The Thrills and Joys of a Summer Escape to Whistler

My heart was pounding, but the promise of soaring above the canopy on Whistler’s second-longest zipline was too tempting to pass up. The adrenaline-fueled adventure began tamely enough at Ziptrek Ecotours’ Whistler Village meeting place. Here, the guides briefed me on the safety rules, and before I knew it, I was harnessed and ready to fly over rivers and old-growth forests.

During my three-hour Eagle Tour, which consisted of five different ziplines, including a 2,400-footer with a 30-storey descent, I soared over the Fitzsimmons Valley between Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains — a voyage that left me a little breathless but yearning for more. Besides the thrill, the guides shared information about the area’s unique ecosystem while helping me cross four treetop suspension bridges.

I came to Whistler with three girlfriends, besties of more than four decades, for a weekend getaway that involved award-winning dining, high-octane adventure, walks, a little shopping therapy, and lots of laughs.

Although Whistler is world-renowned as a ski destination, you don’t need snow to experience it. The village amid the peaks transforms itself in the summer, presenting world-class mountain biking and alpine hiking, along with diverse adventure-to-relaxation experiences.

The day I arrived couldn’t have been more perfect, with the sun shining brightly as I drove up the Sea-to-Sky Highway. My first stop was to the great dame herself, the Fairmont Chateau Whistler for lunch on the Mallard Lounge and Terrace patio. Located at the base of Blackcomb Mountain, I shared plates with a chilled rosé — the perfect backdrop to sip, dine, and soak up the sun. Think fried cauliflower with a sweet-and-spicy Gochujang dip, vegetarian pizza, chicken wings, and a sundried tomato and feta dip.

As North America’s largest ski resort town, it’s no surprise that Whistler offers exceptional hotel/resort options. For me, the Pan Pacific Whistler Mountainside was the exact trifecta of location, comfort and high-altitude charm.

Perched at the base of both Blackcomb and Whistler gondolas on the Village Stroll, the Pan Pacific Whistler Mountainside has been crowned the Best Ski Hotel in Canada for 13 consecutive years by the World Ski Awards, a global initiative that celebrates excellence in ski tourism.

My spacious suite combined modern mountain-inspired décor with a deck overlooking the peaks, which made for cozy evenings filled with laughter and mornings spent curled up on comfy couches with cups of java.

P.S. Don’t forget to pack your bathing suit – the pool and hot tub dip are a must on those balmy summer days, and it’s great people watching too!

Whistler’s Best Restaurants Gain Acclaim

Opened in 2022, Wild Blue Restaurant + Bar is still the most-talked about restaurant offering a dynamic platform for chef Alex Chen’s innovative creations. Wild Blue has earned multiple accolades, including most recently ranking No. 47 in the 2026 North America’s 50 Best Best Restaurants list.

Led by Chen, Wild Blue blends the bounty of British Columbia’s land and sea with global influences.

“I like to keep the menu simple highlighting our fishmongers, farmers and foragers, showcasing sustainable, local responsibly sourced ingredients and B.C.-inspired flavours,” says Chen, one of Canada’s most respected culinary leaders. “Then, taking a familiar and iconic dish and making it a ‘Wild Blue’ dish.”

One of those dishes is the linguine vongole, with Pacific Geoduck and Manila clams, with a twist.

“This dish is by far our most popular seafood pasta,” says Chen. “I add thick, bone-in bacon, chopped and cooked for 10 hours.”

The exceptional cuisine, the dazzling bar, the elegant room, and the service perfectly captures the sophistication and glamour that evokes the golden age of steak houses.

On August 16, Wild Blue will host a first-of-its-kind “50 Best” collaboration for its annual Long Table dinner. Partnering with Vancouver’s Keefer Bar (No. 7 on the North America’s 50 Best Bars ranking) and the Okanagan Valley’s Mission Hill Family Estate Winery (No. 45 on the World’s 50 Best Vineyards ranking), Wild Blue will feature exceptional cocktails and wine pairings to go along with Chen’s elaborate cuisine.

A newcomer, Lorette, has one defining feature of a true French brasserie: Its distinctive architectural style and ambiance. As soon as I entered Lorette, with its framed pictures on the walls, dark wood, soft lighting, the warm and inviting space transported me to France.

Brasseries have historically served as cultural hubs where people from all walks of life gathered to share meals and engage in lively conversations — something Lorette is doing very well. Lorette honours the French-Canadian roots of local restaurateurs, James and Jay Paré. The owners of Carumba and Quattro, the 90-seat brasserie was named after the matriarch of their family.

That said, the breakfast carte du jour fuses French and Quebecois influences, with classic, re-imagined bistro dishes, such as Lorette French toast and Croquette Madame joined by west-coast dishes like the avocado toast and the buttermilk fried chicken.

In the heart of Whistler Village, multiple award-winning Araxi Restaurant + Oyster Bar never disappoints, delivering an exceptional all-around culinary experience with a world-class wine list. The Araxi menu seamlessly blends local, sustainable, and organic ingredients and international flavours. Under the leadership of culinary director James Walt, a trailblazer in the farm-to-table movement, Araxi consistently maintains its international reputation for excellence in food, wine, and hospitality.

I cozied up with Buffalo mozzarella and local cherries, and the herb-crusted wild B.C. halibut, paired with an Old World red from Tuscany from Araxi’s Wine Spectator 2013-2026 Best Award of Excellence wine list.

Patio dining is a rite of passage in Whistler, and arguably one of the best waterfront patios in Whistler is Nita Lake Lodge Lakeside Lounge. Perched on the edge of a glacier-fed lake, with a rustic-chic chalet-style vibe, the menu celebrates nature’s changing palette with much of the produce grown on the hotel’s expansive rooftop gardens.

Food and beverage director Darren Brown explained that as much as the kitchen team can, it leans on the garden to supply ingredients, like herbs, honey, garlic, edible flowers, lettuce, and much more.

With a front-row seat to the lake and mountains, I can’t think of a better setting in which to savour shareable plates, like the grilled kale salad, poke bowl, cheese charcuterie board, and spicy mussels.

Hiking the Mountains of British Columbia

During the summer, hiking is one of Whistler’s main draws. From easy alpine walks on Whistler Blackcomb to challenging full-day hikes in nearby Garibaldi Provincial Park and the Callaghan Valley, there’s a hike for everyone.

One of my favourites trails is the Valley Trail on the edge of Nita Lake. The trail connects to 40 kilometres (25 miles) of paved trail and boardwalks, which unites the major hubs, neighbourhoods, glacier-fed lakes, and parks. It’s about a 45-minute brisk stroll into Whistler Village.

Another is Lost Lake Park, with over 25 km (15-plus miles) of trails to explore and discover that is surrounded by great mountain vistas. It’s a mere few minutes from the village, but it has a natural setting that feels miles away.

Shopping Finds in Whistler

The pedestrian-friendly  Whistler Village is lined with fabulous boutique and artisanal shops, galleries, cozy cafes, and a lively après-ski scene — all set against the jagged peaks. Whether you’re in the mood for high-end fashion, art, outdoor gear and clothing, or souvenirs, Whistler has a shop for you. Most stores are open daily and some welcome shoppers into the evening, so there’s plenty of time to browse after a day of activities.

During July to September, Whistler also has plenty of family-friendly events. From self-guided tours to a farmers’ market and the popular Summer Concert Series.