Adventure dining in Whistler

Breathe in Whistler’s mountain air, where even the crisp scent of snow and fir trees hints at adventure. Just two hours north of Vancouver, this is a place where culinary escapades are just as thrilling as the scenery.

Whistler’s chefs know the landscape itself is part of the feast. They embrace its magic by incorporating local ingredients and dramatic backdrops—whether deep in the backcountry or atop a glacier—into their culinary experiences. The Crystal Hut fondue by snowmobile adventure at Blackcomb mountain is just one example designed to marry taste and adventure. With locally sourced ingredients and incredible settings, Whistler offers dining experiences designed to excite the senses.

Locally sourced delicacies with a side of peaks and glaciers

When you access Whistler via Vancouver International Airport (many US cities have direct flights) your trip begins with a spectacular drive north, voted one of the ten most scenic in the world by National Geographic magazine. Whether you drive along the Sea-to-Sky highway, take the train, or even a float plane, adventure is built into the journey—and it only continues with unforgettable culinary experiences.

In Whistler, chefs understand that the setting is just as integral to the experience as the flavors on the plate. Just as seasoning elevates a dish, the majesty of the peaks and the remoteness of the backcountry create a truly unforgettable meal. 

Fly over glaciers to a backcountry lake for the Blackcomb Heli Picnic and Paddle, a gourmet picnic catered by Portobello at Fairmont Whistler. Savor your meal with incredible mountain views, then dive into nature with hiking and paddleboarding. For a unique twist on afternoon tea, head to the Tantalus Glacier, where the Four Seasons Resort Whistler serves an elevated menu in a breathtaking alpine setting.

No matter when you visit, nature is set to inspire. In summer, sweet and savory treats are enhanced not only by champagne but by exhilarating lungfuls of mountain air. In winter, ride a snowmobile to a rustic cabin on Sproatt Mountain for a truly alpine feast where you can enjoy Angus beef sirloin cooked over a woodstove. 

Whistler is a town for all seasons, and its slopes are just as inviting for dining as they are for adventure. At Whistler Blackcomb, you'll find options for every taste, from quick bites at Chic Pea and Crystal Hut to fine dining at Christine’s. At the Roundhouse Lodge, summer buffets feature prime rib served up with a side of live music. Special events are created to spoil food lovers; for instance, in winter you can visit Steeps Grill and Wine Bar for the Winemaker Lunch Series. A ticketed, multi-course lunch, this experience includes expert wine pairings such as a cabernet sauvignon with grass-fed Northfork farms elk tenderloin or a California red blend with shitake, oyster and shimeji mushroom bourginon. In partnership with celebrated chef David Hawksworth, an outdoor dining pop-up event in the summer serves an elegant four-course dinner with complementary wine pairings. Live entertainment and astounding panoramic mountain views are fitting side spectacles to enjoy from the comfort of the Valley View patio at the Roundhouse Lodge. 

In Whistler, apres-ski is après everything, and while there are bars for dancing on tabletops (check out the famous Longhorn Saloon) you’re equally apt to find an elevated take like The Library by The Macallan pop-up cocktail. Alternatively, sample a traditional alpine favorite like fondue at several spots, including Araxi with its Swiss gruyere and Emmentaler cheese mix.

https://araxi.com

Events that celebrate food and community

With its stunning surroundings and abundance of lodgings and restaurants, Whistler is an event destination. If you’re lucky enough to be here in the fall, be sure to arrange your visit around the flagship Whistler Cornucopia, a 11-day foodie extravaganza. In June, the Nourish Whistler Wellness Series offers an opportunity to focus on wellbeing, and in summertime, long table dinners are a chance to celebrate the season with elevated meals served family-style. 

At Whistler Cornucopia, visitors can choose from over 70 signature events, drink seminars, culinary stage demonstrations and events at every restaurant and bar. Chefs are the stars here. They share both their skills and enthusiasm as they invite visitors to deepen their culinary knowledge and elevate their palates with seminars on topics such as wine varietals and forest foraging. 

At the Nourish Whistler Wellness Series, unique experiences from master classes to speaker series invite participants to learn about topics from fermentation to mocktails. Add tai chi, forest walks and wellness brunches and you’ll see that this occasion offers a sense of calm with a sampling of culinary celebration.

Summer brings a series of long table dining experiences, where dinners are served family-style. Presented by restaurants Araxi, Il Caminetto, Provisions and Bar Oso at North Arm Farm in Pemberton, the Araxi Longtable Dinner offers a four-course meal with live entertainment, as spectacular Mount Currie looms in the background. Wild Blue restaurant brings a long table experience to Whistler Village, featuring a four-course dinner with wine pairings that highlights local, seasonal ingredients curated by chefs Alex Chen and Derek Bendig, surrounded by stunning mountain views.

Yet another celebrated series is hosted by the Audain Art Museum, where a tour of the current exhibition invites visitors to explore artwork by the current featured artist (in 2024, the Tom Thomson: North Star exhibition). Afterwards, enjoy a three-course dining experience with wine pairings by Fairmont Chateau Whistler inspired by the artwork. The meal begins with a signature cocktail and includes a choice of main courses such as braised beef shank with cedar-smoked roast potatoes and braised eggplant and chickpeas with turmeric rice. Wine pairings are courtesy of partner, Mission Hill Family Estate. 

Local ingredients at the core

Art Museum event

For visitors, adventure in Whistler means exploring rugged landscapes and new flavors; for local chefs, it’s about discovering innovative ways to showcase local ingredients. Farm-to-table is a philosophy where restaurants develop relationships directly with local growers, and the approach is openly embraced by Whistler chefs. 

Since opening in 2011, chef Nick Cassettari at Alta Bistro has combined modern French techniques with Canadian flavors, as revealed in dishes like seared Haida Gwaii sablefish or rangeland elk striploin. He regularly partners with Root Down Farms in nearby Pemberton and forages for local ingredients.

Wild Blue is another destination for upscale, locally inspired dining, where chef Derek Bendig pulls in influences from France, Italy and the Pacific Northwest. Menus proudly showcase ingredient origins, from Fraser Valley chicken to Pacific striped bass. 

At Araxi, culinary director James Walt and executive chef Ying Gao sprinkle local and Canadian ingredients throughout their menu. With BC mushrooms to Red Deer venison and Pacific crab, it’s easy to see why Araxi has been frequently recognized as Where magazine’s best fine dining restaurant in Whistler.

Whistler’s embrace of Indigenous cuisine is evident at Whistler Blackcomb’s Skewk’ / Yecwláo7 / Ravens restaurant, which now features Indigenous-inspired dishes. Menu highlights include venison chili, salmon chowder and beverages from Indigenous-owned companies. 

Nearby at the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre, the Thunderbird Café—an inspiration for Ravens—offers a taste of tradition with bannock (a traditional Indigenous fluffy fried bread), wild boar prosciutto, caribou terrine, house smoked salmon, and bison carpaccio, showcasing the wild game meats central to local Indigenous culture. 

If alpine landscapes, cozy restaurants, and après-ski have you dreaming of Whistler’s crisp mountain air, take this as a sign to start planning your getaway.