The Local’s List: August 2022

August in Whistler is hot in both a literal sense and also because it’s the month when Whistler plays host to one of the biggest mountain bike festivals in the world – Crankworx. There’s also the lineup of free, summer concerts that fill the evenings with music under the stars along with summer dining experiences that take you beyond the typical restaurant table – salmon bake at 6,000 feet anyone?

August is an exciting month to be in Whistler, our higher elevation alpine hiking and biking trails typically open this month (always check what’s open before you come), we paddle the waterways and celebrate our adventures on a sunny patio.

If that sounds like the summer you’re after, come and join us in the mountains. Here’s what’s happening in Whistler for the month of August.

Outdoor Adventure

You’ll find us:

• Celebrating the return of the ultimate festival of mountain biking – Crankworx Whistler, where the best riders and biggest fans come together for 10 days at this world-famous event. Crankworx was born here in Whistler and while it has evolved into a huge international festival series, this August 5 – 14 it will return after a two-year hiatus with all the insane biking events it’s known for. Check out our blog,  Crankworx Whistler Returns: 3 Ways to Get In on the Action.
• Hiking the alpine trails on Whistler Blackcomb as the snow melts away. Due to a cold spring Whistler’s alpine hiking trails are only just emerging from their white blanket, so take advantage of the incredible gondola-accessed trails this summer. Make sure you check what’s open before you go, and, just in, the Overlord Trail to Lakeside Loop on Blackcomb and Harmony Lake Loop on Whistler are now open for business, wahoo! If any of your hiking plans are taking you into Whistler Valley, be aware that the Garibaldi Lake area is currently closed due to flooding. Updates can be found on the BC Parks website.
• Stepping up the pace on Whistler Blackcomb’s alpine trails during the 5 Peaks trail running series on August 27, which offers distances of six or 12 kilometres (four or seven miles) and kids’ running events.
• Driving an ATV up Blackcomb Mountain to dine on cedar-planked salmon at a rustic mountain cabin at 6,000 feet. For more exciting dining experience ideas check out Adventure Dining in Whistler This Summer.

Adventure Lite

You’ll find us:

• Stretching our bodies and quietening our minds at the free lululemon summer yoga sessions held at Rebagliati Park every Friday morning at 9 AM throughout August. All levels are welcome, but you do need to register online. BYO yoga mat and water bottle, and we’ll see you on the mat.
• Chilling while golfing for a great cause at A Very Chill Golf Tournament on August 11 at the Whistler Golf Club. All event proceeds go towards Chill Foundation’s mission of inspiring youth to overcome challenges through board sports. The day will involve an 18-hole scramble golf tournament with on-hole events, prizes, swag bags, a killer raffle, and drink specials.
• Exploring Whistler on an e-bike while utilizing the new demonstration e-bike share program, which is running from August to October 2022. The program aims to officially launch in summer 2023, with the objective of increasing bike trips that replace car trips.

More ways to get outside.

Family Fun

You’ll find us:

• Soaking up the sunshine at one of Whistler’s many beautiful lakeside parks and cooling off with a swim or a paddle in the water. Canoes, kayaks and paddleboards are available to rent at Lakeside and Wayside Parks. Ride your bike to Lost Lake or Rainbow Park and use the free bike valet to keep it safe, or catch a free bus shuttle. If a picnic in the park sounds appealing, the Parks Eats program has you covered with various food trucks and pop-up tents offering delicious food and drink from local businesses in Whistler’s parks over the summer. Whistler’s parks often get busy at this time, so consider visiting midweek and at off-peak times to enjoy the lake serenity.
• While at Lost Lake Park, keep an eye out for toads migrating from the lake to the forest, starting in early August. It’s important to step carefully, walk bikes, and not touch the toads or tadpoles as they are a sensitive species and an integral part of Lost Lake’s ecology (but also fun for kids to look at).
• Flying through the forest on an exhilarating, high-wire adventure with Ziptrek, who are celebrating their 20th anniversary of operating in Whistler. Ziptrek’s Sasquatch Tour takes you from Blackcomb to Whistler Mountain, on the longest zipline in all of Canada and the US.
• Paddling down the River of Golden Dreams (the canal section of the ROGD is closed from Aug 9 to 11 for log weir removal) a guided trip with Canadian Wilderness Adventures. Kids love to paddle and look out for the beavers, bears and birds that populate the river banks (they just need to be six years + and know how to swim).

More family-friendly activities.

Arts & Culture

You’ll find us:

• Checking out the live music, comedy and magic at the 11^th Annual Flag Stop Theatre & Arts Festival: In Motion, presented by The Point Artist-Run Centre from August 1 – 6. The six-day event also features a Pop-Up Performance Bike Ride, Lantern Boat Parade, live dinner shows and one-act plays.
• Floating on the south end of Alta Lake amongst artwork from local artists, live painters and live music for Art on the Lake on August 11 and 12.
• Learning about the natural bounty of the area at the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre’s current exhibition, Ancient Medicine: From Feast to Famine to Freedom. The exhibition uses local artwork to explore the Squamish Nation and Lil’wat Nation’s history of thriving on local food and medicinal plants. Check out the Paddling Through the Nations Tour every hour on Wednesdays through Sundays, featuring a drum song, storytelling of historic canoes and an introduction to the Community Reconciliation Canoe, which is currently being carved on-site.
• Enjoying the last of the free summer concerts in Whistler Olympic Plaza as the Summer Concert Series continues into its final month with performers hitting the stage over three Thursday evenings in August; Ron Artis II & The Truth, DJ Shub, and The J.B.’s. Read more about the artists and view the full schedule in our blog.

Eating, Drinking & Shopping

You’ll find us:

• Grabbing great coffee and lunch-to-go to bring on the day’s activities from locally owned and operated Moguls Coffee House located in Village Square. It’s good to note that they have some of the biggest cookies in town and great patio tables for people-watching!
• Cooling off after an adventure at Blacks Pub and Restaurant with a frosé (rosé slushy), or any of their delicious, signature cocktails.
• Après-ing in the sunshine with a fresh, locally-brewed beer at one of our BC Ale Trail-featured breweries; The Brewhouse in Whistler Village, or Coast Mountain Brewing and Whistler Brewing Co. in Function Junction. Read about the latter two in our blog on how cool Function Junction is.
• Slowly pedalling, sampling produce fresh from the field and meeting local growers at the Slow Food Cycle on August 21 up in Pemberton (about a 20-minute drive north of Whistler).