Why Don't You
Stories by Brigitte Mah
Chill Out to the Beats
For 15 fun-filled select nights from July 1 to Sept. 1, the Whistler Olympic Plaza mainstage will come alive with musical performances from award-winning artists, renowned Canadian bands, Indigenous instrumentalists, and internationally celebrated singers. From 6:30 to 9 p.m., the Great Lawn will be filled with locals, visitors and families as they dance, rock, sway and move to the beat of the live music. The best part is that every performance is free, as the Whistler Summer Concert Series is funded by the Resort Municipality of Whistler and the Province of British Columbia.
The open-air stage, set against the backdrop of the majestic Whistler and Blackcomb mountains, offers spectacular views while you groove to opening DJ acts and bands such as Walk Off The Earth, Aysanabee, The Sheepdogs, Ibibio Sound Machine, Colin James, Drag In The Mountains, and many others. Bring a lawn chair or a blanket, pack a picnic or grab a takeout from a local restaurant, and join in the rhythm of the night as you discover trending artists, sing your heart out with renowned legends, and let the music fill your soul.
whistler.com/events/concerts
Stroll, Snack and Shop
From fresh produce to homemade food, from handcrafted jewellery to artisan creations, there is no shortage of unique and charming items at the Whistler Farmers’ Market. Stretching along the Upper Village Stroll, from Fairmont Chateau Whistler to the base of the Blackcomb Gondola, the market runs every Sunday and on Saturdays on long weekends until Oct. 13, 2024, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. With more than 130 vendors that rotate through the season, there are 70 on-site for each market, so you’ll have no shortage of goodies to choose from. Pick up a gift for yourself, a friend, your furry pal, or for a special occasion from artists, crafters, jewellers and potters.
Make sure you go hungry because there’s a bounty of delicious food and drink to enjoy for lunch, take home, or take to a summer gathering. Choose from fresh seasonal fruit, locally grown veggies, wood-fired pizza, artisanal pies, the ever-popular kettle corn, and so much more!
whistlerfarmersmarket.org
Eat, Drink and Be Merry
Perhaps one of the most challenging things about visiting a new town is not knowing where all the good restaurants are. The struggle is real: You want to ensure you’re going to a place with incredible food, excellent service, and perfect wine pairings, and you wish you knew a local who could direct you there. Well, this dilemma is now solved. For more than 15 years, Whistler Tasting Tours has been your local best friend, taking thousands of guests on walking, wining and dining tours in Whistler Village.
They offer two dinner experiences: the Finer Things Dinner Tour and the Hidden Gems Dinner Tour. Both are 3 ½-hour culinary adventures, and visit four restaurants, where you’ll spend 25 to 60 minutes at each stop, enjoying delectable dishes with an optional wine pairing available. The Lunch Tour is a three-hour journey and is a fun, and delicious way to spend an afternoon. A self-guided option is also available for the lunch tour. One of the best parts of these tours is that you’ll help the environment by leaving the car parked and walking a short distance to each restaurant. And what’s better than eating, drinking, and being merry with friends and new acquaintances? whistlertastingtours.com
Get Off the Beaten Path
Sometimes it’s the call of the throttle that beckons us to explore the wilderness, and Canadian Wilderness Adventures (CWA) has no shortage of four-wheeled, full-throttle ATV tours. If you have ridden an ATV and want to navigate more exciting terrain, the the Call of the Wild tour will satisfy your adventurous spirit. On your guided three-hour round trip, you’ll drive along singletrack trails, navigating turns, crossing creeks, ascending and descending as you explore the old-growth forest of the Callaghan Valley. You’ll weave in and out of the forest, taking in panoramic views of the surrounding valley, and explore the abandoned Northair gold mine site and its surrounding lakes.
If you’re an experienced ATV rider and really want to challenge yourself, the four-hour Wild Wild West tour will take you through adventurous terrain on CWA’s longest singletrack ATV trail. You’ll navigate forested trails with steeper and more complex features, like rocks, roots, narrow bridges and climb the legendary Staircase Trail.
No matter which tour you choose, you’ll most certainly get off the beaten path, and answer that throttle call of the wild, wild west.
canadianwilderness.com
