Whistler – a perfect summer vacation!
We just returned from a week’s vacation in Whistler, and it was fantastic. Gorgeous sun without the unbearable heat!
If you plan on going to Whistler during the summer (there’s more than just snow sports up there), there is a lot to do:
Weekend Farmers’ Market
On Sundays, Whistler’s Farmer’s Market is a cornucopia of artisan baking, jewellery, art, fresh produce, and music. Get here early in the morning to be sure you get the freshest of the fresh!
Mountaintop BBQ
Throughout the summer on the weekends, you can dine at the top of Whistler Mountain. Just buy a ticket for the breathtaking gondola ride up the peak, and then indulge in a BBQ buffet that includes chicken, pork, salmon, corn on the cob, biscuits, and lots of desserts. Note: wear stretchy clothes to fully partake in this dining experience with an unparalleled view.
Here we are by the Inukshuk statue at the top of Whistler getting ready to enjoy our mountaintop BBQ.
Lost Lake
We love the lake. You can walk to it (about a 30-minute walk with kids), ride the bus (be prepared for waits — the free shuttle to the lake isn’t that frequent) there, or bike (about 15 minutes) to this destination. We spent hours upon hours here with not a single beach toy…there were tadpoles chase after in the lake, ducks to feed, rocks to skip after all!
Whistler Public Library
Did you know you can borrow movies and games from the library? We didn’t! The selection isn’t as wide or current as the video store, but it’s free and you may find some gems you hadn’t thought of before. We watched Jumanji, rediscovered the humour of Ghostbusters and more, thanks to the Whistler Public Library (www.whisterlibrary.ca)!
Blackcomb Base Adventure Zone
There’s something for nearly every age at the Adventure Zone, just a 15-minute walk (or an even quicker bike ride) from Whistler Village. From bouncy castles to a 315m luge track, from rock climbing to the Kiss the Sky Bungy Trampoline for the brave, it’s hours of fun. We spent three days here with the my eight- and five-year old.
Here’s my 5-year-old Lauren, strapped in and ready to go on the bungee trampoline.
My five-year-old daughter could not get enough of the bungy trampoline, even doing flips in mid-air. And my son loved trying to beat his fastest time on the luge.
And away she goes!
Peak2Peak Alpine Experience
When you go to Whistler, you have to try the Peak 2 Peak gondola ride, spanning between Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains. It’s a gorgeous 4.4 km journey and is the longest unsupported span of 3.024 km. We saw bears and marmots on our way up. It was fabulous.
Our vacation was too short, as all vacations are, and we didn’t do everything that Whistler has to offer. If you plan on going, visit www.whistlerblackcomb.com to get the lowdown on the possibilities!
