Birds are chirping in the trees, green is starting to take over from white on the slopes and trails and we welcome back Whistler’s black bears from their long, winter nap; it’s spring in the mountains!
With all this abundant nature around us, it’s a good time to think about and celebrate Earth Day, which happens annually on April 22. We have some tips on how to travel responsibly and be environmentally friendly while you’re here, and a heads up that you might see a bunch of volunteers out on the trails and roads on Saturday, April 23 for Pitch-In Day.
It’s also Easter, which means eggs-ellent spring skiing on Whistler Blackcomb, eggs-quisite treats from Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, and eggs-travagant Easter brunch at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler!
Outdoor Adventure
You’ll find us:
- Tuning our bikes but still making the most of the snow as it’s a great time for soft, spring skiing in the sunshine. The last day for skiing and riding on Whistler Mountain is Monday, April 18 but Blackcomb Mountain is open until May 23, so get those buttery turns in while you can! Make sure to note any signage about slope conditions near the base of the mountain as that changes very quickly in spring.
- At the WSSF Weekender! Although the full Whistler World Ski & Snowboard Festival experience returns in 2023, join in on a weekend-long celebration from April 15 to 18 to send off the season, featuring the Saudan Couloir Ski Race Extreme, Whistler’s Retro Day Slush Cup and patio parties.
- At the longest-running Canadian snowboard competition, Showcase Showdown, on April 2. It’s a jam format contest with three features in a custom-built venue and is open to four categories of snowboarders. Register at Showcase Showdown in Whistler Village.
- Dressing up for the Mum’s & Friends Mountain Classic, which includes race practice, a match-time race, lunch coupon with reserved seating and après. Register online or in-person prior to the event day, which is April 13.
- Jumping in a bobsleigh and feeling the g-forces on Whistler Sliding Centre’s Olympic track. The season has been extended until April 17 with the Passenger Bobsleigh Experience available Wednesday to Sunday (Skeleton has ended for this season).
Adventure Lite
You’ll find us:
- Taking some spring strolls and seeing which birds we can spot as we go, as Whistler hosts around 200 species of birds that stopover on their migration north to summer feeding and breeding grounds. Read more in Spring Birdwatching in Whistler.
- Getting in some of the last cross-skiing of the season at Whistler Olympic Park – Ski Callaghan (Lost Lake is now closed). Although WOP’s official closing day is on April 3 and the day lodge will be closed, they’ve announced that Ski Callaghan (the first entrance on the left) will be open for two more bonus weekends on Saturday and Sunday, April 9 & 10 and 16 & 17, from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Conditions permitting, about 20 kilometres of ski and 10 kilometres of snowshoe trails (including dog-friendly options) will be open.
- Relaxing in the spring sunshine and soaking in some of that Vitamin D at the Scandinave Spa Whistler.
More ways to get outside.
Family Fun
You’ll find us:
- On the Eagle or Winter Aprés Ziplining Tour with Ziptrek Ecotours, learning about the coastal temperate rainforest and The Natural Step framework as we zip through the trees. For more ideas of what to do with the family in the spring take a read of our top 10 list.
- Checking out the amazing, 26-foot star at Whistler Olympic Plaza, which will be shining brightly until after the Easter holidays (the Snow Zone and ice rink have now closed for the season).
- Getting the last of our bubly Tube Park slides in! The mini lane (minimum height 91 centimetres) is only open at the weekends now, which means the minimum height to tube is 104 centirmetres Monday to Friday.
- Hopping to the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory for some bunny-themed sweet treats. If you do plan on an egg hunt be sure to pick up all those yummy chocolates as Whistler’s wildlife will definitely find them!
- Subscribing to the Whistler Children’s Festival newsletter so we get first dibs on tickets, which go on sale April 12. The festival is happening over two weekends this year, May 20 to 22 and 27 to 29, so save the dates!
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More family-friendly activities.
Arts & Culture
You’ll find us:
- Getting our ticket for the Anonymous Art Show, where you don’t know whose art you’re loving until the end! The exhibit is up all month at The Gallery at Maury Young Arts Centre, with the buying night happening on Friday, April 8.
- Taking in the new exhibit at the Audain Art Museum, which opens on April 2. Wolves: The Art of Dempsey Bob is the first-ever retrospective exhibition of this noted BC artist’s work drawn from public and private collections across Canada. His artwork is rooted in the visual and oral traditions of his Tahltan and Tlingit ancestors and includes masks, helmets, spoons, rattles, panels and wall sculptures alongside a variety of other media such as bronze casting, gold smithing, print making and robe design.
- At the Fairmont Chateau Whistler on Saturday, April 23 for the ILLUMINATE Gala and Auction, the Audain Art Museum’s principal fundraising event. This energizing evening includes special guest appearances, a live auction of major works of art by Heffel Fine Art Auction House, spectacular musical entertainment, and a brilliant silent auction.
- Learning about the past to affect the future at the Truth and Reconciliation and Our Living Languages exhibits at Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre. They also have a Pole Raising Ceremony and Winter Feast happening on Friday, April 22, both incredible experiences you won’t want to miss.
More arts and culture activities.
Eating, Drinking & Shopping
You’ll find us:
- Grabbing a decadent, crunchy cookie cream puff from Hot Buns Bakery made by Lily Food Creation Whistler, available on Saturdays and Sundays only!
- Checking in with our local bakers (like BReD and purebread) for any Easter specialties like hot cross buns!
- Ordering the West Coast Oysters at the Bearfoot Bistro, which are $17.95 a dozen from 3:30 to 4:30 PM Wednesday to Sunday.
- Devouring Mexican Corner’s feature menu item Gordita de Piloncillo. Hailing from Veracruz, it’s a sweet and salty corn dough topped with pulled beef, avocado salsa, sour cream and feta cheese – delicious!
- Thinking about eating lighter on Earth Day with The Raven Room’s new Beet Tartare, which is vegan and gluten-free, and on special during their happy hour, which is from 3 to 5 PM daily.
More on Village shopping, dining and arts and culture.
Travel Updates
- Face coverings are no longer required for indoor public settings in BC and beginning April 8, proof of vaccination will no longer be required to access non-essential events, services and businesses. Learn more about British Columbia’s province-wide restrictions.
- Fully vaccinated US and international travellers are welcome to visit Canada. Beginning April 1, fully vaccinated travellers will no longer need to provide a pre-entry COVID-19 test result to enter Canada by air, land or water. Visit the Government of Canada’s website for full details on Canada’s entry requirements.
- Know Before You Go – visit Whistler.com/covid for the latest COVID-19 information and resources for travellers.
If You’re Driving . . .
- Help reduce congestion on the highway by travelling during non-peak times. Peak travel times on the Sea to Sky Highway to Whistler include Friday evenings, Saturday mornings and late afternoons / early evenings, Sunday mornings and late afternoons / evenings, and holidays. To avoid this busy time, plan to visit Whistler midweek when the highway and the resort are typically quieter. Extend your weekend – plan to arrive on Thursday night and leave on Monday morning to avoid the weekend traffic. If you’re visiting Whistler only for the day, plan on staying for dinner to avoid the rush of day skier traffic leaving the resort after the mountain closes.
- Always check DriveBC for current road conditions before getting on the road. Follow @DriveBC on Twitter and listen to MountainFM for the latest updates.
- There is free parking in Day Lots 4 and 5 from April 16 to June 14, and it’s complimentary parking in Day Lots 1, 2 and 3 from 5 PM to 8 AM until October 31.
Hope to see you on a sunny, Whistler patio this spring!
