Whistler is one of the best resorts in North America and the number one resort in Canada. It definitely earns that title and offers so many things to do with kids. Its pedestrian-only village vibe, its epic snowflakes, its laid back attitude, and its wealth of activities all contribute to making it one of the best mountain vacations you can take in the summer and in the winter!
If you are looking for the best things to do in Whistler with kids, then you are in the right place! By the time you get to the bottom of this post, your itinerary will be packed full of fun family activities, whether you are visiting in the summer or the winter!
Best Things to do in Whistler with Kids
Winter Activities to do in Whistler with Kids
Skiing and Snowboarding
The Number 1 reason that most people come to Whistler in the winter is to ski! So skiing or snowboarding with kids has to be the top winter thing to do with kids in Whistler.
For your beginner skiers, if they are not in lessons, consider getting your family tickets for the Magic Chair. These heavily-reduced lift tickets allow access to the Yellow Brick Road Green Run and are in the beginner zone. If you want more than just the Magic chair and are a BC or Washington resident, if you register early, kids in grades K-5 can ski free! Read how in this post: Kids ski free in Whistler
Planning a family Christmas getaway? Read this Whistler Christmas Guide.
Tubing at the Whistler Blackcomb “bubly” Tube Park
Fun for all riders 3 years old and older (and 36″ tall), the Whistler Tube Park offers 8 lanes of thrilling slides and no equipment is required! This is one of the best things to do in Whistler with kids, especially if you are not a ski family! You can get the same thrill as those skiing down the mountain, with no ski skills required!
Things to note: Children under 12 have to be accompanied by an adult. Children between 36″ and 41″ use the mini lanes that are half as long as the full runs. Tickets can only be bought at the Tube Park to manage capacity. Hours are subject to change based on conditions.
What to Wear: Wear warm clothes and dress for the conditions. Snow pants are recommended, as are good winter boots, you will be walking on snow. Helmets are recommended, but not required.
Hours: Weekends and Holidays 10am-6pm, Weekdays 11am-6pm
Pricing for 2020/21: Adults 1 hour $26.50, 2 hours $38.00 | Seniors 1 hour $24.50, 2 hours $35.00, Youth (12-18) 1 hour $24.50, 2 hours $36.00 | Child (7-12) 1 hour $20.50, 2 hours $24.00 | Mini (3-6) 1 hour $15.50, 2 hours $19.00
Location: The Whistler Bubly tube park can be accessed by the Blackcomb Excalibur Gondola from Whistler Village. Guests can load from the exit of the Gondola. There is signage directing you to the tube park line. You do not have to wait in the skiiers line (if there is one). Make sure you exit the Goldola at mid-station (the first stop). Once you arrive you cross the ski hill towards the parking lot and have some stairs to climb (quite a few actually) to get to the actual tube park entrance. If you want to drive, you can park at Lot 8 which provides direct access to the tube park.
Sledding
Anywhere that you can find a pile of snow, the kids are bound to want to climb it! Bring up a sled and your little ones will never run out of things to do in Whistler in the winter!
In the Olympic plaza (where the Olympic rings are), snow is piled up and it makes the perfect size sledding hill for all ages. The littles and the bigs (and moms and dads too) can get in on the fun!
After hours, you can also sometimes walk up the ski hill at the Blackcomb gondola in the upper village and slide down the ski hill there.
Ice Skating at Whistler Olympic Plaza
Whistler Olympic Plaza, in the heart of Whistler Village, transforms from a large green space to a winter wonderland with the sledding you can see above, and an outdoor skating rink full of twinkling, festive lights. Ice skating in Whistler is one of the most fun you can have (and it is super affordable fun too!)
The rink opens in November and closes in late March (weather permitting).
Hours: 11am – 8:30pm (closed for cleaning 1:30pm-2:30pm and 5:00pm-6:00pm)
Prices: The admission fee is $2.00 per person (with your own skates) or $8.00 per person (with a skate rental.)
Things to Note: Free helmets are available (limited supply). It is recommended to bring your own skates if you have them. No hockey sticks are allowed. No spectators are allowed in the lobby area. No in / out privileges. Masks are required in the lobby area.
Experience Vallea Lumina
Legends speak of a long-lost trail that leads to a secret valley. Join a twilight expedition to explore its mysterious beauty. Just 10 minutes drive north of Whistler village, experience a range of activities from TAG Whistler. Vallea Lumina is a sound and light experience that takes you through the forest, telling a story along the way.
The winter experience runs from November to April and is much more kid friendly than the summer experience because the show times are much earlier (since it gets dark much earlier in the winter months).
What to Wear: Full snow gear is recommended for kids. Dress in layers with warm coats, gloves and hats. Snow boots are recommended for walking on snow. Masks are required.
The Whistler weather can be unpredictable. Sub-zero temperatures are normal in the village all season and sometimes it can be bitterly cold! To keep toes warm in boots and those fingertips toasty, we now use these reusable hand warmers!
Things to note: Strollers and sleds are not permitted. There are stairs to walk down at the beginning and a bridge to cross. Those with young children should wear them in a carrier. The walk is about 30 minutes but you can go as fast or as slow as you want. Pets are not permitted.
Pricing: Adult $29.99 Child $24.99 (5 and under are free)
Zip Lining
Zip Lining is a perfect year-round activity for those thrill-seekers. Put on your winter layers and enjoy this adrenaline-fuelled activity at Christmastime in Whistler. You can zipline from the village or you can go to nearby Cougar Mountain.
You can book here for Ziptrek and book here for Superfly. I have done Superfly and it is amazing (and very high!!!) Both actually operate all year round.
Snowmobile Tours
Snowmobile tours are for all ages! Enjoy Whistler’s rugged Callaghan Valley on an invigorating snowmobile trip. Follow your guide on a ride through the site of the 2010 Winter Olympics events, cutting across forested hillsides and frozen lakes. Along the way stop to admire the beautiful British Columbia landscape. You can even get kid-sized snowmobiles for younger members of the family!
Whistler Sliding Centre
Another one for the thrill-seekers, the Whistler sliding center allows sliders to go down on a bobsled, skeleton, or luge. In this experience, you will first have an orientation about your ride and track etiquette and then you will then be shuttled to your start position where you will be fitted with a helmet. You will meet your pilot, and with the assistance of the track crew, be seated in the sled and go through the final safety checks. As you will accelerate down the track, lean into the corners to assist your steering pilot in reaching top speeds of 125+ km/hr in the final corner.
Book Your Sliding Centre Experience Here
Dog Sledding
Dog sledding is a fun family activity to take in in whistler with the kids! More info coming soon!
Cross Country Skiing
Whistler Olympic park offers cross country skiing just south of Whistler. It is one of the Olympic legacy projects. More info coming soon!
Snowshoeing
Snowshoeing can also be done at Whistler Olympic park and you can now book showshoe tours! Join a small group and don your snow gear for your walk through old-growth forests in the backcountry. While you walk, take in the views of the snow-capped mountains and keep your eyes peeled for local wildlife.
Year Round Activities to do in Whistler with Kids
SLCC Squamish Li’wat Cultural Centre
Open year-round, the SLCC brings together the vibrant cultures of two local Indigenous groups in one beautiful space. It offers a glimpse into the traditional life of the Indigenous people (the Squamish and the Li-wat people) who inhabited the region that Whistler is part of.
There is an hourly guided tour that is the perfect length for kids! On the main level you can find a gift shop, perfect for local souvenir shopping, as well as a cafe.
In the Summer months, you will find the Whistler Farmers Market right outside the SLCC on the weekends.
Location: 4584 Blackcomb Way
Hours: 10am to 5pm. Tours are hourly on the hour from 10am-4pm
Prices: Adults $20.00 Students (13-18) $7.00 Children (6-12) $5.00 Family Pass $45.00 (up to 2 adults and 2 youth under 18)
Hit The Pool
Most of Whistler’s hotel pools are heated and in use all year long! Regarless of the time of year, consider a hotel with a great pool and you will have no shortage of fun! You can read my favorites in this review of the best Whistler hotels with pools!
More Year Round Things to do:
- Indoor Rock Climbing
- Swimming
- Ice Skating (indoors)
- Escape Whistler
- Axe Throwing
- village 8 cinemas
Things to do in Whistler with Kids Summer Activities
Bike the Valley Trail in Whistler
One of the most popular free things to do in Whistler in August (if you are driving here locally) is to bike. There are bike-friendly paths all over town, making it one of the easiest ways to get around! If you are not local, there are bike rental shops all over! The network of paved bike paths connects all of Whistler’s neighborhoods, lakes, and local forest.
There are even e-bikes that now be rented if you have kids old enough to ride an adult size bike! This was a pleasant surprise this year! The Evolve Bike Share program is designed with the Whistler resident in mind but I personally think that the visitor to Whistler will get a lot more fun out of using them! The cost is .35/minute plus $1 unlock fee. If you want to keep it for more than an hour, there is a $20 surcharge (consider a day rental somewhere else if this is the case). However if you are looking to ride from the village into Rainbow Park for example, it is the perfect car-free way to get to the lake!
Vallea Lumina
Taking a short break in the spring, Vallea Lumina is also open for the summer months. Just 10 minutes drive north of Whistler village, experience a range of activities from TAG Whistler. Vallea Lumina is a sound and light experience that takes you through the forest, telling a story along the way.
Things to note: Strollers and sleds are not permitted. There are stairs to walk down at the beginning and a bridge to cross. Those with young children should wear them in a carrier. The walk is about 30 minutes but you can go as fast or as slow as you want. Pets are not permitted.
Dates: 2021 summer dates TBD
Pricing: Adult $29.99 Child $24.99 (5 and under are free)
Paddle the River of Golden Dreams
The Whistler River of Golden Dreams is a 5 kilometre river that flows from Alta Lake to Green Lake. The river takes at least a couple of hours to complete and can be done in a canoe, kayak or stand up paddleboard. Some also attempt to float the river, but the current does make it a bit tricky as branches overhang the river most of the way. Taking a tour is a popular way to traverse the river.
If you are looking for the perfect eco-experience in Whistler in the summer, a paddle down the River of Golden Dreams is the perfect activity. Rent a canoe or kayak from Whistler Eco Tours or book a tour guide to take you on your journey!
Location: Alta Lake to Green Lake
Rentals: Whistler Eco Tours
Prices: Vary depending on rental
SLCC Squamish Li’wat Cultural Centre
Open year-round, the SLCC brings together the vibrant cultures of two local Indigenous groups in one beautiful space. It offers a glimpse into the traditional life of the Indigenous people (the Squamish and the Li-wat people) who inhabited the region that Whistler is part of.
There is an hourly guided tour that gives you a glimpse into the Squamish and the Li-wat people who lived in this region! On the main level you can find a gift shop, perfect for local souvenir shopping, as well as a cafe.
Plan for about 1 hour here.
Location: 4584 Blackcomb Way
Hours: 10am to 5pm. Tours are hourly on the hour from 10am-4pm
Prices: Adults $20.00 Students (13-18) $7.00 Children (6-12) $5.00 Family Pass $45.00 (up to 2 adults and 2 youth under 18)
Whistler Train Wreck Hike
Hiking in whistler is very popular, well into September and beyond! is one of the most popular outdoor activities you can do. There are dozens of hikes taking you around the village, to alpine meadows, waterfalls, snow walls, lakes, and gorgeous views, and all levels and abilities are welcome. One of the easier hikes (or some like to call it a walk) is the Whistler Train Wreck Hike. It is just south of the Village, at Function Junction.
Beautifully colored graffiti covers up rusty train car boxes that have been lying among the trees in the forest for close to 70 years. Over time this train wreck became more than a locals’ secret and just a few years ago a path was built, along with a suspension bridge, to give visitors access to the site (without having to illegally walk on the train tracks to get there).
The trail is suitable for all ages and is even stroller-friendly until you get up to the train car area. It is well worth a trip to the train wreck to learn about the 1950s derailment and how the box cars came to lie wedged between towering cedars and fir trees.
Get a Thrill at The Whistler Mountain Bike Park
There are a variety of passes and rentals and lessons for those looking for some downhill biking in Whistler. There are four mountain zones, green trails, technical double blacks, & jump trails for all levels of bikers. Bike Park tickets need to be bought in advance online or over the phone.
Bike Park Tickets at Whistler are available from the Resort here
Visit the Bike Skills Park
Make sure to head over to the Fitzsimons Bike Skills Park which has jumps and bumps for all skill levels (yes you beginners too). It is located next to Daylot #2 between the upper village and the main village. You will find all ages and abilities, from the littlest riders to those who have years of experience! There are two pump tracks and a variety of straight tracks! This is a popular place to bring kids of all ages if you are visiting Whistler with kids. There is also a skate and scooter park right next door if they prefer those kinds of wheels!
Make sure you bring a bike lock and a refillable bottle of water to fill up at the water station! There are bike racks everywhere! There are picnic tables if you want to pack a lunch and enjoy watching the skilled
Paddleboard Alta Lake
There are plenty of lakes to paddle board while in Whistler and it is one of the best August activities when the lakes are warm! If you do not own your own board, head over to Wayside park (off Highway 99) between Whistler Village and Whistler Creekside and grab a SUP (or kayak or canoe) rental from Whistler Eco Tours (WET). This is a popular spot as the current takes paddlers down the lake towards the other end (near Rainbow Park and the start of the River of Golden Dreams). If you start your paddle at Wayside Park you have lots of room to enjoy the lake, just remember it will likely be a tougher paddle back against the waves!
The downside to Wayside Park is that the parking lot off Hwy 99 is quite small. But there is parking alongside the highway and there is an easy bike trail to ride from Whistler Creekside of Whistler Village if you have a bike.
Another popular place to base yourself for a paddle is on the otherside of the lake at Rainbow Park.
More Summer things to do with Kids in Whistler:
- swimming
- kayaking
- whistler farmers market
- white water rafting
More Whistler Resources
What to Pack for Kids in Winter
Packing for a ski trip can be daunting, especially with kids. My top tip is to make sure you get good quality gloves and have two pairs. We like these ones because my kids hands stay dry inside them! To keep toes warm in skates or boots and those fingertips toasty, we now use these reusable hand warmers!
You are also going to want snowsuits and boots. My kids have a good quality base layer so I know they are not cold outside! Instead of a dedicated snow boot, I always get rain boots that are good for cold weather. They are much more versitile.
I have a whole post about what to wear in Whistler. It has a complete packing list for all members of the family!
Where to Stay with Kids in Whistler
Below I have listed some popular properties in Whistler to stay with kids. They either offer in house babysitting or special amenities for babies and kids.
Four Seasons Whistler – The Four Seasons is one of Whistler’s luxury 5 star properties. They offer playpens or cribs and high chairs for guests. They also offer childproofing items, art class, a seasonal playroom and little luxuries like kids bath robes. The Four Seasons Whistler has a swimming pool and hot tub. I also love the ski valet option where you can leave your skis at the ski hill instead of having to bring them back to the hotel. Four Seasons is located in the Upper Village near the Blackcomb Gondola.
CLICK HERE TO CHECK PRICES AND AVAILABILITY
Delta Hotel Whistler – The Delta is another family-friendly property that offers rooms with full kitchens. When traveling with kids, this is a definite plus. There is coin laundry on site which may be needed to dry out wet ski gear. The Delta offers babysitting services as well. There is a heated indoor/outdoor pool as well as a hot tub. The Delta is in Whistler Village close to everything.
CLICK HERE TO CHECK PRICES AND AVAILABILITY
If you want to read about more great hotels in Whistler I have an entire post listing the best places to stay in Whistler for families!
AirBNB‘s are another great option as they offer more space for families. Most are deigned for 4 or more people making them perfect for families. You can read more about Whistler AirBNB’s or check out my go-to favorite here.
Lindsay Nieminen is the creator of UncoveringBC.com. She grew up and still lives in the suburbs of Vancouver with her family. She aims to inspire inform, and educate others about traveling in her home province of British Columbia. She is also the creator of carpediemourway.com which aims to show parents how to seek out adventure at home or abroad, with their children in tow!