Easter in Whistler | Brunch, Bunnies & More

The nights are getting longer, and there’s just hint of spring in the air in Whistler right now. Which got us thinking about the next (and arguably best) holiday of the year: Easter. While it’s well known that Whistler is a world-class Christmas destination, fewer people realize that over the Easter weekend, Whistler is a great choice too. In fact, for a family holiday, we reckon Easter could be even better than Christmas.

Why Whistler is the Best Easter Vacation 

Have your lazy easter morning, and go skiing? Welcome to Whistler

Why is Whistler the best Easter weekend vacation in Canada? There’s are loads of reasons, but here’s our top three:

1. Eggs-cellent Spring Skiing Conditions

Bad pun, great skiing conditions. Whistler’s season lasts well into May, so you can enjoy prime skiing conditions, while many other resorts are already gearing up for summer. Plus, there’ll be no frozen fingers and grumpy kids at Easter, as temperatures stay above zero and the sun shines all day long.

2. Warm Days and Long Nights to Explore Whistler

At the same time, the long nights and warmer temperatures leave plenty of time to explore the rest of the Whistler valley too. There are loads of easy, family-friendly hikes on offer – like the Trainwreck or the Lost Lake trails. And with plenty of time to explore once the slopes close, why not spend some lazy evenings strolling around the Valley Trail, or relaxing on one of our many, many sun-drenched patios. In fact, we have a whole list of great Spring activities in Whistler.

3. Heaps of Easter Weekend Events

And to top it all off, there are tons of Easter events happening around the village too. Kids will love the giant Easter egg hunts, and chances to spot the Easter bunny around town. And parents will love the huge range of Easter brunch deals and how easy it is to keep the children entertained.

Skiing in Whistler over Easter Weekend 

If you’re thinking about an Easter ski vacation in Whistler, you’re in for a treat. While Whistler may be known for its epic mid-winter powder, by April you can expect long days, glorious sunshine and quieter slopes. While there is less snowfall in April, there’s normally enough to keep the pistes refreshed. And the warmer temperatures make for glorious spring skiing all over the mountain. For the full low-down on the ski season conditions in Whistler, read our handy guide to the Whistler ski season.

This is the time to bomb down groomers and get airborne in the park. Whistler’s terrain parks are legendary, and they come into their own in spring. Expect world-class features, smooth pistes and the chance to ride in just a jumper. For families, it’s a great time to get the kids up the hill when the days are warmer, more comfortable and less complicated than mid-winter.

The other great thing about skiing in Whistler at Easter is that the lifts are open late. Most lifts (except for the alpine) don’t close until 4pm. That means you have a great excuse for that lie-in or pre-ski brunch you were thinking about. Plus, the pistes get better through the day when the sun hits them, softening the snow and creating prime spring-time conditions.

And once 4 o’clock passes, you’ve still got hours of sunlight to enjoy a few apres beverages on your choice of Whistler patio. We love Milestones at the base of the new Blackcomb Gondola, where you can enjoy a mimosa in the sun until late in the evening. Or if you’re lucky enough to have a hotel with a pool, well, what more can we say? A post-ski dip in the sunshine –  can we come?!

Easter at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler 

The Fairmont Whistler is the place to be Easter morning.

The Fairmont Chateau Whistler is always a great choice for a family vacation. With a hard-to-beat location at the base of Blackcomb mountain, an on-site spa and pool, and loads of great dining options, you’re guaranteed a stress-free and luxurious stay. But over Easter weekend the team at the Fairmont really step up their game! Families staying at the Fairmont over Easter can expect endless entertainment and quality dining. Here are a few of the highlights you don’t want to miss:

• Easter Brunch at the Wildflower

The Wildflower serves delicious food every day of the year. But on Easter Sunday they pull out all the stops, with a true holiday feast that’s full of surprises and treats for the whole family. If you can’t make it to the Wildflower, try one of the many, many other brunch options in Whistler.

• Easter Basket Delivery

Enjoy a bit of Easter magic, and have the Easter Bunny deliver an Easter basket right to your door on Easter Sunday morning. You won’t forget the look on your kids’ faces when they open the door!

• Easter Party and Easter Egg Hunt

On Easter Sunday, there’s a whole lot to do. Hunt for chocolate eggs in the morning, meet the Easter Bunny and then head over to the Easter party for crafts, dancing, cookie decorating, face painting and more. The whole family are sure to remember this holiday for a long time.

• Easter Playrooms, Movie Nights and Crafts

The family fun doesn’t just last one day. For the whole Easter week, you can enjoy dedicated playrooms with loads of fun activities. Or drop by one of the family movie nights and enjoy a classic family film together. And there are loads of other arts and crafts activities available all week too. Why not get creative after a successful day on the slopes?

Where to Entertain the Kids in Whistler over Easter  

Easter is perhaps the best time of year to visit Whistler for young families. It’s warm, accessible and there’s loads to do. We’ve picked a few of the best ways to entertain the kids in Whistler over Easter weekend.

• Hunt for Eggs – Cross-Country Style

For the adventurous families among you, what better way to celebrate Easter than with an Easter egg hunt – on cross-country skis? Visit the Olympic Park in the Callaghan Valley (just 20 minutes from Whistler) for an Easter Egg hunt like no other. Parents, kids and dogs are welcome, and you can either cross-country ski or snowshoe. There’s even a snow bunny building contest! How’s that for a true Whistler Easter experience?

• Indulge at the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory

We suspect you might already have eaten your body weight in chocolate by the end of Easter weekend. But while you’re indulging, you’d better check out the treats available at Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory. Their homemade treats are hard to resist, and they put in extra effort on Easter weekend. Take some Easter Eggs home for the family, or if it’s warm, taste-test their delicious ice-cream, made in house.

• Throw Axes!

If the Whistler weather doesn’t behave over Easter weekend, there’s still plenty to do. In fact, we wrote a whole article on how to entertain the kids of those rainy days. But of course, we think the best option is to get them throwing axes at big blocks of wood. Kids aged 10+ are more than welcome at Forged, where they’ll learn the Canadian sport of axe-throwing (and maybe even beat Mum and Dad at it too).

Where to Find the Easter Bunny in Whistler 

The Easter Bunny always remembers to visit Whistler

The best place to find the Easter Bunny is at Whistler’s biggest Easter Egg hunt at Myrtle Phillip School. With hunts for toddlers and school-age kids alike, this huge event is lots of fun for everyone. As well as the egg hunt, there’s music and dancing, crafts, a bake sale and face painting. And for the adults, there’s a raffle with great prizes on offer.

This is a long-standing community event and a really cool way to see another side of Whistler: how Whistler locals actually live(!). Yes, it’s true, Whistler residents aren’t all 20-year-old Australian ski-bums – there are kids and families here too. All money raised helps the school provide awesome educational opportunities for their kids. If you’re heading to Myrtle Phillip, consider taking public transport (the number 6 bus is easy), as there’s very limited parking and we love saving the planet here.

• Something Different: Find the Easter Dinosaur Instead

Does the Easter Bunny seem a little…mainstream to you and your kids? Never fear, because Britannia Mine Museum have come up with the answer. Head down towards Squamish to meet Britanniasuarus Rex, their egg-hiding, friendly local dinosaur. This is also a great option if you already overdid it on the candy, and are looking for something a little more educational. Kids can hunt for eggs filled with gems, and then Dino can help them work out what they are!

Easter Weekend in Whistler – The Perfect Family Holiday

We love springtime in Whistler – there’s tons to do, and the weather is great. And what better excuse to indulge yourselves than a long Easter weekend for the whole family. Kids will never forget it, and parents might even get the chance to relax for once. So go out and explore, and don’t forget to swing by Forged to burn off some of those chocolate eggs with a bit of axe-throwing.