Whistler's Best Attractions & Activities

Experienced skiers and snowboarders will want to check this one out for sure — Powder Mountain Heli/Cat Skiing gets you away from the well-traveled slopes and into the freshest powder you've ever seen. And with some 4300 acres of mountainous terrain to choose from, there's no chance for a cancelled trip due to lack of snow. All guides are also certified instructors so you can also learn to ski or board powder. With 15 years of experience in cat-skiing, the company now offers even more mind blowing thrills with the addition of heli-skiing. Trips are offered daily during the winter, and depart from the Longhorn Saloon and Grill in the Carlton Lodge by 8am; return time is usually about 5pm.

Ski Magazine has dubbed Whistler-Blackcomb the best ski resort in the world, thanks in large part to an average annual snowfall of 30 feet and glacier skiing that often lasts into August. The two mountains have a combined acreage of over 8100 acres, with 200 marked trails and 38 lifts able to move 61,407 skiers per hour. The longest runs are seven miles, and there are several snowboarding parks and pipes. Each mountain has a number of restaurants and gift shops as well. Tots six and under ski free.

This 18-hole, par-72 course, designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., lies at the base of Blackcomb Mountain. There is an elevation gain of 400 feet and a slope rating of 142. Gushing streams and steep mountain ledges add an element of difficulty. At midcourse there is a gorgeous view of the Coast Mountains.

From summer activities like hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding and fishing to such winter favorites as snowmobiling, dog sledding, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing, Cougar Mountain Adventures offers a veritable cornucopia of seasonal adventure excursions. The guides are both knowledgeable and courteous, and the gear is top-notch. In the summer, Hummer and ATV tours are also available, as well as horseback riding, nature walks and hikes, and fishing trips.

There are few better ways to appreciate the natural beauty of the Whistler area than by engulfing yourself in it. Eco-Tours offers a variety of adventure excursions for those who truly want to experience the Canadian Rockies. Take a paddling trip up the River of Golden Dreams, Alta Lake or Green Lake; sign up for a guided hike through Whistler Valley; do a little trout or steelhead angling; enjoy bird watching in the Whistler and Pemberton Valleys; or go for the Ironman-esque Pedal/Paddle trip to Alta Lake and back down the River of Golden Dreams.

One of Whistler's most popular attractions, Ziptrek is a series of ziplines set up across 11 hectares (33 acres) of land between Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains. There are two different tours that utilize ten ziplines ranging from 60-600 meters (200-2000 feet) in length, and 24-60 meters (80-200 feet) above ground; each tour lasts about 2.5 hours. Heated platforms between the ziplines ensure your comfort even on shivery days, and tours run 365 days a year, regardless of the weather. The ticketing center and shuttle pick up is at Essentially Blackcomb in Carleton Lodge. Reservations are recommended but not essential.

An award-winning course designed by Robert Cupp, Big Sky is situated at the base of Mt. Currie but is mostly flat terrain (with fabulous views). Four sets of tees range from 7001-5208 yards; practice facilities include a 350-yard driving range, two bunkers, and three putting greens. Metal spikes are not permitted. Rentals and lessons available.

Rafter C3 offers daily rafting trips throughout the summer, each lasting one to four hours (not including travel to and from the river). Although the Green River is closest to Whistler, you can also choose among trips down the Birkenhead, Cheakamus, or Elaho and Squamish Rivers. In the winter, some 3000 bald eagles (the largest gathering in North America) spend a few months (Nov-Feb) near Brackendale, and Rafter C3's trip down the Squamish River is the ideal way to get a closer look. Notably, all their trips are suitable for everyone, including novices and kids (although there is a minimum weight requirement on most trips ranging from 45-90 pounds).

This museum offers an intriguing look at the history of the Whistler and Pemberton Valleys. There are exhibits chronicling the area's early settlement by British immigrants in the late 1800s, as well as studies of the area's native tribes and wildlife. Slide presentations and bus tours of the valley are also available. Interested in how many people ski at Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains? This is the place to find out.

What does a mountain ski resort do during the warmer months? Well, in Whistler, they turn the place into a mountain bike park. Granted, the entire ski area is not given over to mountain biking, but a good chunk of it is, with more than 200 km (124 miles) of trails that are easy to get to, thanks to those same lifts that carry skiers up the mountain. Ranked the best mountain bike park in the world by a number of international publications. Exact opening and closing dates vary slightly from year to year; from mid-June through August hours are extended to take advantage of available daylight. Lessons, tours and rental bikes and equipment are available.