Our Best Things to do in Whistler in the Summer

Whistler is well known for its winter activities; it is the world-class ski resort that hosted the Winter Olympics in 2010 after all! However, what many people don’t realize is just how much there is to do in Whistler in the summer. No matter your pleasure, Whistler has so much to offer every kind of traveler.

Whistler in the summer for the thrill-seekers:

If you’re the kind of person that is always seeking that next adrenaline rush, you’ve come to the right place. Whistler has a plethora of activities that will get the wind rushing through your hair and your heart racing.

If height and speed are your friends, then you’re going to get on just fine with Ziptrek Eco Tours. Home to the longest zipline in North America, this is a favorite for locals and visitors alike. Ziptrek has a range of different tours to accommodate for all tastes. If you’re a first-time zipper that wants to take things slow, the Bear Tour offers a menu that includes 5 introductory ziplines and 4 treetop bridges! This option is perfect for families and group tours. Additionally, the Eagle and Mammoth Tours are great for intermediate zippers that are still looking for a kick.

For the ultimate ziplining experience, we recommend the Sasquatch®, the biggest zipline in North America. You can enjoy maximum speeds of well over 100km/h throughout your supersonic flight above the forests of Whistler. Spanning over 2 kilometers, few activities compare to the views and pure exhilaration that The Sasquatch® offers. If you choose the combo you can also enjoy a trip on the Peak2Peak gondola where you will experience panoramic views from the largest suspended gondola in the world. The combo offers ultimate bragging rights for the thrill-seeking traveler!

Other activities perfect for thrill-seekers include bungee jumping and mountain biking. If horse riding is your thing, then you may also be interested in our Echo Valley Ranch & Whistler Resort trip.

Whistler in the summer for the chill-seekers:

For those looking to slow down and take a moment for themselves, there’s no better place than the Scandinave Spa. You can expect a calming haven of relaxation pools, steam huts, and waterfalls, all seamlessly nestled in Whistler’s forest landscape. The Scandinave Spa is based on the Scandinavian tradition of hydrotherapy, a technique that’s been used to revive the body and mind for hundreds of years. The technique features hot-cold-relax cycles. First, the hot bath will raise your body temperature, opening your pores and releasing tension. A cooling pool filled with purified brisk water energizes you and closes your pores. This is followed by a relaxation station which allows your body to regulate back to its equilibrium, and your mind to be enveloped by the calming atmosphere. The spa has a no-phones and no-talking policy, there are no distractions from well-being here. As you meander along the heated walkways, with the focus remaining on yourself, your mind will unclutter, fostering a tranquil state that you may not have felt for some time. Once you’ve finished your time in the spa, we recommend grabbing a bite to eat from the bistro. The food is delicious, and you will likely feel that you need an intermediary step before leaving this tranquil sanctuary.

Other travelers may enjoy calming experiences in nature, such as freshwater fishing, yoga by one of Whistler’s many lakes or walks along the forest trails.

Whistler in the summer for the foodies:

Foodies can relish in the fact that there’s a fantastic menu of delicious options waiting to be explored. No matter your taste, you won’t go hungry here!

Featuring in the 2019 Where to Dine Awards, Araxi is the place to go for fine dining in the village. You can expect great service, an outstanding wine list, and food so good that you’ll savor every bite. A visit to Araxi isn’t complete without sampling some fresh Oysters from the in-house Oyster bar. Whether you’re dropping in for an afternoon on the patio or you’re in pursuit of a delightful evening where the food remains front and center, Araxi is the place to go.

For dining at altitude we recommend heading to Christine’s at the top of Blackcomb Mountain for an elevated experience of taste and scenery. Your dining experience begins with a ride in the Blackcomb Gondola. In just over ten minutes you will ascend to 1860metres above sea level and arrive at the Rendezvous Lodge where Christine’s is located. The restaurant has spectacular panoramic views of the valley, and it’s got the food to match! You can expect some of the best food local to BC, a fantastic wine list, and incredible service.

A food tasting tour is a perfect option for the traveler who wants it all. Our local guides can customize the perfect evening for you where you will experience mouth-watering menus at a range of award-winning restaurants. The perfectly balanced pairings will get a taste infusion dancing on your palette! One of our most popular stops is a visit to the largest wine cellar in Whistler, home to over 15,000 bottles, where you can learn to saber champagne in style. If you’re looking for an exquisite and entertaining evening with variety, this option is for you.

Foodies may also enjoy our mouth-watering blog on the Top Five Canadian Food Destinations.

Whistler in the summer for the sightseers:

Few excursions bring the wow-factor quite as much like a helicopter ice-caving experience. The day begins in a helicopter ride over spectacular peaks towards Canada’s southernmost ice fields. Once your experienced pilot lands, it’s time for your guide to show you around the area. After this brief orientation of the rugged landscape, it’s time to visit your first ice cave. From the outside, the ice cave looks like a black cavern in the earth. However, as you enter deeper into the depths of the cave, your eyes will adjust, and you’ll begin to appreciate the spectacular glassy blue ice walls surrounding you. Expect fascinating knowledge from your guide about how these caves were formed and what their role is in the landscape. One incredible aspect of these tours is that they are created bespoke for you, guests in the pasts have made the most of the ice fields by also snowmobiling and snow biking. If you wish to combine fine dining with your sightseeing excursion, then you may also consider an ice cave dining experience where your food will be prepared by a professional and experienced local chef.

For keen sight-seers Whistlers Cloudraker Skybridge, a thrilling skywalk spanning 130metres from Whistler’s Peak to the West Ridge, is also a definite must. If you’re looking for a trip that includes ample prime sight-seeing opportunity then you may also consider our Whistler and Clayoquot Adventure, which includes two float-plane journeys with unrivaled views across BC. For those who like to travel in style, our luxury travel ideas & experiences blog is sure to get your inspiration flying.

Whistler in the summer for the bikers:

For cyclists that like it on or off-road, Whistler’s got you covered. For those that lean towards a fatter tire, Whistler’s mountain bike park holds the title as the biggest, and best, bike park in the world. Whether you’re a novice trying out your first mountain trail or an expert ready to jump through those tree gaps, Whistler has something for every experience level. If you would like to view some of the best mountain bikers in the world perform on a spectacular circuit of banked turns and jumps, then the world-renowned Crankworx Mountain Biking Festival in August is for you. Accommodation during these events is hard to come by, so get in touch for a booking with insider knowledge.

If road biking is more your style, hop on and get involved as Whistler’s road network is great for cyclists looking to roll on smooth tarmac. From gentle rides from the village to the Olympic park to more grueling climbs from Joffre Lake to nearby Pemberton, there are popular routes that are great for beginners and experts alike.

Whistler in the summer for water-sports enthusiasts:

Whistler is surrounded by lakes and rivers that make for the perfect environment for the water sports enthusiast, from novice to expert.

For gentle water explorers, we suggest a canoe tour down the River of Golden Dreams. Perfect for families, this meandering tour will have you learning proper paddling techniques and experiencing nature at its most calm. We recommend opting for a Canadian canoe for an authentic Canadian experience!

For those that love having the wind rushing through their hair, jet boating is a fantastic way to go. Expect high speeds and 360 turns by your experienced pilot as you jet up Green River to the spectacular Nairn Falls. Regular wildlife sightings include bears, deer, and eagles, so make sure you keep an eye out!

Whistler in the summer for the golfers:

Golf Digest rated Whistler as Canada’s number one golfing location, and with four world-class golf courses nestled in a beautiful mountainous area, it’s easy to see why!

Nicklaus North was designed by arguably the greatest golfer of all time, Jack Nicklaus, and you can tell! This challenging course features 18 holes in a stunning location just off the shores of Green Lake, and it’s perfectly maintained from tee to green. Don’t forget to check out Table Nineteen Lakeside Eatery after your round for some of the best patio views in Whistler.

According to Arnold Palmer, designer of Whistler Golf Course and one of the most charismatic professional golfers of all time, “Three things make a great golf course: scenery, challenge and fun; and my course at Whistler has them all”. You’ll hear no arguing from us! From the great service to the accessible location, just a few minutes’ walk from the village, you can see why it’s Whistler’s most-played golf course.

The Fairmont Chateau Golf Club has a catalog of awards to its name, and with good reason. Elevation changes of over 400 feet across a range of varied terrain make for an interesting course with new impressive features around every corner. If you’re staying at the Fairmont the commute from room to tee couldn’t be easier! Love staying at Fairmont? Us too! Download our For The Love Of Fairmont itinerary and have a look at one of our favorite trips.

For a change in scenery, Big Sky Golf Club just down the road in Pemberton is a fantastic option. This course is the longest of Whistler’s four golf courses, and it sprawls beneath the looming and spectacular Mount Currie. If you’re looking for some tips the Big Sky academy is one of Canada’s top teaching facilities and is a valuable golfing resource for novices and experts alike.

 

Whistler in the summer:

Whistler in the summer has it all! If you liked this blog then you’ll be interested in downloading our Whistler Summer Fun itinerary, it’s a fantastic adventure! If you’d like to find out more, fill out our quick plan your trip form, or call us toll-free on: 1-888-999-6556. Luxury group tours, in particular, will also love this resort haven!