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.
From July 24 to August 2, the iconic Crankworx festival returns to Whistler, transforming the town into the heart of mountain biking with elite athletes, amateur riders, and fans from around the world. It is set to be one of the biggest events of the year!
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, cultural storytelling and immersive experiences. July 1 is also the kick-off of the Whistler Summer Concert Series at Olympic Plaza, featuring the sweet sounds of Steven Page Trio and String Quartet. This free, outdoor concert series gives you the chance to listen to incredible musicians and bands under the stars all summer long.
Here’s what’s happening this month in Whistler.
Outdoor Adventure
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!
- 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 until July 15 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. If a bike race has piqued your interest, check out our blog Whistler Bike Races & Competitions for more inspiration.
- Ripping through the Whistler Bike Park. Stay tuned for the Top of the World opening (accessed via Peak Chair), which typically happens mid to late July. This depends on snow-melt and conditions, so stay up to date on the Bike Park Hours.
- 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.
Adventure Lite
You’ll find us:
- Cheering on the athletes participating in the legendary Crankworx Whistler events, including the Canadian Open Enduro, Official Whip-Off World Championships, Dual Slalom, Crabapple Hits and the legendary Rhapsody Slopestyle. Check out our blog, Crankworx Whistler 2026, for all the details on this iconic event.
- 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 weekends plus 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.
- Stretching it out at Mountain Top Movement presented by Celsius, which happens every Friday on Whistler Mountain until September 4. Classes start at 10 AM, with a mandatory 9:30 AM upload. Enjoy a mix of yoga and pilates on the outdoor deck of the Roundhouse Lodge, complete with panoramic views.
- Relaxing at the Scandinave Spa after a big day in the bike park. Show your Whistler Bike Park season pass to receive 20% off thermal journey spa access, because rest is the ritual that allows you to get up and do it all again tomorrow.
- 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.
More ways to get outside.
Family Fun
You’ll find us:
- Joining in on the family-friendly activities happening on Canada Day (July 1), including the kickoff of the Whistler Summer Concert Series. There’s also a community parade, face painting, kid-friendly crafts, cultural storytelling, interactive booths, immersive experiences and more! Check out the full Canada Day programming to plan your day.
- Cheering on the little shredders participating in the Kidsworx events as part of Crankworx Whistler, including B-Line Downhill, Enduro and the Air DH invitational. Registration closes on July 20, so get the kiddos signed up now to be part of the fun.
- Sliding through the Summer Bobsleigh Experience at the Whistler Sliding Centre. This summer, youth (ages 12-18) slide for 50% off! No experience is required. After an orientation and a tour of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games venue including an exclusive track walk, your team will ride in a bobsleigh equipped with wheels, driven by a trained pilot, through twists and turns with speeds of up to 90km/hr.
- Bringing the whole family over to Whistler Olympic Park to try out the beginner-friendly (ages 8+) Summer Discover Biathlon, which gives guests the chance to learn about the sport and shoot a real .22 calibre rifle at the 2010 Olympic Biathlon Stadium. They’ve also got a disc-golf course and an Olympic Venue & Interpretive Walk. After exploring, visit the Day Lodge for lunch on the patio.
- Laying out a picnic blanket to catch a Summer Movie in the Plaza. Movies are shown on select Wednesdays and Saturdays at 8 PM throughout July, including family-friendly titles like Jurassic World and Kicking & Screaming. Check out the schedule, and don’t forget popcorn!
- Watching our little ones flip around on a bungee trampoline at the Family Adventure Zone. Located at the base of Blackcomb Mountain in the Upper Village, there is a wide range of exciting activities that will make for some very happy kids, including the ropes course, bouncy castle, magic climbing wall, bungee trampolines, glitter tattoos, mini golf and more.
- Encouraging youth of all ages to explore their creativity at one of the many summer programs for youth at the Audain Art Museum. From creative multi-day workshops, to drop-in art classes, there is something for both kids and teens to enjoy.
More family-friendly activities.
Arts & Culture
You’ll find us:
- Gathering at the community FIFA World Cup 2026™ watch parties, hosted on the Great Lawn at Olympic Plaza. The Resort Municipality of Whistler is hosting four all‑ages community watch parties for select matches on July 7, 11, 18, and 19.
- Soaking in the atmosphere of Arts Whistler’s beloved Art on the Lake. This year, Art on the Lake returns to Lost Lake Park, on July 9 and 10. Stay tuned for more details on the programming and schedule!
- Picking up a paintbrush to learn the basics of how to translate a photographic image into a compelling painted composition at the Landscape Painting Lesson & Demonstration by Paul Chizik. Held at the Audain Art Museum on July 12, this is an introductory workshop that focuses on how artists can effectively use photographs as reference material when creating landscape paintings.
- Celebrating the Whistler Community Services Society at their 37th Birthday on July 14. Join the WCSS for free food, cake, gams and fun. Highlights include live music, kids’ activities, face painting, a photo booth, games, and more fun at this parking lot party!
- Learning about how animals play important roles in Sk̲wx̲wú7mesh and Líl̓wat7úl cultures at Wisdom of the Animal People, the latest exhibition at the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre (SLCC). This exhibit features artwork, songs and dances from Sk̲wx̲wú7mesh Úxwumixw and Líl̓wat7úl youth, created as they learn more about their own culture.
- Immersing ourselves at the Out/side Art Exhibition at the Maury Young Arts Centre, on until July 18. This exhibit celebrates the diverse sexual orientations and gender identities of the Sea to Sky’s 2SLGBTQIA+ community and beyond, and is free for all to browse and enjoy.
- Sparking our creativity with the inspiring views of Whistler’s alpine scenery at the Plein Air Painting Adventure on July 18. Led by a local artist, you’ll take a short hike to a scenic spot on Whistler Mountain where you will then create your own painting with all materials provided. End off the day with a complimentary drink at the Roundhouse patio.
- Appreciating the creative spirit and storytelling culture of mountain biking at the Deep Summer photo contest on July 28, where six creatives hit the trails with their cameras on a mission to craft a powerful photo slideshow (all in just three days), and the Dirt Diaries video throwdown on July 30, where six filmmakers tell a story – one athlete, one vision, four to six minutes of pure mountain bike magic, both a part of Crankworx Whistler.
- Exploring the Audain Art Museum‘s latest exhibit, Takao Tanabe: Inside Passage (on from June 13 to October 19), and accompanying special exhibition Vistas: From Takao Tanabe’s Travels (from May 16 to September 21) at the Audain Art Museum. These special exhibitions were curated to accompany each other, and feature transformed memories of landscapes across British Columbia, the Arctic and beyond into contemplative paintings that balance precise observation with poetic reflection.
- Diving into the early history of Alta Lake, Whistler Blackcomb development and the stories behind Whistler’s journey to the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games at the Valley of Dreams Walking Tours, led by the Whistler Museum. This 1 hour guided walk is led by a Whistler local, each with their own personal knowledge of Whistler’s story to add. Tours run daily at 11 AM, meeting at the Visitor Centre and offered by donation!
Eating, Drinking & Shopping
You’ll find us:
- 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, handcrafted cocktails and panoramic views from the Roundhouse Lodge at the Wild Blue Long Table Dinner on Whistler Mountain, happening on July 19. 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 26.
- Immersing ourselves in the spirit of the West Coast through atmosphere, art and expertly crafted cocktails at The Art of the Cocktail: Nautical Edition on July 24 at the Audain Art Museum. Inspired by the maritime works of E.J. Hughes and B.C. Binning, guests will enjoy a thoughtfully curated, ocean-inspired cocktail that reflects the colours, textures, and rhythms of the art. Ideal for both art enthusiasts and cocktail aficionados!
- 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.
More on Village shopping, dining and arts and culture.
Save the Date
Whistler Summer Concert Series | Select dates throughout July and August
RBC GranFondo Whistler | September 12
Whistler Village Beer Festival | September 16 to 20
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.
