Whistler Valley Tours and Charters offers guided sightseeing, walking, brewery and distillery tours that reveal the history, culture and natural beauty of Whistler, British Columbia. Led by knowledgeable local guides, these small-group experiences are designed for visitors who want a deeper understanding of the mountain town beyond the ski slopes.
This local guided tour company elevates the sightseeing experience to one of sight-experiencing. Guests are taken into the story of this town: literally shuttled through Whistler’s chapters, navigating the storied timeline of this picturesque place.
Each stop marks a moment on the local, mountainous map, with Whistler Valley Tours connecting the dots between ski-town culture, contemporary community and a vibrant history, all framed by views that simply astound.
Historically Speaking
Established in 2017, owner/operator Ryan Powell recognized the lack of local tour-operating services accessible to a wide range of ages and abilities. He wanted to help visitors see beyond first impressions, sharing the soul, magic, and mystery that animate Whistler through story and history.
The intimate, fully guided hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tours allow guests the opportunity to travel through the world of Whistler, while sitting still, or almost, as Whistler Valley Tours will have you on the edge of your seat! It is worth noting that the tours combine scenic drives with short, optional walks at select stops, offering a flexible way to experience Whistler.
Guided Touring and Sightseeing in Whistler
The company’s flagship trip is the three-hour Full Whistler Sightseeing Tour. The bus travels first past the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre (SLCC). The storytelling starts here, by acknowledging that the place now most commonly called Whistler forms part of the Traditional Territory of two vibrant Indigenous Nations, who have called this place home since time immemorial: the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh and Lil̓wat7úl.
The shuttle then loops past Lost Lake (summer only) before departing the Village area.
Guests are driven up to Green Lake, stopping at stunning mountain viewpoints. The tour then circles over to Alta Lake, where clients visit Whistler’s original tourist destination, the remaining buildings of the 1915-opened Rainbow Lodge. From here, you can see across the lake to Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains, a stunning mountain vista.
Function Junction, with its breweries and bakeries, is next, followed by Creekside, the location of Whistler’s first gondola. Then you weave up to the Whistler Sliding Centre, where athletes train and compete in bobsleigh, skeleton and luge.
The tour is a scenic, fun and informative adventure that takes guests through a tapestry of place, woven and threaded together with wild wonders (and in the warmer months, black bear and other wildlife are often spotted).
Cheers! Whistler Distillery and Brewery Tours
Whistler Valley Tours offers “designated driver options”, too – a euphemism for their Distillery and Brewery Tours. Guests are invited to dip into the gin or jump on the brew bus to enjoy a very specialized style of après.
The Whistler Distillery Tour takes you to Function Junction and the Montis Distillery. Guests are given a guided tour of the facility and tastings of all available products paired with charcuterie from local favourites Picnic Whistler. The tour operates on Fridays and Saturdays only and lasts approximately two hours (you must be 19 years old or older).
The Brewery Tour offers guests a safe way to visit the local beer houses. With three breweries in Whistler, three in Squamish and two in Pemberton, Whistler Valley Tours offers the option to partake in just one town’s offerings or to mix-and-match.
The Great Whistler Walking Tour
The Great Whistler Walking Tour (available spring to fall) is designed as the perfect mix of scenery, arts, culture, fresh air and exercise! The 1.5-hour journey takes you off the Whistler Village Stroll, into the nooks and crannies of Whistler, guided by a local who will give guests the lay of the land, telling the area’s story and covering where to eat and what to do, helping you get the absolute most from your Whistler visit.
The tour begins and ends in Whistler Village and winds past glacial streams, hidden street art and stunning forested areas. The tour is a unique opportunity to gain insight as you follow the footsteps of Whistler’s history.
The People
When asked what inspires him, what the rewards are of operating the company, Powell unequivocally declares, “The People!” With animation and effervescent respect, he adds, “I love meeting people every single day” and goes on to list all manner of positive and inspiring anecdotes from years of interactions.
This is what fuels him. Speaking with Powell, what is so clear is the depth of care he has for both his customers and this town. It is immense. “The world is smaller than you think…there are a lot of good people out there.”
The company made the top 10 list across North America for the 2025 North American Arival Tour Review Spotlight Awards. In 2023, they ranked fifth in all of Canada on Tripadvisor/Viator’s Best of the Best Overall Experiences.
Whistler Valley Tour: Logistics & What You Need to Know
Whistler Valley Tours operate daily, year-round, in sun, rain, snow or sleet, and in summer and winter. If it’s bright and visibility is limitless, then the background gets the opportunity to speak more for itself. However, nothing is lost when the focal range is pulled in closer, due to fog or a shroud of cloud. Powell explains, “The dialogue just gets a little stronger, a little richer”.
Guided tours begin and end at the Gondola Exchange Bus Loop. Guests are reminded to bring their cameras, dress for the weather, and bring their questions, curiosity and sense of adventure! Public and private group arrangements can be made, along with specifically-tailored charters. There are children’s and adult pricing options. Of note, the buses are not wheelchair accessible; however, collapsible walkers and movement-assistance devices may be accommodated.
Whistler Valley Tours fosters the making of meaningful connections, providing in-depth, unforgettable experiences. Book your spot for when you’re in Whistler!
