The resort town of Whistler is a year-round destination with many events and activities taking place in the summer months.
Whistler in Summer
Summer is a great season in the town of Whistler. The summer season generally runs from May to the beginning of September and features a variety of special seasonal events and activities.
Special Events
Numerous special events take place throughout the year in Whistler. Some notable events that happen during the warm months include the following:
- Whistler Farmers Market – takes place from May through October every Sunday from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm in the Upper Village.
- Whistler GO Fest – the Whistler Great Outdoors Festival usually happens in May and features a variety of activities including sports, art, music, and educational displays.
- Summer Concert Series – the (free) Whistler Concert Series usually happens on select dates in August and September.
- Whistler Children’s Festival – the Whistler Children’s Festival usually happens in July and features arts and crafts, dance, theatre, and other performances.
Summer Activities in Whistler
There are many activities for people of all ages in and around Whistler. Below is a sample of activities that are available in Whistler in the summer.
Adventurous Activities
For adventorous folks, Whistler has two separate zipline tours: Ziptrek Ecotours and Superfly Ziplines. Ziptrek is the original Whistler Zipline and guides provide information about the local ecosystem. Participants can even go upside down on their ziplines! Superfly allows participants to sit next to each other but on your own cable.
For even more adventurous people, bungee jumping with Whistler Bungee is also available. The site features a 50-foot drop over the Cheakamus River. There’s also Whitewater Rafting on the Green Rivers as well as the Elaho and Squamish rivers.
Outdoor Activities
The Peak 2 Peak Gondola takes people up and between Whistler Mountain and Blackcomb Mountain. Also at the mountains are the Cloudraker Skybridge and Raven’s Eye (with the 360 Experience). From the top, visitors get great panoramic views of the Whistler area.
Whistler has a number of hiking and walking trails to explore. They range from short, family-friendly walks to rugged, backcountry terrain. Some trails are also only accessible by gondola.
Biking is also a very popular activity in Whistler in the summer. Whistler has a multitude of mountain biking, cross-country biking, road biking, and recreational biking trails. You can rent bikes from shops in Whistler Village, even electric bikes!
There are four large golf courses near Whistler Village. All four are championship courses and range from 6,722 yards to just over 7,000 yards. These golf clubs include Big Sky Golf Club, Fairmont Chateau Whistler Golf Club, Nicklaus North Golf Course and the Whistler Golf Club.
Alta Lake at Lakeside Park
Indoor Activities
For a cultural and educational experience, check out some of Whistler’s best museums and galleries. One great option is the Audain Art Museum, which features both contemporary and classical works of art and is located in the Village North section of town at 4350 Blackcomb Way. Additionally, the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre is located in the Upper Village at 4584 Blackcomb Way and features a First Nations Longhouse, theatre, museum and art gallery.
Whistler Weather in the Summer
Whistler weather varies during the summer, and can get quite warm depending on the month. Due to the high altitude the temperature can fluctuate, so we do recommend dressing in layers.
May – Whistler has an average daily high of 18 degrees Celsius. Some skiing is still open, at least at the beginning of the month; however, for the most part the snow has now melted.
June – Whistler is warmer in June, with an average temperature of about 20 degrees Celsius. Weather is variable still, so pack layers!
July – July is one of Whistler’s warmest months with an average temperature of about 25 degrees Celsius. Due to Whistler’s altitude, the weather can still be unpredictable even in the summer months. Expect warm days and chilly nights, with a chance of showers.
August – August is very similar to July, as one of the warmest months in Whistler. The average temperature is about 25 degrees Celsius. As stated above, despite the warm temperatures the weather can still change rapidly so come prepared.
Holidays in the Summer
There are several statutory holidays within the summer months of May to August. Many of these are celebrated with special events that take place in the town of Whistler.
Victoria Day takes place on the Monday before May 25th each year. The Whistler GO Fest usually takes place on this weekend, and is a great opportunity for outdoor-enthusiasts to experience the best Whistler has to offer.
Canada Day happens on July 1st and is often celebrated with parades, street parties, entertainment and fireworks.
BC Day happens on the first Monday of August. While not an official statutory holiday, people can celebrate the day in Whistler by either visiting the Whistler Farmers Market or attending the first day of the world-renowned mountain biking festival Crankworx.
Other Information
A few other articles that may be of interest include: