Good to know
Good to Know
- The Valley Trail is a signature 25-mile paved, multi-use, car-free trail that meanders through neighborhoods, passing lakes, rivers, parks, and the golf course—great for ambling, cycling, running, or rollerblading
- Check specific trail conditions and any requirements such as permits or fees before heading out on hikes
- Parks can get busy on warm weekends, especially Lost Lake and Rainbow Park—arrive early
- Golf season in Whistler runs from April to October
Hiking
- Overview
- Hiking is one of the most popular summer activities in Whistler, with dozens of trails ranging from beginner to expert. You can hike to mountain peaks, glacier lakes, old-growth forests, and waterfalls.
- Seasonal Note
- Whistler's trails remain well-maintained throughout the hiking season, but check trail conditions and requirements such as permits or fees before heading out
Key Trails
Lost Lake Trail
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Description
- A beginner-friendly option, a 20-minute walk on the Valley Trail from Upper Whistler Village
Alta Lake Hiking Loop
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Description
- A 4.5mi trail that passes through residential areas before working around the lake to provide stunning views
Blackcomb Ascent (Burn Trails)
- Difficulty
- Very Challenging
- Description
- Three connecting ascent trails on Blackcomb Mountain: Little Burn, Big Burn, and Heart Burn, which allow hikers to climb from the valley floor to the Rendezvous Lodge and ride the gondola down
Water Sports
- Lakes
- The four main lakes in Whistler are Alta Lake, Lost Lake, Green Lake, and Nita Lake, with clean, emerald green water providing excellent water activity spots
Activities
Kayaking and Canoeing
- Details
- You can rent canoes, kayaks, or stand-up paddleboards or hire a guide to show you the River of Golden Dreams—a river connecting Alta Lake and Green Lake that meanders for five kilometres through wetlands teeming with wildlife
Stand-Up Paddleboarding (SUP)
- Price
- CA$30
- Details
- SUP rentals are approximately $30 per hour depending on the month, but in peak season most rentals book out quickly
Whitewater Rafting
- Details
- Three rivers offer white water rafting: Cheakamus River, Green River, and Elaho-Squamish River, each varying in difficulty and duration (Green River tours 2.5 hours, Cheakamus River 4.5 hours, Elaho-Squamish 8 hours)
Fishing
- Details
- Rainbow Trout are the most plentiful fish in Whistler lakes, Bull Trout inhabit Green Lake, and Cutthroat Trout swim throughout Alta Lake. You must buy a BC Freshwater Fishing License and check regulations before fishing
Annual Events
Crankworx Whistler
- Month
- July
- Details
- A major mountain biking festival
RBC GranFondo Whistler
- Month
- September
- Details
- A prestigious cycling event
Day Trips From Whistler
Garibaldi Provincial Park
- Details
- An excellent day trip for outdoor enthusiasts seeking alpine scenery, featuring iconic trails like Garibaldi Lake and Elfin Lakes with turquoise waters and wildflower meadows in summer
Other Outdoor Activities
Ziplining
- Details
- Superfly Whistler Ziplines offers side-by-side tours, and Ziptrek Eco Tours offers a one-and-a-quarter-mile Sasquatch line—the longest single line in the U.S. and Canada
Vallea Lumina
- Price
- CA$39
- Details
- A multimedia night walk on Cougar Mountain featuring magical lights and sounds of the forest
Gondola Rides
- Details
- The Peak 2 Peak Gondola bridges Whistler and Blackcomb mountains, offering breathtaking views and is accessible to nearly anyone willing to soar 436 m above the trees
Golf
- Details
- Whistler is a golfer's paradise with stunning mountain vistas and meticulously maintained courses. The golf season typically runs from April to October, with four championship golf courses
Rock Climbing
- Overview
- Rock climbing options range from very easy to challenging at many locations in Whistler and along the Sea to Sky. Experienced rock climbing guides provide instruction, equipment setup, and guidance
Winter Sports
- Overview
- When winter arrives, Whistler transforms into a world-renowned winter sports destination with Whistler Blackcomb offering over 8,000 acres of skiable terrain across two mountains, featuring more than 200 runs, 16 bowls, and three glaciers
- Activities
- Winter activities include skiing, snowshoeing, sledding, snowmobiling, and ice climbing
- Ski Season
- The golf season typically runs from April to October
Mountain Biking
- Overview
- Whistler is a premier mountain biking destination with an incredible variety of trails for riders of all skill levels. The crown jewel is the Whistler Mountain Bike Park, with over 80 km of lift-serviced trails—the largest bike park of its kind in North America.
- Valley Trail
- The Valley Trail offers over 40 km of paved, multi-use trails that connect Whistler's lakes, parks, and neighbourhoods, providing a scenic and family-friendly biking experience
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this nature, parks & outdoor activities research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
- 1.happiestoutdoors.ca
- 2.travel.destinationcanada.com
- 3.whistler.com
- 4.10adventures.com
- 5.whistleradventures.ca
- 6.whiskijackresorts.com
- 7.whistlertraveller.com
- 8.whistlerblackcomb.com
- 9.crystal-lodge.com
- 10.harmonywhistler.com
- 11.lodgingovations.com
- 12.backroadswhistler.com
- 13.whistler.com
- 14.coasthotels.com
- 15.firsttrackslodge.com
- 16.whistler.com
- 17.zenawaywhistler.com
- 18.lodgingovations.com
More About Whistler
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.