Wahoo, spring skiing and riding! With fresh corduroy in the morning, buttery groomers in the afternoon and the potential for a few late-season powder dumps, spring skiing is the best. Whistler Blackcomb has one of the longest seasons in North America with Blackcomb Mountain being open until May 19, 2025. Whistler Mountain closes this month on April 21, as does the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola. From April 21 to May 19, Blackcomb Gondola and Excalibur Gondola run daily from 9 AM to 4 PM.
The World Ski and Snowboard Festival (WSSF) is back April 7 to 13, 2025, wrapping up the season with sports, arts and music. If you are thinking of a getaway over Easter weekend, there is plenty to do for the whole family in Whistler. From yummy Easter brunches to outdoor adventures – take a look at our Adventuring with Kids post for some fun spring adventure ideas with the kiddos.
Whistler’s diverse and award-winning dining scene offers some incredible dining specials in the spring. Take a look at our dedicated blog for some ideas of where to go. April is also prime time patio season in Whistler, so peruse our après posts for ideas on which ones to hit up while you’re here.
Here’s what’s happening in Whistler this April.
Outdoor Adventure
You’ll find us:
- Seeing if our thighs can handle the legendary Saudan Couloir Race Extreme presented by Helly Hansen, part of WSSF. The steep, double-black-diamond course is 2,500 feet of thigh-burning hell, but the kudos of saying you made it down? Priceless. The race happens on April 11, register online if you’re brave enough!
- Soaking in the last few weeks of spring riding on Whistler Mountain, which closes on April 21 for the season, including the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola. Blackcomb Mountain stays open until May 19 for those hoping to enjoy spring skiing and riding for as long as possible! For a self-guided journey through the mountains, check out Whistler Blackcomb’s new Wonder Routes – 7 self-guided interactive maps that help you explore the most breathtaking stops on each mountain. From family friendly routes to alpine and glade routes, there is something for everyone.
- Getting in our final Nordic ski laps of the season. Whistler Olympic Park stays open for regular winter operations until April 6, but the fun extends into April with two bonus weekends, April 12-13 and April 18-20 for trail access only (no rentals or day lodge access). The Callaghan closes for Winter operations on on April 13 (weather dependent), so be sure t get in your last few Nordic adventures under the spring sunshine!
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Adventure Lite
You’ll find us:
- Loving that Whistler’s network of trails is emerging from the snow. Take a spring stroll or cruisy bike ride along Whistler’s Valley Trail. You could head north towards Green Lake or south along the banks of Alta Lake, towards Creekside and Function Junction. Download the free Go Whistler Tours app for a curated list of self-guided strolls and bikes.
- Stretching out the ski legs at Yoga at the Audain Art Museum, every Thursday in April at 9:30 AM. Revel in the stunning architecture as you work through a calming one-hour practice with rotating instructors. Registration includes access to the galleries on the day of from 11 AM to 6 PM.
- Joining instructor Laura Douglas at the Wim Hof Fundamentals Workshop on April 27. Dive into the three pillars of the Wim Hof Method, and enjoy a breathing session and an (optional) ice bath.
- Practicing our swing ahead of the upcoming golf season at The Sim at the Whistler Golf Club, or The Cabin at Nicklaus North, the two indoor golf simulators in Whistler. If you are already planning for the upcoming golf season, check out our latest post Golf in Whistler: Your Questions Answered for all the insider must-knows.
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More ways to get outside.
Family Fun
You’ll find us:
- Spring skiing with the kiddos. With the longer, sunnier days and emptier slopes, spring is a great time to get out there with the kids. We suggest packing some hot chocolate and treats and finding a sunny spot for a family picnic. Don’t forget the sunscreen!
- Cheering on the athletes participating in The Grind (part of WSSF), held at Skier’s Plaza on Thursday, April 10 to Saturday, April 12, 2025. Fans can expect jaw-dropping tricks, intense battles for podium positions, and an electric atmosphere as some of the most talented riders and skiers from around the world throw down in Whistler Village!
- Sliding through slush or simply watching the hilarious antics at the Slush Cup presented by Corona as part of the WSSF on April 13. In this iconic spring event, participants charge through the spring snow and send it across a slushy ice pond, preferably in style. With tons of prizes up for grabs, don’t miss this annual fan-favorite event.
- On a family adventure like ziplining across the valley, exploring one of the shorter, valley hikes like Lost Lake or Train Wreck (note that in the early part of this month, these trails could still have patches of snow and ice), or renting bikes and exploring the Whistler Valley Trail. Read Top 10 Whistler Spring Activities for Families for more ideas.
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More family-friendly activities.
Arts & Culture
You’ll find us:
- Checking out the Anonymous Art Show at the Maury Young Arts Centre, which runs until April 26 (buying night is April 4). The participating artist’s identity is kept secret until you select your art. Purchase your entry ticket to ensure your spot at Whistler’s most adrenaline-fueled gallery event!
- Supporting Protect Our Winters Canada at the free town hall event at the Rainbow Theatre on April 6. Bringing together local businesses, community members, and athletes to discuss how we can build resilient communities based on outdoor recreation when facing the challenges of climate change.
- Enjoying the signature culture events of WSSF. Snag your tickets for the super popular 72-Hour Filmmaker Showdown on April 7, Pro Photographer Showdown Presented by Arc’teryx on April 8, and don’t miss Intersection on April 9.
- Not missing the live music presented by WSSF. From April 10 to 13, get your groove on at the Skullcandy Stage in Skier’s Plaza and enjoy FREE music from an incredible lineup of artists including Ruby Waters, Fort Knox Five Live, Swollen Members, Shred Kelly and more. Plus, check out the After Dark Music Series from April 7 to 13, where you can catch internatonal DJ acts at local night clubs throughout the village!
- Having a laugh at the Arts Whistler Live! Presents Spaced Out!, the improv comedy adventure where even the actors don’t know what’s coming next, on April 11. If you are into comedy, don’t miss the Whistler Comedy Classic produced by Jokers Canada on April 2, and OK DOPE Presents Jon Dore (who was named one of ’10 comics to watch’ by Variety Magazine) on April 23.
- Spending an afternoon exploring the Audain Art Museum‘s latest exhibit opening on April 27, The Coast Mountains: Recent Works by Edward Burtynsky. The internationally acclaimed, Toronto-based artist presents a selection of large-scale, photo-based works capturing the pristine grandeur of British Columbia’s natural environment, while highlighting the pressing issue of glacier retreat due to global warming.
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Eating, Drinking & Shopping
You’ll find us:
- On the patio of the Firerock Lounge for the Aperol Party Party with WSSF on April 7 from 3 to 7 PM, or the Longhorn Saloon on Tuesday, April 8 from 3 to 7 PM, enjoying the classic Swedish Afterski party. Both parties are set to be the ultimate après ski celebration!
- Celebrating Easter with a brunch feast at the Braidwood Tavern or the Wildflower Grill, both on April 20. Indulge with the whole fam in festive, seasonal delights and live music!
- Sipping on Kettle One cocktails at the Alpenglow Après sessions at the Mallard Lounge, every Friday and Saturday until April 26 from 3 to 6 PM. This limited-time event invites you to revel in an elevated après-ski experience, with a live DJ and vibrant atmosphere in the Upper Village.
- Dancing in our ski boots with live music from The Hairfarmers at Merlin’s Bar & Grill every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, or at Dusty’s in Creekside on Tuesdays and Saturdays from 3:30 to 6:30 PM until April 21.
- Eating our way through the spring dining specials around town. From spring tasting menus to happy hours, there are plenty of spring dining specials to choose from this month. If you’re looking for a true Canadian experience, check out Bearfoot Bistro’s Magic of Maple, where they turn their restaurant into a cabane à sucre (sugar shack) from April 22 to May 4, 2025 and celebrate all things maple.
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More on Village shopping, dining and arts and culture.
Save the Date
Whistler Children’s Festival | May 16 – 18Whistler Farmers’ Market | May 18 – October 12 (Sundays)Whistler Half Marathon | June 7 XFONDO Bike Race | June 14Crankworx Whistler | August 8 – 17
Be a Responsible Traveller: Don’t Love It to Death
- 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 waste.
- At this time of year, our hiking and biking trails are just coming out of the snow. Before you head out, check Trailforks to see which trails are open so you don’t damage them before they’ve had a chance to bounce back after the winter. If you’re using the trails regularly, consider donating to or joining WORCA, a local organization that maintains Whistler’s trail system.
- 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.
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!
- 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 (from April 1 to October 31) in the Day Lots (with a max stay of 24 hours), but no overnight camping or sleeping in vehicles. Please check the RMOW website for more information on parking including an interactive map.
Spring offers great value with savings of up to 25% on lodging. Stretch your stay into midweek for even more savings and a quieter village. For every third night you book between March 1 - April 30, 2025, receive a free $75 CAD Whistler Après Voucher.
For summer, book ahead and save up to 30% on lodging. Plus, you'll receive a free $150 CAD Activity Voucher on stays of 3 or more nights.
Insider Tip: BC or Washington resident? Sign up for Whistler Rewards to access additional savings and exclusive perks.
