Whistler Leisure

Given its climate and mountains, winter sports feature prominently on the sport calendar in Whistler. All kinds of skiing and snow sports are on offer, while golf and fishing are popular in the short summers.

Skiing

Explore an incredible 3,277 hectares of skiable terrain on the two mountains, a huge eight kilometre downhill swoop, 12 high-speed quads and three gondolas. Whistler offers great runs on Blackcomb Glacier, rivalling the best in the Alps, while the eight kilometre swoop to Whistler is one of the longest in North America. The longest run on both mountains is 11kms long.

On a yearly basis, Whistler holds World Cup Ski and Snowboard races at the beginning of the season, while Blackcomb holds the World Freestyle competition in January. These are both impressive events and if you are around, they are well worth watching.

Mountain biking

Whistler is world-famous for its mountain biking. There are hundreds of mountain bike trails throughout the Whistler Valley area. Some have a technical edge, while others offer forested views and mountain scenery that are stunning. There are more than 160kms of single-track trails and over 80kms of double-track trails available to everyone, all of which are free to use. The Valley Trail is Whistler's 30kms paved pedestrian / bicycle route. It links parks, beaches, neighbourhoods and playgrounds with Whistler Village. It's popular with cyclists, strollers, walkers, dogs, families and even healthy, environmentally-friendly commuters.

Golf

Whistler is home to several award-winning golf courses, designed by famous golfing legends such as Jack Nicklaus. Courses are generally open May through October, depending on the weather. Whistler's courses follow nature's design. Drive sculpted fairways flanked by snow-capped mountain peaks or take an approach shot surrounded by tranquil, glacial lakes.

Hiking

There are a number of hiking trails in and around Whistler. For the casual walker looking for a pleasant walk through an ancient wood of cedar trees, Cougar Mountain provides an easy one-hour loop. More aggressive day hikers might head to Brandywine Meadows, a 6-hour trip up much steeper terrain. Multi-day backpackers also have a variety of options including the Helm Creek trail to Garibaldi Creek and the Black Tusk. The ski lifts and gondolas of Whistler Blackcomb operate in the summer to offer hikers a relaxing short cut into the back country.