Travel Guide | Whistler, BC
Whistler, Canada is one of my favorite places on earth! My parents bought a time share in Whistler before buying a house and we went almost every year growing up. It was our home away from home, an outdoor paradise and a place that holds so many memories. I started bringing Ryan up to Whistler when we got married, and now we get to bring our baby girl. Whistler has some of the best skiing in winter, best mountain biking and hiking in summer, and is all around an amazing little town! I can’t recommend this town enough - even if you don’t ski, hike or bike - you can shop and eat your way through the village!
Where to Stay
Fairmont Chateau - My go-to hotel. I love this hotel. It’s located in the upper village, where it’s a little quieter, but still within walking distance of all the village shops and food. You can also walk to Lost Lake from here. The BEST pools and saunas - the main reason I stay here! Great restaurants in the hotel and an incredible breakfast buffet. Next to the gondola.
Four Seasons - Right next to the Fairmont at the upper village. The BEST hotel in Whistler in my opinion, if you are willing to pay the price. Outdoor saunas are perfect for warming up after a day on the slopes, and you won’t want to leave the pools in the summer. I love this hotel for a family because of the exceptional level of service and care.
Nita Lake Lodge - Located a couple miles away from the main village, but close to Creekside Village, a smaller village with shops and a grocery store. The lodge is on a small lake, and the hotel supplies boats and paddleboards. Lots of walkable paths around the lake. It’s so beautiful and peaceful. Very cozy and perfect for a couples getaway.
Evolution - Located in Creekside village also, great if you are wanting a more affordable and casual hotel. Ideal for families with kids - each unit has a kitchen and dining room, so you can prepare food. Option for 1, 2 or 3 bedrooms. Good for a longer stay. Located at the bottom of a ski hill. Excellent pool and saunas.
Food
Breakfast/snack/light lunch:
Purebread - a MUST when you visit Whistler. This bakery has it ALL. Pastries, cakes, pies, bread and more covers the wrap around counter top. There are so many options, I usually go back a few times because it’s all so yummy. I am a huge fan of the flourless brownies, morning glories, hippie dippie cookies, and the breakfast brioche!
The Green Mustache - Organic Cafe with healthy options for breakfast, snack or lunch. Ideal for vegans and vegetarians. I love their smoothies, and salads!
Ecologyst Cafe - Tucked away in the back of a clothing store, this cafe is simple & delicious! They have a variety of drinks including coffee and tea, anddd leige waffles and toast (pick your topping). I love a good avocado toast and nutella waffle for breakfast!
Zogs Dogs - another good post ski/bike snack is this shack in the village by the whistler gondola. They have some of the best poutine!! If you haven’t had poutine, you are missing out - it is a Canadian delicacy! I make sure to have some everytime I am in Canada.
Merlin’s Bar & Grill - the place to go for a fun time of dancing and casual drinks and food. Get the nachos to share, and be ready to dance on the tabletops, this place is jumpin’ at night!
Peaked Pies - Australian meat pies! This place makes for a fun snack or quick meal. If you aren’t sure, just check the google reviews. This place is soo good- you have to get your meat pie “peaked” with mashed potatoes, green peas and gravy!
Rockit Coffee - Located in Creekside Village. Super fun vibes with a nice outdoor patio, located next to a small playground. They have excellent smoothies, breakfast burritos, healthy bowls and pastries.
COWS Ice Cream - an iconic Whistler tradition, this ice cream shop has lots of unique flavors. My favorites flavors are the blue cookie moonster, messie bessie and Nanaimo bar. We go almost every day in the summer!
Lunch/dinner:
Creekbread Pizza - We first discovered this flatbread style pizza in Maui, and were thrilled to find out their second location is in Whistler! Great pizza to pick up and take to Alpha Lake Park on a summer evening. I love the “Mopsy” pizza the best!
Handlebar Pizza - This place is tied with Creekbread for favorite pizza in Whistler. They sell slices of NY style pizza and it’s GOOD. Grab a slice and sit on the patio in the upper village before jumping back on the mountain.
Hunter Gather - Great for lunch or dinner. You order and pay first, seat yourself - very casual, good if you have kids. Their back patio is a lovely, quiet location. BBQ style entrees, pick your sides. Delicious chicken sandwiches and chicken shawarma!
La Cantina Tacos - good spot for a quick, filling lunch of delicious & unique tacos.
21 Steps Kitchen + Bar - Casual, but still nice, sit down restaurant in the village. Open for dinner. The food is top quality and has a good variety on the menu. I love this place for a family or bigger group. Make reservation.
Rimrock Cafe - I have yet to go here, but I have heard incredible things. Upscale sit down dining. Great for a date night or to celebrate a special occasion. Make reservation.
What to See & Do
Ski in the winter, or downhill mountain bike in the summer - Whistler is world famous for both!
Peak to Peak - A must do. The longest gondola in the world going from Whistler mountain to Blackcomb mountain. You can ride up one mountain, cross over to the other mountain, then down. Stop on the top of Whistler or Blackcomb mountain for some food/drink and enjoy the views on the outdoor patio. Then, take the steep chairlift up to the top of Whistler mountain and brave the suspension bridge. You can hike/trail run around up top, or not. All ages and skill levels enjoy this. Buy tickets at the base in the village or online.
Scandinave Spa - Adults only outdoor spa. A MUST DO at anytime of year. You go from a cold plunge to hot pool to relaxing in a sun room. Bring a book to read or take a nap. You can spend all day here. It is the absolute best form of relaxing! They even have a cafe with healthy snacks.
Shop in the Whistler Village - My favorite shops are “The Beach,” for swimsuits and Australian brand clothes “3 Singing Birds,” for locally handcrafted treasures “The Circle Kids",” for the cutest kids clothes and toys, “The Velvet Underground Shop” for vintage, “Patagonia,” Escape Route,” and “Lululemon” for sporty clothes, and “Aritzia,” for my favorite work clothes at the best exchange rate.
LAKES - Whistler is FULL of lakes. I love relaxing at Alpha Lake in the evening or early morning dip, Lost Lake is beautiful and an easy walk or bike ride from the village. It is perfect for a picnic or swimming. There is a great loop trail around Lost Lake for biking or cross country skiing in the winter! I also love Green Lake, the color of the water is breathtaking. This lake is huge and ideal for kayaking or paddle boarding.
Hike/backpack - Whistler has some of the best hiking in North America. I recommend Wedgemount Lake, Black Tusk, Garibaldi Lake, or Panorama Ridge Trail if you are in good shape. If you want a shorter day hike, Joffre Lakes is popular for good reason - it is so picturesque. In the summer months, many of these hikes require you to pre-book a day pass, so plan ahead. If you have kids, the Train Wreck or Nairn Falls hike is short and flat.
Go Ice Skating/Swimming at the Meadow Park Sports Centre- Growing up, this was our favorite spot. It’s perfect for families with kids. On one side is an ice skating rink, and the other side has an indoor pool with a slide, whirl pool, saunas and toys. It is really affordable for a whole family to go both skating and swimming. We would always skate for an hour, then walk over to the pool and swim.
Water Park - Another childhood favorite. In the same area as the sports centre, there is a park with a water area for kids. It is totally free and only turned on in the summer. There is a little water slide, tunnels, and other water features. Great for small kids on a hot day. It’s called “Meadow Park Playground.”
Day trip to Squamish - I love Squamish! For rockclimbers, Squamish is a mecca. There is also a fun little downtown with shops and restaurants. Grab fresh fruit ice cream from Alice + Brohm, lebanese food from Saha Eatery, and fancy donuts from Fox & Oak. You can hike the Stawamus Chief Trail for insane views, or just watch the climbers. Take the Sea to Sky gondola up to the top; go across the suspension bridge and hike around or grab a bite at the lodge.
Brandywine Provincial Park - A short, easy hike to see a waterfall. Keep walking and you’ll get to the bungee bridge where you can watch people jump off - not my cup of tea, but it’s fun to watch! I love to stop here on our way into Whistler to get out of the car and get fresh air!