Top 12 Day Trips from Whistler – An Update
To get the most out of your family in Whistler, you’ve really got to get out of the Village proper. There are limitless day trips that will take you outside of the Village and into the landscape beyond. While Whistler has plenty to offer families of all ages, there is so much more to see in the surrounding communities.
The beautiful thing is, your hotel concierge will be happy to help you curate the vacation of your dreams, one day trip at a time. This makes it easy! If you’ve come to relax and get outside with your family, the area around Whistler makes the perfect destination.
Day trips from Whistler are abundant thanks to the fantastic terrain which envelopes it.
Adventures start from the steps of your hotel, and they will take you outside of the resort municipality for the day.
We strongly believe that the best Whistler vacations should always include an exploration of the surrounding areas. These areas are off the beaten path and allow you to immerse yourself in the true Canadian wilderness. Everyone will return to Whistler at the end of the day rejuvenated and refreshed.
1. Hike the Chief in Squamish
Accomplish something great in half a day. Drive the quick 30 minutes from Function Junction down to the Southern end of Squamish and keep an eye out for the monolith of granite which towers over the ocean town. You can’t miss it.
Wear proper footwear, bring lots of water, and maybe a layer for the top, and you are ready to go. This hike is strenuous, so be prepared, but it’s well worth the sweat. Its roughly one to two hours of straight up, but take your time and power through.
When you get to the top, you’ll understand what we are talking about – the view of the entire Howe Sound is to die for. Usually this hike is suitable for active people, and for most children 10 years of age and older.
2. Don’t Forget to Hike and Bike in Squamish
Fun activities for the family near Whistler should always include Squamish, the outdoor capital of North America. Squamish is about a 30-minute drive from Whistler and boasts some incredible trails for hiking and biking. In fact, drive down to Squamish on any given weekend in Summer, and it’s clearly a biking mecca.
Squamish is also the kitesurfing mecca of British Columbia, which makes for great entertainment even if you don’t want to take a lesson. Although if you do want to take a turn, check out Aerial Kiteboarding School, they will be happy to show you the ropes (and the kite!) For those less inclined to try it out, ‘The Spit’ is still a great destination to hit in Squamish. Pull out the picnic blanket and watch the pros.
3. Beer Tour Day Trip
Try a flight of samples from one of our favourite Squamish Breweries
Find your designated driver, and buckle up because within a single day you can hit up five breweries in Whistler and in Squamish. Start around lunch time in Squamish, hit up Backcountry Brewery for a delicious thin-crust artisan pizza.
Next round at Howe Sound Brewery for their award winning beers, and before you leave Squamish for good don’t forget about the family friendly A-Frame brewery.
Next up in Whistler you’ve got two breweries on your brewery tour hit list – and both in function junction right next to Forged Axe throwing. Whistler Brewery puts on an excellent brewery tour, samples included, followed by Coast Mountain for a potent IPA or delicious sour. And since you’re so close, why not stop by for a friendly competition of axe throwing?
If you want a deep dive into our favourite beers, head on over to our Whistler Beer Guide.
4. Pemberton for Lunch a Break
Pemberton is a little town further North of Whistler. It is a perfect farming and ranching community nestled in a valley between some pretty picturesque mountains. Like Squamish, you can hike, bike, and camp in Pemberton, but it’s also nice to just take the afternoon off from the hustle and bustle of Whistler village.
Pemberton has some great spots for lunch using much of the bounty growing locally. Some of the mentionable lunch spots include Mile One Eating House and The Pony. If you go there in midsummer, you can even take the family out to a U-Pick for some delicious family fun.
Of course, you can always stay in Pemberton for a full day – Whistler Day Trippin’ to Pemberton.
5. Take an Epic Selfie for Instagram at Joffre Lakes
Glacier fed crystal clear lakes make Joffre Lake the perfect picnic destination
Glacier fed crystal clear lakes make Joffre Lake the perfect picnic destination. Joffre Lakes Provincial Park is 35 km East of Pemberton (but still North of Whistler) on the Duffey Lake Road. There are a total of three glacier lakes in the park.
The lower Joffre Lake is a brief walk into the park which makes its easy for the whole family, and the moment you see the glacier water, you’ll certainly be invigorated. Joffre Lakes Park has some of the most accessible pristine turquoise water available locally, plus the backdrop of the Joffre Glacier towering over you.
If you choose to see the other lakes, make sure you prepare, as you’ll need food and an adventurous group because it’s a 10 km round trip hike to the top and back. It is not for the faint of heart.
6. A Day of Adventure at Cougar Mountain
One of the best day trips in the Whistler region, suitable for the entire family, is Cougar Mountain. An easy hike in the area is The Ancient Cedars Trail; a pure scenic route through the forest. The entrance is located just North of Whistler, and the trail is named in honour of the majestic ancient cedars that exist within it.
In the end, you and your family will be in a grove of huge old growth trees. The road to get to the trailhead is located on 4.5 km of dirt road, accessible during the summer months.
Most cars can drive this road without concern. The Adventure Group offers you and your family a different way of seeing the area. You can rent an ATV, a Jeep, or even a canoe tour through the area. They tailor tours based on what your group can handle, and the guides are all fully licensed.
7. Explore Cheakamus River by White Water Raft
Wedge Rafting is the place to be when you want to get wet and wild!
Wedge Rafting is the place to be when you want to get wet and wild! Making it a perfect fit for family trips. Plus, the scenery is outstanding! The rapids are usually Class 1-2, which means they are easy to navigate.
You won’t have to do much paddling so you can sit back and take in the stunning backdrop. A rafting trip lasts all day, beginning in Whistler. Wedge Rafting covers all your needs including transportation to where the raft puts into the water, lunch, entertaining guides, and the return trip.