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Whistler, BC is just a 2-hour drive from Vancouver along the beautiful, scenic Sea to Sky Highway. Many locals like me are familiar with Whistler Mountain and Whistler Village, which is known internationally as one of the venues for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. It’s a popular spot for winter activities like skiing and snowboarding, but one of my favourite times to visit is actually in the summer and fall! I try to plan at least one weekend getaway to Whistler every year. Here are some of my favourite things to do in Whistler during the summer.
For my recommendations on where to eat in Whistler, check out my blog post here.
*Please note that COVID restrictions are in place for all attractions.*
VALLEA LUMINA
Vallea Lumina is one of the newer attractions in Whistler, described as a “multimedia night walk in pursuit of hidden wonders”. I went with a friend and we booked our Vallea Lumina experience through The Adventure Group, a tour company with many Whistler excursions to choose from. Our booking included shuttle transportation there and back to Whistler Village. I won’t reveal too much about Vallea Lumina as it’s best to experience it without many expectations. I will say that the night walk truly felt magical with all the lights illuminating the forest. You follow a story from beginning to end, with lots of photo opportunities along the way. The experience is family-friendly too! We noticed people of all ages, from children to seniors.
Please note that masks are required and temperature checks are conducted for all guests attending The Adventure Group tours.
Location: 4293 Mountain Square #211, Whistler, BC. Click here for the map.
SCANDINAVE SPA
Looking for a place to relax and unwind? Then I’d highly recommend scheduling a massage at the Scandinave Spa. On the day of your appointment, you have access to the Scandinavian baths including robe rental for the entire day. I usually arrive a few hours early to enjoy the outdoor baths, steam rooms and saunas. After my massage, I take more time to use the baths for hydrotherapy, alternating between the hot and cold baths while taking in the beautiful nature views of Whistler. There are also many relaxation areas like solariums and even a hammock area where I will sometimes take a quick nap. Pro-tip: If you have extended health benefits, book an RMT massage to have a portion of the costs covered. You will have to book farther in advance. Note that no cellphones are allowed in the bath areas.
Due to COVID, the spa has reduced the number of bookings and implemented new measures. For the Scandinave Spa’s updated cleaning protocols and guidelines, click here.
Location: 8010 Mons Rd, Whistler, BC V0N 1B8. Click here for the map.
ATV / RZR TOURS
There is something so exhilarating about zipping around a mountain on an ATV or RZR. So what’s the difference between the two? I personally prefer ATVs because they feel more dangerous 😊. ATVs are more open, with no doors, and in my opinion are more difficult to control. RZRs drive like a car and feel much safer since there are doors and seatbelts. There are different tour companies that you can book with on Whistler, but we chose The Adventure Group again (for the RZR only), and in the past Whistler ATV. (In the winter, you can book snowmobile tours with the same local tour companies)
Location: 211-4293 Mountain Square, Whistler, BC V8E 1B8. Click here for the map.
LOST LAKE
Lost Lake is a peaceful and scenic lake, not too far from Whistler Village. It’s a great area to relax and set up a picnic, plus it’s a popular spot for swimming. Be warned that it can get quite crowded here, so I’d recommend arriving early. Follow the gravel road of the Lost Lake Nature Trail, which starts just outside the Village. It’s a pretty easy walk and many people choose to bike it as well. If you choose to drive, there are gravel parking lots near the lake, just know that the road there may be narrow and bumpy.
Click here for the map.
RAINBOW PARK
Another great area for tanning and picnics is Rainbow Park at Alta Lake. Just a 20 minute drive from Whistler Village, Alta Lake is much larger than Lost Lake. Rainbow Park is a grassy area with a beach by the lake with several docks for swimming, including a designated dock and grassy area for dogs! The park is very family-friendly and we noticed many families with small children wading in shallow parts of the water. Rainbow Park can get quite busy and we were told that the parking lot can fill up as early as 9am. When the lot is full, there is parking available in designated areas along the road.
Location: Valley Trail, Whistler, BC. Click here for the map.
GREEN LAKE
The views around Green Lake are unreal! We were told that this is the coldest lake in Whistler, so I didn’t have the courage to take a dip last time I was there. Instead I opted to go for a scenic run along the Valley Trail and enjoy the sights of the mountains and green water. There are many areas around the lake to picnic and tan, including beaches and docks.
Click here for the map.
AUDAIN ART MUSEUM
The Audain Art Museum is my favourite building in Whistler. The entrance especially is absolutely stunning. The museum features up to 3 exhibits at a time, and also acts as an event venue. Even if you don’t have time to see the exhibits, it’s still worth checking out the architecture of the building. The steps are a nice, quiet place to sit and relax. With COVID, face coverings are now required to enter the museum and the number of visitors are limited as well.
Location: 4350 Blackcomb Way, Whistler, BC V8E 1N3. Click here for the map.
Have you experienced Whistler in the summer or fall? What are some of your favourite spots? Let me know in the comments below.
