When you think of Whistler, you probably imagine yourself skiing or snowboarding down the picturesque, snowy slopes.
Or you may even reminisce about a hot summer day spent hiking the surrounding mountains, then cooling off with an epic river rafting adventure.
Even when the colours of fall start to reveal themselves with orange and yellow leaves scattered on the ground while an autumn breeze lingers in the air, Whistler boasts an impressive array of things to do that will ignite your inner tourist.
Below is our guide to experiencing Whistler in the fall.
Activities
While fall may not be your typical idea of “peak season” in Whistler, the abundance of simply thrilling and diverse activities in the small town are more rampant than you think.
Pop these on your Whistler to-do list.
If you love spectacular mountainous views, but don’t really love the whole hiking part to see said views, the Peak 2 Peak Gondola will save you time (and muscle soreness) by transporting you above Whistler Blackcomb’s high alpine. Explore areas you have only dreamt of while completing a loop from lift-to-lift with gentle walks and spectacular lookouts. If your legs are up for it, trek one of the 18 trails with varying difficulties for specific hikers.
During the fall, the Peak 2 Peak is only open on weekends up to Thanksgiving Monday. Following October 10, the Peak 2 Peak and the lifts close until ski season which is slated to kickoff on November 24th, or earlier if snow conditions permit.
Bet you didn’t know you could go ziplining all-year round. Fall is the perfect time to strap on a GoPro (provided by Ziptrek) and glide down a line through the lush green forest while admiring stunning views above Fitzsimmons Creek. Ziptrek offers 4 Tours that are available throughout any time of the year, including:
Adult Bear Tour – $119
Adult Eagle Tour – $139
Adult Treetrek Tour – $39
Adult Mammoth Tour (Bear and Eagle Combo) – $199
Each tour is unique and promises views of Whistler like you’ve never seen before. If you forgot to bring warm/dry clothes, no worries! Ziptrek will provide you with waterproof outerwear and mitts – just make sure to ask for them.
Escape to this lovely oasis of pure serenity. The Scandinave Spa is nestled in a peaceful spruce and cedar forest, overlooking Whistler’s vast mountainous range and boasts a 20,000 square foot outdoor day spa.
Unwind with an exceptional massage in this beautiful, Nordic-inspired paradise, which offers a eucalyptus steam room, Nordic waterfalls, solariums, hammocks to rest in, and so much more relaxing amenities. You’ll never want to leave!
Art lovers will enjoy this hidden gem. Most people don’t even know there is a Museum in Whistler, but the Audain Art Museum is a must-see for tourists and locals alike. Michael Audain and his wife, Yoshiko Karasawa, have collected over 200 art pieces on display at the museum open to the general public. Adults pay just $18 for admission, while anyone under 16-years-old gets in free.
While mountain biking seems like your typical summer activity, the Whistler Mountain Bike Park stays open during the fall to tempt tourist with an outdoor exploration like no other. This is North America’s No. 1 lift accessed bike park with trails for every skill level. Not only can you rent a bike if you don’t have your own, but you can participate in a bike school, as well. Tickets to the park start at just $39.
Alpine Hiking – Spearhead Traverse
Who said fall isn’t a great time to keep hiking? Whistler has an endless amount of paths to be wandered; yet the Spearhead Traverse trail offers easy hiking with a beautiful reward, no matter what season it is.
This sub-alpine trail is a quick hike (about 1 hour total) that showcases views of Fitzsimmons Valley.
Typically seen as a summer event, the Farmer’s Market carries on into the fall and stays in the village until October 9th. Every Sunday from 11am-4pm, the market is located at the base of Blackcomb Mountain along the Upper Village Stroll.
Aside from baked goods, fresh produce and farm products, the market includes clothing and fashion, handcrafted food products, jewellers, health and wellness products and services, pottery, treats and sweets, visual artists, wood crafts, winery and brewery products, and many more unique vendors.
Dining
While visiting Whistler, it’s essential to pick a delicious spot to chow down in between your daytime activities.
Fall is the perfect time to allow for a few more cheat days than usual – and the village has a plethora of restaurants and pubs to tickle your foodie fancy.
We’ve comprised a list of the best places to hit up for each meal throughout the day.
Breakfast / Brunch
If you love eggs, bacon and hash browns, the Southside Diner will fulfil your wildest breakfast dreams. Whistler has many options for this popular mealtime, but we quite enjoy the Southside Diner. Though it’s not in the village, this diner packs a breaky punch. If you’re feeling frisky, order up the Big Ass Pancake – it’s huge, seriously.
A gnarly hangover must have helped create the notion of Brunch. If you’re not the “early bird catches the worm” type and seemed to have slept in past the typical time for breakfast, no worries! Wild Wood Pacific Bistro has you covered with tasty brunch favourites that will cure your aches from the epic night you had before (keep reading for our section on nightlife). Try one of their Wild Bennies – the Asparagus and Portobello is divine!
Lunch
This classy, yet casual restaurant brings all of your lunch favourites to life with unique pub fare at an affordable price. We tried the Buffalo Chicken Sandwich with fries: the crispy chicken breast had the perfect zing, topped with fresh lettuce on a Ciabatta bun. Other tasty items include Beet Cured Tuna Taco, Roast Duck Mac N Cheese and the Quinoa Burrito Bowl!
It’s 5 o’clock somewhere, right? Lunch is the ideal time to get the beer taps flowing. Brewhouse offers a tasty lunch menu with shareable appies (like deep fried pickles) and juicy burgers. Pair a Beef Burger topped with bacon and white cheddar with a Grizzly Brown Ale – voila, lunch heaven.
Dinner
It’s tough to decide on just one place to dine at for dinner, but Araxi takes the cake when it comes to quality and taste. Though on the pricier end, Araxi is worth every penny. Executive Chef James Walt brings incredible dishes from the farm to the table with an exclusive menu, specializing in oysters and seafood, but surprisingly effortless when it comes to other choices, too. We loved the Roasted BC Halibut. Leave room for dessert – the Lemon Tart is to die for!
Snacks and More
If you want a hearty meal, or savoury snack, the lodge offers up guests a quick snack during their fall fun explorations. On cooler days, try one of their Ramen bowls. Or whip up your own wok stir-fry atop a bed of noodles, rice or kale salad. They even have a Taqueria menu for taco and burrito connoisseurs.
Nightlife
After a long day of hikes and a full belly of food, you’ll be tempted to turn in for the night and cuddle up in that cozy hotel bed (keep reading for the best accommodation). Try not to, though!
Whistler has some of the best nightlife in British Columbia, it’s no wonder people from all over the world choose the village for their bachelor and bachelorette parties.
Here’s a list of the clubs to get down at while visiting during the fall – or anytime, for that matter:
With two massive dance floors, this is the perfect place to bust a move – they even have go-go dancers! Tommy Africa’s has a pool table for those who prefer billiard moves, too.
Ask the locals and they’ll tell you this is the club to be at when frequenting the village. They play some rendition of Top 40’s and have cheap enough drinks to keep you feeling good all night long.
This place gets pretty rowdy. They’re known for their iconic Sunday Glow parties, which are exactly what they sound like. Prepare to get lit.
If you’re inner Dancing Queen has retired, but you still want to have a fun night out in the village, Buffalo Bill’s is the place to be. Pop in for a live music night and don’t forget to order the Nachos.
This place is massive. The drinks and food are phenomenal (try their Full Rack of BBQ Sweet Chipotle Ribs) and the music is always bumpin’. Cowboys and cowgirls welcome.
Accommodation
Typically when you visit Whistler, you probably want book at a hotel in the village. Evolution Whistler is a hotel just outside of the main village, in Creekside, a lively yet laid back alternative.
Evolution offers a modern take on mountain lodging with chic one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom suites that offer just about everything you need to get through your time in Whistler.
While Evolution doesn’t give you instant village access, it’s a refreshing change of scenery and a peaceful substitute.
Rooms start at just $150 per night.
Transportation
For most people, the most common form of getting to and from Whistler is driving up the Sea to Sky highway. While some pack light, Whistler is typically a destination where you’ll need to pack heavy for a successful weekend. This includes enough clothes for the variety of activities to your mountain bike, skis, and snowboards.
To ensure we had enough room, we opted for the 2016 Honda Pilot. The SUV provides more than enough space with three-rows of seats, modern amenities, and fuel efficiency.
Inside and out the Pilot is versatile and offers a smooth ride. The vehicle’s suitable for most conditions and offers a series of high-tech safety features.
Upcoming Events
If you’re planning a trip to Whistler this fall, be sure to check out these epic events:
September 24th
September 24th
Whistler Blackcomb Turkey Sale
October 7th – 10th
Whistler Readers and Writers Festival
October 13th – 16th
Whistler 50 Relay and Ultra Marathon
October 15th
Fall in love with Whistler, even in autumn! Let us know if we missed any of your favourite things to do in Whistler during the fall season.
