The charming mountain town of Whistler is known worldwide as a premier ski destination, but our favourite time of year has to be the summer. It’s a great place to stay as part of a western Canada road trip, with an array of unique experiences that you’ll only be able to enjoy in Whistler. Here is our roundup …

Head for the hills

The Peak-2-Peak Gondola is a record-breaking longest continuous lift system in the world, and boasts the highest point above the ground in a gondola at 1,430 feet. Marvel at the views with the landscapes changing as your ascend, allowing you to appreciate the rugged beauty of the Canadian Coast Mountains. In summer, the forest opens up to wildflower meadows, scree slopes, boulder fields and towering peaks such as the mighty Black Tusk. You can discover jewel-like hanging lakes under distant peaks and massive glaciers in ancient valleys. You also get a great view of the Village, plus watch people hiking, biking, climbing and more.

Credit: Tourism Whistler, Mark Mackay
 

Take a bear-spotting safari

Whistler is home to a diverse array of wildlife, from red-tailed hawks to coyote, mountain deer to marmots, but nothing beats catching sight of a black bear! Home to around 50 black bears, this is a great opportunity for spotting and observing these beautiful animals in their natural habitat. Keep your eye out below as you’re riding the gondolas and you may catch glimpse of a bear ambling through bushes foraging for berries, and you might also see one sharing the green with golfers on one of Whistler’s renowned golf courses. But a better chance of getting up close and learning a little more, then we suggest you join the experts for a highly recommended bear viewing tour from the comfort and safety of a 4x4. As you traverse the area’s old-growth forests, alpine meadows and waterways, expert guides will provide enlightening commentary on the bears’ biology and behaviours and insight into Whistler’s landscapes, ecology and conservation initiatives.

Credit: Tourism Whistler, Michael Allen

Hike the beautiful trails

As the snow cover starts to melt in late spring Whistler is transformed from a skier’s paradise to a hiker’s paradise. A huge network of trails and paths opens up allowing visitors to make the most of the scenic beauty. There is an amazing selection of summertime hikes in an around Whistler. Some are an easy reach in walking distance from the village and others are accessible by a short taxi or car ride. From relaxing valley strolls and short excursions through spectacular old-growth forests and waterfalls, to more challenging all-day hikes up into the alpine meadows, you’ll find there’s enough variation in distance, terrain and scenery to satisfy all tastes and abilities. A great starting point is the Valley Trail is a 40km pedestrian-only paved network of paths winding between Whistler’s various neighbourhoods, lakes and parks. The paths pass through many of Whistler’s spectacular lakes and golf courses, providing the perfect excuse to stop for an energising dip or enjoy a drink at a clubhouse patio enroute.

Credit: Tourism Whistler, Justa Jeskov
 

Play a-round with Jack Nicklaus

Whistler is one of North America’s premier golfing destinations, home to four world-class signature championship courses. Each one is designed by an internationally-acclaimed architect, featuring impeccable greens and fairways, stunning mountain views, state-of-the-art practice facilities and a welcoming club house for relaxation and entertainment post-round. Perhaps the highlight is the Nicklaus North Golf Club, designed by the legendary Jack Nicklaus himself. The par 71, 18-hole course stretches almost 7,000 yards encompassing bent grass greens, white sand bunkers and a dramatic backdrop of snow-capped peaks and towering fir trees. Or you could scoot straight to the very popular Table Nineteen restaurant and patio. The food features locally and ethically sourced ingredients, which you can wash down with local craft beer taps and BC wines whilst enjoying the glacier-fed lakefront setting.

Credit: Fairmont Chateau Whistler
 

Hop on your bike

One of the most popular summer pastimes in Whistler is mountain biking, with  Whistler home to North America’s largest mountain bike park, along with a huge network of cross-country trails that attracts riders from across the globe. The Whistler Mountain Bike Park is one of the best in the world, offering an incredible collection of life-serviced downhill trails. There’s something to suit bikers of all abilities, with green trails, technical double blacks, a jump and drop area and plenty more. There are also hundreds of kilometres of longer trails awaiting exploration, weaving through old-growth forests, over precipitous rock faces and past cascading waterfalls. Whether you are new to the sport or a seasoned rider looking for the next big challenge, there’s something to suit all tastes and abilities, whether it’s a mellow green trail, an advanced technical descent or a gruelling long-distance route. If you’re visiting the Bike Park for the first time, it can be hard to know where to start. Head to the Orientation Centre where the friendly guides and instructors will point you in the right direction, offering information on bike equipment, trails and riding technique. The Bike Park is divided into four distinct mountain zones: Fitzsimmons, Garbanzo, Creekside and Peak Zones, each home to an array of thrilling freeride and technical trails graded from easy to expert level.

Credit:: Tourism Whistler, Mark Mackay
 

Zip through the trees

Zip-lining offers thrill-seekers the perfect opportunity to explore Whistler’s beautiful forested valleys, creeks and rivers. Ziptrek Ecotours will lead you along a series of suspension bridges and five exhilarating zip-lines, including one heart-pounding 2,000-foot line that drops over 20 storeys. There are tours designed for all ages and abilities, which include exploring ground-based trails, navigating suspension bridges, admiring amazing views from treetop platforms and riding several zip-lines across the beautiful forested valley of Fitzsimmons Creek. One line stretches 2,000ft, dropping over 20-storeys and reaching speeds of well over 100km per hour! Friendly and informative guides will lead you through the course, ensuring you remain and feel safe at all times and offering plenty of educational insight into the impressive surrounding old-growth forest.

Credit: Eco-trek Whistler
 

Visit the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre

Whistler is located on the shared, traditional territories of the Squamish Nation and Lil’wat Nation, and you can learn all about these nations in the Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre. Two nations came together to celebrate and share their cultures with the world while creating meaningful employment opportunities for members of both the Nations - Squamish Nation Coast Salish and Lil’wat Nation Interior Salish. The Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre (SLCC) is the first centre of its kind in Canada, and is designed to evoke the form of a Squamish Longhouse and Lil’wat Istken (earthen dwelling). The SLCC embodies the spirit of partnership between two unique Nations who wish to preserve, grow, and share their traditional cultures.

Credit: Squamish Lilwat Cultural Centre, Logan