WHISTLER BEYOND THE SLOPES

Photo Credit; The Adventure Group / Tourism Whistler 

While Whistler is renowned for its world-class skiing and snowboarding, there’s much more to this winter wonderland than just hitting the slopes. Off the mountain, Whistler offers a wide range of activities for everyone, whether you’re seeking heart-pounding thrills or looking for a relaxing retreat. With stunning mountain vistas, snow-covered forests, and a charming village, Whistler is the perfect destination for both adrenaline junkies and those seeking peace and tranquillity. Let me take you through some of my personal favourites, and some activities I just can’t wait to do this season!

One of my favourite activities and a fantastic way to experience Whistler's winter landscapes is ziplining. Whistler is home to Ziptrek, a company that offers guided zipline tours for all ages. Their Eagle Tour takes you through the trees, across suspension bridges, and zipping down five exhilarating ziplines, all while learning about the amazing ecosystem that thrives in Whistler.  My personal favourite adventure is the Après Winter Tour! It’s a unique way to experience Whistler at night without the nightlife—a family-friendly way to spend an evening. You'll zip across four ziplines and four treetop bridges, enjoying stunning views of snow-covered trees above the glistening lights of Whistler at night. As a special offer, Ziptrek has provided our guests with an exclusive discount when you book using the code "RCBSS."

Photo Credit: ZipTrek EcoTours / Whistler Toursim 

For those looking for something with a bit more horsepower, snowmobiling is an incredible way to explore Whistler's backcountry. Canadian Wilderness offers rides for all skill levels. Their Callaghan Cruiser tour is perfect for first-time riders and families, taking you on a journey through the Callaghan Valley to explore abandoned gold mines and winding trails through snow-covered trees. Last year, I was lucky enough to experience their Wilderness Run! It was the best day. With very limited experience on ATVs, hopping onto a snowmobile was a bit intimidating at first. But with the help of the amazing guides, I quickly picked up the controls. They were fantastic at building my confidence, allowing me to fully enjoy the adventure. We whizzed down snow-covered trails, navigated through the trees, and finished by racing across a frozen lake! It was truly an unforgettable experience, and I would highly recommend it to anyone seeking a couple of thrilling hours. For our guests, Canadian Wilderness has offered a cheeky discount—use code "SAFBS" to claim yours!

Photo Credit: Tourism Whistler/Justa Jeskova

If you don’t fancy exploring the mountain views with skis or snowboards, Whistler Blackcomb offers a winter Peak to Peak experience. Ride the Whistler Gondola to the very top, then take the Peak to Peak over the valley. While travelling 436 metres above the ground, you’ll enjoy 360° views of Whistler Village and the surrounding mountains. They also offer a glass-bottomed gondola, allowing you to look straight down at the breathtaking landscape below as you glide across! Every time I travel across the gondola, I discover something new—the views are truly unbeatable!

If you want to explore at a slower pace, you can experience snowshoeing and cross-country skiing at Whistler Olympic Park, exploring the stunning ecosystem of Whistler while keeping both feet on solid ground. A visit to Whistler Olympic Village is a great way to learn about Whistler’s history as a 2010 Olympic Games host; they even have ski jumps and Olympic rings to explore.

Right Photo Credit : Tourism Whistler/Justa Jeskova

 An amazing way to spend an evening in Whistler is to visit Vallea Lumina. When I visited, it was truly a magical experience. I was able to look on in awe and     embrace my inner child while walking along a snow-covered path through a story that comes to life in the forest around you. It was an unforgettable evening, and one I’d do over and   over again. They even have hot chocolate and s’mores at the end, where you can sit around an open wood fire, chat, and relax before the shuttle takes you back to the centre of the village. Remember, when booking, use our discount code "BLACKCOMB10" to get a 10% discount.

One activity I’ve always wanted to do since I was little is dog sledding. After seeing my favourite actors doing this in winter films and TV shows, it’s been at the top of my list—and you can do it in Whistler! Blackcomb Snowmobile offers a once-in-a-lifetime experience. With man's best friend as your guide, you'll experience Whistler's backcountry, with incredible views and a truly unforgettable adventure for the whole family.

Photo Credit : Moment FactoryVallea Lumina

Whistler is also a great place to relax and unwind. A fun activity in the village is ice skating. During the winter months, Whistler has an outdoor ice skating rink, where you can skate around under twinkling lights to a great soundtrack. With rentals on site and even penguin aids for assistance, you won’t regret spending a couple of hours here.

If you want to sit back, relax, and truly experience peace while on holiday (which, let’s be honest, is what holidays are all about), then you must visit the Scandinave Spa! Their thermal journey is open all year round, and during winter, you can dip in and out of hot tubs with amazing views, or sit in beautiful steam rooms while letting all your stresses melt away. Every time I go, I come out feeling like a new woman—ready for another day of snowboarding. I always use the discount they give our hotel guests for walk-in bookings. Next time you’re here, just ask the front desk team for the card; they’ll be happy to share their top tips and favourite parts of the Thermal Journey (it’s a team favourite).

Photo Credit: Left - Tourism Whistler/Justa Jeskova -- Photo Credit Right : Scandinave Spa/Chad Chomlack

So, next time you’re in Whistler and want to tick some bucket list items off, go ahead and book onto some of the amazing activities Whistler has to offer—I guarantee you won’t regret it. I certainly haven’t!