Whistler’s claim to fame is its title as one of the best ski destinations in North America. But the spectacular Coast Mountains are a year-round destination. Summers in Whistler, BC, are relatively warm with mild evenings, ideal for outdoor exploration. From casual village strolls to family-friendly hikes, extreme adventures, and scenic gondola rides, there is plenty to do in Whistler in the summer, even if you don’t ski.
The town is located on the shared, traditional territories of the Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) Nation and Lil̓wat7úl (Lil’wat) Nation, incorporating various authentic Indigenous experiences throughout. Most people come to Whistler to experience nature, but its many museums, art galleries, and cultural experiences will be a great addition to the trip.
This article might contain affiliate links. Read the disclaimer about affiliate links & PR gifting here.
Parts of this trip were hosted by Explore Burnaby and Fairmont Chateau Whistler, who did not review or approve this story.
Whistler origins
Whistler Village opened as a ski area in December 1980, and at the time, it was the largest ski complex in North America. Six years later, the Vancouver World’s Fair caused an influx of tourism to the Coast Mountains, putting Whistler Village on the global map. Soon after, American landscape artist Eldon Beck was recruited to design the village expansion. Beck decided to defy the classic North American grid built and instead wanted to build a “Village in the forest,” emphasising natural sightlines and sunlight paths across the space. The rest, as they say, is history.
What to do & See in Whistler
There are plenty of things to do in Whistler year-round, even for those who don’t come here for the winter sports. From culture and adventure to scenic gondola rides, your Whistler vacation can easily take on the leisurely pace of your choice. Visitors also have access to a collection of free self-guided tours with the Go Whistler app. There are 11 tours total, ranging from cultural and indigenous walks to craft beer and sweet treat tours.
Explore Whistler Village Centre & Village North
Whistler Village is divided into three parts: Upper Village (the ski-in area), Village Centre, and Village North, the newest corner of town. The curvy pathways of the village cut through forested areas, along waterways and through a scenic wooden bridge. Nature exists seamlessly between the modern alpine ski chalet-style buildings lining the streets.
Village Centre is packed with bars, restaurants, nightclubs, and over 200 retail shops, selling everything from ski essentials to large-scale souvenirs of Canada. Between the shops are art galleries where local artists display and sell paintings, photography, hand-woven baskets, First Nations designs, pottery and much more. Skis and snowboards are propped up in front of shops and restaurants almost year-round, adding a cheerful touch of colour to the scene. Bright yellow Muskoka chairs and loungers are thoughtfully placed around the village, overlooking ponds, rivers, and public squares.
Village North is home to the Whistler Olympic Plaza, which prominently features the Olympic sign put in place during the 2010 Winter Olympics. A row of covered picnic pods offers more intimate spaces for an afternoon lunch surrounded by a bright patch of green grass behind the Olympic rings.
Whistler Village, British Columbia. Images by Kateryna Topol.
Art & Culture
Whistler Village houses quite a few notable museums and art galleries, in addition to the Whistler Museum. Audain Art Museum, which opened in 2016, has one of the world’s finest collections of First Nations masks, an impressive library of Emily Carr paintings, and works by Canada’s most internationally regarded contemporary artists.
The building is a work of art in itself. Built to withstand the impact from the Fitzsimmons Creek floodplain and the heavy Whistler snowfalls, the structure seemingly floats above ground. Blending into the surrounding evergreen forest vegetation, the museum sits a full storey above ground and has a steeply sloped roof, making it, from some angles, look like a diamond. The building is connected to the main road by a bridge, which leads to an envelope-shaped entry with the forest shadows cutting through the slatted walls.
Audain Art Museum
4350 Blackcomb Wy, Whistler, BC V8E 1N3 | Map link
Tickets: Adults $22, seniors $19, young adults (19-15) $15, youth under 18 are free.
Above and below: Audain Art Museum, Whistler, BC. Image by Kateryna Topol.
Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Líḻwat7ul Cultural Centre (Squamish Lil’wat) is a first-of-its-kind in Canada world-class cultural centre operated by the Squamish and Lil’wat Nations. The museum embodies the spirit of partnership between the two First Nations through exhibitions and experiences that celebrate both cultures.
The museum site consists of multiple interior and exterior areas, including the Great Hall and galleries, a traditional Tl’aktaxen Lam (longhouse), and the İstken (pit house). An hourly guided tour is included in the cost of admission and will bring you into the local culture and history with a knowledgeable local. Ground floor Thunderbird Café serves an Indigenous-inspired menu worthy of a visit on its own.
Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Líḻwat7ul Cultural Centre
4584 Blackcomb Wy, Whistler, BC V8E 0Y3 | Map link
Tickets: Adult $25, teens (618) $12, children under 5 free.
Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Líḻwat7ul Cultural Centre. Images by Kateryna Topol.
Maury Young Arts Centre, located closer to Village North, is a community art gallery, theatre, and youth centre. Visitors can pick up art and souvenirs on the ground floor, view exhibitions on the second, or explore classes and entertainment if the schedule allows. The hub is managed by Arts Whistler.
Take note of the Timeless Circle Sculpture in front of the Maury Young Arts Centre. The sculpture was created by a renowned Coast Salish artist, Susan Point, who created 86 different faces that reflect the diversity of the people who attended the 2010 Olympic Games.
Maury Young Arts Centre
4335 Blackcomb Wy, Whistler, BC V8E 0X4 | Map link
Tickets: Free entry
Timeless Circle Sculpture, Whistler, BC, Canada. Images by Kateryna Topol.
Blackcomb Mountain Gondola
One of the main attractions in Whistler is Blackcomb Mountain and its newest Peak 2 Peak Gondola. The gondola opened in 2018 and combines Peak 2 Peak and Whistler Village gondolas in a continuous 13.5 km lift system. The gondola goes from the Upper Village to the top of the mountain, where even in May the peaks will be covered with snow.
Summer Alpine Experience access includes a labyrinth of snow walls that tower above Pika’s Traverse on Whistler Mountain. This unique experience is available for a very limited time, before the seasonal snow melts for the summer. The visitor’s centre at the top has a spacious cafeteria with an outdoor terrace and a seasonal restaurant, Christine’s.
Blackcomb Mountain Gondola
4553 Blackcomb Wy, Whistler, BC V8E 0Y1 | Map link
Tickets: Spring to fall day passes start at $85 per adult. Seasonal passes are available.
May on Blackcomb Mountain Gondola. Images by Kateryna Topol.
Hiking & Adventure
Whistler summer activities include hiking, ziplining, mountain biking, wildlife experiences, and water sports.
Hiking in Whistler
The natural beauty of the mountains is best experienced through their many trails. Alpine hiking on Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains is accessible by gondola. The trails vary from family-friendly to advanced hikes to lakes, glaciers and alpine meadows. Blackcomb Mountain Ascent Trails, for example, take you all the way up to the summit for epic views and giant trees. Mid-summer’s must-do is the wildflower trail hike, which lasts only two to three weeks.
Many hiking trails don’t require a gondola ticket, though some BC Parks, including Garibaldi Provincial Park and Joffre Lakes Park, require Day-Use passes, which can be purchased on bcparks.ca. Some of the best hikes in Whistler include the Lost Lake and the Rainbow Falls Loop.
Soft adventure in Whistler
There are five lakes around Whistler offering breathtaking views and a range of activities from canoes, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards to sailing. The lake can be reached with pubic transit from Whistler Village, making this adventure car-free if necessary. Find canoe tours and rentals info on whistler.com. For a birds-eye view of Whistler, hop aboard a seaplane for a Garibaldi Lake and Black Tusk 30-minute plane ride.
Wildlife watching is another popular activity in the region. The Alpine trail map is marked with wildlife viewing spots where you can spot deer, squirrels, bears, marmots, birds, and other creatures. Black bear viewing tours are commonly done with a 4×4 safari-style vehicle, comfortably roaming through the mountain terrain. Bear tours operate from May to October.
Afternoon/Evening bear viewing tour
Enjoy one of the premier black bear viewing spots in Whistler. Join a local professional nature guide and photographers on your wilderness luxury Land Rover black bear excursion. 2.5 hours.
Bear tour with exclusive Olympic Park access
Discover Whistler’s wild side on a guided black bear tour in Olympic Park. Travel in an open 4×4 built for safari-style viewing and observe wild black bears safely with your expert local guide.
Adventure experiences in Whistler
In the summer, the mountains transform into a custom-built bike park, perfect for progressive mountain bike rides. Bike park passes are available as one-time visits or seasonal passes. Fans of more extreme activities can head out on the Green River for a whitewater rafting adventure, go rock climbing, or reach the sky with Whistler Via Ferrata. Another fun activity is bungee jumping above the glacial-fed Cheakamus River or ziplining above the forest.
Where to eat & Drink in Whistler
As expected, there are quite a few restaurants, cafes, and bars across Whistler Village, suitable for different moods and appetites. Provisions is a local favourite for breakfast, most notably for the poached egg breakfast sandwich. For lunch, grab a slice of pizza at Fat Tony’s Pizza or head over to the Thunderbird Café for a delicious chowder and a bannock sandwich.
Find a vibrant atmosphere, good cocktails, and shareable bites at Bar Oso, serving contemporary Spanish cuisine, or Balam, focused on Latin American bites. Araxi Restaurant & Oyster Bar is a great option for a seafood set course, or an Après happy hour, 3 PM to 4:45 PM.
Some of the best dining experiences in Whistler are naturally offered by upscale hotels, like Fairmont Chateau Whistler. The Wildflower dining room faces Blackcomb Mountain, perfectly lighting the space at golden hour through floor-to-ceiling windows. The restaurant serves seasonal dishes prepared with hyper-local ingredients.
The menu has a balanced representation of land and sea, and being so close to the source, fresh seafood (Ocean Wise certified) comes highly recommended. From West Coast Oysters served with mint mignonette to Tofino Albacore Crudo and locally caught fish, choosing seafood is easy. Short rib, Fraser Valley duck, chicken and Alberta AAA steaks perfectly balance out the seafood on the menu.
The Wildflower restaurant at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler. West Coast Oysters served over ice with mint mignonette, Hokkaido Scallops perfectly cooked with pork belly and a crispy chicharron, and Dungeness Crab Tagliatelle, decadently flavoured with saffron and chilli butter. Images by Kateryna Topol.
For unique dining experiences, Audain Art Museum hosts seasonal dining events like Art of Wine and Art of the Cocktail. Both Araxi Restaurant and Wild Blue host long table dinners in the summer, and Blackcomb Mountain offers a Mountain Top Summer Feast, among other dining experiences.
Wellness in Whistler
There are quite a few wellness facilities in Whistler. The Spa at Whistler, for example, is a spacious public facility with a liquor-licensed area. Whistler Day Spa, The Spa At Nita Lake Lodge, and Vida Spa at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler all come highly recommended.
Scandinave Spa Whistler, however, is the main spa destination in Whistler. Set among the tall alpine trees, a wooden pathway leads you to the spa from the open parking lot, hash signs preparing you for what’s to come. This is a 25,000-square-foot outdoor sanctuary with four pools, two saunas, two eucalyptus steam rooms, and five distinct relaxation areas. A village in itself, Scandinave Spa Whistler, is ideal for a relaxing afternoon spent coming in and out of sleep between healing rituals.
Scandinave Spa Whistler
8010 Mons Rd, Whistler, BC V8E 1K7 | Map link
Rates: Starting at $118 per person, robes and towels included
Scandinave Spa Whistler, images courtesy of the spa.
Where to stay in Whistler
Fairmont Chateau Whistler, situated at the foot of Blackcomb Mountain, is a two-Michelin-key property. It is a ski-in ski-out castle with a spa, fitness centre, multiple pools, five restaurants, and three bars. Rooms range from standard king and queens to luxury suites with balconies and sitting rooms.
Four Seasons Resort Whistler is another two-Michelin-key property in Whistler. The hotel is located a short walk from the main village and offers complimentary car service to all guests. Amenities include a spa, wellness centre, outdoor pool, three restaurants, a cafe, and a pool bar. Rooms range from mountain-view balcony king rooms to spacious resort rooms and speciality suites, some of which have a private jacuzzi.
Nita Lake Lodge is a great boutique hotel alternative to the large resorts with one Michelin key. The lodge, located near the Whistler Golf Club, has a spa, fitness centre, kayak rentals, a garden, two restaurants, and a cafe. Rooms range from balcony one bedrooms to six-person suites with a living room.
Fairmont Chateau Whistler
4599 Chateau Blvd, Whistler, BC V8E 0Z5
Rooms starting at $450 CAD for a king
Book directly on fairmont.com or compare with your favourite booking site: Expedia | Booking.com | Hotels.com | TripAdvisor
Four Seasons Resort Whistler
4591 Blackcomb Wy, Whistler, BC V8E 0Y4
Rooms starting at $463 CAD for two queens
Book directly on fourseasons.com or compare with your favourite booking site: Expedia | Booking.com | TripAdvisor
Nita Lake Lodge
2131 Lake Placid Rd, Whistler, BC V8E 0B2
Rooms starting at $239 CAD for a king
Book directly on nitalakelodge.com or compare with your favourite booking site: Expedia | Booking.com | TripAdvisor
Fairmont Chateau Whistler and Four Seasons Resort Whistler balcony, images by Kateryna Topol.
More hotels & Accomodations in Whistler
Whistler Olympic Plaza. Image by Kateryna Topol.
Getting to & Around Whistler
Whistler is located around two hours from Vancouver International Airport (YVR). You can rent a car at the airport or opt for one of the available shuttles. There are multiple options for the Whistler shuttle from the Vancouver airport, departing at different times of day. A few to consider are:
- Whistler Shuttle, with multiple pick-up and drop-off locations
- Epic Rides with non-stop service from Vancouver to Whistler
- Bus transfer with Skylinx
- Canadian Craft Charters, which offers private Whistler transfer with an option to add scenic stops
- Vanlimo Limousine Service, private transfer
- Private transfer with sightseeing stops in Vancouver and Whistler
Whistler is very walkable, and if you don’t intend to do any day trips, you can easily navigate without a car. Ridesharing is not available in Whistler, but there is a small taxi company, Whistler Taxis. The company has an app that allows you to track the driver online. You can always call +1 (604) 932-3333 to request a ride; the hold time will be spent listening to music, like 50 Cent’s “In da Club”.
