Family-friendly Whistler shines in the summer
Soar at 140 kilometres per hour and more than 180 metres above the forest floor on a zipline. Jump off the dock at Rainbow Park into the refreshing waters of Alta Lake. Kick back on the lawn at Whistler Olympic Plaza and enjoy a free, world-class concert as the sun slips behind the mountains. It’s summer in Whistler and whether your kids are toddlers, teens or somewhere in between, there’s plenty to do.
Adrenalin fans age twelve and over can take a ride on “Rolling Thunder,” the summer bobsled experience at the Whistler Sliding Centre. Younger thrill-seekers can try out the Westcoaster Slide mini-luge track at The Adventure Zone at the base of Blackcomb Mountain. Tip: visit on a Sunday and take in the Farmer’s Market once the kids are ready for lunch after a morning of go-carts, bouncy castles and mini-golf.
The average summer temperature in Whistler is 27C°. Luckily, beating the heat is easy at the outdoor waterpark at Meadow Park. Feel more like swimming? Head next door to the aquatic centre or grab the sunscreen and head to one of Whistler’s many lakes that offer activities including stand-up paddle boarding, kayaking and canoeing. Or, cool down up in the alpine where you can toss a snowball with one hand and eat a Lucia Gelato cone with the other. While you’re there, jump on the Peak 2 Peak to travel between Whistler and Blackcomb mountains in a glass-bottom gondola with 360° views that often include a bear or two playing in the valley below. Tip: bears can also often be seen on the Whistler Tree Adventure Tour.
Feeling adventurous? Your family can amp up the action river-rafting down the Green River, tearing up the terrain in Whistler Mountain Bike Park, or zipping around the mountains on an RZR tour.
Family-friendly festivals are a big part of summer in Whistler. This year, kids’ culture gets it due July 7–9 when The Whistler Children’s Festival returns for its thirty-fourth year.
“Whistler summers have always been about family fun, and The Children’s Festival has always been an exciting part of that,” says Maureen Douglas, executive director at Arts Whistler, the organization behind the event.
And this August, the trend to include kids in major festivals continues when KIDSWORX, a junior biking fest, returns as part of CRANKWORX the annual celebration of mountain biking.
Make your family’s summer memorable; book your Whistler getaway today. More at whistler.com.