July in Whistler is deep summer at its finest. The alpine hiking trails are opening up, the Whistler Mountain Bike Park is in peak form, and the vibrant arts and culture scene is in full swing, with beloved events like Art on the Lake.
Canada Day is being celebrated with a fun, family-friendly lineup of programming in Whistler Village, including a pancake breakfast, free yoga, a community parade, Japanese drumming, mairmba dancing, and cultural storytelling with Entas Tanian Williams from Lil’wat Nation. July 1 is also the kick-off of the Whistler Summer Concert Series at Olympic Plaza, featuring the country-infused sounds of Bahamas. This free, outdoor concert series gives you the chance to listen to incredible musicians and bands under the stars all summer long.
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Here’s what’s happening this month in Whistler.
Outdoor Adventure
You’ll find us:
- Swimming through glacier-fed freshwater mountain lakes and running rugged mountain terrain at the ÖTILLÖ Swim & Run Race on July 6.
- Putting our skills to the test at the Phat Wednesday race series presented by Kokanee in the Whistler Bike Park. Races happen every Wednesday evening and are complete with awesome après and tons of prizes from Bike Park sponsors. Pre-registration is required, and limited spots are available, so be sure to sign up in advance!
- Sliding through the Summer Bobsleigh Experience at the Whistler Sliding Centre. Summer rides happen from Tuesday to Saturday from 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM. Guests can experience the unique bobsleigh on wheels, piloted by a trained professional, reaching speeds of up to 90 KM per hour.
- Ripping through the Whistler Bike Park. Stay tuned for the Top of the World opening (accessed via Peak Chair), which typically happens mid-late July. This depends on snow-melt and conditions, so stay up to date on the Bike Park Hours.
- Soaring through the sky on a zipline tour. If you’re brave enough, try Ziptrek’s Sasquatch tour -celebrating its 10th anniversary this summer! It is a real beast at over two kilometres long and 183 metres high, leaving you with a serious adrenaline rush.
- Kicking up dust on an ATV tour with Canadian Wilderness Adventures. From a classic like the Call of the Wild Tour that lets you explore the mountains with a bit of adrenaline, to the Salmon Bake Tour that takes adventure dining to the next level, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
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Adventure Lite
You’ll find us:
- Taking in the beauty of the alpine with the Summer Alpine Experience on Whistler Blackcomb. The PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola is officially open for sightseeing, and alpine hiking trails continue to open up as the snow melts. Be sure to check the lift and terrain status before you head up!
- Cruising on a bike along the Valley Trail to one of Whistler’s lakes. At Rainbow Park and Lost Lake, you can leave your bike at the free bike valet (open Friday to Sunday and statutory holidays) and explore on foot, or enjoy a dip in the waters! You can also picnic at the parks with Whistler’s Summer Food Truck Scene.
- Practicing our swing at one of Whistler’s world-class golf courses. After your round, stop by one of the golf course patios for drinks, views and yummy bites. Not a golfer? No problem! All the golf course restaurants are open to golfers and non-golfers alike.
- Stretching it out at Mountain Top Movement presented by Celsius, which happens every Friday on Whistler Mountain. Classes run from 10 to 11 AM every Friday until the end of August, with a mandatory 9:30 AM upload. Classes are a mix of yoga and pilates on the outdoor deck of the Roundhouse Lodge, so you can soak in the scenic views and summer sun!
- Exploring at our own pace on a self-guided adventure with the free Go Whistler Tours app. Dive deeper into the stories of Whistler with these immersive tours, whether you’re looking for a cruisy bike ride or an educational walk through the forest.
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More ways to get outside.
Family Fun
You’ll find us:
- Inside a giant inflatable salmon! Wait, what? The Nylon Zoo is just one of the many family-friendly activities happening on Canada Day, including face painting, aerial performers, dancing acrobats and even a bubble fairy! Check out the full lineup to plan your July 1 in Whistler.
- Bringing popcorn and picnic blankets to Summer Movies in the Plaza. They happen every Wednesday and Saturday at 8 PM throughout July, including family-friendly titles like Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Grease, Bend it Like Beckham and more. Check out the schedule!
- Getting in our disc golf fix at one of the courses in Whistler. With four unique courses around Whistler, there is plenty of opportunity for disc golf lovers to practice their toss in Whistler this summer.
- Heading to the Family Adventure Zone at the base of Blackcomb Mountain in the Upper Village with a range of exciting activities that will make for some very happy kids. Activities include the ropes course, bouncy castle, magic climbing wall, bungee trampolines, glitter tattoos, mini golf and more.
- Encouraging the kiddos to explore their creativity at one of the many summer programs for youth at the Audain Art Museum. From Stop Motion Animation workshops to Drop-in Art Classes and Art Therapy for teens, there is something for all the kiddos to enjoy.
- Cooling down with a yummy ice cream! Check out our blog, A Guide to Whistler Ice Cream, for the insider’s list.
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More family-friendly activities.
Arts & Culture
You’ll find us:
- Making a paddle rattle and going on a guided forest walk at the Skwxwú7mesh and Líl̓wat7úl Nations at the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre (SLCC), which is admission-by-donation on Canada Day, July 1.
- Finding artistic inspiration at the Alpine Afternoon Paint & Sip, located on the stunning Steeps Patio on Whistler Mountain. On July 6, join local artist Lacey Jane Wilburn for a guided art class, including light charcuterie, a glass of wine and all the painting supplies you’ll need. Note that a lift ticket is required and is not included within the event ticket, so make sure to secure your Summer Alpine Experience Pass before you head up!
- Celebrating the incredible talents of artisans from the Squamish Nation and Lil’wat Nation at the Spo7ez Artist Market on July 6 at the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre (SLCC). While you are at the SLCC, don’t miss the Legends of the Land / Sx̱wex̱wiy̓ám̓ tiná7 tl’a temíxw / ptakwlh ti tmicwa exhibition, which shares how traditional knowledge and history were passed down from generation to generation through stories. You can take a tour of the exhibition, which is included with your admission and is led by a Cultural Ambassador. Check out the hours of operation to plan your visit.
- Soaking in the atmosphere of Arts Whistler’s beloved Art on the Lake. This year, Art on the Lake finds a new home at Lost Lake Park, which will have floating art galleries, an artisan market, live music, art demos and more on July 10 and 11.
- Exploring the Audain Art Museum‘s latest exhibit, Gathered Leaves: Discoveries from the Drawings Vault. This landmark exhibition features rarely seen drawing masterpieces by the likes of Edgar Degas, Gustav Klimt, Edvard Munch, Marc Chagall, Wassily Kandinsky, Pablo Picasso, and many other celebrated artists, alongside newly acquired and never-before-displayed works.
- Having a laugh at The Stand-Up Standoff: Summer Series on July 29 at Dusty’s Bar & Grill. Six stand-up comedians face off in a high-stakes comedy showdown. Once the dust settles, the headlining act takes the stage in this bare-knuckles comedy brawl.
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Eating, Drinking & Shopping
You’ll find us:
- Dining al fresco at the Four Seasons Resort Whistler’s Riviera Thursdays: A Mediterranean Escape, on every Thursday until September 4. Their inner courtyard transforms into a sun-kissed oasis where you can indulge in a Mediterranean buffet.
- Catching a gondola to get to our dinner reservation at the Mountain Top Feast. Located at the Roundhouse on top of Whistler Mountain, this dinner event happens every Friday, Saturday and Sunday all summer long. Enjoy incredible alpine views as you feast on mouthwatering mains and delicious desserts.
- Getting dressed up for a long table dinner. Enjoy an exquisite four-course meal and mountain views while you dine al fresco on The Range at the Whistler Golf Club at the Wild Blue Long Table Dinner on July 20. Or take in the stunning views of Mount Currie from North Arm Farm in our neighbouring town of Pemberton at the Araxi Long Table Dinner on July 27. Chef James Walt welcomes guests with live entertainment and a cocktail reception, followed by a four-course family-style menu with wine pairings from BC’s top wineries.
- Kicking off our weekends at Fairmont Fridays, located at the Mallard Lounge. Enjoy the laid-back vibes with live music, plus food and drink specials every Friday from 5 to 7 PM.
- Strolling through the Whistler Farmers’ Market every Sunday from 11 AM to 4 PM in the Upper Village. Shop for local produce and support small businesses and artisans from the Sea to Sky corridor. Make sure you arrive hungry to enjoy the large variety of on-site hot food and sweets.
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More on Village shopping, dining and arts and culture.
Save the Date
Whistler Summer Concert Series | Select dates throughout July and August
Crankworx Whistler | August 8 to 17
RBC GranFondo Whistler | September 6
Whistler Village Beer Festival | September 8 to 14
Be a Responsible Traveller: Don’t Love It to Death
- Whistler is bear country. Take a read of our Bear Aware blog post so you can act responsibly on behalf of these beautiful, wild creatures. Remember, a fed bear is a dead bear.
- Wildfires are a very real risk to Whistler, even in early summer. Whistler’s fire danger rating gets updated daily by the BC Wildfire Service and when it reaches High or Extreme, Stage 2 and 3 open fires of any kind are banned (check it on our weather page). If you see a fire call 9-1-1.
- If you’re using the hiking and biking trails around Whistler regularly, consider donating to or joining WORCA, a local organization that maintains Whistler’s trail system.
- BC Parks Day Passes are required for access to Garibaldi Provincial Park and Joffre Lakes Park. There are three Pipi7íyekw Reconnection Celebration periods happening in the summer when Joffre Lakes Park will be closed to recreational access and the general public, and no day-use passes or camping reservations will be available. For more information, visit the BC Parks website.
- Help keep Whistler green by choosing tap water over bottled water, avoiding single-use plastics, leaving the car at home, choosing active transportation and sorting garbage properly to reduce your waste.
- Be AdventureSmart and always practice Leave No Trace principles.
- Consider our Responsible Travel pillars, Respect Nature, Think Environment, Don’t Love It to Death and Support Local.
- Whistler Alert is the official emergency notification system used by the RMOW to communicate with residents and visitors during emergencies via text message, phone and email. We encourage you to sign up for it while you’re here (just in case). When you register, you will be asked to provide your contact number and the date you plan to leave Whistler so that you don’t receive alerts when you’re back home.
If You’re Driving . . .
- Take a read of Go Car Free: 8 Reasons to Ditch the Car on Your Whistler Trip in case we can convince you that you don’t need your car! Plus, public transit in Whistler will be free on weekends and holidays this summer starting June 15.
- 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 afternoons and evenings, weekends 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 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.
- Paid parking is in effect in all the Day Lots, although there is complimentary parking from 5 PM to 8 AM. Overnight parking is now allowed in the Day Lots, but no overnight camping or sleeping in vehicles. Please check the RMOW website for more information on parking.
- Marketplace parking has tariffs; $1 first 30 min and $2 first hour (15-minute, storefront parking remains free). For shopping at Fresh St. Market, register your license plate in the machine prior to shopping, and they will reimburse you for 1 hour with a minimum $25 purchase.
Save up to 20% on lodging with Whistler.com this summer. Stay & Golf from $289 CAD per person, per night or Stay & Bike from $179 CAD per person, per night. Sign up to be a Rewards Member (for BC and WA residents only) and receive a FREE $50 CAD activity voucher on stays of 3+ nights.
You can also win a summer trip to Whistler with the Escape the Ordinary contest!
