Let's Adventure...
No Skis or Snowboard Required
Story By Dee Raffo | Images by Joern Rohde
Image Courtesy Whistler Bungee - Photo Emily Serrell
Need a day off the slopes? Or maybe you’re not a skier or snowboarder at all. The good news is, you don’t have to be a mountain winter sports enthusiast to fall in love with Whistler in the winter.
I came to Whistler nearly two decades ago for one ski season, and although I had a great time on the slopes of Whistler Blackcomb, it’s not the only reason I stayed. I am a bit of a jack of all trades when it comes to exploration and adventure, and Whistler’s unique mix of mountain terrain, variety of activities, award-winning dining scene, and cultural happenings plays a prominent role in what keeps me here.
Let me show you another side of Whistler — no skis or snowboard required.
Adventure Light to Full-Throttle Fun
Whistler is a winter wonderland, with a pedestrianized Village Stroll that winds around stores, art galleries, eateries, and parks. Thousands of fairy lights twinkle above as you wander, and if you love festive lights, download the free Go Whistler Tours app and explore the routes around Whistler Village. One of my favourite Canadian activities is ice skating under the stars at Whistler Olympic Plaza (you can rent skates right there). I also love that there are several coffee shops close by for a hot chocolate warm-up.
Taking the strolling up a notch, Whistler’s Valley Trail system links its neighbourhoods, lakes, and parks. Thirty-eight kilometres (23.6 miles) are cleared in the winter months, making it a great way to explore Whistler, get your steps in, and admire some incredible mountain vistas. I like to walk to Rainbow Park; from there, the view across Alta Lake of Whistler and Blackcomb mountains is nothing short of spectacular. A tip is to wear good boots and take traction devices, just in case the trail is icy. whistler.ca
If you want to take that stroll up yet another notch, try snowshoeing. You can explore the terrain at Lost Lake Park, which is close to Whistler Village, or visit Whistler Olympic Park, a 20-minute drive south, which offers snowshoers 15 km (9.3 mi.) of trails. Personally, I love Canadian Wilderness Adventure’ Medicine Trail tour, which takes you along an old trapper’s line in the Callaghan Valley. They also have a tour where you can snowshoe through old-growth forest to their secluded, cozy, wood-burning saunas in the wilderness. canadianwilderness.com
For those who still need an adrenaline rush, Whistler has no shortage of options, from hurtling down a snowy track on Blackcomb Mountain in an inner tube to snowmobiling in the backcountry to ziplining under the stars across the valley to diving toward a glacial river on the end of a bungee line.
Or, for a more ethereal experience, the family-friendly multimedia light show Vallea Lumina at Cougar Mountain might be more your speed.
Image Courtesy CWA
See the Sights
If you like a bit of history and local knowledge with your exploration, board the Whistler Valley Tours bus, which takes you to some of Whistler’s most iconic spots, including lakes and parks with stunning mountain viewpoints, the Whistler Sliding Centre, Whistler’s original historic townsite, and Function Junction for local breweries, bakeries, and art. Another way to sightsee is via helicopter. No Limits Heli Adventures tours take you soaring over the Coast Mountains, offering a birds-eye view of the stunning terrain, dotted with ancient volcanoes and sparkling glaciers.
nolimits-helicopters.com
Although you might not ski or board, a trip to mid-mountain on Whistler Blackcomb could still be for you. Sightseers can explore via the record-breaking three-gondola system that takes you from one mountain to the other via the Peak 2 Peak Gondola. A selfie by the Inuksuk outside the Roundhouse Lodge is a classic, as are the Caesars at the Umbrella Bar. Over on Blackcomb Mountain is Christine’s, a full-service restaurant serving elevated mountain comfort food prepared with fresh, local ingredients. It’s an excellent spot for a special, celebratory lunch. whistlerblackcomb.com
Culture Cruising
Whistler might be famous for its two mountains, but the resort has incredible cultural depth too, and the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre is a must-visit. Learn from and appreciate the arts and culture of Indigenous peoples, the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and Lil̓wat7úl (Lil’wat) Nations. Their current exhibit, Woven Pathways, showcases how Indigenous designers weave together the strength of the past with their vision of the future. slcc.ca
Stroll along the Cultural Connector route to the Audain Art Museum, a magnificent architectural landmark celebrating its 10th anniversary. From Sea to Sky: The Art of British Columbia showcases the extended permanent collection of more than 300 works, including some never-before-seen pieces, for a visual journey through the history of art from coastal British Columbia. audainartmuseum.com
Just across the street, the Maury Young Arts Centre is the home of Arts Whistler. There’s a free gallery to explore, an artisan store, and often performances featuring comedy, theatre, music, film, and dance. artswhistler.com
The Whistler Museum is like the Tardis in Doctor Who; it looks small from the outside, but there’s a lot to see on the inside. Located behind the Whistler Public Library, the museum tells Whistler’s stories, from the early summer fishing lodge operators to the development of Whistler Blackcomb, the journey to the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, and beyond. whistlermuseum.org
From the visual and performance arts to the culinary arts, Whistler has more than 100 eateries showcasing incredible Canadian and international cuisines. From award-winning fine dining restaurants like Araxi, Bearfoot Bistro, and Wild Blue to grabbing an Aussie pie at Peaked Pies or celebrating with a sake margarita at Sushi Village, Whistler’s dining scene is as diverse as the people visiting.
whistler.com/dining
With so many places to choose from, I’d suggest booking with Whistler Tasting Tours, where a guide takes you to four restaurants in one night so you can experience even more of Whistler’s dining options (they also do a lunch tour). whistlertastingtours.com
Relax, You’re in Whistler
The yang to the gravity-fuelled skiing yin of Whistler is its wellness offerings. Whether you need to relax your muscles or unlock your mind, Whistler has an array of practitioners offering yoga, sound baths, Pilates, dance, and bodywork. There are award-winning spas to visit for luxurious treatments, as well as funky nail bars to keep your hands looking great. whistler.com/wellness
Suffice to say, you really don’t need skis or a board to revel in all that Whistler has to offer. From winter wonderland walks to backcountry snowmobile trips, art exhibits to culinary tours, snowshoeing at an Olympic venue to sightseeing on the mountains, Whistler is a place where adventure never ends, and there’s something for everyone.
whistler.com/activities/winter