5 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

      Head up early and ski the alpine before it gets tracked out, then move down to the trees if visibility drops. (Full day, expensive).

   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. (Half or full day, expensive).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Poutine

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

   4. Afternoon

      Village Stroll and Olympic Plaza

      Take the classic photo with the Olympic rings early in the morning before the crowds. (1–2 hours, free).

   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. (1–3 hours with time at the top, expensive).

   2. Late morning

      Cloudraker Skybridge and summer alpine trails

      Go on a clear morning; cloud often builds over the peaks in the afternoon. (Half a day, expensive).

   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. (1.5–2 hours, mid-priced).

   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

      Start with the gallery of Northwest Coast masks, one of the strongest parts of the collection. (1.5 hours, mid-priced).

   2. Late morning

      Lost Lake Park

      Walk the loop around the lake early on a summer morning, then swim from the dock. (1–3 hours, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Caesar

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

   4. Afternoon

      Alta Lake and Rainbow Park

      Paddle the River of Golden Dreams from Alta Lake towards Green Lake on a guided or self-guided trip. (2–3 hours, free).

   5. Evening

      Upper Village

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

4. Day 4: Day trip to Squamish

   About 45 minutes by car each way. Getting there: Car or coach via the Sea-to-Sky Highway.

   1. Morning

      Travel to Squamish

      About 45 minutes by car (Car or coach via the Sea-to-Sky Highway); about 58 km.

   2. Day

      Squamish

      The Sea to Sky Gondola climbs from Squamish to a summit lodge, suspension bridge and trails above Howe Sound. Best for families, first-timers and couples.

   3. Evening

      Back in Whistler

      Dinner: try BC wild salmon.

5. Day 5: Valley Trail and Train Wreck Trail

   Valley Trail, Train Wreck Trail and Brandywine Falls Provincial Park, then Nordic spa in the forest in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Valley Trail

      Rent a cruiser bike and ride a lake loop — Alta Lake to Rainbow Park and back is about an hour. (1–3 hours, free).

   2. Late morning

      Train Wreck Trail

      Combine it with a coffee and pastry in Function Junction, at the trailhead end of town. (1–1.5 hours, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: BC wild salmon

      Village restaurants and the cultural centre's café.

   4. Afternoon

      Brandywine Falls Provincial Park

      Stop on the drive between Vancouver and Whistler; the walk takes only about 15 minutes each way. (45 minutes, free).

   5. Evening

      Nordic spa in the forest

      An afternoon of hot pools, cold plunges and silence at the Scandinave Spa near Lost Lake.

Before you go

Reserve timed tickets for Whistler Blackcomb ski resort and Whistler Mountain Bike Park before you travel; the rest of this plan needs no advance booking.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 5 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 23–36 hours of visiting over 5 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
• 3 days in Whistler

Questions travellers ask