Think Whistler and images of skiing quite rightly pop up. Yet there is so much more to do, which is good news if your partner loves skiing and you don’t. Here are six alternative ways to spend time in Whistler:
Blackcomb family après by snowmobile or snowcat
Snowmobile
Choose to either snowmobile or catch a ride in the heated 19-passenger snowcat, journey into the picturesque hidden valley between Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains. The driver will take you up wide mountain trails to the lookout where the custom-built igloo and warm beverages await. Enjoy a mug of hot chocolate while savouring the views of the Village below and peaks of surrounding mountains. Fun for the whole family!
How much: Prices start from $119 CAD/ £101
More info: Canadianwildernessadventure.com
Try it yourself bobsleigh
The bucket list-worthy Bobsleigh Thunder on Ice experience gives you an adrenaline-fuelled ride down the world’s fastest track with guidance from a trained Bobsleigh pilot through 10 twists and turns at 125km per hour with a 4G force.
How much: A 4-person bobsleigh ride with a pilot costs $189 CAD/£110+ tax per person.
More info: Whistlersportlegacies.com
Vallea Lumia, A Multimedia wonderland
Vallea Lumina Winter night walk
The Adventure Group and Moment Factory partnered on a multimedia night walk to bring Cougar Mountain’s old-growth forest to life. Everyone could enjoy this experience as it uses emotive lights, videos, soundscape and scenography. The concept transports guests to another world, where there are plenty of opportunities to touch, play, explore and engage with the environment.
How much: Prices start from $25 CAD/£15.
More info: Vallealumina.com
Heli experiences
Helicopter c Headline Mountain Holidays
Take off from Whistler in a helicopter to fly over Canada’s southernmost ice fields to explore an evolving landscape of ice and snow.
Head-Line Mountain Holidays allocates three per cent of all Heli Ice Cave Explore revenues to the ‘White is Green’ Ice Cap Research Initiative in partnership with Simon Fraser University. There is also ‘Heli-va-Game’ package that takes guests to explore the most exclusive Whistler glaciers via helicopter with a golf club in hand. Here they can tee off for a little glacier golf then explore the ice caves below before feasting on a mountaintop gourmet picnic.
How much: The Heli-va-Game package starts from $12,500 CAD/ £7,299 per foursome.
More info: Headlinemountainholidays.com
Après Snowshoe Teepee tour
Snowshoes activity in Whistler
Don your snowshoes and head deep into the forest. As the sun sets over the winter forest, the snow comes alive and illuminates your journey into the forest that radiates by the night sky on Whistler’s newest après adventure.
Come upon the forest Teepee and be engulfed by the warmth of a hot mulled beverage and raging fire complete with world-class charcuterie. This is truly the evening après adventure that creates memories to last a lifetime.
How much: Prices from $109 CAD / £63 per person.
More info: whistlersnowshoe.com
Superfly Zipline
Zipline c Superflyziplines.com
Channel your inner daredevil and make like a bird to be rewarded with the magnificent views as you fly like a bird over the mountains of Whistler on a custom-built Superfly Zipline. At over a kilometre long and at 600 feet high, soaring daredevils can expect to reach speeds of up to 100 kilometres per hour speeding above Cougar Mountain. You can even zip down alongside friends and family on four side-by-side ziplines connected by a network of trails and boardwalks.
How much: Prices start from $119/ £69 per person.
More info: Superflyziplines.com
More information about Whistler: Whistler.com