Whistler in a Weekend, How to Get the Most Out of 48 Hours

When most people consider a vacation in Whistler, they try to carve out weeks at a time for their outdoor adventures but this can become expensive, and keep you out of the office a little longer than your boss might have anticipated. The beautiful thing about Whistler is that you don’t need to hang out for weeks or months at a time to get a taste of this awesome place – in fact, you can easily do Whistler in a weekend!

We’ve laid out our ideal weekend in Whistler – even with limited time, we’ve handpicked the best places to eat, places to sleep, and sights to see all within 48 hours. Check out our tried and true Whistler Weekend schedule below.

Friday Plans

Highway 99 on the way to Whistler.

If you’re just landing in Vancouver late Friday, you’ll likely want to get yourself over to Whistler as quickly as possible. If you plan to rent a car and drive, we suggest you hop on the BC-99 North and get ready for an all-time scenic drive. This trek will probably take you close to two hours to get here, dependant on traffic. Check out online traffic cams for road conditions to ensure you arrive as planned.

Not planning on renting a car? No big deal, Whistler is pretty pedestrian friendly, so you might not want to bother with a car while you’re here. That being said, you still need to get yourself from Vancouver to Whistler. Again, no big deal at all. There are plenty of shuttle options to get you from the Vancouver airport to Whistler. There’s an entire fleet of shuttles that can get you to Whistler in a few hours for an affordable rate.

Chowin’ Down Late Night Dinner

You’ve had a long day. You’re finally in Whistler, and whether you flew in, drove in, took a shuttle in, or biked in (it is possible), we can bet you’re ready to chow down on something delicious. Luckily, Whistler is filled to the brim with many delicious culinary options. If you want something casual, fast, and delicious, we’ve got a few suggestions in mind:

Beacon Pub & Eatery

Beacon Hill’s got what you need for late night fare.

A local favourite, this neighbourhood pub welcomes in out-of-town guests like they’re old friends. Right on the Village Stroll, Beacon Pub is one of the best patios Whistler has to offer. With an array of tasty pub food, unique dishes, and hand-crafted culinary experiences, you need to include Beacon on your weekend itinerary.

21 Steps

This gorgeous restaurant provides a second-story view of Whistler Village. If you’re looking for big portions and yummy flavors to celebrate your first night in Whistler, then 21 Steps is a delicious, and affordable spot is a must-try. From small plates to big dishes, you won’t be sorry you stopped in for dinner.

Where to Stay

If you don’t already have a place in mind for your weekend vacay, no worries! There are lots of options for lodging in Whistler. Whether you’re looking for a chalet, a cabin, or a luxurious suite in a resort, you can find the ideal spot for you and your crew. From romantic options to family-friend fun, there’s no shortage of places to lay your head for the weekend. No worries for those on a budget, there are plenty of Whistler weekend packages available at many hotels!

Westin Whistler

Located in a perfect location to access the mountain and the Village

Centrally located in Whistler Village, the Westin has excellent residential-style suites so you can enjoy the comforts of home in a luxurious, resort-style setting. Additionally, the Westin has reasonable prices, especially during the offseason, starting at around $200 per night, but rise to over $800 after Christmas.

Vacation Rentals

If you’re not looking for a traditional accommodation and would prefer a comfy, homey feel, try out one of the many Airbnb, VRBO, or Town Plaza Whistler vacation rentals in town. There are plenty of great suites offered over the storefronts in the Village, and scattered throughout the town itself. The advantage of a vacation rental in the Village is that it comes with all the amenities of a home and often can house many more people than a small hotel room.

Nita Lake Lodge

Looking for a hotel in a calmer neighbourhood? Look no further than Nita Lake.

If you’re looking to soak in the Whistler while lounging lake side, the Nita Lake Lodge will give you just that. Steps from the Creekside Gondolas, you can have mountain access in minutes. With its private rooms, fireplaces, and relaxing hot tubs, this is the perfect lodge if you’re looking for a romantic getaway. We can also personally attest to their spa services.

Saturday Plans

Let’s be honest; if you’re going to start your day right, you’re going to need the fuel of champions. What’s the fuel of champions, you ask? Brunch, people. It’s brunch. And luckily, Whistler is chalk full of the best of the best when it comes to breakfast-lunch combos. After a delicious (and possibly even boozy) brunch, you’ll be ready for all kinds of adventures.

Brunch Attack

We’ve laid out a few of our favourite Saturday morning, afternoon and evening activities here, first starting with lunch. Check them out!:

The South Side Diner

One of our favourite breakfast establishments, the Southside Diner.

Let’s dive right into one of our favourites, the Southside Diner. It’s a local hotspot, tasty as all get-out, and even better, super affordable. A quirky spot with local favourites like the Southside Slam (bacon, eggs, pancakes, and home fries) and Canadian favourites like breakfast poutine, it’s hard to miss out on the South Side Diner. Diner-style and super friendly, this breakfast-brunch spot is a can’t-miss.

Peaked Pies

If you’re looking for brunch with a twist, check out Peaked Pies meat pie breakfast. Paired with your artisan coffee, a delicious rise & shine pie, a flaky vegetable medley pie, or a sweet apple crumble pie is the best brunch decision you’ve made in awhile!

Want more brunch ideas? Check out our breakfast hot-spots all laid out for you, here!

Afternoon Activities

Forged Axe

If you’re looking for the most Canadian experience you could imagine, look no further than Forged Axe. Maybe we’re biased when we say this, but it really doesn’t get more British Columbian than a pleasant afternoon of ax-throwing. Come to check us out over in Function Junction for an afternoon. If you have a whole crew, that’s even better – we can definitely accommodate groups! Kick off your day of activities on the right foot by getting your lumberjack on! Our staff can suggest some other Whistler weekend packages for you and your friends!

Shredding the Mountain

Hanging out in the winter? Get to skiing! Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains both offer you prime spots to shred the pow. Visiting in the summer-time? Don’t let that stop you from getting your shred on. Whistler is home to one of the best bike parks in the world – in fact, it brings in professional mountain bikers well into fall. Whether you’re a greenie looking to get their feet wet or a seasoned pro who knows what they’re all about, the Whistler Mountain Bike Park will have what you’re looking for.

Tours on Tours on Tours

Just because it’s winter, doesn’t mean its time to put the ziplines away.

Whether you’re an adrenaline junkie or a quiet soul, you likely want pack a few more activities into your weekend. The good news is, there are hundreds of ways to do that. From zipline tours to paddleboarding tours to heli-tours to the Peak to Peak Gondola Tours to Rzr tours…. See Whistler any way you want.

Nighttime Festivities

Looking for a wild night? We suggest, right off the bat, checking out our nightlife guide to get all the good details on where the party is at. With dozens of bars, clubs, restaurants, and places to dance, sing, and party, there’s certainly no shortage of fun!

Sunday Plans

Last day in Whistler, time to pack everything in. You’ll have to head out today, but that doesn’t mean you can’t fit in one more bite of breakfast and maybe just one more activity. Go a head, sleep in, you’ve still got time.

Breakfast Time

Never crave for crepes again at Crepe Montagne

We know that Sunday has to start with breakfast — if you didn’t read our brunch guide, consider some classic spots like Fix Cafe or Crepe Montagne. Both are packed with sweet and savory options, keep pretty late hours (if you’re not an early riser), and aren’t too hard on your wallet.

If you’re trying to pack in a few awesome activities before you head back to Vancouver, allow us to offer up some of our favorites.

If you didn’t get to Forged Axe yesterday, we definitely suggest that you come in before you leave. Not only is it the perfect last day activity (doesn’t take you too far off the beaten path but still provides you with tons of exercise and good-times), it could also be a passion you didn’t even know you had! Check us out before you head home — it’ll definitely make you want to come back to visit us and throw more axes!

If you have the time, we suggest hiking (either a guided tour or with your friends), biking (either at the mountain bike park or around the town), or hanging out at one of our favourite alpine lakes! These are all great, last minute activities but don’t require a full day commitment. They also won’t break the bank if you over-spent the day before.

Drive Back Fuel-Up

A small sampling from Mount Currie Coffee Co. in Whistler

You’ve had a long weekend, and let’s be honest, that trip back to Vancouver (even though it’s not terribly long) is going to require some extra fuel. Check out coffee shops like Mount Currie Coffee Company, Pikolo Espresso Bar, and the all-time must-have Canadian favourite, Tim Hortons.

Whistler in a weekend is totally feasible. In our opinion, 48 hours is a perfect taste of our town. Who said you needed two weeks of vacation time to get a full taste of Whistler? This remarkable town can certainly be done in just a few days, provided you follow our tips for the best weekend, Whistler activities!