Late spring (April/May) is one of the best times to visit Whistler, BC, with kids because it combines spring skiing, warm valley activities and family-friendly festivals with fewer crowds. Spring lasts longer in the mountains, where we’re typically still playing in the snow well into May. What locals and savvy visitors have known for years is that late spring is an underrated time to visit.
Pair the great conditions, both on and off the ski hill, with smaller crowds and excellent deals on lodging, activities and dining, and spring might just become your new favourite season to visit Whistler with the family.
1. Enjoy a Dual Sport Day in Whistler
Like Schrödinger’s cat (a paradoxical thought experiment), winter both exists and doesn’t exist in Whistler in the spring.
If you’re not ready to say goodbye to the white stuff quite yet, our mountaintops continue to be a winter wonderland. From surprise pow days to buttery spring turns, skiing and riding continue well into May.
For those ready to leave winter behind, warm valley temperatures quickly melt the snow, opening up opportunities for spring and summer sports. Spend the day golfing on the greens (typically opening at the end of April), getting some hot laps on your downhill or cross-country bike or paddling Whistler’s many lakes. Keep an eye on the WORCA website for local trail conditions, and remember the opening of the Whistler Mountain Bike Park is also in May.
The real beauty of spring is that you don’t have to choose between winter and summer. As the ultimate dual sports season, you can do both in one day!
2. See Whistler’s Bears
After a long winter slumber, our favourite, furry locals wake up and rejoin us in the spring. Seeing a bear is on many people’s Whistler to-do lists, but it’s important that it’s done safely for you and the bears. The best and safest way to see a bear is through a bear viewing tour (typically starting in May).
Knowledgeable guides take you to the best places to spot a bear while teaching you interesting tidbits about them along the way. Learn more about what to expect on a tour in this blog post – Whistler Bear Viewing Safari Experience.
3. Have Fun at the World Ski & Snowboard Festival
The World Ski & Snowboard Festival (WSSF) is an annual winter send-off happening in early April. WSSF brings together athletes, artists, musicians, filmmakers, and the local community for a week-long celebration of mountain culture, creativity and connection.
It features sporting events like The Grind, Mini Pipe, Rail Jams and the legendary Slush Cup. Creative showcases include the 72 Hour Filmmaker Showdown, Pro Photographer Showcase, and Intersection, along with free outdoor concerts, live music and patio parties. There are also community activations, workshops, art installations and village animation throughout the week!
4. Get Out on the Water
Our freshly thawed lakes may still be a little chilly for a dip (unless you’re feeling particularly brave), but you can still enjoy a day on the water by renting a canoe, kayak, or stand-up paddleboard (typically opening in May). Spend the day paddling around Alta Lake, or go on an adventure with a guided tour down the River of Golden Dreams.
If you are up for a refreshing dip in a lake, then take a read of how the locals like to do it in Taking the Plunge: Cold Water Dips in Whistler.
5. Do a Springtime Family Tour
Treat the family to an adventure this spring. Zipline through the trees, bungee over a rushing river, soar over the mountains in a helicopter, the list goes on. Whistler has a wide variety of activities and tours; you just have to pick one and make some lifelong memories!
6. Bike on Whistler’s Valley Trail
Once the snow melts, bikes become Whistler’s favourite mode of transportation. Running the length of town, and pretty much everywhere in between, Whistler’s Valley Trail is both the best and most scenic route for getting around.
One of my favourite bike sightseeing routes is around Alta Lake. From the Whistler Golf Club’s Clubhouse, the trail winds around fairways, through lush forests and past multiple lakeside parks. Give yourself a few hours to complete the loop, leaving plenty of time to stop and enjoy the sights along the way.
Don’t worry if your kids are too small to bike that far. Most bike rental places around town also rent Chariot trailers, so kids can cruise in comfort while being towed behind your bike.
7. Go to the Whistler Children’s Festival
The Whistler Children’s Festival brings the magic every May. Workshops and shows are held at the Maury Young Arts Centre, and you can expect a variety of performers, from lively circus and acrobatic acts to musicians, dancers, magicians and science demos that usually have some kind of explosive element.
Roving performers will be on the Village Stroll to engage your little ones, and there are free dance parties and music acts (just follow the squeals of delight). Tickets usually go live in March.
8. Visit the Whistler Farmers’ Market
Give the family a taste of Whistler’s food and arts and culture scene at the Whistler Farmers’ Market. Perfect for all ages, from newborns in strollers to teenagers who will love the pizza and popcorn stands. Lively musicians provide the background music as you take in the work of local artisans, jewellery designers, painters, potters and carpenters.
Starting in May, the market runs every Sunday. Remember to bring an appetite, it’s hard to resist nibbling on a thing or two while you’re there.
9. Head Out on a Spring Hike
While our high alpine hikes are still blanketed in snow, spring is a prime opportunity to explore the network of trails in our lower valley. As they tend to be shorter and have fewer elevation changes than the high alpine hikes, valley hikes are an ideal introduction to the sport for kids. To stay close to the Village, Lost Lake Park offers a wide range of well-marked, relatively easy trails.
If the family is feeling a little bit more adventurous, a hike out to Cheakamus Lake can be a good option for a longer hike if the conditions are right. The always photogenic, glacier-fed Cheakamus Lake at the far end of this out-and-back trail makes for a beautiful lunch spot and backdrop for family photos.
10. Indoor Whistler Activities for When It Rains
These indoor activities are perfect for keeping everyone entertained on those “silver sunshine” days we experience from time to time in the coastal temperate rainforest.
- Escape! Whistler – Put your collective problem-solving skills to the test as you try to puzzle your way out of their immersive rooms.
- Forged Axe Throwing – You may win points for the coolest parents ever for bringing your kids, aged ten and over, for a session of axe throwing. Their staff is expertly trained to make sure everyone stays safe while having a fun time.
- Audain Art Museum – Equal parts entertainment and enrichment, a day exploring the galleries at the Audain Art Museum is a fantastic family day out. It’s good to know that kids and youth 18 and under are free.
- Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre – Cultural Ambassadors from both the Squamish Nation and Lil’wat Nation share their culture and knowledge in this immersive cultural centre. The hourly guided tour includes a traditional welcome song, a fifteen-minute film and an exhibit tour. Kids five and under are free, and there is a Family Ticket option.
- Fathom Stone Art – Try your hand at soapstone carving. Create a unique Whistler momento by joining one of their daily art classes, no experience necessary, all materials supplied and families welcome.
Late spring in Whistler offers the perfect mix of winter and summer for families who want variety without the crowds. From skiing and biking to festivals, wildlife viewing and kid-friendly events, spring family activities in Whistler deliver something for every age. It’s the season savvy locals love, and now you know why.
