at the peaks ranging from one to four-hour hiking loops.
On Whistler Mountain, tourists should make sure to make their way to the Cloudraker Skybridge. This long suspension bridge stretches almost 400 feet from Whistler Peak to the West Bridge, offering incredible 360-degree panoramic views of Whistler Bowl, mountains, and glaciers.
Fly Through The Sky With Zipline Ecotours
Calling all adrenaline junkies! There is no shortage of adrenaline-fueled activities in Whistler and ziplining with Zipline Ecotours is not to be missed. Sign up for a session on the five-zipline course and enjoy the heart-pumping thrill of soaring over Fitzsimmons Valley with Whistler Mountain and Blackcomb Mountain on either side of you.
The course features four treetop bridges and five fantastic flying zipline rides, with the longest stretching 2400 feet and 30 stories high! This is a great activity for families or groups and includes a ride to the start of the course via the Whistler Village Gondola.
Ride the Sea to Sky Gondola
Much like the Peak 2 Peak Whistler gondola, the Sea to Sky Gondola offers incredible views that make it quite a popular attraction. The Sea to Sky Gondola is located just outside of Squamish, about an hour’s drive from Whistler. It’s a great attraction to hit on your way to or from Whistler or as a day trip destination seeing as Squamish is nearby.
The gondola will take you on a scenic ride to the top of Mount Habrich, offering incredible views of Howe Sound, Shannon Falls, the surrounding mountains, and the coastal forest. The ride to the top takes around 10-15 minutes and ends at Summit Lodge. Here, you can enjoy a refreshing pint or a cup of coffee at the on-site restaurant and bar, which features a patio dining area with incredible views of Squamish and Howe Sound.
There are also two interpretive walking loops that boast cantilevered viewing platforms! At the top, there are plenty of other activities to indulge in, including more hiking trails that lead to the backcountry, rock climbing, and the Sky Pilot Suspension Bridge.
Treat Yourself at Scandinave Spa
What’s a holiday without a little R&R? At Scandinave Spa, visitors will find the amenities and treatments at this nature-based health spa to be world-class. Not only are there 25,000 square feet of thermal installations but the indoor/outdoor spa is also surrounded by the towering trees of the coastal rainforest and rugged mountain ranges to create a relaxed and immersive nature experience.
The thermal spa includes installations like a Nordic waterfall, a Finnish dry sauna, Eucalyptus steam baths, a multi-use yoga studio, and much more. Visitors can choose to enjoy the thermal spa, book a massage, or group a massage and spa access for the ultimate day of relaxation.
Learn About First Nations at Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre
Despite the name, the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre is actually a Whistler attraction located near Whistler Upper Village. This modern museum focuses on sharing cultural knowledge about the First Nations who have lived and shared the area for hundreds of years. Visitors can explore the museum exhibits on their own or join in on a free guided tour that runs every hour.
Throughout the exhibits, tourists will hear stories from the ancient Salish people through song and dance, see beautiful indigenous artworks, and learn more about the history of the area through the eyes of the Squamish Nation and Lil’wat Nation. The museum is open every day except Mondays and is free for children five years old and younger.
Go Hiking at Brandywine Falls Provincial Park
If you’re looking to explore the great Canadian outdoors on foot, then make sure to stop by Brandywine Falls Provincial Park to check out its 230-foot waterfall! Brandywine Falls is arguably one of the best waterfalls in the area.
The Brandywine Falls Trail is a fun thing to do in Whistler with the whole family as it’s only about a 15-minute walk one way and leads to two upper viewing platforms over the falls. If you continue a short way down the trail, you’ll also find another viewing platform looking out over Daisy Lake and the Black Tusk. The trail can also be snowshoed on in the winter.
If hiking isn’t your thing, Brandywine Falls Provincial Park also boasts two biking trails, but only non-electric bikes are allowed to ride on them.
Discover Local Artworks at the Audain Art Museum
This relatively new tourist attraction in Whistler is one to add to the itinerary. The Audain Art Museum opened in 2016 and focuses on showcasing local and First Nations artists from British Columbia from the 1700s onward.
Inside, visitors will find an impressive collection of historical masks, contemporary works, photography, and wood carvings. Highlights in the museum include James Hart’s The Dance Screen, a large intricately carved cedar screen, and the largest permanent display of paintings by famed Canadian artist Emily Carr.
Public and private guided tours of the museum are available to book and the museum also hosts public events such as yoga classes, lectures, and educational programs.
The Audain Art Museum is located in the heart of Whistler Village across from the Maury Young Arts Center. The museum is open weekly from Thursday to Sunday and entrance is free for indigenous people and youth 18 years old or younger.
Explore Winter Activities at Whistler Olympic Park
Whistler Olympic Park is one of the best places to visit in Whistler, no matter which season you’re visiting in. Of course, the best time to visit the park is in the winter as several of the facilities will be open to enjoy, such as 90 kilometers of cross-country skiing trails and 18 kilometers of snowshoeing trails through Callaghan Valley. Ski and snowshoe rentals are available on-site.
There are also some excellent tobogganing lanes that run right under the Olympic ski jumps, or you can sign up for ski jumping lessons.
Another unique thing to do at Whistler Olympic Park is to sign up for Biathlon lessons. This fun sport combines cross-country skiing with shooting real .22 caliber rifles and lessons are available for those 10 years old and up.
In the summertime, the Olympic park turns into a campground with activities like hiking, Biathlon shooting, and disc golf. After a day of fun activities, head over to the Day Lodge restaurant for a well-deserved meal and a pint.
Try Bobsledding at Whistler Sliding Center
If you’re wondering what to do in Whistler that is unique, then get ready for the ride of your life and head over to the Whistler Sliding Center to try out the bobsled, luge, or skeleton track. These once-in-a-lifetime experiences are sure to be unforgettable as you fly down the Olympic track reaching speeds of 90 kilometers/hour.
The bobsleigh experience is easily the most popular and is available in both the summer and winter. A bonus is that one youth aged 12-18 can ride for free with a paying adult! The excursion starts when you get to the track, where your group will undergo orientation with your coach which includes track etiquette training, an introduction to the sport, an exclusive track walk, and a free commemorative photo. Once your training is complete, you and your team will head to the start position and load up in your bobsleigh with your professional pilot. Then it’s up to you to lean and safely work with your team to try and get to top speed!
Another unique experience offered at Whistler Sliding Center is the Discover Luge experience. This is only offered to children aged 8-14 and is only available on pre-set dates throughout the winter months. The experience lasts two hours and includes professional coaching and the sled as the young athletes learn how to luge on Curve 13 of the track.
If you’re not interested in flying around the track on a bobsled, spectating is also available if you’d like to feed your curiosity and watch others ride the track. Several World Cups and World Championships are hosted here as well.
Go For a Stroll at One Mile Lake
Those on the hunt for free things to do in Whistler should make their way north to One Mile Lake for a day of sun, hiking, and swimming. Located just south of Pemberton, about a 30-minute drive from Whistler, sits this lovely park with grassy areas, a lake, picnic tables, canoe and kayak rentals, and on-site toilets. This is a great place to spend the day with the family as the clear waters, docks, and floating dock offer the perfect spot to spend a day swimming.
A walking trail leads around the lake through a series of boardwalks and dirt paths that takes about 20-30 minutes to walk. Along the trail, there is also a dog-friendly beach where pooches can cool off!
You can also opt to go on a longer hike or mountain bike the eight-kilometer loop trail that leads south from One Mile Lake to Nairn Falls Provincial Park. The trail takes an average of two and a half hours to complete.
Go Bungee Jumping at Whistler Bungee Bridge
If you haven’t guessed by now, Whistler really is chock full of almost every extreme adrenaline-filled activity, so of course bungee jumping is found here, too!
The Whistler Bungee Bridge is a thrilling attraction that gives you the chance to jump off a 160-foot bridge over the glacial-fed Cheakamus River. Whistler Bungee Bridge is often thought of as one of the most beautiful and scenic bungee jumping locations in the world. Basalt cliffs, coastal rainforests, and the peak of Black Tusk Mountain surround the bridge to create a truly iconic jumping location. Jumpers are allowed to jump with their own small cameras (like a GoPro) or they can choose to purchase commemorative photos from their jump afterward.
Those who have groups where not everyone wants to haul themselves over a bridge are welcome to watch and take videos from the viewing platform. Bungee jumping is open to all age groups and tandem jumping is also offered. For more information visit Whistler Bungee.
Learn About Local History at the Whistler Museum
The Whistler Museum is a fantastic attraction in Whistler Village for visitors of all age groups. Here, tourists will learn about mountain life and the history of the area, from the early mountain settlers to the 2010 Olympics, the construction of the village, and much more. The museum aims to showcase all things Whistler, including early tourism at the beginning of the 20th century and what life is like living in a mountain lodge.
With such a broad collection of exhibits and artifacts, visitors are sure to find several interesting tidbits throughout the museum. Tourists can also sign up for one of the guided tours through the village and nature areas.
The Whistler Museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday and is free to enter with a small donation.
Book a Glacier Tour
If you’re planning on sightseeing in Whistler, why not take it to the next level and hop on a plane or helicopter to experience eagle-eye sightseeing of Whistler’s glaciers? This unique Whistler experience is sure to be one for the books as the tour will take you over the ancient glaciers, turquoise waters, and volcanic formations of Garibaldi Provincial Park. There are two fantastic tours to consider when going on a glacier tour.
The first is to tour the glaciers by seaplane with this 30-minute seaplane tour of Whistler’s glaciers. The tour has a 30-minute flight path over Garibaldi Provincial Park and your pilot will act as your tour guide, sharing information about the park and glaciers.
Another fantastic tour to consider is this 45-minute helicopter tour of Whistler’s glaciers. This five-star rated tour runs similar to the seaplane tour where your pilot offers live commentary on the surrounding mountains, glaciers, and parks. However, the helicopter tour includes a mountain landing on top of Garibaldi Provincial Park where you’ll get 15 minutes to jump out, stretch your legs, and snap some pretty jaw-dropping photos.
Spend a Day at The Adventure Group Park
Whistler has so many adventure activities that you may be finding it hard to pack them all into one itinerary. If you’re struggling to fit it all in or are looking for a full day of adventure and fun, then make your way to The Adventure Group.
The Adventure Group is an all-encompassing adventure park in the backcountry of British Columbia. The park offers several adrenaline-pumping activities on 18,000 acres of pristine forest and mountain land, such as whitewater rafting, ziplining, razor side-by-side tours, aerial obstacle courses, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling. Now you may be thinking that individually, each of these tours could be quite expensive. But that’s not how the Adventure Group works! Instead, the park runs more like an amusement park where a Adventure Group day pass gets you access to all the activities (whitewater rafting is an additional cost). Each activity takes about two hours to complete. Visitors are welcome to bring their own snacks or they can head over to the on-site café for a bite to eat.
Hike to the Train Wreck
The Train Wreck has to be one of the coolest things to hike to in the Whistler area. Along the banks of the Cheakamus River surrounded by ancient trees sit seven Canadian National Railway (CN) boxcars covered in colorful graffiti. For the longest time, nobody knew where these boxcars came from, but locals have been hiking to this hidden gem for several years.
It wasn’t until 2013 that the site started gaining more attention as hikers were crossing over CN rail tracks to get to the train site and CN Police started handing out fines for trespassing.
Later research from the Whistler Museum revealed that a freighter derailed in 1956 when coming into an area under track repair a little too quickly. The damaged boxcars were then dragged up the tracks and rolled over into the forest where they remain today.
In 2016, the local government decided to make the trail an official municipal trail and constructed a suspension bridge over the river to connect the Sea to Sky Highway to the Train Wreck without crossing over CN tracks. Today, you can hike this 2.4-kilometer out-and-back trail in about 40 minutes all while enjoying views of the Cheakamus River and the not-so-mysterious colorful boxcars!
There you go my mountain-loving friends, all the top things to do in Whistler. Regardless of which season you visit during or which activities you choose, we know you’ll have a memorable time!
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