Whistler Farmer’s Market
Held in Whistler’s Upper Village on Sundays and Wednesdays during the summer, the Farmer’s Market is a colorful display of produce, specialty foods, and locally crafted specialties including wine, whiskey, kombucha, soap, and all variety of bakery, arts and crafts.
On the Sunday we visited, more than 90 merchants lined the route. Among our favorites were Whistler Pierogies and the Portobello Market & Fresh Bakery. At Portobello, we splurged on a creme brulee doughnut. It had to be one of the best things we ever tasted; pure decadence. We went back to buy the last one. The farmers market has a little of everything, so it’s a great way to spend a few hours strolling the route and sampling the culinary treats.
Peak 2 Peak Gondola
A popular way to experience both Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains is to take a ride on the Peak 2 Peak Gondola. The gondola is a true engineering marvel, holding the record for the world’s longest unsupported span for a lift at 1.88 miles. We lucked out when we were joined on our gondola by guide Rob, shown in the video, who shared knowledge about the building of the gondola and other points of interest on Whistler’s history and environment. For less than $50 USD, you have full access to the chair lifts and gondola connecting the peaks. Each stop presents an opportunity for exploration and photos, and, if you’re lucky, wildlife sightings. We saw marmots at the top and a bear in the clearing on our ride down. Lodges at the top of both peaks host cafeteria style eateries and exquisite views. They make great pit stops to get out of the cold and warm up with a hot cocoa or cup of soup. We were pleasantly surprised with the quality of the food. Be sure to be prepared for the cold! At the top of the mountain, you’ll find skiers and snowboarders. Yes, you read that right. In the middle of the summer, Whistler Blackcomb is still a mecca for winter sports, so be prepared for freezing temperatures and ask for conditions prior to setting out. Tickets can be reserved in advance, but we bought them same day at the Whistler Village Gondola.
River Rafting
I would have thought that given the icy cold waters, river rafting would be freezing, but quite the contrary. A 2.5 hour trip with Wedge Rafting on the Green River cost us $109 CAD each and included a wetsuit, booties, helmet, a round trip bus ride and a guide. It wasn’t a long excursion, but it was thrilling with its 2 and 3 class rapids of crystal clean water through beautiful forest. They run an organized operation. The guides were the best; informative and prioritize safety all while having a terrific sense of humor. If I were to do it again, I’d have booked the longer Elaho-Squamish tour. Call ahead to book or visit their counter in the Carleton Lodge in the Village, opposite the gondola.
Hiking
Of course the main reason we went to Whistler was to hike. The is no shortage of
picturesque hikes throughout Whistler, and neighboring areas. Our hikes included
the Rainbow Lake, the Train Wreck, Cheakamus Trail, and the Stawamus Chief Trail in Squamish. All these hikes will be highlighted in my Whistler Epic Hikes blog.
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Curly Vagabond 