WHISTLER
Welcome to Sea to Sky Country
Story by David Burke | Images by Joern Rohde
W hile Whistler’s status as one of North America’s premier mountain winter resorts is undisputed, its popularity as a summertime destination has grown by leaps and bounds in recent years. Many locals say summer is their favourite time to be here, and holiday makers seem to agree.
According to a report released early this year by Tourism Whistler, summer 2025’s visitation numbers (May through October) increased by 4 per cent over 2024 and exceeded the single-year record set in 2019.
It's not difficult to understand why.
Whether you’re seeking hardcore, adrenaline-fuelled adventure or a relaxing vacation, there’s no shortage of options in Whistler.
The resort offers a dizzying array of reasons to visit in the warmer months, among them stunning alpine scenery, pristine lakes, varied and vibrant dining options, world-class artistic and cultural attractions, and thrill-a-minute outdoor adventures. For the sheer variety of activities and attractions, few (if any) places can match it.
For millennia, the Whistler Valley was a place for hunting, berry-picking and other activities for the Squamish and Lil’wat peoples, whose shared traditional territory includes the valley. European fur trappers, loggers and miners first arrived in the late 1800s. In 1914, the same year the Pacific Great Eastern Railway came to town, Myrtle and Alex Philip put the community (then known as Alta Lake) on the tourism map when they opened Rainbow Lodge. The summertime fishing establishment quickly caught on with visitors from across Canada.
Whistler Blackcomb’s (WB) list of summertime attractions just keeps getting better. The Whistler Mountain Bike Park, which marked its 25th anniversary in 2024, is still North America’s premier downhill bike park. In 2026, riders will have a chance to experience the expanded Creekside Zone, including new “feature-heavy” trails. The resort also welcomes the planet’s best downhillers for the UCI Mountain Bike Downhill World Cup, Sept. 25 to 27. ucimtbworldseries.com
The world-record Peak 2 Peak Gondola, the recent addition of the Blackcomb Ascent Trails, and Whistler Peak attractions such as the Cloudraker Skybridge and Raven’s Eye cantilevered walkway are just a few of the reasons for the recent surge in the number of summer/fall visitors. In 2019, the opening of the Blackcomb Gondola, combined with the Peak 2 Peak and Whistler Village Gondola, gave WB the distinction of having the world’s first three-gondola lift connection. whistlerblackcomb.com
Whistler Olympic Plaza, where medal ceremonies took place during the Olympics and Paralympics, is a great place to pull out the Frisbee and enjoy food or a drink purchased from a nearby establishment in the shadow of the Olympic rings. Visitors and locals alike can also enjoy free, open-air music experiences at the plaza on select dates throughout the summer.
whistler.com/events
The resort is home to five lakes, each with its unique character and the chance to go for a dip or hang out on the beach. One of the most popular summertime activities is paddling on the meandering River of Golden Dreams that links Alta and Green lakes. Several companies offer boat rentals as well as guided excursions.
Thrill seekers can get the adrenaline pumping with a high-flying zipline adventure, an ATV or buggy tour, a daring plunge off the bungee bridge, or a flightseeing excursion to a nearby glacier.
Learn about the vibrant traditions of the Squamish and Lil’wat peoples at the world-class Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre on Blackcomb Way. slcc.ca
Whistler’s reputation as a mecca for the arts was cemented in 2016 in the opening of the Audain Art Museum. The museum features a permanent collection, including works by Emily Carr and E.J. Hughes, as well as visiting exhibitions (audainartmuseum.com). Several excellent private galleries also dot the Whistler landscape.
Top summer and fall events include Crankworx Whistler, an extravaganza of mountain biking, music and competitions (July 24 to Aug. 2), the RBC GranFondo Whistler road bike race (Sept. 12), the Whistler Writers Festival (Nov. 5 to 8), and Cornucopia, a celebration of food and drink (Nov. 5 to 15).
Welcome!
For help in planning your visit to Whistler, go to whistler.com.