The Local’s List: April

Wahoo, spring skiing and riding! With fresh corduroy in the morning, buttery groomers in the afternoon and the potential for a few late-season powder dumps, spring skiing is the best. Whistler Blackcomb has one of the longest seasons in North America with Blackcomb Mountain being open until May 22, 2023. However, this does mean that Whistler Mountain closes this month on April 16, as does the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola. From April 17 to May 22, Excalibur Gondola runs daily from 10 AM to 4 PM, with the Blackcomb Gondola open on holidays and weekends.

We also celebrate Easter this month, with Easter Sunday falling on April 9. There are definitely some hunts and brunches happening in Whistler, read on for more deets. World Ski and Snowboard Festival (WSSF – April 10 to 16) is back, wrapping up the season with sports, arts and music. It’s also patio season in Whistler, so take a read of some of our après posts for ideas on which ones to hit up while you’re here.

Here’s what’s happening in Whistler this April.

Outdoor Adventure

You’ll find us:

• At the Mum’s and Friend’s Mountain Classic on Wednesday, April 12. It’s open to skiing and snowboarding mums, step-mums, grand-mums and of course friends of mums who are looking for a super fun day on the slopes. The day starts with coffee and treats and then you hit the slopes with the crew and head to the Blackcomb Race Centre for a run through the gates! The day wraps with après at the Wizard Lounge and some awesome draw prizes! Tickets are $50, which includes a $20 lunch voucher and drink ticket for après and registration is online. There are prizes for best dressed so dig out your faves from your tickle trunk!
• Seeing if our thighs can handle the legendary Saudan Coulior Race Extreme presented by Helly Hansen as part of WSSF. The steep, double-black-diamond course is 2,500 feet of thigh-burning hell, but the kudos of saying you made it down? Priceless. The race happens on April 14 and 15, register online if you’re brave enough!
• Telling the rental shop attendant at Whistler Olympic Park “I’M A FOOL,” to get 50% off cross-country ski and snowshoe rentals on April 1, as they’re having a Spring Shenanigans Event from 11 AM to 1 PM which includes free activity stations and a BBQ manned by Whistler Cooks.

Adventure Lite

You’ll find us:

• Loving that Whistler’s network of trails is emerging from the snow. Take a spring stroll or cruisy bike ride along Whistler’s Valley Trail. You could head north towards Green Lake or south along the banks of Alta Lake, towards Creekside and Function Junction. As Whistler is on the Pacific Flyway, you might also see some avian visitors as you go. Download the free, Go Whistler Tours app, which has several self-guided options with stop-off suggestions along the routes.
• Opting for a head-to-toe, spring tune-up at the Spa at Whistler, where, along with a massage and facial, you can now get IV treatments, which aim to help with energy and hydration levels, nutrient intake and aid in recovery time.
• Getting creative at the Whistler One Day Writing Retreats, run by the Whistler Writers Festival. They’re being hosted at The Point Artist-Run Centre on Alta Lake, which means uninterrupted time for creative thought along with incredible views of the mountains across the calm waters of a glittering lake. The next retreat date is Sunday, April 30 running from 9 AM to 4 PM.

 

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More ways to get outside.

Family Fun

You’ll find us:

• Spring skiing with the kiddos. With the longer, sunnier days and emptier slopes, spring is a great time to get out there with the kids. We suggest packing some hot chocolate and treats and finding a sunny spot for a family picnic. Don’t forget the sunscreen!
• Hunting for Easter eggs in Creekside on Sunday, April 9. Get the Goods is hosting the egg hunt where kiddos will meet the Easter Bunny on the Creekside Village Bridge at 10 AM (sharp). If you’re looking for more than chocolate, BReD is doing its legendary hot cross buns.
• Laughing at the insane antics of skiers and boarders as they attempt to get across an icy pool of water at the Slush Cup, part of WSSF happening on Whistler Mountain, Sunday, April 16.
• On a family adventure like ziplining across the valley, exploring one of the shorter, valley hikes like Lost Lake and Train Wreck (note that in the early part of this month, these trails could still have patches of snow and ice), or renting bikes and exploring the Whistler Valley Trail. Read Top 10 Whistler Spring Activities for Families for more ideas.

More family-friendly activities.

Arts & Culture

You’ll find us:

• Chuckling away to local comedians at Laugh Out Live, which is fittingly on April 1 at the Maury Young Arts Centre. The night features a mashup of improv, sketch and stand-up comedy by three Whistler locals who hold no punches.
• Looking differently at everyday objects and what they represent at Svava Tergesen’s Ornamental Cookery exhibit at the Audain Art Museum, which opens on April 1. Then later in the month, we’ll be stretching it out with Spring Yoga at the Audain and then dancing the night away at their gala, fundraising event ILLUMINATE.
• Shaving our heads at the Garibaldi Lift Co.(GLC) on April 2 for Balding for Dollars, which raises money for kids battling cancer. If you’re not up for the shave yourself, you can donate via a friend’s fundraising link online or you can take a look at the silent auction table at the event.
• Being wowed by the creative talents of videographers and photographers at two multi-media events happening during WSSF at the Westin Resort & Spa. The Whistler Film Festival is presenting and producing the 72-Hour Filmmaker Showdown this year, where teams have three days to put together a three- to five-minute short, filmed within 100 kilometres of Whistler. The results will be shown on Tuesday, April 11 and eventgoers get to vote for the People’s Choice Award. The Sea to Sky Photo Challenge is on Wednesday, April 12 and showcases the behind-the-lens talent of six local photographers who have been tasked with capturing sport, culture and the human spirit.
• Buying amazing, local art at the Anonymous Art Show Buying Night at the Maury Young Arts Centre on April 14. The artist’s identity – whether established or an up-and-coming talent – is kept secret until you select your art! Buying Night features live music, delicious appetizers, a silent auction, a pop-up bar and a few, fun surprises.
• Listening to an exciting quartet combining cello, accordion, piano and percussion, performing a unique blend of classical chamber and world music that is passionate, sophisticated and wild! The Whistler Chamber Music Society is presenting the Ladom Ensemble on Sunday, April 16 at the Maury Young Arts Centre and tickets are $25.

Eating, Drinking & Shopping

You’ll find us:

• Sipping on a Beermosa at Coast Mountain Brewing in Function Junction. This crisp, pale ale with juicy, vitamin C-packed orange juice is their latest brew and is perfect for sunny, spring patio sessions. While we’re in Function Junction, an 8.5-kilometre bike ride from Whistler Village along the Whistler Valley Trail, we will pick up some sweet treats from purebread and peruse the stylish Camp and Patina stores.
• Brunching it up on Sunday, April 9. The Wildflower at Fairmont Chateau Whistler is a firm favourite in Whistler with its live omelette station, seafood station and carved selection. Also located in the Upper Village is the Four Season’s Braidwood Tavern which is doing a decadent buffet brunch including a seafood bar, live music and egg hunt. It’s hard to decide which basket to put your eggs benny in!
• On the patio of the Longhorn Saloon during WSSF. On Friday, April 14,  SNBRN, one of dance music’s most compelling new voices with a string of blockbuster hits such as ‘Gangsta Walk,’ ‘Raindrops,’ and ‘Beat the Sunrise,’ will be blasting out the tunes. The festival’s grand finale on Sunday, April 16, will see Australian DJ L D R U take to the stage during the Longhorn Après Ski Corona Tropical Tiki Beach Party. L D R U gained national acclaim with his five-time platinum hit ‘Keeping Score’ and supported The Chainsmokers during their 2017 Australian tour. It’s party time!

More on Village shopping, dining and arts and culture.

Save the Date

Whistler Children’s Festival | May 19 – 21 & 27 – 28
Whistler Farmers’ Market | May 21 – October 8 (Sundays)
Whistler Half Marathon | June 2 – 4
Comfortably Numb Trail Running Race | June 10 
Back Forty Marathon Cross-Country Mountain Bike Race | June 10 
XFONDO Bike Race | June 17 
Manabu Ikeda: Flowers from the Wreckage at the Audain Art Museum | June 24 – October 9 
Crankworx Whistler | July 21 – 30

 

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Be a Responsible Traveller: Don’t Love It to Death

• At this time of year, our hiking and biking trails are just coming out of the snow. Before you head out, check Trailforks to see which trails are open so you don’t damage them before they’ve had a chance to bounce back after the winter. If you’re using the trails 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.

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 . . .

• 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.