3 days in Whistler

Day by day

1. Day 1: Whistler Blackcomb ski resort and Whistler Mountain Bike Park

   Whistler Blackcomb ski resort, Whistler Mountain Bike Park and Village Stroll and Olympic Plaza, then Base of the Whistler Village Gondola in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Whistler Blackcomb ski resort

      Two mountains with more than 200 marked runs, three glaciers, alpine bowls and long groomers, rising more than 1,500 vertical metres above the village.

   2. Late morning

      Whistler Mountain Bike Park

      Book a lesson for your first day; the beginner Fitzsimmons zone is the place to learn before tackling the main trails.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Poutine

      Pubs and casual restaurants around the Village Stroll and at the mountain lodges.

   4. Afternoon

      Village Stroll and Olympic Plaza

      The pedestrian Village Stroll winds through squares and lanes of shops, restaurants and patios.

   5. Evening

      Base of the Whistler Village Gondola

      Slopeside patios and bars packed for après as the lifts close.

2. Day 2: Peak 2 Peak Gondola and Cloudraker Skybridge and summer alpine trails

   Peak 2 Peak Gondola, Cloudraker Skybridge and summer alpine trails and Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre, then Village Stroll in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Peak 2 Peak Gondola

      Wait for a glass-floored cabin (marked silver) if you want to look straight down at Fitzsimmons Creek.

   2. Late morning

      Cloudraker Skybridge and summer alpine trails

      In summer, the Peak Express chair lifts sightseers to the summit of Whistler Mountain, where the Cloudraker Skybridge, a 130-metre suspension bridge, crosses to a viewing platform hanging over the West Ridge.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Après-ski nachos

      Bars and patios at the base of the Whistler Village and Blackcomb gondolas.

   4. Afternoon

      Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre

      Join a guided tour on arrival; the cultural ambassadors explain far more than the labels.

   5. Evening

      Village Stroll

      Pubs, cocktail bars and the village's nightclubs, busy until late in ski season.

3. Day 3: Audain Art Museum and Lost Lake Park

   Audain Art Museum, Lost Lake Park and Alta Lake and Rainbow Park, then Upper Village in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Audain Art Museum

      A dark, elongated building raised on stilts in the forest, designed by Patkau Architects and opened in 2016, holds a collection of British Columbia art from historic Northwest Coast masks to Emily Carr, E.J.

   2. Late morning

      Lost Lake Park

      Walk the loop around the lake early on a summer morning, then swim from the dock.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Caesar

      Any bar in the village, especially at après and weekend brunch.

   4. Afternoon

      Alta Lake and Rainbow Park

      Rainbow Park, on the west shore of Alta Lake, has a sandy beach, swimming docks and one of the best views across the water to Whistler and Blackcomb mountains.

   5. Evening

      Upper Village

      Hotel lounges and bars at the Blackcomb base for a quieter drink.

Before you go

• Whistler Blackcomb ski resort: Lift tickets and passes are cheaper bought online in advance than at the ticket window; ski school spots fill over holidays.
• Whistler Mountain Bike Park: Rentals and lessons sell out on summer weekends; reserve ahead.

If it rains

• Swap in Scandinave Spa Whistler (Lost Lake): Follow the hot–cold–rest cycle three or four times; the cold plunge feels best on a snowy day.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 3 nights, Whistler Village keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, Village North ($$$) suits families, budget and quiet stays. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 20–31 hours of visiting over 3 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 8.1 hours in December to 16.4 hours in June, so in winter start early and keep museums for the afternoon.

More or fewer days

• One day in Whistler
• 2 days in Whistler
• 5 days in Whistler

Questions travellers ask