Things to do in Whistler

While Whistler does not quite compare with larger Canadian cities for cultural attractions, it still has plenty to offer visitors in the way of things to do and see. Aside from a variety of historical buildings that epitomise the city’s rich heritage, Whistler has spas, some great natural parks and a good selection of museums and art galleries. A number of companies also offer guided tours of the city, taking in its key sights.

Whistler Gondola

The Whistler Mountain Gondola rises 1,800 metres above sea level in 20 spectacular minutes, with epic views of snow-capped mountains along the way. At the top, you can enjoy mountaintop dining or for the more adventurous, explore the 45kms plus of hiking trails. The views are stunning, so get your camera ready. Phone: +1 604 905 2252.

Whistler/Blackcomb Mountain

Two mountains, Whistler and Blackcomb, rise a mile out upwards of the valley and cover over 2,800 hectares of prime mountain terrain including 12 alpine bowls, three glaciers and more than 200 marked trails. Thirty-three state-of-the-art lifts deliver an hourly lift capacity of 59,000 skiers to a skiable terrain covering 2,863 hectares, and the highest lift accessed elevation is 2,284m. A helicopter service from the top of the mountain gives access to a further 100 runs on nearby glaciers. 

There are cafeterias and gift shops on the peak as well as a licensed restaurant. The cafeteria and gift shop are near the peak, and the licensed restaurant is worth the gondola trip even if you're not skiing, as the view is spectacular and the food respectable. Both mountains also have bowls and glade skiing, with Blackcomb offering glacier skiing well into August. Phone: +1 604 932 3434.

Function Junction

Located south of Whistler, Function Junction is often considered the blue-collar area of Whistler. However, the area is not just home to excavation companies and a cement plant. Function Junction boasts a wide variety of antique shops, second-hand stores, design studios and art galleries. The area is known for its eclectic mix of people and it is a great place to explore the ‘real’ Whistler.

Adventure Zone

Frequented by families and children, the Adventure Zone is open throughout the summer, from the beginning of June until the first week of September. There are a number of fun activities including horseback rides, mini-golf, luge, climbing centre, maze, big-bounce trampoline and more.

Garibaldi Provincial Park

Garibaldi Provincial Park is a favourite destination for outdoor enthusiasts. It offers a variety of hiking opportunities, allowing you to enjoy blossoming alpine meadows, wildlife viewing and alpine flowers blooming in lush meadows. Hikes here range from a few hours to a few days, with the use of maps and compasses essential. 

Garibaldi Park has an interesting geological background, as it was created by volcanic action, which formed many of the park’s peaks; Black Tusk, Price Mountain, The Table, Mount Garibaldi, Cinder Cone and the Glacier Pikes, to name just a few. Lava from Clinker Peak was responsible for the formation of The Barrier. Behind this natural dam, the 300m deep Garibaldi Lake was formed. Phone: +1 604 898 3678.

Meadow Park Sports Centre

Meadow Park Sports Centre is Whistler's full-service local community recreation centre. Get a workout in aerobics, bodybuilding, yoga and personal weight training. There's also ice skating and ice hockey, with facilities open and available to visitors and locals alike. Swimming facilities include a 25-metre, six-lane swimming pool with a sauna, hot tub, ape-swing, eight foot slide and basketball net. There's a children’s pool with water playgrounds and a small outdoor water park. Get to Meadow Park Sports Centre by Alpine Meadows or Emerald Estates bus routes. The buses stop at the front door. Phone: +1 604 935 7529.

Parkhurst

Before Whistler became famous, there was a logging community in the area, called Parkhurst. It is now a ghost town and visitors can come to see the remnants of houses and skeletons of machinery. People usually take a picnic lunch when visiting Parkhurst.

Whistler Farmers' Market

The Whistler Farmers’ Market is located outdoors at Whistler's Upper Village, alongside the Chateau Whistler Hotel, near the base of Blackcomb Mountain. The market is open on Sundays from 11:00 to 16:00, from June until October. There is plenty to do and see, and wonderful fresh food and produce for sale from local people.

Museums

Whistler is home to some fascinating museums and art galleries that display the city’s historical and artistic past. The Whistler Museum offers an intriguing look at the history of the Whistler and Pemberton Valleys. There are exhibits chronicling the area's early settlement by British immigrants in the late 1800s as well as studies of the area's native tribes and wildlife. Exhibits include the façade of a Trapper's Cabin and a freeze-dried Western Hoary Marmot, the symbol of Whistler. Slide presentations and bus tours of the valley are also available.

The BC Mining site was built in 1905 and was the biggest copper mine in British Colombia. Over the years, Britannia Beach and the mine encountered a number of serious disasters. So, in 1974, the mine was shut down permanently. The BC Museum of Mining was first opened to the public in 1975, and in 1988 it was declared a National Historic site. It has also become a popular location for the filming of TV series and movies.

The Path Gallery showcases beautiful artwork selected from the Pacific Northwest, created by First Nations artists. Fantastic totem poles, jewellery, masks, carved panels, paddles and drums are on display. Whistler's oldest gallery, the Whistler Village Art Gallery in the Delta Whistler Resort, exhibits contemporary Canadian and international paintings, sculpture and glass in an elegant and comfortable setting. A tradition of exhibiting some of Canada's finest sculptural pieces continues with the recent opening of The Whistler Inuit Gallery at the new Westin Resort and Spa.