Top Things to Do in Whistler, BC

Whistler is a mountain town that wears seasons like outfits: snow underfoot for half the year and wildflower meadows the rest.

Whether you arrive from Vancouver to Whistler by car, shuttle, or on a trip that began with a flight into Vancouver, you will find a compact, pedestrian village at the heart of it all with quick access to Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains, and neighbourhoods where homes in Whistler sit within steps of cafés, trails, and lifts.

The town is built for outdoor adventure and quieter pleasures alike, so this guide covers winter sport essentials, summer and year-round highlights, cultural stops, all-age options, places to recharge, where to eat and drink, and the unique experiences that make a Whistler vacation memorable.

Skiing and snowboarding on Whistler Blackcomb are the headline acts. The two mountains offer terrain for beginners through expert skiers and snowboarders, lift systems that reach alpine bowls, and signature runs that skiers and snowboarders travel from around the world to ride. Plan lift access and lesson booking in advance during peak winter weeks to secure the best options.

If you want something quieter than the lifts, snowshoeing and guided winter hikes open up the quieter alpine forests and lakes near Whistler Village and the Valley Trail. Snowmobiling tours take you into the backcountry for sweeping, panoramic views and a different kind of high-adrenaline ride in the Whistler area.

For a low-commitment thrill, tubing and community ice skating rinks in and around the heart of the village give easy, safe ways to play in the snow.

Après-ski in Whistler follows a recognizable rhythm: easy daytime runs, followed by casual pubs or live music at places in the pedestrian village and Upper Village. Many hotels and bars around the village host live music in the evenings, and a warm hot tub or a soak at a spa rounds out an active winter day. 

Whistler in the summer becomes a mountain playground for hikers, mountain bikers, and paddlers. The Whistler Mountain Bike Park is a world-class destination for lift-access downhill riding, with dozens of trail options and lessons for riders who want to progress safely. Riders come from across Canada and beyond to experience the bike park and its trail network.

Hiking trails around Whistler range from short lakeside loops to multi-hour alpine ridgelines. The Valley Trail links lakes and neighbourhoods for calm, car-free walks and easy bike rides, which makes exploring Whistler by pedal or foot straightforward and scenic. Many guided glacier and sightseeing excursions run year-round, and the Peak 2 Peak gondola offers a short, dramatic ride that shows Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains from the mountain top.

Golf courses near Whistler take advantage of alpine settings for panoramic holes and longer summer playing seasons. For water lovers, lakes around Whistler, including Alta Lake, Nita Lake, and others, offer swimming, stand-up paddleboarding, and relaxed shoreline days that are a different kind of Whistler summer enjoyment.

If you are visiting Whistler in summer, book popular activities and any hotel in Whistler early, since summer weekends fill up quickly.

Art and culture are critical parts of Whistler’s character. The Audain Art Museum houses a strong collection of British Columbia art, including notable works by Emily Carr and First Nations masterpieces that place local art in a wider provincial context. The museum programs rotating exhibitions and events that are worth scheduling into a shorter trip to Whistler.

The Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre is a local cultural centre that shares the living history and contemporary artists of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and Líl̓wat7úl (Lil’wat) Nations. Exhibits, performances, and food here give visitors a respectful window into Indigenous cultures rooted in the Sea to Sky region. Smaller galleries, community theatres, and seasonal live performances in Whistler Village round out rainy-day or evening plans.

Whistler is unusually good at mixing adult pursuits with kid-friendly options. Beginner hiking trails and family adventure zones, like alpine playgrounds served by lift rides or short gondola trips, let younger visitors experience mountain time without long treks.

The Train Wreck trail is an easy, short walk that ends at colorful train cars and a suspension bridge, which many families find memorable and very manageable.

Lakeside fun around the Valley Trail includes picnic spots, small beaches, and calm water for swimming and paddling. Many zipline operators offer beginner so kids and adults can ride together with professional guides.

For rainy days, indoor attractions, kid-oriented museum programs, and scheduled workshops at the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre provide options that let families keep moving even when the weather is not ideal.

Scandinave Spa sits in a quiet forest a few minutes from the village and offers hydrotherapy pools, steam rooms, and wood-fired saunas. Most guests book a massage, then move through hot-cold-rest cycles while birdsong replaces conversation, since silence is part of the experience.

If you prefer to stay close to your room, both the Spa at Nita Lake Lodge and the Four Seasons Resort Spa provide deep-tissue treatments, facials, and tranquil lounges with mountain views. Local studios like YYoga Whistler and Yogacara schedule gentle classes year-round, and many hotels run sunrise stretch sessions on patios when the weather is clear.

Nature is its own spa here. A slow walk along the Valley Trail to Lost Lake Park or Rainbow Park gives you sun on the water, picnic tables, and the option to dip into calm, glacier-fed lakes. For a different kind of reset, ride the Peak 2 Peak gondola in the late afternoon and pause at the Skybridge lookout. The thinner crowds and broad alpine views have a way of clearing the mind before an easy descent back into the village.

Fine dining anchors the village core. Araxi Restaurant + Oyster Bar is a long-time favourite for Pacific Northwest seafood, while Bearfoot Bistro pairs creative tasting menus with a sub-zero vodka ice room if you want a novelty nightcap. Drop by Alta Bistro for a cozy dinner built around whatever BC farmers are harvesting that week; the kitchen leans on French technique without feeling fussy. A short walk away, Il Caminetto refreshes Italian favorites by folding in local mushrooms, seafood, and house-made pasta.

Casual spots are plentiful for quick refuels. Purebread draws morning crowds for pastries and strong coffee, and Mount Currie Coffee Company pours reliable espresso with mountain views. For hearty comfort food, Peaked Pies serves Australian-style meat pies that travel well on a hike, and La Cantina’s tacos are an easy après-ski grab.

Whistler also excels at lively après and craft beverages. Garibaldi Lift Co. (GLC) at the base of Whistler Mountain sets the tone with patio views of skiers coasting home. The Raven Room mixes thoughtful cocktails in the Pan Pacific lobby, and nearby Coast Mountain Brewing and Whistler Brewing Company pour small-batch beers that showcase Sea to Sky ingredients.

Whatever your taste, the compact village layout makes it simple to wander between upscale dining, cozy cafés, and relaxed bars in a single evening.

A ride on the Peak 2 Peak gondola is one of the most iconic activities in the region. The gondola links Whistler and Blackcomb and gives a short, dramatic suspension ride with panoramic mountain views that are hard to beat. Whether you want a quick sightseeing trip or to use it as a gateway to alpine hiking, the Peak 2 Peak experience sits near the top of most visit Whistler lists.

Seasonal festivals, from music weeks to food and wine events, add cultural layers to a trip to Whistler. Wildlife tours, responsible Indigenous cultural experiences, and guided glacier or heli tours provide distinct local perspectives that are different from casual trail exploring.

If you want to extend the Sea to Sky experience, combine Whistler with a stop at the Sea to Sky Gondola near Squamish or a short detour to the Train Wreck trail for a different view of the region’s history and landscape.

Whistler Transit buses loop between the Village, Upper Village, Creekside, and most neighbourhoods, and day passes are inexpensive. The Valley Trail is a paved, multi-use path perfect for walking, biking, or rental e-scooters, so many visitors skip driving altogether in peak season.

Book lift tickets and lodging early, especially for holiday weeks, and aim to load the gondolas by 8:15 a.m. to beat the main rush. Mid-week stays often mean shorter lines and easier dinner reservations, and the Whistler Blackcomb app shows real-time lift status and snow reports.

Late January through early March typically brings the deepest snow base and consistent powder, while April offers sunnier weather and spring deals. Early openings in late November can be quieter, but terrain stays limited until natural snowfall builds.

Whistler in the summer swaps skis for hiking boots and bike tires, with daytime highs around 72 °F in July. Bring breathable layers, a light rain shell for quick showers, swimwear for alpine lakes, and remember sunscreen for high-altitude UV.

Drive south to the Sea to Sky Gondola in Squamish for coastal mountain views or north to Pemberton’s farm stands and hot springs, each about 40 minutes away. Both routes add context to Whistler’s setting and give a change of pace without long travel times.

The Scandinave Spa’s hydrotherapy circuit, benches at Lost Lake Park, and quiet afternoons at the Audain Art Museum all offer easy escapes. Many hotel lounges in the Village feature fireplaces or live music, so it’s simple to enjoy mountain ambiance without ski gear.