Editor’s Note: This blog was originally posted in 2019, so we’ve refreshed it with new ideas, images and links.

What locals and savvy visitors have known for years is that spring is an incredible time to be in Whistler. Pair the great conditions, both on and off the ski hill, with smaller crowds and great deals on lodging, activities and dining, and the spring could become your new favourite season to visit Whistler with the family.

1. Dual Sport Day

Like Schrödinger’s cat (a paradoxical thought experiment), winter both exists and doesn’t exist here in the spring. If you’re not ready to say goodbye to the white stuff quite yet, our mountaintops continue to be a winter wonderland. From surprise pow days to buttery spring turns, skiing and riding continues well into May.

For those ready to leave winter behind, warm, valley temperatures quickly melt the snow opening up opportunities for spring and summer sports. Spend the day golfing on the greens, getting some hot laps on your downhill or cross-country bike or paddling Whistler’s many lakes. Keep an eye on the WORCA website for local trail conditions, and remember the opening of the Whistler Mountain Bike Park is also in May.

The real beauty of spring is that you don’t have to choose between winter and summer. As the ultimate dual sports season, you can do both in one day!

2. See Bears

After a long winter slumber, our favourite, furry locals wake up and rejoin us in the spring. Seeing a bear is on many people’s Whistler to-do list, but it’s important that it’s done safely for you and the bears. The best and safest way to see a bear is through a bear viewing tour.

Knowledgeable guides take you to the best places to spot a bear while teaching you interesting tidbits about them along the way. Learn more about what to expect on a tour in this blog post – Whistler Bear Viewing Safari Experience.

3. World Ski & Snowboard Festival

The full World Ski & Snowboard Festival experience returns in 2023, but while you wait, come for this year’s WSSF Weekender, April 15 to 18, 2022. Celebrate everything there is to love about mountain culture and the end of an amazing winter season, featuring the Saudan Couloir Ski Race Extreme, Whistler’s Retro Day Slush Cup, patio parties and more.

4. Get out on the Water

Our freshly thawed lakes may still be a little chilly for a dip (unless you’re feeling particularly brave), but you can still enjoy a day on the water by renting a canoe, kayak, or stand up paddleboard. Spend the day paddling around Alta Lake, or go on an adventure with a guided tour down the River of Golden Dreams.

5. Go on a Tour

Treat the family to an adventure this spring. Zipline through the trees, bungee over a rushing river, soar over the mountains in a helicopter, the list goes on. Whistler has a wide variety of activities and tours, you just have to pick one and make some lifetime-long memories!

6. Bike

Once the snow melts, bikes become Whistler’s favourite mode of transportation. Running the length of town, and to pretty much everywhere in between, Whistler’s Valley Trail is both the best and most scenic route for getting around.

One of my favourite bike sightseeing routes is around Alta Lake. From the Whistler Golf Club’s Clubhouse, the trail winds around fairways, through lush forests and past multiple lakeside parks. Give yourself a few hours to complete the loop, leaving plenty of time to stop and enjoy the sights along the way.

Don’t worry if your kids are too small to bike that far. Most bike rental places around town also rent Chariot trailers, so kids can cruise in comfort while being towed behind your bike.

7. Lakeside Parks

How we experience temperature can be pretty relative. After a long cold winter, the first warm days of spring can feel like the middle of summer. It’s totally normal here for our lakeside parks to be packed with sun worshippers as soon as the thermometer reads in the mid-teens. Pack a blanket, picnic lunch and some toys for the kids and you’re all set to have a great day with the family.

Local favourite spots include:

• Lost Lake Park – Within walking distance of the Village, the stroll out to the park can be as nice as your time there.
• Rainbow Park – Located on the far side of Alta Lake, you’ll enjoy prime views of the snow-capped Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains.
• Lakeside Park – Featuring two docks, paddleboard, canoe and kayak rentals, and a playground, you’ll have no shortage of entertainment for the whole family.

8. Farmers’ Markets

Give the family a taste of Whistler’s food and arts and culture scene at the Whistler Farmers’ Market. Perfect for all ages, from newborns in strollers to teenagers who will love the pizza and popcorn stands. Lively musicians provide the background music as you take in the work of local artisans, jewellery designers, painters, potters and carpenters.

Starting in May, the market runs every Sunday. Remember to bring an appetite, it’s hard to resist nibbling on a thing or two while you’re there.

9. Hike

While our high alpine hikes are still blanketed in snow, spring is a prime opportunity to explore the network of trails in our lower valley. As they tend to be shorter and have fewer elevation changes than the high alpine hikes, valley hikes are an ideal introduction to the sport for kids. To stay close to the Village, Lost Lake Park offers a wide range of well-marked, relatively easy trails.

If the family is feeling a little bit more adventurous, a hike out to Cheakamus Lake can be a good option for a longer hike if the conditions are right. The always photogenic, glacier-fed Cheakamus Lake at the far end of this out-and-back trail makes for a beautiful lunch spot and backdrop for family photos.

10. Indoor Activities for When it Rains

These indoor activities are perfect for keeping everyone entertained on those “silver sunshine” days we experience from time to time in the coastal temperate rainforest.

• Escape! Whistler – Put your collective problem-solving skills to the test as you try to puzzle your way out of their immersive rooms.
• Forged Axe Throwing – You may win points for the coolest parents ever for bringing your kids, aged ten and over, for a session of axe throwing. Their staff is expertly trained to make sure everyone stays safe while having a fun time.
• Audain Art Museum – Equal parts entertainment and enrichment, a day exploring the galleries at the Audain Art Museum is a fantastic family day out.
• Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre – Cultural Ambassadors from both the Squamish Nation and Lil’wat Nation share their culture and knowledge in this immersive cultural centre. The hourly guided tour includes a traditional welcome song, fifteen-minute film, and exhibit tour.