Contributed by Summit Lodge Boutique Hotel
Canada is a must-do on any adventure traveller’s bucket list. Named the number one country to visit in 2017 by Lonely Planet, Canada is famous for breathtaking mountains, magical white winters and maple syrup, having more lakes than all other countries combined, (really wild) wildlife and a delightful reputation for politeness.
If you visit anywhere in Canada this winter, it’s highly recommended that you take a drive up the renowned Sea To Sky Highway and visit the mountain resort of Whistler, British Columbia.
Whistler may ring a bell as one of the top ski and snowboard destinations in the world and host to the 2010 Winter Olympics, and you’d be right, but that is just the tip of the iceberg.
In this local’s guide, you’ll discover a different side to Whistler. One full of wonder, nature, and west coast Canadian adventure with a side of waffles and bacon, eh!
Summit Lodge Loves…
Each item on this list has been given two big thumbs-up by Summit Lodge staff. Not only for the life-long memories they create, but also for their commitment to sustainable and environmentally-conscious business practices in the Whistler valley.
Digging into a Canadian Yukon Breakfast
Price: $209 pp / $169 pp sharing a snowmobile
With: Canadian Wilderness Adventures
Ascend through the remote backcountry of the Callaghan Valley on your own personal snowmobile to a rustic cabin on Sproatt Mountain where a full Canadian Yukon breakfast will be prepared on an old fashioned wood stove.
Photographing Wintering Bald Eagles
Price: $159 adult / $199 youth
With: Whistler Discovery Tours
Explore a 420-acre Ecological Reserve near the Cheakamus River that is home to the largest winter nesting ground of bald eagles in North America.
Fat Biking at Whistler Olympic Park
Price: $20 for 2 hours
Where: Whistler Olympic Park
Wind through snow covered forest on freshly groomed Olympic trails. Routes change daily with snow conditions and night riding is available on Wednesday after 5 pm.
Learning to Ice Climb a Frozen Waterfall
Price: $359 pp, group of 2 / $720 pp, private trip for 4
With: Mountain Skills Academy & Adventures
Ice-filled canyons, single pitch, multi-pitch or mixed climbs these professional ACMG guides will find a spectacular ice climb perfect for any ability.
Thundering Down the Olympic Bobsled Track
Price: $179 pp
Where: Whistler Sliding Centre
Hop into a 4-person bobsled and take an adrenaline-fueled ride down the world’s fastest track. Sign up for both the bobsleigh and the skeleton experiences and get a 50% discount when you book over the phone.
Hand-picked, must-do events & festivals (2016-17)
Tried and tested, and thoroughly recommended by guests at the Summit Lodge.
Active & Wellness
Bobsleigh & Skeleton World Cup, December 2 – 3
Yoga at the Audain Art Museum, December 13 & January 17
Luge Canada Cup, February 19
Peak to Valley Race presented by Smirnoff, February 24 – 25
Sigge’s P’ayakentsut Cross Country Ski Event, February 26 -26
Food
Cornucopia Whistler, November 10 – 20
Whistler Bar Hop, every Saturday
Vikram Vij Curry Tasting at the Roundhouse, December 3
Culture
Arts Whistler Holiday Market, November 26 – 27
Whistler Film Festival, November 30 – December 4 Fire & Ice Show, every Sunday, December – April
Whistler Pride & Ski Festival, January 22 – 29
World Ski & Snowboard Festival, April 7 – 16
Holiday Celebrations
33rd Christmas Eve Carol Service, December 24 Whistler Presents: New Year’s Eve Celebrations, December 31
Summit Lodge is a boutique hotel in Whistler with a big goal: to improve the health and wellbeing of the plant by getting people outdoors, one person at a time. They believe that to take care of others and the environment we must first take care of ourselves. Most people will wait until the New Year to change the daily habits that could be having negative effects on their health, but they think there’s no better time to start than right now!
