Late spring and early summer in Whistler is about contrast — alpine snow walls and patio season, waterfall hikes and world-class sightseeing, quiet mornings and long, golden evenings. It’s a quieter time before the peak summer season, which means more availability, quicker access, incredible dining specials and deals on accommodation.
The Whistler Children’s Festival happens in the middle of May, and the Nourish Whistler Wellness Series runs throughout June, with 60+ events focused on wellbeing. There are also running and biking events like the Whistler Half Marathon and Back Forty Marathon XC MTB Race, and for the foodies, the Whistler Farmers’ Market starts!
If you’re planning a trip and wondering about the best things to do in Whistler in May or June, this seven-day itinerary balances adventure, relaxation and iconic Whistler experiences for both couples and families.
Getting to Whistler
We have a whole blog on how to get to Whistler, but here are the main points:
- You don’t need a car to explore Whistler
- Come via shuttle from Vancouver airport or downtown to avoid parking fees
- Floatplanes run from May to September and are a very scenic mode of transport
Day 1: Arrive via the Sea to Sky & Settle In
The journey sets the tone. The Sea to Sky Highway winds its way up to the mountains with the waters of the Howe Sound (North America’s southernmost fjord) on your left. May and June bring peak waterfall season, and there are a few on your way, just off the highway. Find out more about waterfalls on your route to Whistler in our guide.
Afternoon: Village Wander
- Explore the Whistler Village Stroll
- Visit the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre and/or Audain Art Museum
- Grab a fancy coffee to go at %Arabica, choose a dip-cone ice cream at Chocolats Favoris or enjoy a beer on the patio of The Brewhouse
- Let kids play at Olympic Plaza (you can see them on the playground from the Blenz Coffee and Artigiano patios)
- Walk to Lost Lake if you’ve got energy to burn
- Book an afternoon sightseeing tour to get the lay of the land
Couples
Opt for an easy and relaxed dinner with lots of craft beer on tap at Hunter Gather Eatery & Taphouse on Main Street, or enjoy the warm atmosphere and rich food options at Lorette Bistro (which also serves a great brunch).
Families:
Main Street is a great place to go for relaxed, easy food options. There’s pizza at Pizzeria Antico, yummy noodles at Pasta Lupino, burgers at Splitz Grill, or Aussie-style pies at Peaked Pies.
Day 2: PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola, Snow Walls & Alpine Sightseeing
Sightseeing on the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola
The PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola connects Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains, offering record-breaking spans and 360-degree alpine views of the Coast Mountains.
Sightseeing on Whistler Blackcomb reopens mid-May following a brief maintenance break. In early spring, you can enjoy the PEAK 2 PEAK experience on weekends until the full summer sightseeing begins mid-June, with the complete PEAK 2 PEAK experience operating daily. Find exact dates on our hours of operation page.
Snow Walls
From mid-May to mid-June (weather dependent), you can walk through the Snow Walls, which can only be experienced at this time of year (until the sun melts them away). Read more about them in our dedicated Snow Walls blog.
Cloudraker Skybridge – Whistler’s Suspension Bridge
The Peak Express Chairlift, which gets you access to the Cloudraker Skybridge and Raven’s Eye, opens mid-June. Please take a look at the Hours of Operation page before you make your plan, as the weather plays a huge role in mountain operations, and sometimes that can’t be planned for!
Mid-June is the typical opening of the Cloudraker Skybridge, which spans 130 metres (427 feet) from Whistler Peak to the West Ridge, crossing high above Whistler Bowl. At the far end, the Raven’s Eye is a cantilevered viewing platform that extends 12.5 metres (41 feet) out from the West Ridge, with exhilarating, 360-degree views.
Alpine Hiking
Alpine trails start to emerge in June, but depending on the weather, the higher-altitude options might not come out until July. Make sure you check which trails are open before you start your hiking adventure. If you’re looking for a thigh-burner, try the Ascent Trail, which goes from the bottom of Blackcomb Mountain to the top! For more on Whistler Blackcomb’s alpine hikes, read our guide.
Mountain Top Feasts
Starting at the end of June, you can enjoy a buffet-style feast with a side of live music, while you watch the sunset behind the mountains right up in the alpine. Happening every Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening at the Roundhouse Lodge on Whistler Mountain, it’s an incredible way to end a day in the alpine (kids six and under eat for free).
All Day:
- Upload via Whistler Village Gondola or Blackcomb Gondola
- Ride the PEAK 2 PEAK
- Eat at either the Roundhouse or Rendezvous on-mountain lodges
- Experience the Snow Walls (weather dependent)
- Capture classic Whistler skyline photos
- Walk across the Cloudraker Skybridge (opens mid-June)
- Go for a hike (weather dependent)
- Stay for a feast!
Couples:
Time your ride for late afternoon light for a quieter, more romantic experience. Bluebird days are great for long-range mountain views, but it’s also very cool to ride into the fog and watch the clouds roll in and out.
Families:
Kids love the glass-bottom PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola cabins — and the wow factor of riding between mountains.
INSIDER TIP: Check the weather and webcams before you head up, but always bring an extra layer and waterproofs as it’s colder at the top, and the weather in the alpine can change quickly.
Day 3: Valley Trails, Lakes & Easy Adventure
By May, the 46-kilometre Whistler’s Valley Trail network is fully rideable, and, as the month heats up, lake season begins.
Although there might be some keen swimmers, the lakes are still quite chilly, so we’d advise staying on top of the water. On a warm sunny day in June, putting your feet in the cool waters after a bike ride feels incredible.
Morning/Afternoon: Bike the Valley Trail
- Rent cruisers, mountain bikes or e-bikes
- Ride to Lost Lake for a network of fun bike trails
- Ride to Alta Lake for canoe, kayak and SUP rentals and tours
- Stop for dock photos
Midday: Lakeside Picnic
Pick up takeaway food from Fresh St. Market, a charcuterie box from The Deli by Picnic Whistler, or veggie to-go wraps from Naked Sprout and enjoy a relaxed lunch outdoors.
Couples: Rent paddleboards or kayaks for a quiet morning on Alta Lake. Feeling adventurous? Try wing foiling. Not sure what that is, read our blog for more info.
Families: Rent canoes and/or kayaks and explore Alta Lake and the River of Golden Dreams, or opt for a family sailing lesson.
Day 4: Adventure Your Way — From Bears to Bike Park, Zipping to Golfing, and Skiing!
May and June are prime for mountain adventure. But in Whistler, what’s unique is the number of options. This is multisport season, where you can ski in the morning, and then bike, paddle or golf in the afternoon. We’ll give you some suggestions, and you decide on the order of the day!
Activities like ziplining, ATV, bear viewing, and even whitewater rafting are all available in the spring. And with longer days, there’s more time to fit everything in.
Option 1: Bear Viewing Tour
Black bears emerge from hibernation in spring and early summer. Guided tours offer safe, educational viewing opportunities.
Option 2: Whistler Mountain Bike Park
Typically opens mid-May and runs through June with expanding terrain.
Option 3: Ziplining
See the valley from above with family-friendly or adrenaline-focused tours.
Option 4: Golfing
Whistler has four award-winning golf courses to choose from.
Couples:
Book a private or small-group bear tour, then celebrate with patio drinks. Some of our top patio picks for cocktails are the Fairmont’s Mallard Lounge, The Raven Room, and Braidwood Tavern at the Four Seasons.
Families:
Adventures like ziplining or guided wildlife tours create memorable, educational experiences. If you have kids with a need for speed, opt for an ATV or side-by-side tour (with an adult doing the driving).
Day 5: Wellness & Reconnection
After a few active days, slow the pace. Take a look at what’s happening during the Nourish Whistler Wellness Series, which focuses on mindfulness and wellbeing, connection to nature, movement and creative arts events, as well as masterclasses, speaker series, and nourishing dining events.
Morning: Run, Yoga or Forest Bathe
Join a local studio class, run around the lakes, join a forest bathing session or take a self-guided mindful walk. The Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre has an Interpretive Forest Trail stroll, which is included with general admission, and starts at the beginning of June, and Talasay Tours offers a Talking Trees tour in Lost Lake.
Afternoon: Scandinave Spa
The hot-cold-relax thermal journey circuit suggested at the Scandinave Spa is especially restorative in the shoulder season, with optional add-on massages available.
Couples:
Make this your romantic reset day — spa + long dinner + sunset stroll. Take a look at our guide to fine dining in Whistler for some top restaurant choices. In the summer, these places typically book out, but there’s more availability in the spring and incredible dining deals (these usually end May 31, but some stretch into early June).
Families:
Do the family-friendly Train Wreck hike or opt for hotel pool time, then an early dinner. Easy wins with kids are: Old Spaghetti Factory, Caramba and Sushi Village (if they like sushi). If you want a family-friendly activity before dinner, try Escape! Whistler, for after dinner, Vallea Lumina (in the summer, the start times are really late because of the sun, so doing this in spring is a win).
Day 6: Cross-Country Biking & Hiking
The springtime shoots and blooms make spending time in the rainforest, yes, Whistler is a temperate rainforest, extra special. Stroll, hike or bike through some spectacular forest trails. Visit Trailforks before you head out to check the trail conditions.
Morning Hike Options:
- Lost Lake loops
- Cheakamus Lake (snow dependent early May)
- Train Wreck
Morning Bike Options:
- Lost Lake for beginner and intermediate terrain
- Cheakamus for beginner, intermediate and expert terrain
- Read more in our guide to cross-country biking
Late Afternoon:
After spending most of the time in the forest, enter a different world at the Audain Art Museum. Its permanent collection showcases the art of British Columbia, with an impressive collection of Northwest Coast First Nations masks and Emily Carr pieces, as well as evolving exhibitions from Canada and around the world.
Couples:
The Audain has guided docent tours available on certain days if you want to dig a little deeper into the art. They also have fun events like The Art of the Cocktail, hands-on art workshops and yoga mornings. Find more events on their website.
Families:
For biking, stick to shorter, low-elevation trails and bring snacks — June temperatures are ideal for kids outdoors. There’s also a pump track, skate park and bike skills park next to the Day Lots in Whistler Village. If you need a change of pace, kids under 18 are free at the Audain Art Museum. Check their events calendar, as they often host youth- and child-friendly events.
Day 7: Brunch, Shopping & One Last Adventure
No one likes to say goodbye, especially when this trip has made you realize just how much there is to do in Whistler in the spring. If you have time to squeeze in one last adventure, do it!
Morning:
- Go for a decadent breakfast or brunch, followed by gift and souvenir shopping along the Whistler Village Stroll
- If your departure day happens to be a Sunday, visit the Whistler Farmers’ Market in the Upper Village and pick up some treats for the way home
- Enjoy a five-kilometre (three-mile) stroll down the Valley Trail to Creekside Village for brunch at Nita Lake Lodge (their restaurant overlooks the lake), or coffee and a treat from the funky Rockit Coffee Company. We’re also big fans of the vegan cinnamon buns from Bred. There are also some great, local stores for more shopping.
- Or if you need to burn off some energy, go for a run or walk around Lost Lake, or see if you can get up the Ascent Trail to catch the sunrise!
Couples:
Function Junction is on the way out of Whistler and is a funky district housing two of Whistler’s breweries, bakeries, art galleries, design stores and coffee shops. It’s well worth the stop.
Families:
On the way home, you could stop at Brandywine Falls or the Train Wreck hike to get the zoomies out before the drive home.
Why Visit Whistler in May & June?
If you’re deciding when to visit, late spring and early summer offer:
- PEAK 2 PEAK and suspension bridge sightseeing without peak-summer crowds
- Incredible dining deals
- Bear viewing season
- Peak waterfalls along the Sea to Sky
- Mountain Bike Park opening
- Valley trail cycling and lake season beginning
- Longer daylight hours
- Good value on accommodation (especially May)
Whistler in May and June is about balance — snow-capped peaks above, green valley trails below, and enough breathing room to experience it all at your own pace.
