Travel Journal

Whistler is a world-class ski resort in the winter, thanks to the impressive infrastructure put in place for the Winter Olympics. However, Whistler isn’t just a winter destination. Visiting in the summer reveals a whole new side to this popular spot, transforming into a top-notch mountain biking hub. If you’ve enjoyed places like Christchurch’s Adventure Park, you’ll find Whistler even more exciting. Mountain bikers in full gear are everywhere, and high-end bike shops offer rentals for bikes and gear.

Just a 90-minute (125km) drive from Vancouver along the stunning Sea to Sky Highway, Whistler buzzes with activity during the summer. It’s like a more upscale version of Queenstown, with boutique shopping and a great selection of lively restaurants and bars for evening fun. Weekends can be particularly busy, so you might have to wait for a table at popular spots. But Whistler is a well-organised resort town, handling the influx of visitors year-round with ease. It’s definitely worth spending a night or two here if you can fit it into your schedule.

In addition to biking, Whistler boasts an extensive network of walking trails. These trails span both the valley and the summits of Whistler and Blackcomb mountains. If you have a day to explore, I recommend getting the PEAK 2 PEAK 360 Experience Day Ticket (CAF$99). This ticket allows you to travel up the lifts on either Whistler or Blackcomb mountains, take the 4.4 km Peak to Peak gondola between the two peaks, and ride the Peak Express cable car to the highest point on Whistler Mountain at 2,182 meters. From this high point, you can access the famous Inukshuk viewpoint, offering some of the best views in Canada.

The trail network on the Blackcomb side is more extensive, with routes graded like ski runs: easy, moderate, and difficult. There are short walks of an hour or less, intermediate hikes of 2-3 hours, and more challenging hikes of 3-4 hours for those with proper footwear and supplies. The signage is excellent but be sure to take plenty of water as you can dehydrate quickly at altitude. The views down to the valley, over the village, and across to Cheakamus Lake are breathtaking. Once you’ve worked up an appetite or thirst, there are cafes on both peaks where you can grab refreshments.