SUMMER FAMILY FUN
Things to Do with Kids in Tow
Story by Dee Raffo / Images by Joern Rohde
Go Ga Ga for Gondolas
Pick up a summer Alpine Experience Ticket and travel aboard the impressive three-gondola connecting system to explore Whistler Blackcomb (children six and under are free). Keep the kids' attention by looking out for black bears, deer, and marmots as you ascend in the Blackcomb Gondola, which uploads from the Upper Village. At the top, let the kids have fun at the brand-new play structure outside Rendezvous or walk the new Kids’ Adventure Trail — which is even suitable for a large-wheeled stroller. The Peak 2 Peak Gondola connects both mountains and takes around 11 minutes. Look out for the gondola cabins with glass bottoms — worth the wait — and those with eye-catching Indigenous designs.
From the top of the gondolas, you could attempt one of the shorter, easier hikes or simply visit the Lucia Gelato stand near the Roundhouse Lodge for something refreshing while relaxing in the sun and taking in the spectacular mountain views. The Mountaintop Summer Feast, which runs on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, offers free admission for children six and under. whistlerblackcomb.com
Splash in Whistler’s Lakes & Play at the Parks
Relax at one of Whistler’s lakes this summer with the snowcapped mountains as your backdrop. Each lake has its charm, but a few have family-specific bonuses. Lakeside Park along Alta Lake has a play area, sandy beach, and water toy rentals on-site, making it a trifecta for family fun. Alpha Lake Park in Creekside is another option that combines lake, sandy beach, grass, and play area action. Lost Lake Park has footpaths by the water's edge that are fun to explore, a large sandy beach, and a grassed picnic area.
Snacks are essential, so pack a picnic or check out the Park Eats schedule online. It will tell you when some of Whistler’s delicious food trucks will be at the various parks. Getting to some of the parks is made easier with the free shuttles to Lost Lake and Rainbow Park throughout the summer. whistler.ca
Take a Tour
Explore the treetops on Ziptrek Ecotours’ Treetrek course, open to all ages (kids five and under are free). Note that you will be walking on trails through the tree canopy, and there are suspension bridges and stairs. You’ll use some of the same platforms as the zipliners for children aged six and up. whistler.ziptrek.com
Also open to all ages is Canadian Wilderness Adventures’ 4X4 Jeep Sightseeing Tours. There’s even a delicious salmon bake dinner tour at the Crystal Hut. You can take kids five and older as passengers on an ATV (they must fit the smallest helmet), and for a side-by-side, off-road buggy adventure, they must be at least 48 inches (four feet) tall and fit the helmet. canadianwilderness.com
Mini Hiker’s Heaven
If you have a mini hiker, download the free Go Whistler Tours app to get some ideas. Look out for bear claw marks on the trees as you explore the Fitzsimmons Creek Accessible Nature Trail, a short there-and-back trail (just under two kilometres total). Use the audio function on the Lost Lake Nature Walk so your little ones can enjoy a tale about how a Douglas fir tree saved some mice from a fire.
whistler.com/self-guided-tours
If you want to go a little further afield, head south of Whistler Village to Cheakamus Crossing for the Train Wreck trail and suspension bridge (a 2 km round-trip). This trail is popular and can get busy, so try to do it mid-week or first thing in the morning for those early risers. whistler.ca
Challenge Their Minds
The drumming and striking artwork at the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre is a hit with the kids. They can see the inside of an Istken and explore the Salish Forest Path just behind the main museum building. For snacks, visit the on-site Thunderbird Café and try their bannock donuts. They even make mini versions for mini mouths! Look at their events schedule, as they often have craft workshops. slcc.ca
Bring the kids' pads and pencils to the Audain Art Museum (free for youth under 18) and let them create their interpretations of the incredible artwork surrounding them. It’s worth trading off with your partner to explore the museum's galleries. audainartmuseum.com
Biking for Little Rippers
Whistler has a fun pump track ideal for little rippers, located in the Whistler Fitzsimmons Bike Park alongside the Day Lots. It will likely be hands-on, but once they’ve built up some confidence, it’s incredible to see them tackle the bumps, berms and bridges on their own. whistler.ca
There are picnic tables, so bring snacks for ride-fuel and watch the big kids play in the skills area or the jump track. If you feel your little one could use bike coaching, look at the DFX Kids Club in the Whistler Bike Park, which has lessons for those three and up.
whistlerblackcomb.com
Family Adventure Zone
You’ll likely hear it before seeing it as the whoops and wahoos carry it. Throughout the summer, the base of Blackcomb Mountain in the Upper Village is taken over by the Family Adventure Zone. From mini golf to a ropes course, a bounce ‘n’ slide, bungee trampolines, a climbing wall, and much more, there are many fun activities to choose from.
One of the newer additions is the STACYC Pump Track, which allows little rippers to take a spin on a powered bike. These throttle e-bikes are suitable for kids aged five to 12 and come with the full-face helmet and padding needed to send it on the course. Make sure they’re wearing close-toed shoes for this one.
Perhaps the only issue with this activity is getting the kids to leave at the end of the day — I suggest a sweet treat as a bribe! Portobello at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler has fantastic donuts, or on days when the Farmers’ Market is on, there are so many fun treats to choose from. whistlerblackcomb.com