Whistler, Canada: A 3-Day Summer Itinerary Full of Mountain Magic

When you think about Whistler, Canada, you probably picture skiing and snowboarding and being cozied up by a wam fire with a cup of coffee. But here’s the deal, summer in Whistler is an absolute dream!

We visited in August, and this place just clicked for us. Maybe it was the sunny village strolls, a sprinkle of cozy rain, and the laid-back mountain vibe. But Whistler more than lived up to its reputation. The village is covered in gorgeous flower pots and stunning mountain scenery at every turn. And an added perk was the pricing during the summer season was very affordable (like under $100 USD /night)!

If you’re looking for the best things to do in Whistler, Canada, here’s an itinerary inspired by our trip. It includes where we stayed, our favorite eats (of course), outdoor adventures, and some fun surprises along the way!

This post is all about visiting Whistler, Canada in the summer.

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Why You’ll Love Whistler in the Summer

My husband and I are full-time digital nomad travelers, exploring incredible destinations across the United States and Canada. Over the years, we’ve visited countless cities, but Whistler has undoubtedly secured a spot in our top five places!

Whistler has a perfect combination of mountain scenery, outdoor activities, and charming walkable village atmosphere that left a lasting impression on us. If you’re a digital nomad like us, you’ll also appreciate their incredible public library with high-speed wifi and large windows with views overlooking the park.

Where We Stayed

We split our stay between two fantastic spots, both easy walks to Whistler Village, which ended up being our favorite area for exploring.

Cascade Lodge via Worldmark

Thanks to our family timeshare, we got a few nights at the comfortable, amenity-packed Cascade Lodge. But you can also book rooms at this lodge through Vacasa or other booking sites like Priceline and Booking.com. Having a kitchen was perfect for easy breakfasts and the mountain views (with a fireplace to cozy up next to during a rainy afternoon) felt like a dream.

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Whistler Peak Lodge

Also amazing! Super affordable in the summer, with a great value for the price. Having a kitchen and more of those gorgeous views made it feel like a home base right in the heart of Whistler. We actually preferred this location as it’s right in the heart of the village.

Both locations were extremely walkable, which is a massive plus.

Whistler Village vs Whistler Creek

Whistler has two main hubs: Whistler Village (the heartbeat of the area and where we spent most of our time) and Whistler Creek, about six minutes away by car. Both offer lifts up into the mountains, but we just couldn’t get enough of the vibe in Whistler Village and the Upper Village/Blackcomb area.

What made it so special? For me, the insanely beautiful flower pots and landscaping. My husband probably got tired of me mentioning it on every walk. Strolling around in the village felt like living in a storybook or Hallmark movie.

I’d love to see Whistler Village in the winter sometime, because if it’s anything like the charm of summer it’ll be stunning.

Eating Around Whistler, Canada: Our Top Picks

We definitely indulged! Highlights from our Whistler restaurant food crawl:

• Purebread Bakery: An absolute must. We grabbed a pastry here nearly every day (sorry not sorry to my diet). My favorites were their blueberry basil scone and the sour cherry cheesecake bar. Cody liked the lemon poundcake drizzled with strawberry. We had more pastries than I care to admit, but every bite was worth it. If you have a sweet tooth (I sure do), go wild!

• Bar Oso: A super fun Spanish tapas spot that came highly recommended. The coffee con crema cocktail was dreamy. We love sharing plates so tapas just felt right. We went with the duck liver, manchego & ham, and their tender lamb meatballs. Great service and a cozy, stylish setting.

• Portobello: Holy moly, this place was insanely good. We totally feasted and it was perfect (and so were the leftovers). Hello perks of having a full kitchen. It’s located in the Fairmont hotel and has a cozy patio with a large fireplace. Don’t let the counter-service ordering fool you, the food is top notch and the service is on point. I got the Bacon-Wrapped Chicken stuffed with jalapeño and cream cheese topped with BBQ sauce and chimichurri. The cornbread and potatoes were also great. A perfect cozy mountain meal!

• Mount Currie Coffee Co. & Blenz Coffee: Both became our remote work HQs for a few mornings. Quality espresso, reliable Wi-Fi, and great tables for camping out with your laptop. The ideal work-cation combo.
• The Raven Room: This was a really fun spot for a drink or bite to eat. In fact, we went there twice during our stay. It’s located in the Pan Pacific hotel. The drinks were fun and creative. Cody loved the “Stop Staring at Me Swan” frozen drink, which came in a miniature pool floatie. Their outdoor patio is a vibe with mountain views and twinkle lights. 10/10.

• Hunter Gather Eatery & Taphouse: We literally walked in on a Sunday just minutes too late, right as brunch ended (cue my tiny heartbreak watching everyone enjoy Benedicts and waffles). But the barbecue plate and cornbread made up for it. Plus, the open kitchen vibe was super inviting and fun.
• Mongolie Grill: A DIY stir fry experience. It was our first time having Mongolian grill, but I knew it was one of my dad’s favorite. Pile on your ingredients, hand it off to the chefs, and watch the magic happen.
• Whistler Brewhouse & Black’s Pub: We stopped for beer and people watching at the Brewhouse (solid patio!). At Black’s Pub, we had pizza and front-row seats for the Crankworx festival. It was an exciting surprise to accidentally stumble upon such a big event!

We also picked up snacks and groceries at Fresh St. Market. Tip: The market’s soup and curry bar as an afternoon snack or lunch for just a few bucks hits the spot when you’re on the go. Stock up on fruit, veggies, and breakfast items if you’re staying somewhere with a kitchen!

Whistler Adventures and Summer Activities

There are so many things to do in Whistler, Canada, that you could fill weeks here, but these were a few standouts from our own summer Whistler Canada itinerary:

• Downhill Mountain Biking: Our absolute favorite Whistler activity, and THE thing to do in Whistler in summer. It was our first time trying it, so I was a little nervous. But we saw kids doing it so I figured it couldn’t be that bad. We rented bikes and some padding from ___. You can walk your bike through the village over to the lift. Once you learn how to get your bike onto the lift, it’s easy breezy. There are lots of trails and you can start on beginner ones and then build up. By the end of the day we were tackling some green runs. Super fun!

• We also happened to catch the tail end of Crankworx, Whistler’s legendary downhill bike festival. The town was alive with pro bikers, outdoor screens, and fans everywhere. Completely unexpected, and so much fun!
• Hiking Blackcomb: during one of my work days, Cody took on the Upper Village trails as a solo adventure. There were three sections: Little Burn, Big Burn, and Heart Burn up to the top of the gondola. Challenging? Absolutely (three hours of twisting, mostly shaded switchbacks). The mountain views are a perk and you get to “download” (take the gondola down).
• Train Wreck Trail: This is a super approachable, easy hike with a great payoff. After crossing a suspension bridge, you’ll find a section of old train cars, now transformed with graffiti art. It’s fun, colorful, and a cool piece of Whistler history.

• Peak to Peak Gondola: This has to be one of the most unique gondola experiences. You can take the Peak to Peak gondola from one peak to the other. A little frightening to see the cable dangling between the two mountains, but an incredible view.
• Public Library: I was genuinely surprised by how beautiful and quiet the Whistler Public Library is. Clean, lots of comfy seating, and I even snagged a private room for a work call. Great spot to enjoy a slower morning.
• Altitude Fitness in Whistler Creek: We got a week pass and loved it. Clean space, solid equipment, and super friendly staff. Plus, you’ll get to see another side of the area at the Whistler Creek Village. This area is cute, relaxed, and perfect for grabbing a coffee after a workout.

If you’re more into mellow vibes, concerts in the park are common too. Sadly, they started just after our trip, but it’s on the list for next time.

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Whistler Village Must-Sees

• Check out the Olympic rings and explore Whistler’s unique Olympic legacy. It’s wild to imagine this mountain town as the global stage for winter sports.
• Whistler Village is extremely friendly and safe, with surprisingly reasonable lodging prices for a destination of this quality. We booked last-minute for about $100/night (huge win in a pricey region like BC!).
• Foodies: Visit during shoulder season for even better restaurant deals and dining specials. Happy hours are plentiful, and if you have a kitchen, you can save a ton with DIY meals.

Whistler has won our hearts, and it’s a 100% guarantee that we’ll be back (maybe sooner than later).

Whether you want adventure or relaxation, a solo escape or family trip, summer or winter, this is a place that won’t disappoint. Bring your curiosity (and maybe an extra space in your bag for pastries from Purebread).

Happy mountain exploring!

-Hannah