There are loads of great activities to do in Whistler in the summer months. It’s also a beautiful time of the year to visit! Even though this area is known for its snow and skiing, the summer is a wonderful time of the year to visit this world renowned ski town and resort. The lakes, the bears, the views, the shopping, the food and the weather are all things that make a summer vacation in the mountains a great holiday option. Here are 12 summer activities in Whistler, Canada you can do with your kids!
Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains – summer activities in Whistler
A trip up the mountain has to be one of the best summer activities in Whistler with kids.
Gondola Ride
The 25 minute ride in the gondola to the top offers superb scenic panoramas of Whistler and beyond. It’s one of the more expensive things to do, but worth it, especially if you haven’t done anything like this before. Check here for prices. There’s the opportunity to round off the trip with lunch at the Roundhouse on Whistler mountain or go a little bit up-market at Christine’s on Blackcomb.
A trip up the gondola is also a chance to squeeze in a bit of bear spotting!
Bears on the mountain
In one day we saw seven bears on the mountain and that included three very small and very cute cubs!
Seeing the bears never gets old and getting the opportunity to see them in their natural habitat makes you feel a bit warm and fuzzy inside and very very privileged. (Plus a little bit lucky!)
Walks on the top of the mountain
Once at the top of Whistler and Blackcomb there are numerous hikes you can do. However, some of the walks are a little trickier to do if you have children in buggies or pushchairs as some of the trails are a bit rocky and a bit steep.
Weather on the mountain
The top of the mountain can also be a little chillier than the temperature at the bottom, so remember to take a jumper or coat for everyone. This way you can makes sure you spend as long as you want there without getting uncomfortable.
You also need to keep an eye out for the resident Marmots that live on the mountain. It’s these little critters that gave Whistler its name because they whistle!
Peak2Peak – summer activities in Whistler
This is the gondola ride that takes you from Whistler to Blackcomb, or vice versa, and is a great way to see so many more of the wonderful views Whistler has to offer. Here is the website and prices for the Peak2Peak if you want to cost it out.
There is the option to travel in a glass bottom gondola for an extra special birds-eye-view of the forest below. The wait is usually a little longer for these, so you might want to take this into consideration if you are travelling with kids.
Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre – First Nations Museum
The museum is a great summertime activity in Whistler. It’s a lovely place to spend a few hours and learn about the Squamish and Lil’wat Nations who built the cultural centre to educate and share their history.
Look at the totems, admire the canoes, beat the drums, be welcomed by their songs, learn about the Wild Woman of the Woods and make cedar rope!
Then after all that you can do a little souvenir shopping in the gift shop and perhaps have a coffee and a cake or a spot of lunch in the Thunderbird Cafe. If you do the bread is just amazing and I have never seen or tasted anything like it before!
It really is great experience for the whole family.
Whistler Olympic Plaza Playground
This playground is in the upper village as you walk in from parking lot 4. It’s a lovely, good sized park that’s well looked after and a great way to start your village stroll.
The park is next to the Whistler Medals Plaza meaning we could fling off our shoes on those hot summer days and burn off some energy chasing each other around on the grass too.
It’s also a great spot for a toilet stop as the public loos are well tended and conveniently located.
Have a Picnic! – summer activities in Whistler
If your wanting to keep costs low, a picnic is always the way to go!
Next to the park there are plenty of picnic tables and the grassed area is perfect for relaxing with a blanket and letting the kids run about.
On the other side of the play area you will find the Market Place and at one end a good grocery store called IGA. Here you can purchase everything you need for more budget friendly day out in Whistler.
Have Your Picture taken at the Olympic Rings
Everyone does it and it’s impossible to miss it.
Walk to Lost Lake
This is a firm favourite of mine and a fabulous summer activity in Whistler. Lost Lake can be reached via the Valley Trail. To walk there from the village will take half an hour.
The walk is not arduous, however, it is stoney. Therefore hard wheeled buggies will bump about a bit and it wasn’t really practical to use my daughters scooter either.
We have seen bears on this trail before, so it’s another great opportunity to do a bit more bear watching!
Walk the Village Stroll and Go Shopping
The village stroll is such a lovely walk and I never tire of it. The stroll leads you to the bottom of Whistler mountain and is lined with restaurants, bars, coffee shops and stores of all kinds!
When in Whistler our top Canadian shops are:
1. Roots – to get our quintessential Canadian attire
2. Bear Necessities – because the kids pyjamas are just too cute, but they are a little expensive
4. David’s Tea – I love tea… and pretty much everything else this shop sells!
Personally, I really enjoy sitting on the terrace of the Garibaldi Lift Company (GLC) with a coffee, gin or Caesar (depending on what time of day it is) to watch the mountain bikers come down the mountain.
Mountain Biking – summer activities in Whistler
On our second visit to Whistler, Mark spent an afternoon navigating the bike trails on the mountain and had the time of his life!
He loves bikes and rides his road bike to work everyday so this is definitely his ‘thing’. It’s not really something i’m into as much, so i went to the GLC. I enjoyed a cup of coffee with the kids as they were a little young to join in.
However, if we were to go back this is definitely a summer activity Mark would be more than happy to do again with the kids! If this is something you would be interested here are some details you might find useful.
Kayaks, Canoes and SUPs – summer activities in Whistler
One of the loveliest ways to explore the water in and around Whistler is to hire kayaks, canoes and SUPs. Getting out on the water is definitely only something you’ll be able to do in the summer. It’s a great way to get up-close and personal with the wildlife and the views!
Family Adventure Zone
This is situated at the bottom of Blackcomb in the Upper Village and includes mini golf, carting, trampolines and batting cages. But there are always lots more going on here and a great summertime activity in Whistler.
Farmers Market – summer activities in Whistler
The Farmers Market takes place in the Upper Village on Wednesdays and Sundays. Here you can experience fresh produce and tasty treats from the Pemberton Valley, whilst enjoying street entertainment and food trucks galore!
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If you’re looking for a day out from Whistler, head north to the cowboy town of Pemberton!
I have never been there. As a nature lover, I would live to try the lost lake or trekking to the mountain. Thank you for such an useful info and stunning pics. I love it. Keep doing.
We’ve never heard of Whistler! It looks like a very laid-back place for slow travel. We’ve planned to visit Alaska in a fey years, and when we do we’ll certainly stop in Alberta and try to go to Whistler too then. We’d love to visit the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre and also enjoy the breathtaking mountain views. Thanks for sharing this!
wow! thank you so much for sharing this information. what a great insight indeed! 🙂
We love visiting Whistler, BC. It’s a gorgeous place to visit. We especially enjoy going in the shoulder season, since we’re not big ski fans. The peak to peak gondola ride sounds fun. And visiting the Squamish Lil’wat Cultura sounds like it would be a good learning experience for the family.