Ultimate Whistler Summer Activity Guide
When you think of Whistler, the first thought that probably comes to your mind is ‘ski-town’, and whilst it does consistently rank in the top 10 ski resorts in the world, there’s a whole other season contending to be the best. I arrived in Whistler at the very start of the 21/22 season, so I was submerged straight into the depths of winter. I really believed I would stay until the season was over and move elsewhere. But as the lakes started to warm and the mountains defrosted, I found myself becoming more and more intrigued by what the summer had to offer. I ended up spending 2 full summers in Whistler, and they are some of the best summers of my life.
Summer is incredible here because there is so much to see and do. Whilst many of the activities on offer are year-round, they are simply more enjoyable when the sun is out. I was lucky enough to take part in many of the activities that were on offer, so I thought it was only fair I shared some of my favourites with you. Below is a list of my favourite summer activities along with the costs and any special insights I can offer. If you are looking for more budget-friendly summer activities, check out my blog post here on exactly that.
Contents:
My boyfriend Harry getting the honours of pushing me off the Whistler Bungee.
Whistler Bungee:
Throwing you in right at the deep end here by recommending something that will involve you jumping 160ft off a bridge towards the glacier fed Cheakamus River. Whistler Bungee is located just 20 minutes south of Whistler in a beautifully remote location. You can access the bungee by car as there is free parking at the bridge, but if you require transport you will need to contact the office. All jumpers must be between 65-300lbs, and if you want to share this experience with someone and jump tandem, the maximum for both is still 300lbs! The current price is 140CAD per person, however, they may offer discounts to locals, but they will require proof.
Doing the Whistler Bungee tandem with my best friend Xanthe.
Doing my first bungee jump solo at Whistler Bungee Jump, Canada.
I first experienced the bungee when I booked my friend in for her birthday to do a tandem. It was only until I got to the bridge that I started to contemplate that I would be jumping as well. The jump master told us we needed to decide whether we would do feet or headfirst and at the same time we both said the opposite. Safe to say I lost, and we did it headfirst! The second time I didn’t actually know I was going to be doing it. My boyfriend had got a job there and we were taking another friend as a present for their birthday. Once everyone learnt I was at the bridge though I had little say in the matter and did my first solo bungee jump with my boyfriend having the honours of being the one throwing me off. I have to say I much preferred it solo purely for comfort reasons, but if you think you might be a bit scared, maybe tandem is the way to go!
River of Golden Dreams:
Cruising down the River of Golden Dreams on paddleboards and inflatable kayaks.
Once enough of the snow has melted, and the water levels have risen, a whole new adventure awaits. During summer, you can kayak or canoe down the ‘River of Golden Dreams’, aptly named for the amazing opportunity it offers to fully immerse yourself within nature. It’s a great opportunity to spot wildlife ranging from black bears, to beavers to geese, whilst paddling past lush greenery and wildflowers. The river mouth starts at the end of the historic Alta Lake and ends at the glacier fed Green Lake. There are a few companies that offer a variety of different experiences depending on how confident you feel. There are options to hire a vessel and go self-guided or go as part of a group tour if you want the opportunity to learn along the way. Or, if you’re feeling really brave and want the ‘local’ experience, take yourself down on your own paddleboard or blow up dingy, just don’t blame me when it pops!
Local tour companies include Backroads located at Alta Lake Park, Whistler Eco Tours located at Wayside Park or Canadian Wilderness Adventures. They all offer different options so look at their websites for what best suits you and the price ranges.
Taking my mum and step-dad down the River of Golden Dreams in Canoes with Whistler Eco Tours.
I did the River of Golden Dreams quite a few times and the safest I ever felt was when I did it in a kayak with Whistler Eco Tours. All other times I did it on my own paddleboard and whilst it was a lot of fun, it opens the opportunity more for you to fall in, and trust me, the water is cold! Some parts of the river involve quite sharp bends and navigating over beaver dams, so if you are using a paddleboard, I’d recommend removing the fin once you reach the river mouth.
Summer on Whistler & Blackcomb Mountains:
During the summer months, Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains transform into a haven for hikers, mountain bikers and sightseers. You can ride the Blackcomb Gondala from the Upper Village to Rendezvous Lodge and Christines Restaurant. Blackcomb mountain offers hiking trails such as the Marmot Trail where you can see alpine wildflowers, a kid’s adventure trail as well as the Lakeside Loop to see Blackcomb Lake. Once you’re back at the lodge, you can take the infamous Peak 2 Peak Gondala over to Roundhouse Lodge on Whistler Mountain. The Peak 2 Peak is an experience in itself, with it being the world’s longest unsupported span for a lift of its kind, as well as being the highest lift of its kind and the longest continuous lift system. The gondola transports you from one mountain to the other with breathtaking views along the way. Once you’re over on Whistler, there a plenty more hiking trails to explore. You can take the steep but jaw-dropping Peak Chair to experience the Top of the World Summit and the Skybridge, as well as walking through the remains of the winter on the Snow Walls trail. My personal favourite hike is the High Note Trail, taking you round the back of the mountain with incredible views of Cheakamus Lake, then dropping you down into Symphony Bowl, followed by Harmony Ridge and around Harmony Lake until you make it back to the lodge.
Walking over the Cloudraker Skybridge on Whistler Mountain at the start of summer.
Standing next to the Snow Walls at the top of Whistler Mountain, carved from the abundance of snow at the start of summer.
My best friend Britt and I looking over Cheakamus Lake whilst hiking the High Note Trail on Whistler Mountain, Canada.
A window ticket rate for a day pass is currently 99CAD for adults. However, if you’re planning to go up more than once in a season, it is worth purchasing a Summer Alpine Experience Pass for 130CAD. This gives you unlimited access to all hiking and sightseeing on both mountains for the entirety of the summer season. If you do plan to take advantage of what these mountains have to offer in the summer, please be bear aware. Always carry bear spray and hike under the knowledge that you are in bear country. For more information about what the mountains have to offer in terms of terrain, prices, age and heigh limits, check out the Whistler Blackcomb website.
If you’re looking for something a little more exhilarating, then you might want to check out the number one lift-accessed downhill bike park in the world. Whistler Blackcomb has the most terrain of any bike park in North America. Now I am certainly no expert when it comes to downhill biking. I went for one-day with a friend who has spent many years exploring the terrain and had an abundance of gear to lend me. If you are a novice like me, I would highly recommend booking a lesson for your first time to not only teach you the tips and tricks needed to downhill bike, but to also give you a better understanding of the grading systems and the mountains. It is not the same as winter sports, in fact, I could hardly recognise the mountain! The Whistler Blackcomb website will tell you everything you need to know from bike hire, to lift passes and prices, to booking lessons!
Day Out at The Adventure Group:
The Adventure Group, or TAG as the locals call it, is located on Cougar Mountain about a 10-minute drive north from Whistler Village. TAG is host to so many fun summer activities including ziplines, whitewater rafting, aerial obstacle courses, ancient cedar hikes, off-road adventures and the Vallea Lumina experience where the forest is lit up with multimedia displays. Check out their website for all the prices as it is activity dependant. I was lucky enough to live with 2 staff members, so during summer I got to experience the Ziplines, which includes multiple dual ziplines that send you soaring through the air with breathtaking views.
View of the dual ziplines over Cougar Mountain at The Adventure Group, Whistler
Scandinave Spa:
If you’re really looking for something that isn’t going to get your heart pumping too much (except maybe for the cold plunge), then look no further than Scandinave Spa. This spa is set in a beautiful location surrounded by the forest and mountain views and offers a silent digital detox experience. That’s right, no talking at all, there are literally staff employed to tell you to be quiet! The spa also offers a hot and cold thermal journey, as well as steam rooms, saunas and many relaxation rooms. If you’re feeling extra bougie you can book in for a massage. During peak months you can be looking at paying around 180CAD for the experience, so make sure to spend the whole day there.
Horseback Riding:
If you’ve got your own transport and you’re happy to get out of Whistler for the day, Pemberton is a 30-minute drive away and has lots to offer. One of my favourite activities I did here was horseback riding with Copper Cayuse Outfitters. Whether you’re a seasoned equestrian or a beginner, they will have something for you. The guides will lead you through British Columbia’s backcountry, offering local knowledge and an unforgettable experience. Pair this with a visit to The Beer Farmers brewery after and you’re set for the perfect day out.
Horseback riding in the backcountry of Pemberton, Canada
Horseriding at Copper Cayuse Outfitters in Pemberton, Canada
Axe-Throwing:
A fun date-night activity with your friends or partners whilst in Whistler is Forged Axe Throwing. For just 38CAD per person, you can enjoy an hour of learning multiple different axe throwing techniques with some fun games thrown in. I did this as part of a work party and visited Coast Mountain Brewery next door after for the perfect summers evening.
Escape Rooms:
One final activity worth mentioning, especially if you’re in a group or find it to be unfortunately raining during your time in Whistler, is to spend a few hours at Escape! Whistler. They have 6 themed rooms to choose from, where you’ll be presented with puzzles and riddles to try and escape. You can play from anywhere between 2-6 people and spend around 45 minutes in each room. Each room is ranked based on how difficult it is. The prices start from 40CAD per person per room, but decrease depending on how many of you there are. I would highly recommend this if you’re looking for a rainy-day activity.
Other activities:
There is still so much more that Whistler has to offer during summer which I simply haven’t mentioned because I did not get round to doing. If you’re a fan of golf, there are multiple courses including Whistler Golf Club, Nicklaus North Golf Course and the Fairmont Chateau Golf Course. If you’re tired of being on the ground and fancy exploring Whistler by air, Harbour Air offer scenic tours as well as direct flights to other locations in British Columbia. Finally, if you want to hit the water, Whistler Jet Boating have many tours on offer.
Don’t forget, if some of these activities are slightly out of your price range, you can check out my Budget-friendly version of the blog here. And if Summer isn’t your thing and you much prefer the cold, a winter version of both blogs will be live soon!
HEY, I’M LOZ!
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This is an insight into the life of a girl who likes to get lost. I write about all things travel and the outdoors. If you like my content please subscribe and if you really like it, please buy me a coffee so I can continue making content for you!