Planning to ride the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola in Whistler? This guide covers everything you need to know about Whistler’s Summer Alpine Experience, including tickets, operating hours, hiking trails, sightseeing tips, what to wear and how to get there.
We’ve collected some of the most frequently asked questions about sightseeing on Whistler Blackcomb into a handy guide to the ultimate day in the alpine.
PEAK 2 PEAK Quick Facts
- Location: Whistler Blackcomb
- Ride Length: 11 minutes
- Open: Mostly year-round
- Included in: Summer Alpine Experience ticket
- Best for: Sightseeing, hiking, photography
- Time Needed: 2 to 4 hours
The Basics | Tickets & Times | Know Before You Go | Get to the Gondola | The Ride | On the Mountains
The Basics
What is the Whistler Blackcomb Summer Alpine Experience?
A Summer Alpine Experience ticket gives you access to sightseeing and hiking on Whistler Blackcomb. It includes access to the Whistler Village Gondola, Blackcomb Gondola, PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola and Peak Chair. The Peak Chair is the chairlift you use to get to the Cloudraker Skybridge and Raven’s Eye viewing platform (these typically open in mid-June, but check the hours of operation for current information).
When you are up in the alpine, there are over 50 kilometres of trails to explore, as well as restaurants to refuel and relax in. Take a look at the Whistler Blackcomb Trail map to get a sense of what you can do, from short, half-hour loops to full-day hikes.
What is the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola?
The PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola links Blackcomb and Whistler, the two mountains that make up part of our skiing, biking and hiking paradise. It’s a record-breaking feat of engineering boasting an unsupported lift span of 3.024 kilometres or 1.88 miles.
It’s also the highest lift of its kind with an elevation of 436 metres (1,427 ft). Needless to say, with those numbers, it offers some pretty spectacular views of the village, valley, and surrounding mountains – 360-degree views, in fact. If you enjoy a little geeking out on facts and figures, we have a blog post all about Whistler’s Blackcomb’s record-breaking innovations.
The PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola does not depart directly from Whistler Village. First, you ride either the Whistler Village Gondola or the Blackcomb Gondola up the mountain. From there, you walk a short distance to the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola, which travels between Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains.
Sightseeing on the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola is available almost all year round, with scheduled downtime in spring and fall for maintenance. Always check the Hours of Operation before planning your visit.
Ticket & Times
Where do I get tickets?
You can purchase Summer Alpine Experience tickets through Whistler.com ahead of time, online or by calling (at least 72 hours/three days in advance). Tickets cannot be printed at home and must be picked up from Whistler Blackcomb Guest Services prior to boarding the gondola.
If you’re visiting within the next three days, purchase your tickets at the Whistler Visitor Centre or a Whistler Blackcomb Guest Services location when you arrive in Whistler. Tickets are generally available same-day, but booking ahead is recommended during peak summer periods.
Packages that include accommodation and sightseeing tickets are available through Whistler.com at discounted rates.
The other thing to note is that the gondolas close for yearly maintenance in the spring and fall, so always be sure to check the mountain operation times before planning your trip.
How much are the tickets?
Check out the current ticket price and rates for youth, seniors, and children (kids six and under get free day passes).
Is the Whistler Peak Suspension Bridge included in the ticket price?
The Whistler Peak Suspension Bridge (Cloudraker Skybridge and Raven’s Eye) is included in the price of a Summer Alpine Experience Ticket. Please note that access to the bridge is via the Peak Chair, which is only available for sightseeing in summer when weather conditions are favourable. Always check the chairlift operating times before planning your trip.
I’ve got a season pass for the Whistler Bike Park – can I take a day off biking and ride the PEAK 2 PEAK?
Absolutely. If you hold a bike park season pass for the current year, you get unlimited access to the PEAK 2 PEAK and can go straight to the lift with your RFID card.
I’ve got a winter season pass. Can I use it to ride the PEAK 2 PEAK?
Many current Whistler Blackcomb winter season passes include summer sightseeing access (the pass needs to be for the upcoming winter season, not the one before). Check the details of your pass before visiting.
What does the ticket include?
The ticket includes much more than just the ride on the PEAK 2 PEAK. It also gets you:
- Access to all the open-air chairlifts and gondolas operating that day, including upload, download, the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola and the Peak Chair
- Access to over 50 km of hiking, running and interpretive walking trails in summer
- Access to the Whistler Peak Suspension Bridge and Raven’s Eye lookout (accessible off the top of the Peak Chair when running)
- A behind-the-scenes look at the machinery and incredible engineering behind the Gondola from the PEAK 2 PEAK Viewing Gallery
- Inspiring alpine videos and talks in the Samsung Alpine Theatre (times vary)
- The 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games display inside the Roundhouse Lodge (Whistler Mountain)
- On-mountain dining for purchase at multiple restaurants on Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains
What are the operating dates and times for the gondola?
Check out our mountain hours of operation for more information – the times vary during the year. The PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola closes for scheduled maintenance at regular intervals, so check the dates as you plan your trip to avoid disappointment.
Know Before You Go
Where should I park for the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola?
The closest parking to the lifts is in the Day Lots (pay parking), located between the Upper Village and the Village Stroll. Depending on which Day Lot you park in, the walk is between five and 10 minutes.
I’m catching a BC Transit bus or the shuttle. How far is the bus loop to the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola?
If you are catching a BC Transit bus, the bus drop-off is right by the base of the lifts in Skier’s Plaza, while the shuttle from Vancouver drops you about a five-minute walk away through the Village.
What should I wear to go sightseeing?
It depends on the season! Weather conditions and temperatures will change as you go from Whistler Village in the valley to the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola in the alpine. It is often five to 10 degrees (Celsius) cooler on the mountain, and layers are recommended so you can adjust your temperature accordingly – check out the alpine weather conditions on the day for a better idea of what to expect.
The sun can be strong up high, so sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses are recommended – just be careful they don’t fall off when you are peering down from the chairlift! A light jacket can help cut wind chill, and comfortable, sturdy, closed shoes can stop your toes from getting cold as you ride the chairlifts – they are also great for walking around on the mountaintop.
Do I need to bring anything else?
A sense of adventure and your camera or phone for photos are a good start! There are restaurants, washrooms and shops. If you plan to hike the alpine trails, other gear is recommended, such as hiking boots, food and water, as well as a trail map.
Get to the Gondola
Right. I have my tickets. How do I get to the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola?
The PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola terminals are approximately two-thirds of the way up the mountains, so to get there, you start your journey by uploading from the valley. Access points vary over the season (check the hours of operation page), but typically, you can take the Whistler Village Gondola or the Blackcomb Gondola up the mountain to access the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola.
Can I upload at the Creekside Gondola?
The Creekside Gondola is for Whistler Bike Park users only, not sightseers.
The Ride
Do I need to book a time to board the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola?
No. There are no reservations required for the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola as it runs continuously during the day. Simply upload and walk a short distance to the terminal to catch your ride.
Do I only get one shot at riding the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola?
Your ticket allows one upload from the Village and one download back to the Village during the day. Once in the alpine, you can ride the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola between Whistler and Blackcomb as many times as you like while it is operating. If it is busy, you might be asked to disembark on either side so other visitors can take their turn.
Are there glass-bottomed gondolas?
Yes. There are a few glass-bottomed gondolas in rotation, and you’ll notice a separate line for these inside the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola building. There are also gondolas bearing the designs of local Indigenous artists, which are incredibly striking (read more about the artists in our dedicated blog, Indigenous Art Takes to the Skies).
Will I need to wait in line?
It depends on how many people are on the mountain that day – wait times vary. Lines are usually longer on weekends and during holiday periods, so you might need to allow yourself extra time to board the gondola. Plan ahead and ride midweek, get tickets in advance and go early.
How long does it take to ride the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola?
- Upload from Village: 25 minutes
- PEAK 2 PEAK ride: 11 minutes one way
- Return to Village: 25 minutes
- Recommended total visit time: 2 to 4 hours
The gondola ride is 11 minutes long, making it a 22-minute trip if you opt for a round-trip. However (here’s the important part), it takes approximately 25 minutes to upload to the PEAK 2 PEAK and 25 minutes to return to the Village. We recommend leaving at least 2 hours, minimum, for the sightseeing experience to allow time to upload, ride the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola, and return to the Village.
If you plan on doing any of the other things included in your ticket (dining, hiking, viewing the gallery, riding the Peak Chair) or taking lots of photographs, then give yourself more time. That way, you can avoid scurrying to make your tee-time/dinner reservation/massage appointment.
When is the last ride of the day?
The PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola stops running overnight, and the times of the last ride vary during the season. As a general rule, uploading after 3 PM isn’t recommended as it means you will be hustling to catch the last ride of the day, or could miss out on the gondola ride altogether.
On the Mountains
What exactly is there to see up there?
All the majesty. At higher elevations, the landscape completely changes, and this sightseeing trip is a fantastic way to experience the pure and rugged beauty of the Canadian Coast Mountains.
The experience changes with the season. In spring, the alpine hiking trails are still covered with snow, but Whistler Blackcomb digs out the road up to the Peak Chair for hiking, meaning you can walk between walls of snow from last winter. The snow walls are only available for as long as they last, so this is a unique, once-a-year experience and well worth a trip in early June (exact dates depend on the weather that year).
In summer, the forest makes way to wildflower meadows and scree slopes, boulder fields and towering peaks like the mighty Black Tusk. You can discover jewel-like hanging lakes under distant peaks and massive glaciers in ancient valleys. Depending on the day and season, you might see wildlife: bears, deer, marmots, chipmunks and whiskey jacks are common. You also get a great view of the Village, plus watch people hiking, biking, climbing and more. We did a post on the unique things you can see and do in the alpine in summer, check out the photos for a better idea of what’s up there.
Is there anywhere to eat?
Absolutely – each mountain has restaurants. It’s safe to say the on-mountain patios have some of the best views in town, so a meal or even an ice cream break up here is well worth it. It’s good to note that Whistler Blackcomb is cashless, so bring your card for payments.
Friday, Saturday and Sundays during summer, you can stay up in the evenings and have dinner with the Mountain Top Summer Feast – a separate ticket is required for this, and it pays to pack a light jacket in case the temperature drops as the sun sets.
Are there any hiking trails on Whistler Blackcomb?
Yes, there is a trail network on each mountain, offering a range of trails from short loops on easy gravel paths to longer, more technical hikes to hidden lakes and lookouts. Depending on how much time you have, you can choose a short loop of an hour or less or a more advanced hike (two to four+ hours). View the Whistler and Blackcomb trail maps here and check out our Insider’s Guide to Alpine Hiking for more information.
For more ideas on what to do this summer, from lakes to peaks, visit Whistler.com.
