This Month in Whistler: The Local’s List
May 2, 2017
Updated monthly, to keep things fresh.
Whistler is like an onion. Start peeling off the layers of the four seasons, the big events and the well-known activities (ever heard about the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola?) and you’ll find a host of ever-changing natural wonders, fresh events and ideas for things to do this month in Whistler that are a step or two off the well-beaten path.
June 2017
Here is The Local’s List for June – a short sweet round up of the things those who live here are stoked to see and do. As you can see from the video below, May knocked it out of the park…but we think the coming month can top that…
This is the month where spring hands over to summer. We’re ready to go all in with sunshine, but we’re smart enough to pack a light jacket in case there’s a cooler day or two in the mix or we want to adventure to the snowline.
We’re going to the wild side:
- Loving the long days! All that extra daylight is perfect for morning hikes paired with lazy lake afternoons. We’ll make sure we go from sunrise to sunset when the longest day of the year rolls around on June 21.
- There’s plenty of birds about now spring is in full swing – we’re going to join in on the Whistler Naturalists Monthly Bird Walk this weekend to learn more.
- Green therapy is the theme of this month – we’re meandering on mellow hikes to soak up the oxygen rich air and admire the fresh green leaves unfurling on the trees.
- High water levels on the River of Golden Dreams mean it’s prime time for a paddle to check out the wetlands – we like using a canoe or kayak and going early for the best chances of seeing wildlife and birds.
- We’ve already had one spectacular Northern Lights display – we’re going to try and catch them all.
We’re getting active and adventurous:
- The Snow Walls are open, and they are incredible! Just need a PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola ticket and you’re good to go see them. PLUS Whistler Blackcomb have set up a mini tube park ina Snow Play Zone outside the Roundhouse on Whistler Mountain for bonus snow fun.
- We’re falling in love with our Valley Trail bikes all over again.
- We’re being brave and jumping in the lakes – refreshing!!
- We can’t wait to get up in the alpine – until the hiking trails open the Via Ferrata guided climbing tour (open June 4) and glacier hiking tours are going to be one of the best ways to check out the snow.
- Or maybe a Canadian Wilderness Adventure to the snowline by Jeep or ATV? Looks fun!
We’re eating and drinking:
- At the Whistler Farmers’ Markets – fresh pasta, fiddleheads and morels spotted this weekend along with fresh bread, sweet treats and everyone’s favourite – kettle corn.
- We’re going to hit up a Whistler Tasting Tour for those days when we just can’t decide.
- At the nineteenth hole, because the views at Whistler’s golf courses are stunning and the clubhouse menus are designed for big active appetites. We might even play a round beforehand…
- This fresh tasty beverage from Earl’s:
We’re hitting the shops:
- Coastal Culture Sports in Whistler Creekside for bike rentals from their tasty fleet of Rocky Mountain and Santa Cruz bikes, available by the hour with some great trail advice thrown in.
- Gearing up for Canada Day and getting our red and white gear. Plenty of Canadiana around but Whistler Hardware, Carlbergs Gift Shop and Cool as a Moose are good places to start.
- For trail running shoes and gear and checking in about their trail running days – The Salomon Store, The North Face, Columbia and Arc’teryx.
- Spitfire Rentals for scooter rentals.
We’re expanding our horizons:
- By joining the Squamish and Lil’wat First Nations at the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre, for the National Aboriginal Day Celebration on June 21. It’s going to be immersive and interactive with storytelling, crafts, tours and performances all day long. Admission by donation.
- Getting up to speed with Whistler’s (very) recent history too with the Valley of Dreams Walking Tour hosted daily by the Whistler Museum.
- Learning to fix our own bikes at the Whistler Adventure School
- Spending time with the colourful artworks and movies of Whistler artist Chili Thom with The Chili Thom Experience, a village-wide, month long extravaganza celebrating his life and work.
We’re trying something NEW:
- Checking out the newly renovated Cure Lounge at Nita Lake Lodge. Cocktails by the lake, anyone? (Hint: hit them up Wednesdays for specials).
- Tinkling the ivories at the piano outside the Maury Young Arts Centre (no Chopsticks, please)
- Joining Cross Country Connection for a free Café Bike ride in Lost Lake Park. Held Wednesdays at 10:30 AM – meet at the PassivHaus.
- Tagging our adventures in Instagram with #OnlyInWhistler for the chance to win neat prizes all summer long.
We’re checking out these events:
- ThinkBike Whistler – June 1 – 4
- The North Face Half Marathon (Half, 30k, 10k, 5k, kids run and recovery run) – June 3
- The Whistler BioBlitz where the kids can learn more about the ecosystems around Whistler – and maybe find a creepy crawly or two – June 2
- Canada’s Toughest Mudder on Whistler’s Tough Mudder Weekend – June 17 & 18
- The Lole White Tour, Whistler – June 14
- Into Abstraction: Explore, Experiment and Create Workshop with Lori Goldberg, just one of the great Art on the Lake Workshops from Arts Whistler – June 24 and 25
- And of course, getting ready for the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra to play on July 1-2, part of our Canada 150 Canada Day celebrations on the July long weekend.
We’re definitely not forgetting:
- Father’s Day, June 18 – Gift ideas include a golf day, a man massage, a tour of Whistler’s breweries, a meal at one of Whistler’s restaurants, or a cigar if he is that way inclined.
Well, there you have it – a short list with the flavours of the month in Whistler. There’s a ton more to discover, so to to keep up to date with what’s on in town and find deals on accommodation, activities and more, visit Whistler.com.
