Free things to do · Whistler · Canada
6 free things to do in Whistler
Whistler without the ticket prices: sights, walks and views that cost nothing.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
You can fill at least 2 days in Whistler without paying an entry fee: Village Stroll and Olympic Plaza, Lost Lake Park, Alta Lake and Rainbow Park and Valley Trail are all free. Buy lift tickets online well before your trip or consider an Epic Pass for longer stays; window prices are the highest.
Key facts
- Free sights in this guide
- 6
- Low-cost extras
- 0
- Cost level
- Very expensive
- Lowest hotel prices
- May and October
Free sights and experiences
Street · Whistler Village
1.Village Stroll and Olympic Plaza
Take the classic photo with the Olympic rings early in the morning before the crowds.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Shopping
- After dark
- Kids
- Food
Park · Village North
2.Lost Lake Park
Walk the loop around the lake early on a summer morning, then swim from the dock.
- Time needed
- 1–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Nature
- Outdoors
- Kids
Park · Creekside
3.Alta Lake and Rainbow Park
Paddle the River of Golden Dreams from Alta Lake towards Green Lake on a guided or self-guided trip.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Views
- Couples
- Kids
Nature · Whistler Valley
4.Valley Trail
Rent a cruiser bike and ride a lake loop — Alta Lake to Rainbow Park and back is about an hour.
- Time needed
- 1–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Active
- Outdoors
- Kids
Nature · Function Junction
5.Train Wreck Trail
Combine it with a coffee and pastry in Function Junction, at the trailhead end of town.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Photo spot
- Outdoors
- Off the beaten path
- Kids
Nature · Sea-to-Sky Highway
6.Brandywine Falls Provincial Park
Stop on the drive between Vancouver and Whistler; the walk takes only about 15 minutes each way.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Nature
- Photo spot
- Views
Free sights by area
| Area | Free sights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Whistler Village | Village Stroll and Olympic Plaza | 1–2 hours |
| Village North | Lost Lake Park | 1–3 hours |
| Creekside | Alta Lake and Rainbow Park | 2–3 hours |
| Whistler Valley | Valley Trail | 1–3 hours |
| Function Junction | Train Wreck Trail | 1–1.5 hours |
| Sea-to-Sky Highway | Brandywine Falls Provincial Park | 45 minutes |
More ways to save
- Buy lift tickets online well before your trip or consider an Epic Pass for longer stays; window prices are the highest.
- Stay in a condo with a kitchen in Village North or Creekside and shop at the village supermarkets.
- Visit in early December, April or September for lower rates with good skiing or biking.
- Squamish and Pemberton accommodation costs much less than the village if you have a car.
- Lakes, the Valley Trail, Train Wreck, Brandywine Falls and summer concerts in Olympic Plaza are free.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Whistler expensive to visit?
Whistler is very expensive for most visitors, but 6 of its best-known sights are free, which makes a tight budget workable.
+What is the best free thing to do in Whistler?
Village Stroll and Olympic Plaza: Take the classic photo with the Olympic rings early in the morning before the crowds.