How to Explore the Mountains in the Fall

This post on how to explore the mountains in the fall was updated in August 2024.

No Gondola? No Problem.

It’s never too late to touch the sky, or last season’s snow.

As winter approaches, Whistler Blackcomb starts to shut the gondolas, chair lifts and the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola to run maintenance and prepare for the upcoming winter (check out the latest hours of operation here). This suddenly makes it a lot tougher to get up to the tops of the mountains and enjoy our awesome Coast Mountain scenery.

Tougher, but not impossible. Read on for our favourite ways to get up the mountains in autumn…

Go by Jeep, ATV or Side-by-Side

“We operate until the snow comes and pushes back down the mountain,” says Craig Beattie of Canadian Wilderness Adventures. “If you wanna get up the hill our Jeeps go all the way to the top of Blackcomb. You get way up, high enough to touch snow.”

The 4×4 Jeeps and their new Sprinter Vans are warm, rugged, and a perfect all-weather option but Canadian Wilderness also runs ATV tours for people who want to channel their inner kid and get a bit of mud flying. “We have full rain gear for anyone,” Craig adds “so it’s actually good clean fun.” Also running are Side x Side or UTV tours which operate rain or shine. A little larger than ATVs, these off-road buggies are driven like a car and turn rough terrain into tons of fun.

Hike to Whistler’s Mountian Tops

Once the lifts stop running a four-wheel tour is the only way to access the ski hill until winter begins unless you’re prepared to lace up your hiking boots. The Ascent Trail on Blackcomb Mountain is typically still open, although the downloading options are not. For the adventurous and the prepared, the mountains around Whistler offer plenty of high alpine hikes like Skywalk, Wedge and Rainbow Lake.

Be wary, the snow and cold weather can roll in with a moment’s notice this time of year, and the mountains can get dangerous fast. It’s recommended people make sure they are packed as if they may have to spend a night out in the wild, even if they are just planning on a day trip. Taking a guide or tour is always a good way to get a group together for extra safety and local knowledge.

Pedal into the Alpine

The Lord of the Squirrels biking trail takes riders on a long day ride up into the alpine on Sproatt Mountain, offering stunning views of the valley below. Like all high-elevation trails, it’s going to see snow first so be sure to keep an eye on the weather and plan for a dry day. Once the rain/snow starts it’s best to leave this trail alone to prevent wet weather damage – it’s still be there next year after all. This is a backcountry biking experience, so again riders need to be prepared with fitness, food, water and clothes for changing weather.

Fly Above the Mountains

The other option, the easiest, is to simply book a floatplane or helicopter tour. The Whistler peaks and backcountry look incredible from the air but the helicopters can only fly when cloud coverage permits good visibility and the floatplanes won’t run when ice hits the lake. And if you are ok with staying at mid-to-low elevations, a day out ziplining might just get you your mountain fix.

All active options aside, there’s nothing wrong with a day wandering the Village and looking at the peaks from a patio, or checking them out from a spa either.

For more ideas for fall activities rain or shine check out our all-weather activities post. And for everything you need to plan a fall getaway you can hit up Whistler.com.