As an outsider, you’d be forgiven for thinking that winter sports are Whistler’s raison d’être. This is, after all, the largest ski resort in North America. But these epic mountains are put to good use over the summer months too – as I discovered on an action-packed shoot for my TV show, Adventure Cities.
Over the course of a week, we experienced some incredible alpine summer activities: summiting Whistler’s famous peaks via ATV, mountain bike and Via Ferrata – and screaming back down them on ziplines, rafts and even a bobsled.
Summer in Whistler
At the start of my visit, I was surprised to discover that Whistler’s summer visitors now officially outnumber their winter counterparts. By the end of the week, I completely understood: the sheer diversity of sports available, once the snow disappears, is mind-boggling – and it’s all beautifully centralized here, making it easy to try your hand at pretty much everything on the same trip.
Whistler is, of course, a very different beast in the warmer months, but one thing it maintains is its permanent sense of adventure. Here are my highlights from an unforgettable week of summer activities…
1. Cool Sunnings
The legacy of the successful 2010 Winter Olympics is still very much alive and well in Whistler Blackcomb – and one of the best places to experience it hands-on is at the Whistler Sliding Centre. One of only three Olympic bobsled tracks in North America, this world-class facility opens its doors (and sleds) to the public during the summer for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience the same racing conditions as the world’s finest athletes.
View this post on Instagram
My own ride down the track with a professional pilot sees us top 90 kilometres per hour as we barrel and bank through the turns like a ball in a marble run, fighting G-force all the way. Needless to say, it’s an absolute blast and should be on everyone’s bucket list.
2. Peak Performance
The big idea behind Via Ferrata – a series of iron rungs leading ladder-like up massive mountains – is that it democratizes climbing. As a result, people like me with no previous experience can happily summit big peaks like Whistler Mountain while embracing the perfect balance of personal challenge and pristine alpine charm.
View this post on Instagram
My climb, with Mountain Skills Academy & Adventures, takes about four hours and boasts magnificent scenery throughout as we ascend the last 1,000ft to the summit. The thrill of being on a raw rockface like this, enjoying these insane views without any expertise is absolutely mind-blowing and completely unforgettable.
3. Zip Top
As anybody who’s swung on a few will tell you, there are ziplines and then there are ziplines. Whistler is bristling with the latter, which don’t just flutter through sun-dappled tree canopies – they roar from jagged mountaintop to mountaintop. And what a ride.
View this post on Instagram
On our tour de force of four incredible lines with the brilliant Superfly Ziplines, we reach 100 kilometres per hour, zigzagging our way between Rainbow and Cougar Mountains as the valley unfolds beneath our dangling feet. A great – and surprisingly rare – touch is that all the ziplines are tandem, so we fly down in pairs, racing (and filming) each other as we go.
4. A Boatload of Fun
White water rafting is one of my all-time favourite activities – and Whistler does not disappoint. From the moment we meet our Wedge Rafting guide, Emile Lalonde, to the end of our glorious, sun-drenched ride, we’re laughing and screaming in equal measure.
View this post on Instagram
Green Lake, a beloved local hang-out, is our route into the mouth of its namesake river – a distinctive milky green colour thanks to glacial runoff and the place where the real fun begins. During our two-hour trip down Green River, we get to dive headfirst into a perfect melee of Class 2 and 3 rapids, or as Emile puts it: “the sweet spot between flat water and certain death.” What more could an adventure lover wish for?
5. Quad Squad
I’d never heard of “adventure dining” before, but I will be actively seeking it out now, after the phenomenal Crystal Hut Salmon Bake experience with Canadian Wilderness Adventures. As sunset approaches, we drive a fleet of ATVs all the way up Blackcomb Mountain, where a salmon feast and live music are waiting for us at the lofty Crystal Hut.
View this post on Instagram
The whole experience is strangely meditative, as we climb 6,000ft through alpine forests, then descend after dinner with our headlights on – accompanied by the eerie whistles of the mountain’s beloved hoary marmots, which gave Whistler its name.
6. Pedal Winner
There are hundreds of cross-country tracks crisscrossing Whistler Mountain Bike Park, and they’re graded just like ski runs, from green for nervy beginners to black diamonds for the most pugnacious pedal pushers.
View this post on Instagram
After signing up for a lesson with legendary local instructor Michel “Meesh” Berthoud, I explore a good selection of winding greens and blues, spending a very happy morning getting very muddy – and even attempting a few jumps under Meesh’s expert watch. The Bike Park, which recently celebrated its 25th anniversary, is billed as one of the best places on the planet for summer mountain biking, and I can’t see any reason whatsoever to disagree.
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.
