Happy Canada Day! Celebrate the long weekend by connecting with the Skwxwú7mesh and Líl̓wat7úl Nations at the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre, which is offering free entry (thanks to sponsor CIBC) on Monday, July 1. Plus, take part in an incredible lineup of additional programming including a pancake breakfast, free yoga, a community parade, exciting performances and a free outdoor concert featuring headliner Walk off the Earth at Whistler Olympic Plaza. What a lineup!
Whistler is in full mountain action mode in July, especially with Crankworx Whistler returning from July 19 to 28. Watch as the world’s best mountain bikers descend Whistler mountain, showcasing their skills and pushing the limits of the sport across all different disciplines. New for this year, the Red Bull Joyride competition’s first-ever female category takes place at the same event with the same prize money!
July also sees the return of the Whistler Summer Concert Series, a chance to listen to incredible musicians and bands under the stars at Whistler Olympic Plaza. Grab some takeout, find a patch on the grass and settle in for some great music. Concerts are happening on select evenings throughout July and August, beginning July 1. Check out the schedule for the full lineup.
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But wait, there’s more. Here’s what’s happening this month in Whistler.
Outdoor Adventure
You’ll find us:
- Signing up for some of the Crankworx events to test our biking skills. Registration runs until July 14, see the individual event pages for more information on the discipline you’re looking to ride.
- Breaking a sweat at the ÖTILLÖ Swim & Run Race on July 7. Swim through glacier fed freshwater mountain lakes and run throughout rugged mountain terrain at this exciting new race event, coming to Whistler for the first time!
- Taking in the beauty of the alpine with the Summer Alpine Experience on Whistler Blackcomb. The PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola is officially open for sightseeing, and alpine hiking trails continue to open up as the snow melts. Be sure to check the lift & terrain status before you head up to plan your route!
- Soaring through the sky on a zipline tour. If you’re brave enough, try Ziptrek’s Sasquatch tour. The Sasquatch zipline is a real beast at over two kilometers long and 183 metres high, leaving you with a serious adrenaline rush!
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Adventure Lite
You’ll find us:
- Cruising on a bike along the Valley Trail and taking advantage of the bike valet at Lost Lake Park, or catching the free shuttle bus from the Village. Rainbow Park is aimed to reopen after upgrades on July 1, so we will be checking in on the status and heading by for a lake day as soon as it opens!
- Strolling through the Whistler Farmers’ Market, on every Sunday from 11 AM to 4 PM in the Upper Village. Shop for local produce and support small businesses and artisans from the Sea to Sky corridor. Make sure you arrive hungry to enjoy the large variety of on-site hot food and sweets.
- Enjoying a picnic in the park with the Park Eats program. Check out some of the favourite local food trucks at select parks throughout the summer. Check out the schedule and head out to chow down on some tacos, crepes, gelato, pizza and more.
- Exploring at our own pace on a self-guided adventure with the free Go Whistler Tours app. Dive deeper into the stories of Whistler with these immersive tours, whether you’re looking for a cruisy bike ride or an educational walk through the forest.
- Driving up Blackcomb Mountain on an ATV to the Crystal Hut where you’ll find the most spectacular patio in Whistler. This unforgettable experience combines incredible views with a delicious meal including cedar-planked, BC salmon, local vegetables, fresh salads and a decadent dessert. Check out our Mountain Top ATV Dining Adventure in Whistler blog to learn more about this family-friendly activity.
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More ways to get outside.
Family Fun
You’ll find us:
- Bringing popcorn and picnic blankets to Summer Movies in the Plaza. They happen every Wednesday and Saturday at 8 PM throughout July and August and include family-friendly titles like Eddie the Eagle, 500 Days in the Wild and Mrs. Doubtfire. Check out the schedule!
- Getting the next generation of bikers in on the fun of Crankworx and checking out the future of the sport with Kidsworx events, including Kidsworx Enduro, B Line DH, Dual Slalom clinic, a Scavenger Hunt and more.
- Heading to the Family Adventure Zone at the base of Blackcomb Mountain in the Upper Village with a range of exciting activities that will make for some very happy kids. Activities include the Stacyc bike track, human gyroscope, ropes course, bouncy castle, magic climbing wall, bungee trampolines, glitter tattoos, mini golf and more.
- Encouraging the kiddos to explore their creativity at the Audain Art Museum’s Youth Summer Art Workshops. From July 14 to 18, kids ages five to twelve can participate in drop in art workshops with Keita Selina from 10 AM to 1 PM. Make sure you pre-register, these workshops will be popular.
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More family-friendly activities.
Arts & Culture
You’ll find us:
- Exploring the Audain Art Museum’s latest exhibit, Tom Thomson: North Star, opening on June 29. This special exhibition provides a fresh view of one of Canada’s most luminary talents for audiences across the country.
- Celebrating the journey of immigrants and newcomers in the Sea to Sky at the Cultural Crossings art exhibit by Arts Whistler at the Maury Young Arts Centre from June 5 to July 27. Artists present their original artwork showcasing their journey to the Sea to Sky.
- Watching Master Carver Jonathan Joe mentor Apprentice Redmond Q̓áwam̓ Andrews through carving a new sister pole to stand alongside the house post carved in 2023. The live carving will be ongoing throughout summer, from June 21 until September 1 at the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre (SLCC).
- Learning about the unceded territory of the Squamish Nation and the Lil’wat Nation while listening to stories connected to the land with the self-guided walking tour on the free, Go Whistler Tours app, The Art & Storytelling of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh and Líl̓wat7úl tour is a four-kilometer loop, starting and finishing the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre (SLCC) and showcasing nine locations that are significant to both nations.
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Eating, Drinking & Shopping
You’ll find us:
- Dining al fresco at the Four Seasons Resort Whistler’s La Dolce Vita, on every Thursday from June 20 to August 29. Watch the Braidwood Tavern’s patio come to life in this celebration of the sweet Italian life. Indulge in fresh pasta, negronis and tiramisu espresso martinis, all while enjoying live music during golden hour.
- Catching a gondola to get to our dinner reservation for the Mountain Top Feast on top of Whistler Mountain. Located at the Roundhouse, this dinner event is happening every Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings all summer long. Enjoy incredible alpine views as you feast on mouthwatering mains and delicious desserts.
- Getting dressed up for the Wild Blue Long Table Dinner on July 7. Enjoy dining outdoors as you take in the picturesque sights and sounds of Whistler Village, while being served an exquisite four-course menu created by the talented chefs at Wild Blue.
- Kicking off our weekend at Fairmont Fridays, located at the Mallard Lounge. Get your boogie on with live music and food and drink specials every Friday from 5 to 7 PM.
- Cooling down with a vegan, real-fruit ice cream at Hundo-P Smoothie + Ice Cream. New this year, they’ve got coconut & cashew based ice cream made with real fruit, served in a charcoal waffle cone – yum!
- Getting our Coffee fix at % Arabica, Whistler’s newest coffee shop. The interior design concept “strives to create a connection between coffee and the natural landscapes of Canada. They are officially open in Whistler Village, but check their Instagram for operational updates and hours.
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More on Village shopping, dining and arts and culture.
Save the Date
Whistler Summer Concert Series | Select dates throughout July and August
Crankworx Whistler | July 19 – 28
Araxi Longtable Dinner | August 11
RBC GranFondo Whistler | September 7
Whistler Village Beer Festival | September 14
Be a Responsible Traveller: Don’t Love It to Death
- Whistler is bear country. Take a read of our Bear Aware blog post so you can act responsibly on behalf of these beautiful, wild creatures. Remember, a fed bear is a dead bear.
- Wildfires are a very real risk to Whistler, even in early summer. Whistler’s fire danger rating gets updated daily by the BC Wildfire Service and when it reaches High or Extreme, Stage 2 and 3 open fires of any kind are banned (check it on our weather page). If you see a fire call 9-1-1.
- If you’re using the hiking and biking trails around Whistler regularly, consider donating to or joining WORCA, a local organization that maintains Whistler’s trail system.
- BC Parks Day Passes are required for access to Garibaldi Provincial Park and Joffre Lakes Park. There are three Pipi7íyekw Reconnection Celebration periods happening in the summer when Joffre Lakes Park will be closed to recreational access and the general public, and no day-use passes or camping reservations will be available. For more information visit the BC Parks website.
- Help keep Whistler green by choosing tap water over bottled water, avoiding single-use plastics, leaving the car at home, choosing active transportation and sorting garbage properly to reduce your waste.
- Be AdventureSmart and always practice Leave No Trace principles.
- Consider our Responsible Travel pillars, Respect Nature, Think Environment, Don’t Love It to Death and Support Local.
- Whistler Alert is the official emergency notification system used by the RMOW to communicate with residents and visitors during emergencies via text message, phone and email. We encourage you to sign up for it while you’re here (just in case). When you register, you will be asked to provide your contact number and the date you plan to leave Whistler so that you don’t receive alerts when you’re back home.
- Complete the 2024 BC Parks Visitor Satisfaction Survey (open until September 16) if you visit a BC park this summer. The survey is open to all park visitors, with a goal to better understand the experiences of residents and visitors who use the parks across the province.
If You’re Driving . . .
- Take a read of Go Car Free: 8 Reasons to Ditch the Car on Your Whistler Trip in case we can convince you that you don’t need your car! Plus, public transit in Whistler will be free on weekends and holidays this summer starting June 15.
- Help reduce congestion on the highway by travelling during non-peak times. Peak travel times on the Sea to Sky Highway to Whistler include Friday afternoons and evenings, weekends and holidays. To avoid this busy time, plan to visit Whistler midweek when the highway and the resort are typically quieter. Extend your weekend – plan to arrive on Thursday night and leave on Monday morning to avoid the weekend traffic. If you’re visiting Whistler only for the day, plan on staying for dinner to avoid the rush of day traffic leaving the resort after the mountain closes.
- Always check DriveBC for current road conditions before getting on the road. Follow @DriveBC on Twitter and listen to MountainFM for the latest updates.
- Paid parking is in effect in all the Day Lots although there is complimentary parking from 5 PM to 8 AM. Overnight parking is now allowed in the Day Lots, but no overnight camping or sleeping in vehicles. Please check the RMOW website for more information on parking.
- Marketplace parking has tariffs; $1 first 30 min and $2 first hour (15-minute, storefront parking remains free). For shopping at Fresh St. Market, register your license plate in the machine prior to shopping and they will reimburse you for 1 hour with a minimum $25 purchase.
Book your summer stay between May 1 and October 31, 2024, and save up to 20% on lodging and 15% on activities. Secure your mountain getaway with Whistler.com for personalized service and the local knowledge of our Whistler-based team. If this post has you dreaming about Whistler, enter our Feel It All in Whistler summer contest to win a trip for two!
