The Local’s List: July

Happy Canada Day! Celebrate the long weekend by connecting with the Skwxwú7mesh and Líl̓wat7úl Nations at the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre, which is offering free entry and engaging events on Saturday, July 1 and Sunday, July 2. Experience guided tours, witness live carving demonstrations and join in with family craft activities. There’s a guest speaker series at 11 AM on July 1, when Wilson Williams from Squamish Nation and Whistler Mayor Jack Crompton will engage in a dialogue on Rethinking Canada Day.

Whistler is in full mountain action mode in July, especially with Crankworx Whistler being just a touch earlier this year, from July 21 to 30. The world’s best mountain bikers descend on Whistler during this time to showcase their skills and push the limits of the sport across all different disciplines. The festival celebrates all facets of mountain biking, from unbelievable tricks and speed from elite athletes to displays of the latest biking tech, to short film and photography competitions showcasing the heart of the sport. Whether you like to spin wheels in the Whistler Bike Park, on cross-country trails or on the Valley Trail, the general vibe of Whistler during this time is action-forward.

July also sees the return of the Whistler Summer Concert Series, a chance to listen to incredible musicians and bands under the stars at Whistler Olympic Plaza. Grab some great takeout, find a patch on the grass and settle in for some great music. Each evening’s programming begins at 6:30 PM on Thursday and Friday evenings throughout the summer, as well as Saturday, July 1.

But wait, there’s more. Here’s what’s happening this month in Whistler.

Outdoor Adventure

You’ll find us:

• Signing up for some of the Crankworx events to test our biking skills. Registration runs until July 15, see the individual event pages for more information on the discipline you’re looking to ride.
• Connecting with fellow skateboarders, mountain bikers and runners at Oakley Community Days, which are on from July 6 to 9 at the Oakley Store in the Upper Village. The days feature parties, demos, bike tuning, challenges, community rides, coached skate sessions and open skate jams.
• Having a Latin love affair at ALGN’s Summer Nights Salsa / Bachata Workshops with Gustavo Ferman. Happening at the ALGN studio in the centre of Whistler Village, there are eight workshops to choose from, happening July 7 to 9. All levels of dancers are welcome, just be ready for some spicy step work!
• Ripping along old logging roads into the backcountry on a guided, off-road buggy tour. With tours available for all different ability levels, it’s an exhilarating new way for friends, couples, families or solo visitors to explore the mountains.

Adventure Lite

You’ll find us:.

• Cruising on a bike along the Valley Trail and taking advantage of the bike valet at Lost Lake Park, or catching the free shuttle bus from the Village. If you’re up for a short stroll in the forest while you’re at the park, check out our guide to exploring Lost Lake Park. Or delve deeper with the Lost Lake Nature Walk, a self-guided, walking tour on our free, Go Whistler Tours app.
• Driving up Blackcomb Mountain on an ATV or Jeep to the Crystal Hut where you’ll find the most spectacular patio in Whistler. This unforgettable experience combines incredible views with a delicious meal including cedar-planked, BC salmon, local vegetables, fresh salads and a decadent dessert.
• Heading to The Point Artist-Run Centre to enjoy more live music on Sunday afternoons in July from 3 to 6 PM. The Centre is also featuring an Indigenous Artisan Showcase until July 30, featuring the works of Indigenous artists and artisans from across the Salish territories.

More ways to get outside.

Family Fun

You’ll find us:

• Bringing popcorn and picnic blankets to Summer Movies in the Plaza. They happen every Wednesday and Saturday at 8 PM throughout July and August and include family-friendly titles like Cool Runnings, Blue Crush and Mean Girls.
• Getting the next generation of bikers in on the fun of Crankwox and checking out the future of the sport with Kidsworx events, including Air DH Kidsworx Invitational, Kidsworx B-Line DH and Kidsworx Enduro.
• 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 (and tired!) kids. Activities include a new Stacyc bike track, human gyroscope, ropes course, bouncy castle, magic climbing wall, bungee trampolines and glitter tattoos.
• Learning about Haida carving traditions at a Summer Carving Workshop, at the Audain Art Museum. It’s designed for youths aged 11 to 18 and happening July 24 to 28. Students will learn from Haida carver, Gwaliga Hart, who has worked on many notable pieces including UBC’s Reconciliation Pole, The Vancouver Canuck’s Killer Whale and the Audain’s The Three Watchmen.

More family-friendly activities.

Arts & Culture

You’ll find us:

• Learning about the unceded territory of the Squamish Nation and the Lil’wat Nation while listening to stories connected to the land. The newest, self-guided walking tour on the free, Go Whistler Tours app, Art & Storytelling of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh and Líl̓wat7úl, is a four-kilometre loop, starting and finishing at the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre (SLCC) showcasing nine locations that are significant to both nations.
• Watching Master Carver Xwalacktun (Rick Harry – Sḵwx̱wú7mesh / Kwakwak’wakw / Namgis), mentor SLCC Apprentice Brandon Hall (Sḵwx̱wú7mesh / Squamish Nation) as they carve a house post at the entrance of the SLCC’s Great Hall. The post commemorates the 100^th anniversary of Squamish Nation’s Amalgamation, incorporating designs that honour the sixteen villages who came together to form what is known today as Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation).
• Appreciating incredible, contemporary art along with culinary artistry at the Audain Art Museum’s Artist Dinner Series. The series pairs the artwork of Manabu Ikeda, currently on display at the museum’s special exhibition, with a dining experience inspired by Japan’s summer festivals. It includes a cocktail reception, a six-course Omakase Japanese menu with wine and sake pairings, and a tour of the exhibition with the artist himself.
• Taking a visual journey through the creative minds of local artists at We Heart Local Art, a free exhibition put on by Arts Whistler at the Maury Young Arts Centre, which runs until July 15. It’s the perfect opportunity to check out the eclectic style of the Pacific Northwest and maybe even bring a piece of the Sea to Sky home with you.
• Uncovering Whistler’s unique history on a Valley of Dreams Walking Tour. Run by the Whistler Museum, it leaves the Visitor Information Centre daily at 11 AM throughout the summer. The one-hour tours are by donation, led by a Whistler local, who will tell the tales behind the mountain development, Whistler’s journey to the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, plus more.

Eating, Drinking & Shopping

You’ll find us:

• Dining al fresco with the Four Seasons Resort Whistler’s new culinary experiences. El Patio Thursdays are a summer-long celebration of lively Spanish, patio gatherings with signature paella dishes and an Aperol bar. They’re taking afternoon tea to new heights with their Mountain-Top Afternoon Tea, which includes an unforgettable helicopter flight and a glacier-top Champagne toast.
• Checking out Whistler’s newest coffee shop, Forecast Coffee, situated in the old Gone Bakery spot beside Armchair Books. Forecast Coffee was born in Whistler before growing to include its own line of roasted beans and cafés in Vancouver. Their new spot offers the same specialty coffees, savoury food and sweet treats as Forecast’s other locations (including delicious Wilder Cookies!) and carries a selection of alcoholic beverages.
• Tasting Thailand in the North American mountains at the new Mekong restaurant in Creekside. This trendy, art deco eatery looks as good as the food tastes, which is fresh and flavourful. We recommend a side of the roti with whichever other dishes you’re going for, you really can’t go wrong! One other random thing, the wallpaper in the washrooms is amazing.

More on Village shopping, dining and arts and culture.

Save the Date

Art on the Lake | August 10 and 11

RBC GranFondo Whistler | September 9 

Whistler Village Beer Festival | September 11 to 17

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 into the fall months. Whistler’s fire danger rating gets updated daily by the BC Wildfire Service and when it reaches High or Extreme, 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.
• 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.

Travel Updates

All travel restrictions have been removed for US and international visitors entering Canada. Visit whistler.com/covid for the latest COVID-19 information and resources for travellers.

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! To incentivize you to leave the car at home on your next visit, Whistler Rewards Members who book two nights or more in July and August will receive a free $150 Transportation Voucher redeemable through Whistler.com, call 1-800-WHISTLER (1.800.944.7853). If you’re not already a Whistler Rewards Member, it’s free to sign up for residents of BC and Washington.
• 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 new 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.