A Laid-Back Summer, Whistler Style
Story By Dee Raffo | Images by Joern Rohde
Whistler might be best known for its high-energy, adrenaline-pumping sports, but it also has a quieter, calmer side. A laid-back summer trip to Whistler invites you to explore at a slower pace with a greater connection to the stunning natural wonders around you.
Sightsee on Whistler Blackcomb, using its three-gondola lift connection to explore not one, but two mountains. Connected by the record-breaking Peak 2 Peak Gondola, sightseeing on the mountains here takes you to another world. Revel in panoramic views of the Coast Mountains as you sip on something cool and refreshing from one of the on-mountain lodges. Choose one of the hiking routes to a fresh alpine lake and dip your toes or stroll along a meadow trail bursting with the purply reds of fireweed, the vibrant reds of paintbrush and yellows of arnica. whistlerblackomb.com
If you’re looking for mindful relaxation, marvel at the incredible architecture of the Audain Art Museum (AAM) as you realign your body and mind at their outdoor Saturday morning yoga session. Registration includes access to the museum for the day so you can peruse the works of some well-known British Columbia artists and international masters in their visiting exhibitions. audainartmuseum.com
The AAM is one of the six institutions featured along the Cultural Connector, including the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre and the Maury Young Arts Centre, the home of Arts Whistler. You can download the free Go Whistler Tours app to see all the stops and other curated, self-guided walks in Whistler. whistler.com
Take a stroll to explore the many trails at Lost Lake. You may catch sight of some of the local wildlife, or you might see steam rising from the lush forest.
The Scandinave Spa, tucked away among the trees on the edge of Lost Lake Park, is an oasis of relaxation. Feel the benefits of a thermal journey as you cycle through hot, cold and relaxing experiences in the spa’s saunas, steam rooms, hot pools, Nordic showers and cold plunges. Sway gently in a hammock, or relax by the outdoor fireplaces, let your mind wander and feel the tension slip away in this device-free, silent place of tranquillity.
scandinave.com/whistler
Other Whistler residents know the value of spending time smelling the flowers (well, eating them). Whistler has around 50 resident black bears; the best and safest way to see them is on a bear-viewing sightseeing tour. These guided tours allow you to ask all the questions you want about Whistler’s abundant wildlife, as well as flora and fauna, while someone else is driving. whistler.com/activities
As the sun sets behind the mountains and the alpenglow throws its spectacular colours across the sky, it’s time to paddle. A twilight tour down the River of Golden Dreams is when the animals come out to play. See what you can spot in the water or along the shore as you cruise down a river frequented by beavers, otters and bears.
Celebrate the day on one of Whistler’s sunny patios, watching the hustle and bustle of the Village pass you by. Slightly further afield, you can watch float planes land on Green Lake from the restaurant patio at the Nicklaus North Golf Course, or see paddleboarders meander across the waters of Nita Lake from the restaurant patio at Nita Lake Lodge.
And if, just like those two settlers more than 100 years ago, you want to feel the nibble of rainbow trout on a line, you can do that too. Laid-back Whistler is about taking it all in this summer.