25 things to do at the top of Whistler Blackcomb this summer

Summer comes in three phases at the top of Whistler Blackcomb: the early season, when the marks of winter can still be seen and the snow play zone is in full effect; mid-summer, when the wildflowers start to bloom and guests can experience the perks of patio weather; and late summer, when the high-alpine hikes are prime for exploring.

With unique activities available all summer long, there’s no shortage of things to do at the top of BC’s most famous resort. And with a PEAK 2 PEAK 360 Season Pass or ticket, you’ll have exclusive access to all alpine trails and receive discounts for select Whistler Blackcomb shops and restaurants. Hop on the lift and let it be your entry point to any of these 25 exciting activities on the mountains, available throughout the summer.

Early summer (May and June)

1. Travel between the snow walls on Mathews’ Traverse while enjoying panoramic views of Harmony Bowl. The walls this year reach up to 10 meters in height!

2. Slide down a tube in the Snow Play Zone while enjoying picturesque views of the surrounding mountains.

3. Touch the remaining snow from the winter season (and maybe even throw a snowball at a friend while you’re at it).

While early summer activities are now closed, be sure to mark them on your to-do list for next year!

Mid-summer (July and August)

4. Enjoy the views from the 7^th Heaven Summit, the highest lift-accessed point on either mountain, open until July 17. From there, you can watch the up-and-comers of freestyle glacier skiing and snowboarding on the Horstman Glacier, which is open year-round to expert skiers and riders.

5. Bring a picnic to munch on beside Blackcomb Lake, just a one-hour roundtrip hike from the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola. Remember to pack out what you pack in!

6. Wander through old-growth forests and sub-alpine and alpine ecosystems on the Lakeside Loop – a 1- to 2-hour intermediate hike on Blackcomb Mountain.

7. Hike through alpine forests on the Harmony Lake Trail and Loop.

8. Stop and smell the wildflowers. The unique explosion of trail-side colour starts now and is only around for a few weeks each year! Pick up a trail map for the best wildflower viewpoints.

9. Feeling musical? Whistle as you hike toward the Singing Pass, stopping at Piccolo Summit, Flute Summit and Oboe Summit for terrific views – all on High Note Trail, a signature trail on Whistler Mountain.

Late summer (September and October)

10. Dangle your feet as you ride Peak Express, an open-air chairlift on Whistler Mountain, all the way up to the Top of the World Summit. From there, you can take in 360 degree views of Black Tusk, the Tantalus Range, Castle Towers, and more.

11. Check out the Fitzsimmons Lookout on Blackcomb Mountain. An easy route for a family along Alpine Walk, this naturally shaped Amphitheatre boasts epic views and the occasional family of Marmots.

12. Use the PEAK 2 PEAK 360 Season Pass or ticket to access over 50 km of alpine hiking. Options range from one-hour interpretive walks to full-day adventures.

13. Investigate what the Decker Tarn is, then go find it yourself.

14. Tackle the 2nd annual Salomon Valley to Peak trail running race on September 2. The 23 km course covers the full-vertical of Whistler Mountain.

All summer long

15. Take the 11-minute journey on the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola between Whistler and Blackcomb for views of towering peaks, coastal rainforests, and ancient glaciers.

16. Scout out the wildlife from the open-air chairlifts or visit black bear dens and ranges on a guided viewing tour.

17. Enjoy a cool beverage on the deck of the newly renovated Rendezvous Lodge. Feeling peckish? You can also build your own customized Thai noodle and rice bowl to enjoy on the patio.

18. Dig into a Mountain Top BBQ buffet dinner at the Roundhouse Lodge every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evening until September 4 (after that, Saturdays only until October 10).

19. Learn about the region’s mountain ecosystems in the Samsung Alpine Theatre, or listen to a short talk from one of the Educational Speakers Series guests such as photographer David McColm.

20. Sip on a glass of wine at a Winemakers Après Series event, which features world class wines paired with delicious food at the Steeps Grill & Wine Bar.

21. Take a photo with the iconic Whistler Mountain Inukshuk, which was created for the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.

22. Dine at 1,860 metres at Christine’s Restaurant on Blackcomb. The wine flight paired with the Hamachi or BBQ Duck Salad is the perfect mid-day pick-me-up.

23. Explore the intricacies of the resort’s Guinness World Record-breaking gondola in the PEAK 2 PEAK Viewing Gallery.

24. Discover the geological history of the Whistler and Blackcomb mountains on the 2 PEAKS, 2 PASTS tour.

25. Catch the last lift down on the Whistler Village Gondola at 8:30 pm on most Fridays, Saturdays, or Sundays and watch the sun set behind the mountains’ snowy peaks.

With so many things to see and do at the top of Whistler Blackcomb, you can’t do it all in just one day. This is where the PEAK 2 PEAK 360 Season Pass comes in handy. The pass provides unlimited access to the PEAK 2 PEAK 360 Experience all summer long, so you can enjoy the unique activities each month has to offer.