Summer Activities in Whistler

With so much to do in the summer in Whistler you will run out of time before you run out of activities. Here is a list of some of our favourites on the water, in the air and on the ground.

On the Water

White Water Rafting

In winter in Whistler we pray for snow and every year, Ullr, grants our wishes so that we can enjoy some big mountain skiing but we also pray for snow for another reason, white water rafting. The more it snows, the more melt water from the mountains rushes down creating some of the best white water rafting anywhere. Get your adrenaline going riding one of 4 rivers, Green, Lower Cheakamus, Elaho and Squamish. Don’t worry if you are not an expert, there are certified guides that help navigate you and your crew through rocks, rapids, jetty’s and waterfalls. Come and experience white water rafting Whistler style.

Location

There are three company’s that run White Water Rafting Tours; Wedge Rafting and The Adventure Group which are both located in Whistler and Sunwolf which is located in Squamish. All three companies run all the different rivers so depending on your ability level or need for adrenaline there is a package that will fit you and your loved ones.

Jet Boating

If having an engine instead of a paddle is more of your thing, check out Whistler Whitewater Jet Boat Tours where you can ride the river rapids in a powerful jet boat along the Green River to Nairn Falls. Get your heat beating as it navigates all the river bend of old growth forests in one of BC protected provincial wetlands. Pass by waterfalls, snowcap peaks all while travelling through powerful rapids, one after another.

Location

The Jetboating Tour base is located at the Meadows at Pemberton Golf Course located 25 minutes north in Pemberton BC. The tour itself takes about an hour but I would leave extra time to explore this amazing town located at the base of 8,000 ft Mount Currie.

Canoeing/ Kayaking/ SUP

What is having fun on water without going back to your roots. Canoeing and kayaking are two classics that allow people of any age and ability the opportunity to hit the open waters. Rent a vessel and spend the day on one of our many lakes or head down the River of Golden Dreams.

Location

There are two companies that run tours with canoes, kayaks and stand up paddleboards. Whistler Eco Tours (WET), and Backroads Whistler. You can set out on a solo adventure or take a guide. You can even rent a SUP for a morning yoga class on the water.

In the Air

Peak to Peak & Suspension Bridge

The Peak to Peak Gondola is one of Whistler Blackcomb’s engineering marvels with it spanning over 4.4kms with only 4 towers that support the entire lift. It hold Guinness World Records for longest unsupported lift span in the world and is still the highest point above ground at 436 meters. If you are looking for stunning views and access to some of the best alpine hiking in summer then the P2P Experience is for you. While you are up there you can also explore the new Suspension Bridge that just opened. This family fun adventure is included in your P2P ticket and can be found at the top of the Peak Chair. The bridge spans over 130m from the Whistler Peak to West Ridge, while you are up there take advantage of the hiking trails, maybe you will come across a Marmot, the animal Whistler was named after.

Location

The Peak 2 Peak Gondola is atop Whistler Mountain. You simply take the Whistler Gondola up to the Roundhouse and board there. The ride takes 11 minutes one way, you can get off on Blackcomb and check out the surrounding areas and head back to Whistler. If you wait, you can even ride in one of the two glass bottom cabins where you can see views from below. The Suspension bridge can be found at the top of the Peak Chair. Children 40″ or taller are allowed to experience the suspension bridge.

Floatplane Sightseeing Tour

If you really want to get above the clouds why not take flight with Harbour Air. Take off on Green Lake and take one of 5 tours where you can explore Whistler Valley or set out to the glaciers. You can even land on a remote Alpine Lake where you can eat lunch among hanging blue glaciers, waterfalls and awe-inspiring backdrops.

Location

You can board the plane at Nicklaus North Golf Course which is only 3 minutes north of Whistler Village. Take off on Green Lake as you fly past the golf courses signature hole. You wont be disappointed in the views you will see from the sky, definitely a must.

Ziplining

If you are more into soaring through the ski attached to a harness then you should check out Ziplining. There are a few companies that offer this experience in Whistler, The Adventure Group (TAG) and Ziptrek. TAG offers Superfly Zipline which has some of the world’s most spectacular ziplines, you get to soar through BC’s backcountry 600 feet up in the air next to your soaring partner. Superfly has all tandem ziplines so you get to enjoy the exhilarating feeling of soaring through the air over Cougar Mountain with your friend or family side by side! Ziptrek offers the Bear and Eagle Tour and is also home to the longest zipline in North America – The Sasquatch. The line spans from Blackcomb to Whistler and boasts a distance of over 2kms at 7,000 feet. Do you have what it takes to ride the Sasquatch?

Location

The Adventure Group is located in Cougar Mountain and Ziptrek is located on Whistler Blackcomb. Both companies have offices in the village and offer a shuttle to get you where all the action starts. TAG offers several different activities that you can combine with your zipline adventure if you want to make a day out of it.

On The Ground

Golfing in Whistler

Whistler has some of the best golf you can find anywhere. There are five courses in the area that boost some pretty amazing accolated. Nicklaus North was designed by none other than Jack Nicklaus himself. The Golden Bear has only completed three signature designs in Canada and this is one of them. Fairmont Chateau is mountain golf at it’s finest. Carved right into the mountain Fairmont Chateau has loads of elevated tees, wildlife, incredible vistas and a handful of nerve racking approach shots. The last course located in Whistler is Whistler Golf which is located just steps from the Crystal Lodge. This was Arnold Palmer first Canadian design and is home to truly Whistler brand of golf.

Big Sky is located 25 minutes north of Whistler in Pemberton BC and is considered one of BC’s premiere public golf courses. This Robert Cupp design is a links style course that sits beneath 8,000 foot Mount Currie. Their bent grass fairway, tees and greens have put them up there as one of the best conditioned facilities in BC. Just north of Vancouver on the Sea to Sky Highway is Furry Creek. This is one of BC most scenic golf courses, it is more of a golf course that one experiences with its adventurous style and layout it will be sure to keep you on your toes.

Location

There are three courses in Whistler; Nicklaus North, Fairmount Chateau and Whistler Golf. Big Sky is located in Pemberton which is just a short 25 minute drive north of Whistler. Furry Creek is located south of Squamish, around an hour north of the city. If you are looking at hitting the links, our Sea to Sky Golf Getaway Package is just what you need.

Photo Credit: Justa Jeskova | TW

Vallea Lumina

New to Whistler is the Lumina night walks in the Cougar Moutains with The Adventure Group (TAG). What it exactly is it you ask? Well legends speak of a long-lost trail that leads to a secret valley. Join a twilight expedition to explore its mysterious beauty.

The Adventure Group has teamed up with Moment Factory, a global leader in video, lighting, sound and special effects will bring Whistler’s forests to life this summer with a brand new Lumina experience. They will literally bring the forest alive with multimedia to create a world filled with adventure and enchantment. Vallea Lumina is a 1.5 km pathway through an old-growth forest that will take visitors of all ages on an hour-long night walk in pursuit of hidden wonders, telling a story that unfolds in chapters along the way.

Location

The tour takes place in the Cougar Mountains just north of Whistler Village. You will check in at TAG headquarters in the village and a shuttle will take you to and from the adventure. This is a great family adventure that starts at just $29. Let your imagination come to life.

Biking in Whistler

Biking in Whistler has quickly become the biggest summer sport with over 300 miles of singletrack trails as well as the world renowned Whistler Blackcomb Bike Park. Whistler Village and surrounding areas are connected by the Valley Trail system which spans the entire 20kms from Function Junction to Emerald allowing plenty of cruising and exploring for the entire family. Spend the day on a road bike or cross country biking on a number of trails throughout the Whistler area or spend the day in the bike park, whatever option you choose, get ready to have the best time you can on two wheels.

Location

Whistler is full of bike trails that span from Function Junction to Emerald. Download TrailForks to get an idea of where each trail starts and finishes. Don’t forget to plan out your day because some of the rides are not for the faint at heart. If you decide to spend the day in the bike park, it is just steps from the Crystal Lodge and our Bike Park Package can help you get into the park faster.

Whistler is full of adventure no matter the time of year. Summer brings with it amazing warm weather and activities that will get your adrenaline pumping not matter if you are on in the water, in the air or on the ground, Whistler has it all. To book your stay in Whistler irhg at the centre of it all, call our friendly In-House Reservations Team at 1.800.667.3363 or email [email protected]

photo credit – Mike Crane | TW