September has arrived, and with it comes the feeling of seasonal change. It’s the time to embrace the last weeks of summer before fall rolls around, and we slow down to enjoy the cozy season. Join us in Whistler to tick off those final summer adventures in the alpine and raise a craft beer to a season well spent at the Whistler Village Beer Festival from September 16 to 20.
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is September 30, a day for Canadians to recognize and reflect on the tragic, ongoing legacy of the residential schools and honour the lost children, the survivors and their communities. We recommend a visit to the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre to learn about the Sk̲wx̲wú7mesh (Squamish) Nation and Li̓l̓wat7ul (Lil’wat) Nation, with programming happening throughout the month and on the day itself. Check out the lineup for all the details and note that admission is free for all residents and visitors, thanks to sponsorship from the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) and Tourism Whistler.
This month, the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup Downhill Whistler is making its debut in Whistler from September 25 to 27, bringing the world’s fastest riders to a purpose-built downhill course in the heart of Whistler’s legendary mountain bike scene. It’s going to be one of the most exciting bike events in the world, right here in Whistler!
INSIDER TIP: If you plan to head up the gondolas this September, check the hours of operation before you go. Whistler Blackcomb’s summer operations change this month to prepare for the winter season ahead. The Blackcomb Gondola and the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola close on September 7. From September 8 to 13, guests can access sightseeing on Whistler Mountain and the Peak Express Chair via the Whistler Village Gondola. The Peak Express Chair will close on September 13, but the Whistler Village Gondola will stay open until September 20.
Here’s what’s going on in Whistler this September:
Outdoor Adventure
You’ll find us:
- Pedalling 122 kilometres alongside the ocean and ascending into the mountains at the RBC GranFondo Whistler on September 12, or choosing the 55-kilometre distance option and riding through the stunning Callaghan Valley. For a firsthand account of what it’s like to ride in the event, read our blog, RBC GranFondo Whistler Guide: What to Know Before You Ride. Make sure to stop by Whistler Olympic Plaza for a celebration of live music from 10 AM to 5 PM. Stay the night in Whistler to participate in the Sunday Slowdown (September 13) festivities, with activations like a calming sound bath meditation, restorative yoga and guided museum tours.
- Getting out of our comfort zone at one of the many races happening this month. Get your legs moving at the 5 Peaks Trail Running Series on September 5, The Rubble Creek Classic on September 13 or the Brandywine Boogie Trail Run on September 26. Women can put their enduro skills to the test at The Witsend, which is happening alongside the twin event (open to all), The Hillman Enduro, both happening on September 19, presented by WORCA. And lastly, Whistler’s off-road triathlon, Whistler X Tri, is happening on September 19 and 20. Whew, what a lineup!
- Watching the highly anticipated debut of the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup Downhill Whistler from September 25 to 27. Expect raw speed, relentless terrain and a crowd that knows every line. This is world-class racing, fuelled by a community that helped shape the sport.
- Enjoying prime time in the Whistler Mountain Bike Park. With cooler temperatures and fewer riders, September in the bike park is a true gem. Make sure to check the hours of operation page before starting your adventure, as September brings some changes to the Bike Park operating schedule.
Adventure Lite
You’ll find us:
- Up the mountains to sightsee on the Cloudraker Skybridge before it closes on September 13. Don’t forget to get a cocktail at the Umbrella Bar before you come back down!
- Stretching it out at Stretch and Sip, as part of the Whistler Beer Festival on September 17. Stretch, sip and ease into the evening with this wellness-focused afternoon starting with an interactive stretch class on the Westin Plaza patio. From there, head to FireRock Lounge for live music, food and drinks.
- Riding an e-bike to a brewery with Peak Pedal Brews, offering guided e-bike tours along the Valley Trail, with stops at local breweries. No traffic, no map-reading — just the ride, the view and a brew. If you’re looking for a relaxed, guided ride that ends at a local taproom – this tour is for you!
- Gathering to honour the turning of the season at The Seasonal Pause: Autumn Equinox Retreat on September 20. Join Carolyn Anne Budgell for a thoughtfully curated half-day gathering that includes meditation, Pilates, guided journaling, breathwork and yin yoga at the stunning Squamish Lil’Wat Cultural Centre.
- Exploring the wilderness atop a surefooted horse on a riding tour. Whistler horseback riding tours range in length from one hour to three days. Any level of rider can enjoy this unique and memorable way to experience the mountains. To learn more about this experience, read our horseback riding blog.
More ways to get outside.
Family Fun
You’ll find us:
- Spotting Whistler’s famous black bears in their natural habitat. September is a great time to take a Bear Tour as they are actively preparing for hibernation. To learn more, check out our blog on Bear Viewing Tours on Whistler Blackcomb and the Whistler Safari Bear Viewing Experience.
- Discovering a valley of hidden wonders at Vallea Lumina, an evening multimedia walk nestled in the trees on Cougar Mountain. As the sun goes down a little earlier in the fall, show times become more family-friendly, making September a good time to bring the kiddos out to experience the magic.
- Spending our Sunday afternoons creating as a family at the Audain Art Museum’s Sunday Scribbles Family Art Making Sessions. This drop-in-style workshop invites participants of all ages to dive into the beauty of the natural world through hands-on art activities inspired by Whistler’s summer flora, happening every Sunday in September.
- Signing the kids up for the Whistler X Tri kids & youth race. Saturday, September 19 is dedicated entirely to the kids and youth. Every child who lines up gets a proper race experience with age-appropriate distances and a real finish line with a crowd cheering them home. It’s not just a “fun run”; it’s a real triathlon, scaled thoughtfully for young athletes.
- Bringing the fam to the Squamish Lil’Wat Cultural Centre on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (Wednesday, September 30). Admission is free for all residents and visitors, thanks to spornsorship from the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) and Tourism Whistler. There will be plenty of family-friendly activities like crafts, storytelling, guided walks and yummy eats at the Thunderbird Cafe. Check out the lineup for all the details.
More family-friendly activities.
Arts & Culture
You’ll find us:
- Visiting the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre on Saturday, September 6 and Wednesday, September 30 (National Day for Truth and Reconciliation) for the Spo7ez Market from 10 AM – 3 PM, which celebrates the incredible talents of artisans from the Squamish Nation and Lil’wat Nation. On September 10, you can join the Après Taste and Shop, where you can sample a variety of authentic Indigenous offerings from the Gallery & Gift Shop. While you are there, view their current exhibit, Wisdom of the Animal People.
- Meeting the artists of the Teeny Tiny Art Show at the Teeny Tiny Art Party on September 10. Enjoy complimentary appetizers while exploring the exhibition with other art lovers (plus, entry is free)!
- Kicking off the Whistler Village Beer Festival weekend at the Paint & Sip on September 18. The event will feature a hands-on painting session, plus live music and festival prizing, all on the Stonesedge patio!
- Being wowed at Arts Whistler Live! Presents: MAGIC!, an evening of astonishing sleight of hand, impossible illusions and laugh-out-loud comedy. Get your tickets in advance for this magical evening, happening September 19.
- Walking through the Audain Art Museum’s current exhibitions, Takao Tanabe: Inside Passage and Vistas: From Takao Tanabe’s Travels (open until September 21). Takao Tanabe’s lifelong engagement with landscape has been shaped by travels across British Columbia, the Arctic, North America and Europe. Working from photographs and memory, he transformed observed places into distilled, meditative paintings that balance precision with restraint. These two incredible exhibits celebrate his impact on Canadian art.
- Reflecting and learning about Canada’s history on National Truth and Reconciliation Day (September 30) at the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre. The lineup is packed with programming, including storytelling, cultural sharing, immersive experiences, and thought-provoking guest speakers, including Author and Filmmaker Julian Brave NoiseCat, Author Carolyn Roberts and Filmmaker Sydney Pascal, plus a special feature presentation with Whistler Film Festival.
- Learning about the latest snow safety technology at the International Snow Science Public Workshop (ISSW) on September 30 at the Whistler Conference Centre. Co-hosted by Avalanche Canada, the public day features expert presentations, Q&As, and exhibition booths. This event is ticketed, but open to all backcountry skill levels.
Eating, Drinking & Shopping
You’ll find us:
- Dining lakeside at the Dîner à St-Tropez at Nita Lake Lodge on September 4. This chic evening brings the Riviera to Whistler, with cocktails, canapés, a family-style three-course dinner paired with Miraval Rosé, live DJ entertainment, and an after-party at Lakeside Lounge.
- Dressing in all white for the Audain Art Museum’s Long Table Dinner en Blanc on September 5. Guests will enjoy cocktails, canapés, exclusive exhibition access, curator-led tours, a three-course outdoor dinner, wine pairings, and live music.
- Soaking up the summer vibes at the Patio Series Presented by Forecast Coffee. On September 6, head on over to Forecast (Village location) for live music, cold drinks, delicious eats and laid-back patio vibes.
- Experiencing Dames Dine Around, a province-wide dining celebration featuring fabulous food at different restaurants, wineries and culinary venues. Wild Blue and Bearfoot Bistro are participating on September 15, and Il Caminetto and Araxi are on September 16. Get your tickets in advance, as these elevated dining experiences will sell out!
- Sending off another great summer with delicious craft beer at the Whistler Village Beer Festival, a week of beer-fuelled fun running from September 16 to 20. Throughout the week, enjoy programming like the Caesar Party and Bingo & Boogie. Then head to Whistler Olympic Plaza for The Main Event on Saturday, September 19, from 12 to 6 PM. Cap it all off at the Longhorn Saloon Oktoberfest Party, where you will step into a lively beer hall atmosphere, raise your stein, and toast to good times.
- Strolling through the Whistler Farmers’ Market every Sunday until October 13. Support local farms and small businesses as you shop for your produce, gifts and artisan wares. Make sure you arrive hungry; there is plenty of on-site hot food, treats and goodies to indulge in.
More on Village shopping, dining and arts and culture.
Save the Date
Whistler 50 Relay & Ultra | October 3
LoveBack™: Indigenous Women’s Leadership, Healing & Emotional Intelligence | October 7 – 9
Whistler Wine Walk | Every Friday in October
Whistler Writers Festival | November 5 – 8
Cornucopia Whistler | November 5 – 15
Whistler Blackcomb Winter Opening Day | November 20
Whistler Film Festival | December 2 – 6
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. 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.
Last Day Of…
- Meadow Park Sports Centre – the facility will be closed from August 29 – September 7, and the pool is closed from August 17 to September 27.
- Last day for the Lost Lake and Rainbow Park shuttles is September 7.
- Last day for Park Eats and free Bike Valet is September 7. Smart Bike Parking stations are located at Whistler Olympic Plaza, Village Square by Blackcomb Lodge, and Meadow Park. The racks fit almost all types of bikes and offer free e-bike charging. Download the Bikeep App for more information.
- To celebrate shared stewardship values and recognize the importance of the Pipi7íyekw /Joffre Lakes Park area to the Líl̓wat Nation and N’Quatqua, the park will be closed to recreational visitors and the general public from September 8 to 30.
If You’re Driving . . .
- GranFondo will impact traffic conditions on the Sea to Sky Highway and in Whistler on September 12. Delays should be expected, and guests/residents should plan ahead.
- 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!
- 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 allowed in the Day Lots, but no overnight camping or sleeping in vehicles. Please check the RMOW website for more information on parking.
