Canada’s Most Iconic Mountain Town
Whistler: A Travel Guide
The Ultimate Whistler Travel Guide
There are few mountain lovers in the world who haven’t heard about Whistler and there is good reason for that. With the most expansive ski area in Canada, a ton of hiking trails and one of the msot extensive mountain bike trail networks, Whistler is no joke in the adventure travel realm. In this Whistler travel guide we will help you find the best hiking trails in Whistler, as well as the best adventures to plan your trip.
Whistler is a year round mountain destination, just a couple hours from Vancouver and its international airport. A short hop skip and a jump and you’ll be staring up at the mountains in this iconic adventure destination in Canada.
Use our Whistler guide to find information on the top attractions in Whsitler, the best hiking trails and what else to do while you are here. Whistler is just as popular, if not more, in the summer than it is in the winter. There are several postcard perfect lakes surrounding the town of Whistler, as well as several waterfalls and swimming holes.
Our Whistler travel information will also help you plan the perfect time of year to visit Whistler, and how long to stay. WHatever kind of trip to Whistler you plan, it is sure to be epic!
Top Attractions In Whistler
Brandywine Falls
Stanley Park is a nature oasis right on the edge of Vancouver’s downtown. The perfect place for sunset bike rides, forest walks, city views and beach picnics. Check out the wonders of Stanley Park with a bike rental!
Cheakamus Lake
Jericho (and surrounding) beaches are so close to downtown and feel so far away. This is a perfect place to come for sunset and maybe even a cheeky beverage. There is a bike path to here from downtown, or you can drive.
Alexander Falls
West Vancouver’s crown jewel, Lighthouse Park sits between the downtown of Vancouver and the open wilderness of Howe Sound. This is a spectacular place to catch a sunrise, and the trails weave beneath some of the largest Douglas Fir trees on the coast.
Cheakamus Canyon
Vancouver’s rain forest mecca! Go for a hike in Lynn Canyon and find yuorself crossing suspension bridges, walking through cool, shady forests and following the rushing rivers of the Lynn River as it flows through an ancient forest.
Joffre Lakes
Vancouver’s rain forest mecca! Go for a hike in Lynn Canyon and find yuorself crossing suspension bridges, walking through cool, shady forests and following the rushing rivers of the Lynn River as it flows through an ancient forest.
Things To Do In Whistler
Paddleboarding
With so many protected inlets and accessible beaches, Vancouver is the ultimate place to go for a paddleboard.
Hiking
Vancouver is riddled with hiking trails; some reaching distant peaks and some winding through ancient rain forest. Go for a hike to connect with anture and escape the buzz of the city!
Skiing & Snowboarding
Vancouver has many great fishing spots and with little effort you can get to some incredible fly fishing areas, or go deep sea fishing with a short boat ride. Fish on!
Paddling
Vancouver is surrounded with coastline, making it a paddler’s paradise. Go canoeing on a local lake, or head out sea kayaking in Howe Sound!
Biking
Vancouver is a really fun city to bike around, with Stanley Park and Kitsilano being full of winding bike paths. Or venture into the rugged downhill trails of the North Shore!
Nature & Wildlife Viewing
With daily whale watching departures heading into the Georgia Strait, and salmon heading to breeding grounds up Howe Sound, Vancouver is the perfect city to catch some wildlife in the act during your visit.
Arts and Heritage
Vancouver is a big and old enough city to have plenty going on in the cultural department. Visit the many art galleries and theatres to catch some culture, or check out the totem poles in Stanley Park!
Whistler Travel Tips
Getting To/ From Whistler:
Getting to Whistler is super easy with daily shuttles from Vancouver and it’s close proximity to Vancouver Airport.
Driving To Whistler:
Whistler is an easy drive from Vancouver. Roughly 2 hours up the scenic Sea to Sky Highway and you’re there. The highway can get a bit messy when it’s snowing, so plan ahead.
Getting To Whistler By Plane:
You can fly into Vancouver and hop on one of the many shuttles that run from Vancouver Airport to Whistler. From touch down you’ll be sipping a martini in Whistler inside of 3 hours.
Getting To Whistler By Bus:
Whistler is pretty much the center of the universe for all things mountain adventure, so you can easily take a bus from downtown Vancouver to Whistler. Pacific Coach runs a scheduled service to and from Whistler with various pick up points in downtown Vancouver.
Where To Go Hiking In Whistler
Whistler Top Hiking Trails- Easy Walks & Small Hikes
Crater Rim Trail
2 Hours
4.5 km Return
230 m elevation
Crater rim trail is the perfect place to explore some of Whistler’s sub-alpine forest, surrounding Loggers Lake. The lake is in the bowl of an extinct volcano making for some cool geology on this hike in Whistler.
Crater Rim Trail is a few minutes south of Whistler and can easily be done in half a day, with time to stop for a swim in the lake.
Lynn Canyon/ Loop
2 Hours
5 km Return
175 m Elevation
Whistler’s Ancient Cedars Trail is an amazing and easy way to immerse yourself in some pristine old growth forest, without having to bomb around the backcountry too far. The trail is a short drive from the core of Whistler and makes for a relatively flat and easy hike.
The ancient cedars trail is a cool place to hike on a hot day!
Cheakamus Lake Trail
5 Hours
16 km Return
No Elevation
Hiking in the Cheakamus Valley is filled with several cool finds, including a suspension bridge over a rushing river. Further up the valley is the Cheakamus lake trail, which winds through a shady old growth forest 8 km back to the beautiful Cheakamus Lake. The trail pops out at the lake roughly halfway and you could stop there, but it is far more rewarding to go the full way and see the lake from the middle.
Cheakamus Lake is a perfect place for a refreshing dip in the middle of your hike in Whistler.
Best Hiking Trails in Whistler- Big Day Hikes
Garibaldi Lake Hike
5 Hours
18 km Return
820 m Elevation
Garibaldi Lake is one of the most beautiful alpine lake in the coast mountains and you haev the opportunity to hike to it. The trailhead is at Rubble Creek, just over half an hour south of Whistler and the trail is long, but gentle, switchbacking up the side of a mountain.
It’s a long day, but the views of the lake and option to continue on to Black Tusk for an even bigger day makes it all worthwhile.
Wedgemont Lake
7 Hours
12 km Return
1160 m Elevation
Wedgemont Hike is a burly but worthwhile hike in Whistler. There is a lot of elevation gain in not a ton of distance, which means it is consitently steep, with a relatively rough trail.
Wedgemont Lake is absolutely gorgeous and the juice is definitely worth the squeeze. The photos you get will make up for the massage therapy you’ll need after your descent.
Blackcomb Ascent Trail
Time: Depends on you (3.5 Hours Roughly- Lift Ticket For Return)
3 km One-way
1150 m Elevation
The Blackcomb Asscent Trail is a punishing way to get to the alpine of Blackcomb Mountain. You’ll need a lift ticket to come back down, which you need to buy before heading up.
You can hike this right to the top of Blackcomb and enter Blackcomb Meadows from here as well.
If you prefer to skip to Blackcomb Meadows, you can take the lift up as well!
Joffre Lakes Trail
Time: 3 Hours
10 km One-way
370 m Elevation
Joffre Lakes is one of the most popular day hikes in BC and for good reason. You’ve almost certainly come across photos of people standing on the fallen tree, surrounded by emerald green water as they strike their wistful gaze or standing tree yoga pose.
Joffre Lakes is kind of like Disney Land for people who love alpine lakes. There isn’t just one lake, but three! You start at one, slog your way to the second one, and the third is soon after. From the third lake you can lay eyes on a nearby glacier and you’re welcome to hop in for a dip.
Don’t forget to pop in to Pemberton on your way back for a frosty mug of craft beer!
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