A Luxury travel guide for Whistler, as written by a local!
Whistler is picture-perfect! It’s one of those places that has you saying ‘wow’ every ten steps. It’s renowned the world over for its skiing. But, for me, there’s so much more to Whistler. For one, I actually prefer Whistler in summer as it means I can go hiking or relaxing at one of the scenic lake beaches near town.
From luxury hotels back-dropped by snow-capped mountains to some of the best restaurants in the world. Whistler has everything you could ask for in a luxury travel destination.
I’ve been living in Whistler for two years (working in luxury hotels). And part of my job was not only staying in said fancy hotel but also testing out the top activities in Whistler. So I reckon I’m well-versed in telling you about the most luxurious places to stay, bucket-list-worthy things to do, and memorable places to eat.
So, let’s dive into the ultimate luxury travel guide for Whistler!
What Hotel is the Best in Whistler?
The Fairmont Chateau Whistler, located in Whistler’s upper village, provides an epic panorama of Blackcomb Mountain. And this is my absolute favorite hotel in Whistler. Inside the hotel, the cozy alpine decor welcomes you with open arms, and the rooms, although luxurious, provide a home away from home experience. On-site, there are four restaurants, with The Grill Room being the best of the lot – their steaks are world-class! An indoor and outdoor pool, full-service spa, gym – the list really is endless!
Some other luxurious hotels in Whistler include –
- Hilton Whistler Resort and Spa – right in the center of Whistler Village and very close to the gondola, this large hotel is very popular with families
- Nita Lake Lodge – located in Creekside, a 10 minute drive from Whistler Village and looking onto stunning Nita Lake this is one of my favorite hotels in Whistler
- The Westin – is a nice luxury option in Whistler’s lower village, it’s right next to the gondola and the rooms are spacious with great views
- Four Seasons Resort – this is probably the most luxurious hotel in Whistler, located in Whistler’s Upper Village and close to Blackcomb Gondola this hotel is frequented by celebrities
The Best Activities in Whistler When Budget is Not a Constraint
Dare I say Whistler is the adventure capital of B.C. – if not, the whole of Canada! Whistler. This fun town of Whistler has every activity imaginable from dog-sledding to the nearby Callaghan Valley to driving an off-road buggy through the remote mountainside near Whistler to heli-skiing over Whistler Blackcomb Mountain. All once-in-a-lifetime experiences, I promise if you’re an adventure nut you won’t be disappointed in Whistler.
Some of my favorite adventure-driven activities in Whistler include –
Helicopter tour
See the jaw-dropping beauty of Whistler from high up above on a bucket-list worthy scenic helicopter flight. You’ll see Whistler like you’ve never seen it before – spot ancient glaciers, hidden lakes and cool ice formations from the comfort of a top-class helicopter. You’ll even get to land on a glacier! This tour starts from $471 CAD per person.
Drive an Off-Road Buggy
Learn how to drive your very own 4×4 offroad buggy and drive this high-powered vehicle through narrow wooded tracks and up steep backcountry mountain roads. Would you believe – the top speed this vehicle can go is 60 mph! You will even get to power through creeks and rivers! Don’t be afraid to get wet! And drive your vehicle over boulders if you’re confident enough. It’s easy to get carried away.
Whitewater Rafting
Only available in the summer, on a whitewater rafting tour in Whistler, you’ll be joined by an experienced guide who will guide your group through the fast rapids. There are numerous tours to choose from, and they happen on either the Green River, Elaho River, Cheakamus River, or Squamish River. One of the most popular tours is this Green River Rafting Tour, which is suitable for first-timers and boasts fun, bouncy rapids. This tour costs from $120 CAD per person.
Bungee Jumping
One of the most heart-pumping activities in Whistler. This bungee involves you jumping from 160 feet over the bright blue waters of the Cheakamus River. Whistler Bungee is located at Calcheak Service Forest Road. About a 20-minute drive from Whistler Village. Prices start from $140 CAD per person.
Snowmobiling
There’s a snowmobiling tour for all skill levels in Whistler. Imagine cruising down wide groomed trails and deep into Whistler’s backcountry on a high-powered top-of-the-range snowmobile. I recommend Canadian Wilderness Adventures. I’ve done their tours twice now and loved the experience! For newbies, I recommend the 2-hour tour. Whereas their 3-hour tour is suitable for the more adventurous and confident traveler. The 3-hour tour includes lunch at a cozy backcountry cabin. A snowmobiling tour in Whistler starts from $269 CAD per person.
Dogsledding
Sit back in your cozy sled and let your ‘Musher’ (guide) and sled dogs take you through snow-covered forests and quiet backcountry trails. Dog-sledding in Whistler is a magical adventure! The base is located in Callaghan Valley – a 20-minute drive from Whistler CBD. You will be treated to the history of ‘mushing’ and learn some basic instructions as to how to use the dogsled before embarking on the magical journey.
Heli-skiing
Heli-skiing in Whistler is the ideal thing to do for ski obsessives. Think 432,000 acres of big mountain terrain all to yourself (and a handful of others). It’s a bucket list experience, that’s for certain. The whopping 432,000 acres includes 173 glaciers and 474 runs.
What Can I Do to Relax in Whistler?
Relax by the lake
In the summer a walk to Lost Lake is a must-do. It’s a beautiful nature trail that offers a true Pacific Northwest nature experience. Sit on the banks of the lake and take in the magnificent views. Or if you’re feeling brave take a swim in its refreshing waters.
Nita Lake in Creekside is another one of my favorite lakes to chill out at. There’s a lovely wooden pier where you can snap some photos, as well as a lovely forested walk around the lake. At the Nita Lake Lodge here, you can grab a coffee or a bite to eat!
Scandinave Spa
At Scandinave Spa you can relax in the middle of nature. Here you’ll find a Nordic-inspired 20,000-square-foot outdoor spa enveloped by cedar trees.
As well as that, there are steam baths, hot baths as well as a large sauna – which is how it’s recommended to begin your time at Scandinave Spa. After, warming up you must brave the cold and plunge into one of their cold baths, or stand under the Nordic waterfall for a few minutes. Then, finally, it’s time to relax in one of the relaxation rooms or on the comfortable hammock with mountain views.
It’s a silent spa which means no talking (only whispering) allowed. Scandinave Spa is located on Mons Road, a 5-minute drive from Whistler Village.
Grab a coffee
Purebread is famous in Whistler for both excellent coffee and delicious cakes. You won’t miss it, as there is usually a long winding queue out this small Cafe’s door. Their tantalizing display of sweets has everything from Sticky Toffee Pudding to Raspberry Cheesecake Brownies. Pure mouth-watering bliss.
Other great Cafes in Whistler include local favorite Mount Currie Coffee Company on Main Street and Lift Coffee Company in Mountain Square.
The Best Restaurants in Whistler
My number one choice is Rimrock Cafe near Creekside Village. It is continually ranked as the top restaurant in Whistler, it provides both a unique dining experience and the best fish dishes’ in all of British Columbia, in my opinion. A close second is Araxi in Whistler Village, which has some very innovative dishes.
Also, worth a mention is Bearfoot Bistro with its famed wine cellar – it has one of the most extensive wine cellars in all of Canada. Their butter-poached Atlantic Salmon is amazing.
The Best Sunset Spots in Whistler
Whistler is known as one of the best places worldwide to catch the sunset. That’s because of a phenomenon called ‘alpenglow’. Which is when the sunlight illuminates the mountain peaks in shades of orange and pink.
Lost Lake, in particular the huge pier along the right-side of the lake, is an amazing setting to catch the sunset over Whistler Mountain. If it’s a calm day, the orange and candyfloss-pink hues of the sunset are reflected on the lake’s surface, making for a perfect photo opportunity.
We also loved watching the sunset from the large patio at Garibaldi Lift Company. It’s the highest patio in the towns. And you will be able to see the last light of the day hitting Whistler, Blackcomb, Sproatt, and Rainbow mountains from this prime vantage point!
Best Spots for a Drink in Whistler
Bar Oso offers a profusion of Spanish-influenced small plates and fantastic cocktails in a cozy yet sophisticated environment.
With 20,000 plus wine bottles, the wine cellar at Bearfoot Bistro is a must-see. You can also try your hand at sabering a bottle of champagne. I highlighted it earlier as one of the best restaurants in town and this eatery is also home to the coldest vodka tasting room in the world. The room is set to a freezing -32C (-25F). But don’t worry, you’ll be given a warm Canada Goose coat to keep you warm. The in-house vodka expert will explain all about the distillation and filtration of vodka and you’ll get to taste 4 different vodkas.
We also loved The super-cozy Mallard Lounge at The Fairmont Chateau – as they often have live music and their cocktails are excellent!
Thanks for Reading!
If you enjoyed reading this luxury travel guide for Whistler, you may also like to read my other Whistler-related blog posts, like –
What you need to know about Renting in Whistler (2024 Guide)
Best stops on the Drive from Whistler to Jasper
15 Best Stops on the Drive from Whistler to Banff
Last Updated on May 1, 2024 by snaphappytravel