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Nonsensical chatter and laughter reverberate throughout the suspended Plexiglass cabin, turning our mountain descent into a sky-high giggle fest. While my mum and daughter Brooklyn swap puns, my thoughts drift to the last time I rode the Whistler Village Gondola – almost a decade ago. Hopping up from my seat, I announce, “We should be keeping watch for ….” Momentary pause for dramatic effect. “Bears!” I shout, wildly pointing to the mum and cub grazing on berries directly below us, in almost the exact location where I saw a bear years ago. While I found the dual sighting surreal, more than 50 black bears roam Whistler Blackcomb; thus, glimpsing the beautiful beasts is a common treat in the summer and fall.
Our wildlife encounter was the perfect ending to a flawless summer alpine experience, which began with riding the Blackcomb Gondola up the mountain to catch the Peak 2 Peak Gondola. Suspended 436 metres above the valley floor, Peak 2 Peak is the world’s highest and longest continuous lift system, connecting three gondolas. The stunningly scenic 4.4-km ride from Blackcomb to Whistler took just 11 breathtaking minutes, wowing everyone on board and one passenger’s grandkids who enjoyed the voyage remotely via FaceTime. After disembarking on Whistler Mountain, we took in the jaw-dropping views before dinner at the Roundhouse Lodge. The Mountain Top Summer Feast, available every Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening until the Labour Day long weekend, is a unique experience that pairs a decadent gourmet buffet with live music at 1,800 metres. We reserved the first seating at 5:30 p.m., which I highly recommend doing as the food was fresh and piping hot. The selection of dishes, including prime rib, barbeque chicken, salmon, prawns, ribs, salads and sides – the cheesy cauliflower was to die for – was incredible. Macaroni and cheese, smokies and pizza are available to satisfy less adventurous eaters. Even better, six-year-olds and under can dine and ride the gondola for free, and kids ages seven to 12 eat for free with an adult feast purchase ($149.99, including the Summer Alpine Experience ticket). Those visiting Whistler on Aug. 8 can elevate their mountaintop experience with an exclusive pop-up event featuring celebrated Canadian chef David Hawksworth. Tickets for the four-course meal are $199 plus an 18 per cent gratuity and include a welcome cocktail, wine pairings, the Peak 2 Peak Gondola, Peak Chair, and the Cloudraker Skybridge.
Mountain biking is Whistler-Blackcomb’s most popular snow-free activity, which afforded my mum hours of entertainment. Our two-bedroom suite at the Pan Pacific Mountainside in the heart of Whistler Village faced the downhill bike track. Every morning, Mum was ready, coffee in hand, for the adrenaline-spiking sport. She was the ultimate spectator and commentator, marvelling at the speed and jump height of the bikers. The hotel’s outdoor heated pool and hot tubs have a similar view, making the property a top spot during the ski season and for festivals like Whistler Cranworx, running July 18-29. An in-suite kitchen is convenient and cost-effective for breakfasts and lunches. The Dubh Linn Gate Irish Pub, in the lobby level of the Pan Pacific, offers a light in-room breakfast, but we opted for the more extensive restaurant menu. Breakfast portions are enormous, giving us plenty of leftovers to heat up the following morning.
Tourism Whistler’s collection of free self-guided tours, ranging from craft beer hopping to a half-day biking loop, is a fun way to encourage kids of all ages to get their steps in. We kept it light and leisurely with the hour-long Weird and Wonderful Trees, narrated by Nerdy About Nature’s Ross Reid. Although I’ve visited Whistler countless times, every stop on this tour was new to me. Highlights of the two-kilometre loop include the cedar stumps hidden within the shady, forested Florence Peterson Park and the towering ancient western red cedar found along the Valley Trail — a 46-km, car-free network connecting Whistler’s neighbourhoods, lakes, viewpoints, and arts and culture offerings including The Audain Art Museum.
On my last trip, Brooklyn and I toured the Audain’s permanent collections showcasing contemporary and Indigenous B.C. artists. The impressive display of First Nations masks and extensive works from renowned Canadian artists such as Emily Carr are complemented by visiting exhibitions. With my artist mum joining us on this trip, we had to revisit and view the new Tom Thompson: North Star painting exhibit and the Otherwise Discarded –Capture Photography Festival. Both were fabulous and are on throughout the summer.
We also toured the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre for the first time, and it’s a fantastic educational experience for families looking to engage with Indigenous living history. Our Interpretive Forest Walk began with a traditional welcome song from our guide and a film showcasing stories from the two distinct nations, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh and the Lil̓wat7úl. Following that, our group walked the Interpretive Forest Trail – the Salish Stroll – learning about how the local flora and fauna are used for nourishment, preventive medicine, and treating common ailments.
Whistler’s Sunday Farmers’ Market, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. from spring through early fall, is a lively outdoor affair worth exploring in the Upper Village. With local farmers, artisan bakers, and makers, as well as live music and face painting, there’s something to please every family member. The free Whistler Summer Concert series is another reason to head to the mountains this summer. Bring a picnic: we love takeout tacos, chips and guacamole from The Mexican Corner, and snag a spot on the great lawn beside the Whistler Olympic Stage for top-tier Canadian and international headlining acts every Thursday and Friday night beginning at 7:30 p.m.