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The top 10 attractions in Whistler

Alta Lake Whistler

The top 10 attractions in Whistler

Winter? Of course. Summer? Yes. Fall and spring? You bet. WhistlerExternal Link Title, British Columbia is the kind of place where you can ski in the morning and golf in the afternoon, before hitting the spa in the evening. There's plenty to captivate you any time of year in this stylish, authentic, and friendly alpine village.

Whistler Blackcomb Resort

Skiing Whistler
Skiing at world-renowned Whistler Blackcomb Resort, credit: Tourism Whistler/Chad Chomlack

Downhill in Whistler is a no-brainer. With 1,530 metres of verticalExternal Link Title and two mountains, Whistler BlackcombExternal Link Title is North America's largest ski resort and a top global destination. There's bountiful powder and 360-degree views, and you can choose from alpine, backcountry, heli, cat and Nordic skiing or snowboardingExternal Link Title. Fans love the size and terrain variety -- from bunny hills to double black diamonds. Also on offer is a slew of winter-related activitiesExternal Link Title: snowshoeing, snowmobiling, tubing and sliding, plus ice climbing, ice fishing, dogsledding, and ice skating.

PEAK 2 PEAK gondola

PEAK 2 PEAK, Whistler
Whistler Blackcomb's PEAK 2 PEAK Alpine Experience, credit: Tourism Whistler/Steve Rogers :

PEAK 2 PEAKExternal Link Title is the world's longest and highest gondola rideExternal Link Title, stretching 4.4 kilomtres between the two mountains some 435 metres up. The views through its large windows are outrageous, and some gondolar cars even have a glass floorExternal Link Title. Ride any time of year to sightsee, spot wildlife, or hop between peaks, and dine at one of the five restaurants up top. Waffles with a view on the patio of log-cabin-style Crystal Hut are a must. Cafeteria-style Roundhouse Lodge is another popular choice for its food courts serving pretty much any international cuisine you can think of.  There's a gallery explaining the sophisticated engineering behind PEAK 2 PEAK and a 2010 Winter Games display, plus a cinema screening alpine films. Summer and fall are optimal for over 50 kilometres of hikes and walks from the top, especially the popular half-day High Note TrailExternal Link Title.

Whistler Mountain Bike Park

Whistler Mountain Bike Park
Whistler Mountain Bike Park, credit: Tourism Whistler/Mike Crane

Fat-tire riding is a lifestyle here and you can try it on at Whistler Mountain Bike ParkExternal Link Title, known for outstanding downhill green, technical, and jump trails winding through the forest, over catwalks, rocks, and ladders. Join the top athletes for August's CrankworxExternal Link Title, a fest of gravity-fueled racing, demos, and fun events. If slower is your style, rent bicyclesExternal Link Title and pedal the mellow Valley TrailExternal Link Title, stopping for a picnic or afternoon nap in the sun.

Scandinave Spa Whistler

Scandinave Spa
Scandinave Spa, credit: Tourism Whistler/Chad Chomlack

There are day spasExternal Link Title in Whistler, but you really want to spend an afternoon unwinding at mountain-Zen Scandinave SpaExternal Link Title.External Link Title This oasis -- a series of Nordic-style outdoor hot and cold pools and waterfalls connected by landscaped paths and little atriums with saunas, steam rooms, and loungers -- is chic and serene. It's also as inviting dusted in snow as it is with fall leaves fluttering or spring flowers blooming.

Whistler Sliding Centre

Whistler Sliding Centre
Skeleton at Whistler Sliding Centre, credit: Tourism Whistler/Steve Rogers

Most of us secretly wish we were Olympians. At Whistler Sliding CentreExternal Link Title you can pretend. Shoot a .22-caliber biathlon rifle. Or, shoot down the 1,450-metre bobsleigh, skeleton or luge trackExternal Link Title at about 90 km/h like the athletes did during the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. Go solo on the skeleton or ride behind a pro pilot on the bobsleigh (in summer, on wheels). You can also take a self-guided tour of the cutting edge facility or take a selfie in front of the Olympic rings in the town plaza.

Ziplining

Whistler ziplining
You can zipline at Whistler any time of year. Credit: Tourism Whistler/Chad Chomlack

Whoosh over 2,100 metres above rivers, canyons, and old-growth rain forest with Whistler zipline tours. Try multiple runsExternal Link Title, including the SasquatchExternal Link Title, the longest zipline in North America at over 2 kilometres. There's also buddy ziplining, and a backcountry snowmobiling-plus-ziplining combo. To round out the experience, learn about local ecology and wildlife in between zips.

The Village

Whistler Village Square
Village Square, credit: Tourism Whistler/Steve Rogers

Make time for Whistler Village -- cozy in winter, carefree in summer, festive pretty much all the time. Strolling the Euro-style, pedestrian-only VillageExternal Link Title is an activity in itself. People-watch at busy outdoor caf?s, heated in winter or warmed by outdoor firepits. ShopExternal Link Title for ski or adventure wear, art, designer duds, collectibles, or Canadiana at standbys such as RootsExternal Link Title. Catch a free outdoor concert in the plaza or visit during one of the many festivals like CornucopiaExternal Link Title or the film festivalExternal Link Title.

Lost Lake

Lost Lake
Lost Lake, credit: Tourism Whistler/Steve Rogers

Walk or cycle from the VillageExternal Link Title to easily accessible Lost LakeExternal Link Title, a perfect spot for swimming, sunbathing, or water sports like canoeing, kayaking, and standup paddleboardingExternal Link Title. The lake is stocked with trout that you can catch and keep, if you're lucky. Spring, summer, or fall bring a picnic -- Nesters MarketExternal Link Title in the Village is a good source of provisions -- and spend the day relaxing lakeside.

Audain Art Museum

Audain Art Museum
Audain Art Museum - Credit: Tourism Whistler/Mike Crane

Even the angular, $43.5 million, 5,203-square-metre building is a work of art. The Audain Art MuseumExternal Link Title debuted in 2016 and houses the incredible private collection of philanthropist and arts patron Michael Audain and wife Yoshi Karasawa: nearly 200 works reflecting BC art from the 18th to 21st century. Don't miss it. Other local art options include the First Nations showcase, the Squamish Lil'wat Cultural CentreExternal Link Title, galleries in town, and a public art tour.

Whistler Tasting Tours

Whistler Tasting Tours
Finer Things Dinner Tour with Whistler Tasting Tours, credit: Whistler Tasting Tours

Eating outExternal Link Title is a pastime in this village of over 100 restaurants. Whistler Tasting ToursExternal Link Title takes you on a walkabout to five top venues for your wining and dining needs.

 

Of course, you can always enjoy dinner on your own at upscale favorites Araxi Restaurant + Oyster BarExternal Link Title and Bearfoot BistroExternal Link Title. For casual, make a reservation at 21 Steps Kitchen + BarExternal Link Title, Caramba! RestauranteExternal Link Title, and Mongolie GrillExternal Link Title. Breakfast at artisan baker extraordinaire  Purebread is a must, or for sit-down counter service, go to the Fairmont's PortobelloExternal Link Title. Once the sun goes down, get out on the town and into the famed Village nightlifeExternal Link Title.