Your complete guide to Whistler
Verified itineraries, honest advice, and no-fluff tips on the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola, the Whistler Mountain Bike Park, and Garibaldi Lake, plus day trips across the Sea to Sky corridor, from the granite face of the Stawamus Chief to the shops of Whistler Village.
Top-rated activities in Whistler
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Top destinations in and around Whistler
From Whistler Village and the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola to the Sea to Sky Gondola and the trails of Garibaldi Provincial Park further afield.
Whistler
Whistler's pedestrian village, twin mountains and the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola, from a first-timer's overview to where to go next.
Whistler Blackcomb
Whistler Blackcomb's ski area explained: size, glaciers, vertical drop, Vail Resorts ownership, Epic Pass and when the season actually runs.
Garibaldi Lake
Garibaldi Lake hiking guide: 18 km return, 800 m ascent, turquoise glacial water near Whistler. Trailhead, timing and what to expect.
Joffre Lakes Provincial Park
Three glacier-fed turquoise lakes north of Pemberton, a 10 km round-trip trail, a mandatory BC Parks day pass, and the closures you must check first.
Squamish
Squamish sits halfway between Vancouver and Whistler on Howe Sound, home to the Stawamus Chief, Shannon Falls and the Sea to Sky Gondola.
The Sea to Sky Highway: Vancouver to Whistler by Road
How to drive the Sea to Sky Highway from Vancouver to Whistler: distance, drive time, winter tire law, closures and when to skip driving.
Things to do in Whistler
PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola rides, the Panorama Ridge and Joffre Lakes hikes, the shops of Whistler Village, and more — the best activities in Whistler.
Skiing & Snowboarding
Winter tours on Whistler Blackcomb, from backcountry skiing and splitboarding introductions to evening snowshoeing at Whistler Olympic Park and private ice fishing outings.
Hiking Trails
Guided day hikes to Garibaldi Lake, Panorama Ridge, Cheakamus Lake and Joffre Lakes, plus the Watersprite Lake trail near Squamish.
Gondola Rides
Gondola rides across the corridor: the Sea to Sky Gondola above Squamish with its suspension bridge, and the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola linking Whistler and Blackcomb.
Bear Viewing & Wildlife
Guided black bear viewing on the Whistler mountainside, including scenic tours with Olympic Park access and outings that combine ATV riding with wildlife spotting.
Essential travel guides
Our most popular guides to help you prepare.
How Many Days Do You Need in Whistler?
How many days to spend in Whistler by season and interest, from a rushed one-day visit to a full week of skiing, hiking or bike-park riding.
Best Time to Visit Whistler
When to visit Whistler depends on what you want to do: deep winter, alpine hiking, warm lakes or quiet golden weeks. Here is the honest breakdown.
How to Get from Vancouver to Whistler
Every way to travel from downtown Vancouver to Whistler: driving, scheduled coaches, private transfers and tours, with distances, times and rules.
How to Get a Joffre Lakes Day-Use Pass
How to reserve BC Parks' free Joffre Lakes day-use pass, why the park has closed since 2023, and what to check before you drive up.
Is Whistler Expensive? A Realistic Budget Guide
Is Whistler expensive? Yes — but taxes, tipping and transit habits matter more than most visitors expect. Here is what actually adds up.
Best Time to See Black Bears in Whistler
Black bears are most visible in Whistler from May to October, peaking in September and October before hibernation. Month-by-month guide.
Suggested itineraries
Tested routes to make the most of your time.
One Day in Whistler Village
A car-free day in Whistler: gondolas up Whistler Blackcomb, the PEAK 2 PEAK crossing, the Village Stroll, then Lost Lake or Scandinave Spa.
Two Days in Whistler: A First-Timer's Itinerary
A two-day, car-free Whistler itinerary: the Village Stroll, the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola, Lost Lake, Alta Lake and the Train Wreck Trail.
Five Days in Whistler and the Sea to Sky Corridor
A five-day road trip from Vancouver through Squamish to Whistler, covering the Sea to Sky Gondola, Blackcomb and Garibaldi Lake.
Why trust Whistler Trip?
Every guide is written independently from first-hand research, with tours and activities booked through our partners — when you book through our links, you pay the same price and we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.