Editor’s Note: This blog on alpine sightseeing and the PEAK 2 PEAK was originally written in 2016, but has been updated with the most current information. Always be sure to check the mountain operation times before planning your trip.
A ride in the cheery red cabins of the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola, part of the Summer Alpine Experience ticket, is one of the most iconic things to do here in Whistler, summer or winter. Visible from Whistler Village as a delicate string of beads stretching from mountain to mountain, the appeal of riding the gondola is clear, but how do you actually get up there?
We’ve collected some of the most frequently asked questions about sightseeing on Whistler and Blackcomb mountains into a handy guide to the ultimate day in the alpine. So grab your cameras and smartphones and let’s go…
The Basics | Tickets & Times | Know Before You Go | Get to the Gondola | The Ride | On the Mountains
The Basics
What is the Whistler Blackcomb Summer Alpine Experience?
A Summer Alpine Experience ticket gives you access to sightseeing and hiking on Whistler Blackcomb. It includes access to the Whistler Village Gondola, Blackcomb Gondola, PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola and Peak Chair. The Peak Chair is the chairlift you use to get to the Cloudraker Skybridge and Raven’s Nest viewpoint.
When you are up in the alpine, there are over 50 kilometres of trails to explore, as well as restaurants to refuel and relax in. Take a look at the Whistler Blackcomb Trail map to get a sense of what you can do, from short, half-hour loops to full-day hikes.
What is the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola?
The PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola links Blackcomb and Whistler, the two mountains that make up part of our skiing, biking and hiking paradise. It’s a feat of engineering boasting an unsupported lift span of 3,024 kilometres or 1.88 miles.
It’s also the highest lift of its kind with an elevation of 436 metres (1,427 ft). Needless to say, with those numbers, it offers some pretty spectacular views of the village, valley, and surrounding mountains – 360-degree views, in fact. If you enjoy a little geeking out on facts and figures, we have a blog post all about Whistler’s Blackcomb’s record-breaking innovations.
Sightseeing on the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola is available almost all year round, with scheduled downtime in spring and fall for maintenance. Always check the Hours of Operation before planning your visit.
Ticket & Times
Where do I get tickets?
You can purchase Summer Alpine Experience tickets ahead of time, online (at least seven days in advance) or by calling (at least three to seven days in advance), or pick them up when you get to Whistler from the Whistler Visitor Centre or a Whistler Blackcomb Guest Services location (they don’t sell out). Packages that include accommodation and sightseeing tickets are available through Whistler.com at discounted rates.
The other thing to note is that the gondolas do close for yearly maintenance in the spring and fall, so always be sure to check the mountain operation times before planning your trip.
Insider Tip: Purchase and pick up tickets at least the day before you plan to go up to save time. That way, you can head straight to the lifts without messing around.
How much are the tickets?
Check out the current ticket price.
If you are going up Whistler Blackcomb to hike or sightsee more than one day this summer, you should buy a Summer Season Pass. This gives you unlimited access, costs less and is more convenient (these passes go up in price on June 16, 2025, so buy yours before then to get the best price).
Good to Know: On a single-day ticket, you can go back and forth on the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola as many times as you like to soak up the views while it is operating. However, your ticket is only valid for a single upload, so once you come down from the mountains, you cannot go back up on the same ticket.
Is the Whistler Peak Suspension Bridge included in the ticket price?
The Whistler Peak Suspension Bridge (Cloudraker Skybridge and Raven’s Eye) is included in the price of a Summer Alpine Experience Ticket. Please note that access to the bridge is via the Peak Chair, which is only available for sightseeing in summer when weather conditions are favourable. Always check the chairlift operating times before planning your trip.
I’ve got a season pass for the Whistler Bike Park – can I take a day off biking and ride the PEAK 2 PEAK?
Absolutely. If you hold a bike park season pass for the current year, you get unlimited access to the PEAK 2 PEAK and can go straight to the lift with your RFID card.
I’ve got a winter season pass, can I use it to ride the PEAK 2 PEAK?
If you have a Whistler Blackcomb winter season pass for the upcoming winter season, you have unlimited summer access. If you haven’t bought your winter pass yet, note that it’s a $49 deposit, which gives you full summer access.
What does the ticket include?
The ticket includes much more than just the ride on the PEAK 2 PEAK. It also gets you:
- Access to all the open-air chairlifts and gondolas operating that day, including upload, download, the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola and the Peak Chair
- A behind-the-scenes look at the machinery and incredible engineering behind the Gondola from the PEAK 2 PEAK Viewing Gallery
- Inspiring alpine videos and talks in the Samsung Alpine Theatre (times vary)
- The 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games display inside the Roundhouse Lodge (Whistler Mountain)
- On-mountain dining for purchase at multiple restaurants on Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains
- Access to over 50 km of hiking, running and interpretive walking trails in summer
- Access to the Whistler Peak Suspension Bridge and Raven’s Eye lookout (accessible off the top of the Peak Chair when running)
What are the operating dates and times for the gondola?
Check out our mountain hours of operation for more information – the times vary during the year. The PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola closes for scheduled maintenance at regular intervals, so check the dates as you plan your trip to avoid disappointment.
Know Before You Go
Where should I park for the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola?
The closest parking to the lifts is in the Day Lots (pay parking), located between the Upper Village and the Village Stroll. Depending on which Day Lot you park in, the walk is between five to 10 minutes.
I’m catching a BC Transit bus or the shuttle. How far is the bus loop to the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola?
If you are catching a BC Transit bus, the bus drop-off is right by the base of the lifts in Skier’s Plaza, while the shuttle from Vancouver drops you about a five-minute walk away through the Village.
What should I wear to go sightseeing?
It depends on the season! Weather conditions and temperatures will change as you go from Whistler Village in the valley to the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola in the alpine. It is often five to 10 degrees (Celsius) cooler on the mountain, and layers are recommended so you can adjust your temperature accordingly – check out the alpine weather conditions on the day for a better idea of what to expect.
SUMMER: The sun can be strong up high, so sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses are recommended – just be careful they don’t fall off when you are peering down from the chairlift! A light jacket can help cut wind chill, and comfortable, sturdy, closed shoes can stop your toes from getting cold as you ride the chairlifts – they are also great for walking around on the mountaintop.
WINTER: In winter, you will need to walk through the snow to get to the terminal, so dress warmly in snow gear and wear waterproof boots with good, grippy soles for comfort.
Do I need to bring anything else?
A sense of adventure and your camera or phone for photos are a good start! There are restaurants, washrooms and shops. If you plan to hike the alpine trails, other gear is recommended, such as hiking boots, food and water as well as a trail map.
Get to the Gondola
Right. I have my tickets. How do I get up there?
The PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola terminals are approximately two-thirds of the way up the mountains, so to get there, you start your journey by uploading from the valley. Access points vary over the season (check the hours of operation page), but typically, you can take the Whistler Village Gondola or the Blackcomb Gondola up the mountain to access the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola.
Insider Tip: Make it a loop – go up Blackcomb, take a trip on the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola, then head down via Whistler (or vice versa).
Can I upload at the Creekside Gondola?
The Creekside Gondola is for Whistler Bike Park users only, not sightseers.
The Ride
Do I need to book a time to board the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola?
No. There are no reservations required for the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola as it runs continuously during the day. Simply upload and walk a short distance to the terminal to catch your ride.
Do I only get one shot at riding the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola?
You can go back and forth on the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola as many times as you like to soak up the views while it is operating – plenty of time to check out the views on all sides, take photos and simply enjoy the ride. If it is busy, you might be asked to disembark on either side so other visitors can take their turn.
Are there glass-bottomed gondolas?
Yes. There are a few glass-bottomed gondolas in rotation, and you’ll notice a separate line for these inside the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola building. There are also gondolas bearing the designs of local Indigenous artists, which are incredibly striking (read more about the artists in our dedicated blog, Indigenous Art Takes to the Skies).
Will I need to wait in line?
It depends on how many people are on the mountain that day – wait times vary. Lines are usually longer on weekends and during holiday periods, so you might need to allow yourself extra time to board the gondola. Plan ahead and ride midweek, get tickets in advance and go early.
Insider Tip: Go midweek to avoid the busiest times, and purchase tickets online in advance.
How long does it take to ride the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola?
The gondola ride is 11 minutes long, making it 22 minutes if you want to go for a round-trip. However (here’s the important part), it takes approximately 25 minutes to upload to the PEAK 2 PEAK and 25 minutes to return to the Village. So we recommended you leave at least 2 hours, minimum, for the sightseeing experience to give you time to upload, ride the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola and return to the Village.
If you plan on doing any of the other things included in your ticket (dining, hiking, viewing the gallery, riding the Peak Chair) or taking lots of photographs, then give yourself more time. That way, you can avoid scurrying to make your tee-time/dinner reservation/massage appointment.
When is the last ride of the day?
The PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola stops running overnight, and the times of the last ride vary during the season. As a general rule, uploading after 3 PM isn’t recommended as it means you will be hustling to catch the last ride of the day, or could miss out on the gondola ride altogether.
Insider Tip: Go up early and plan to stay the day. Why rush?
On the Mountains
What exactly is there to see up there?
All the majesty. At higher elevations, the landscape completely changes, and this sightseeing trip is a fantastic way to experience the pure and rugged beauty of the Canadian Coast Mountains.
The experience changes with the season. In spring, the alpine hiking trails are still covered with snow, but Whistler Blackcomb digs out the road up to the Peak Chair for hiking, meaning you can walk between walls of snow from last winter. The snow walls are only available for as long as they last, so this is a unique, once-a-year experience and well worth a trip in early June (exact dates depend on the weather that year).
In summer, the forest makes way to wildflower meadows and scree slopes, boulder fields and towering peaks like the mighty Black Tusk. You can discover jewel-like hanging lakes under distant peaks and massive glaciers in ancient valleys. Depending on the day and season, you might see wildlife: bears, deer, marmots, chipmunks and whiskey jacks are common. You also get a great view of the Village, plus watch people hiking, biking, climbing and more. We did a post on the unique things you can see and do in the alpine in summer, check out the photos for a better idea of what’s up there.
Good to Know: Every day is different, and on very cloudy days, the views can be partially or completely obscured. It’s still an amazing feeling being up there above the rainforest in the mist and clouds, but if you desire big views and blue skies, keep an eye on the weather when planning which day you are going to go up.
Is there anywhere to eat?
Absolutely – each mountain has restaurants. It’s safe to say the on-mountain patios have some of the best views in town, so a meal or even an ice cream break up here is well worth it. It’s good to note that Whistler Blackcomb is cashless, so bring your card for payments.
Friday, Saturday and Sundays during summer, you can stay up in the evenings and have dinner with the Mountain Top Summer Feast – a separate ticket is required for this, and it pays to pack a light jacket in case the temperature drops as the sun sets.
Are there any hiking trails on Whistler Blackcomb?
Yes, there is a trail network on each mountain, offering a range of trails from short loops on easy gravel paths to longer, more technical hikes to hidden lakes and lookouts. Depending on how much time you have, you can choose a short loop of an hour or less or a more advanced hike (two to four+ hours). View the Whistler and Blackcomb trail maps here and check out our Insider’s Guide to Alpine Hiking for more information.
Is there anything we missed? Let us know in the comments below. For more ideas on what to do this summer, from lakes to peaks, visit Whistler.com.
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