What to do in Whistler in Spring

[Flatandhappy]

I am tagging along with DH who is at a conference so will have a few days to entertain myself. I am usually happy to do this but there doesn’t seem to be much to do outside of ski season. Any ideas? I’m not able for a lot of physical activity, zip lining etc.

Watch out for bears! They might still be hibernating I guess...

But how about this?

Whistler Train Wreck, Suspension Bridge & Hidden Waterfall Adventure
www.viator.com/en-GB/search/113897P7?mcid=64243

We did zip lining there, great fun & not too strenuous. Also could rent a bike or see about a glacier visit?

Visit to Vancouver?

Take a few gondola rides, depending on the weather of course (it was really cloudy when we were there in April many years ago so visibility was rubbish!). There's obviously the Whistler-Blackcomb gondola and you can also get a bus down to Squamish for the Sea to Sky Gondola (that highway in itself is incredibly scenic).

You can continue onto Vancouver where the Fly Over Vancouver experience at Canada Place is great fun! Then maybe lunch at the Top of Vancouver Revolving Restaurant.

I attended a conference in Vancouver and we drove up to Whistler for the day. there really wasn’t much to do there. Does your hotel have a spa? Other than what has already been suggested, I would say take yourself down to Vancouver maybe even stay overnight down there.

There is a really good first nation museum in Whistler. They do a guided tour. Also do the peak to peak gondola if the weather is good.

Just got back from Whistler. I had a few days by myself whilst the other party members were skiing and I was resting after being a bit battered after a snowboarder went into me……….

Yes, it’s not rammed full of activities but if you like pottering around then you can definitely find enough to do for a few days.

I would lie in until about 9pm then go grab a coffee and pastry and sit and watch the world go by. There’s lots of shops (although mostly ski / outdoor shops and souvenirs), and everything is close by.

You can get the gondola to the restaurant on Whistler mountain for a bit of lunch (all a bit carby but tasty enough) with amazing views. I plonked myself on an Adirondack chair outside with a glass of wine and my book. Sunscreen essential though!!! I then got the gondola over to Blackcomb Mountain (go in the glass bottom one if you’ve a head for heights!!!) and then a gondola down. I then wandered around Blackcomb, before walking back to Whistler (takes about 15 mins).

There’s a newly opened art museum that I spent an hour in. Worth it just for the building itself. I also took myself on a walk to Green Lake. It was a lovely flat walk and took about two hours at a very leisurely pace. Was gorgeous - follows the glacier river.

There are several spas in the village and a lot of the hotels have pools and saunas for no extra charge if you are staying there.

There was still an awful lot of snow there. Blackcomb Mountain season finishes mid May so you’ll still see skiers. The bears are just starting to come out of hibernation so you might get lucky.

If you want a relaxing not really doing much trip for a few days then you’ll be fine. If you’re there more than three days and want constant entertainment then you’ll be bored.

Thank you very much. That is pretty reassuring @DibbleDooDah as I am happy for a chill few days and your ideas sound perfect. We will be spending time in Vancouver either side so useful recommendations there too thanks. I will check out that day trip @bestbefore .

We spent 5 days in Whistler in the summer, and it was fantastic. Lots of biking and walking, did the peak-to-peak gondola, dined at different spots. I don't know if the trails will be snow-free in April, but go if you can.
Also check out Scandanave Spa, it's so beautiful and relaxing.

Second the Scandinave Spa. I prefer first thing when it's less busy. If you have a car, try a drive (25 mins) to Nairn Falls. It's a 3km hike to a lovely waterfall.

Scandinave spa is one of my favourite places in the world!

Also there is strolling/shopping/snacking in the village, snow shoeing if you’re physically able, a few very gentle flat hikes (eg near the golf course right next to the village) and hopefully a hotel pool an sauna.

Enjoy!

When are you going to be there? If it's soon - it really is shoulder season. Whistler mountain just shut for skiing, and Blackcomb is only open reduced hours, so the village is quite quiet.
Things to do during the day:

• Scandinavian Spa
• Walk the valley trail - v flat and paved. You could probably hire a bike and cycle it as there is very little snow on the ground (although it is still cold!)
• Visit the Audain art gallery
• Visit the Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre (First Nations centre)
• Do an Escape room (Escape Whistler - great place!)

It isn't that easy to do snow showing, cross country skiing, snow tubing or zip lining at the moment as the facilities have shut for the season. The good thing is that it is shoulder season so some if the restaurants have great off season deals - and most restaurants are really good. Plus most hotels have decent pools and hot tubs. We live in Vancouver and go to Whistler every weekend (my teen's Saturday job is teaching skiing!). I was last there 2 days ago and can answer any questions you have!

Thanks @TrueNorthStrongAndFree We will be there mid May so yes, it looks very much like shoulder season and from what I have read things have reduced hours/limitations. I’m kind of regretting saying I will go tbh (I think it’s about a 15 hour flight from Sydney) although I am really looking forward to Vancouver. The conference was originally supposed to be at The Fairmont which looked amazing but I think it is somewhere less glamorous now. We spend 2-3 months a year in Bali so I get my spa fix there at a fraction of the price. I like the sound of the cultural centre though and the art gallery if it’s open the days I am there and I am very partial to mooching and wine drinking 😁 I bought a warm jacket the other day as I didn’t have one, I should probably have bought some boots too!

By mid May it should be warmer so you probably won't need snow boots, but you'll need some sturdy shoes if you are going to go walking - so bring your Blundstones! Fingers crossed you'll get some sunny days - it snowed today! Not quiet as warm as Bali🤣 In mid May Whistler opens for downhill mountain biking and the village will be busier.
Also the Peak to Peak gondola (from the top of Whistler to the top of Blackcomb) opens on May 19th so you can go up the mountain for sightseeing then.
Any questions about Whistler or Vancouver just shout! We live in North Van and know the area v well.

@TrueNorthStrongAndFree thanks for that, Sod’s Law it looks like that gondola opens the day we leave but we will have to check out of the hotel in the morning and DH will be in conference all day so it might be an option for me. Any “must do’s” in Vancouver? We are moochers rather than action types, like good food and wine but not really fancy restaurants, happy to walk, hate to shop, have a reasonable budget.

Yaletown and Granville Island were good. Lots of places to eat and drink. A kind of potter around have a stop for a drink vibe. We got the Aquabus between the two.

We also enjoyed a trip to the Capilano suspension bridge and a walk around Stanley Park. There’s some nice restaurants down by the marina.