
Butchart Gardens
Butchart Gardens is a stunning National Historic Site near Victoria, BC, with year-round seasonal displays, family dining, a carousel, and summer fireworks.

Whistler is Canada's ultimate family mountain destination, with year-round adventures from skiing and gondola rides to bear watching and world-class biking.
Your family guide
“Every season brings a new reason to explore the mountains. Whistler delivers year-round.”
— San & Jo
Whistler is one of those rare places that delivers on every promise it makes. Tucked into the Coast Mountains of British Columbia, this world-class resort town is surrounded by ancient volcanic peaks, old-growth forests, and more outdoor adventure than your family can pack into a single trip. Whether you visit in winter for the snow or summer for the trails and wildlife, Whistler has a way of making every day feel like a proper family adventure.
The village itself is completely pedestrian-friendly, which makes life so much easier with kids in tow. You can wander from breakfast to a gondola ride to an ice cream stop without ever worrying about traffic. The Peak 2 Peak Gondola alone is worth the trip, connecting two mountains with a jaw-dropping 3 km unsupported span and views of glaciers that will have your whole family pressing their faces to the glass.
What makes Whistler special for families is the sheer variety. Little ones can spot black bears on a wildlife tour or try snow tubing for the first time, while older kids can tackle world-class mountain bike trails or ride a real Olympic bobsleigh track. There is genuinely something here for every age, every season, and every family style.
Best things to do
Peak 2 Peak Gondola
This is the one experience every family should do in Whistler. The Peak 2 Peak connects Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains with the world's longest unsupported gondola span at 3 km, reaching 1,427 feet above the valley floor. The 11-minute ride gives you 360-degree views of glaciers and peaks that are genuinely breathtaking. Some cabins have glass floors, which is either thrilling or terrifying depending on your family.
Whistler Mountain Bike Park
Whistler's bike park is genuinely one of the best in the world, with over 60 trails covering 124 miles and 5,000 feet of vertical. The lift-accessed trails are sorted by difficulty, so beginners and younger riders have their own zones while experienced teens can push themselves on more technical terrain. It is a brilliant summer activity for families who love being active outdoors.
Bear Viewing Tours
Black bears are a regular sight in and around Whistler, and a guided bear viewing tour is one of the most memorable things you can do here with kids. Guides know the local bears by name and can tell you fascinating things about their behaviour and habitat. Spotting a real bear in the wild is the kind of moment children talk about for years.
Snow Tubing and Ice Skating
Not every family wants to ski, and Whistler has you covered. Snow tubing is a huge hit with younger kids who love the speed and silliness of it, while ice skating at Whistler Olympic Plaza is a lovely, low-key winter activity. The plaza regularly hosts events and concerts too, so check what is on during your visit.
Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre
This is one of Whistler's most important cultural attractions and genuinely worth a visit with kids. The centre showcases the living heritage of the Squamish and Lil'wat Nations through guided tours, traditional songs, exhibits, and stunning Indigenous art. It gives families a meaningful and respectful window into the people who have called this land home for thousands of years.
Audain Art Museum
Opened in 2016, the Audain has quickly become one of Whistler's most loved attractions. It features prominent Canadian artists including Emily Carr, whose sweeping forest and coastal paintings are remarkable. The building itself is stunning, and the collection is genuinely accessible for curious older kids. A great option for a rainy afternoon or a slower-paced day.
Whistler Sliding Centre
The Olympic bobsleigh, skeleton, and luge track on Blackcomb Mountain offers public rides for families seeking a genuine adrenaline rush. This is the same track used in the 2010 Winter Olympics, and reaching those speeds on a real bobsleigh makes for a memorable experience. Check minimum age and height requirements before booking, as restrictions apply.
Summer Hiking and Garibaldi Provincial Park
Whistler has over 50 km of alpine hiking trails accessible in summer, ranging from easy valley walks to more challenging mountain routes. Nearby Garibaldi Provincial Park adds backcountry lakes, forests, and views of the Black Tusk volcanic peak to your options. It is spectacular scenery that reminds you just how wild and beautiful British Columbia really is.
Our verdict
Kids
Whistler is brilliantly set up for families with children of all ages. The pedestrian village, wide range of activities across every season, and genuine wow-factor experiences make it a place kids absolutely love.
Culture
The Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre and Audain Art Museum give Whistler real cultural depth beyond the ski resort image. The 2010 Olympics legacy adds another interesting layer for curious kids.
Food
The food scene is excellent and leans into Pacific Northwest flavours with fresh seafood and local produce. Canadian classics like poutine are easy to find, and most restaurants are relaxed enough for families.
Nature
This is where Whistler truly shines. Ancient volcanic peaks, old-growth forests, glaciers, black bears, and hoary marmots make the natural setting extraordinary. Nature is not just a backdrop here, it is the whole point.
Budget
Whistler is a premium destination and there is no getting around that. Accommodation, lift tickets, and dining all sit at the higher end. Plan your budget carefully and look for package deals to keep costs manageable.
Planning your visit
2 days
Quick taste
Ride the Peak 2 Peak, explore the village, and fit in one key activity like snow tubing or a bear tour.
4 days
Sweet spot
Enough time to do the gondola, a full day of biking or skiing, a cultural visit, wildlife spotting, and still relax in the village.
7 days
Full immersion
Take your time on the mountain, explore Garibaldi Park, try the Sliding Centre, and really settle into the Whistler pace of life.
Did you know?
The mountain is named after a whistling animal
Whistler Mountain got its name from the hoary marmot, a small furry animal that lives on the mountain and makes a loud, distinctive whistling call. Early summer hikers heard them before they saw them, and the name stuck.
It was once rejected as an Olympic site
When officials first visited Whistler in 1960 to assess it for the Olympics, there was no road, no electricity, no running water, and no sewage system. They said no. Fifty years later, Whistler hosted the 2010 Winter Olympics in front of the whole world.
The lifts can move 65,000 people every single hour
Whistler Blackcomb has a combined lift capacity of 65,000 people per hour, making it one of the largest ski resort operations in all of North America. That is roughly the size of a small city, all moving up a mountain at once.
Taste Whistler
Poutine
Kids love itDusty's Bar and BBQ, Creekside
Crispy fries, squeaky cheese curds, and rich gravy, this Canadian classic is everywhere in Whistler and is the ultimate après-ski comfort food. Kids almost always love it, and it is genuinely hard to resist after a day on the mountain.
Wild Pacific Salmon
Must tryAraxi Restaurant and Oyster Bar, Village Square
Pacific Northwest cuisine is what Whistler does best, and wild salmon is the star. Beautifully fresh and prepared simply, it is a great way to introduce kids to real Canadian flavours. Araxi does an exceptional version using seasonal local ingredients.
Fresh Sushi
Local favouriteSushi Village, Whistler Village
Sushi Village has been a Whistler institution for over 30 years and remains one of the most popular spots in town. The casual, lively atmosphere makes it a comfortable choice for families, and the fresh sushi is consistently good. A great option for an easy dinner after a big day out.
Nanaimo Bar
Daily treatVarious bakeries and cafes in Whistler Village
This iconic Canadian no-bake dessert has a chocolate base, a custard cream middle, and a chocolate topping. You will find them in bakeries and cafes throughout Whistler, and they make a brilliant sweet treat for kids to try. It is one of those things you simply have to eat at least once in Canada.
Mountain Breakfast
Safe choiceWildflower Restaurant, Fairmont Chateau Whistler
Start your day properly at the Wildflower Restaurant inside the Fairmont Chateau Whistler. The rustic setting, warm service, and hearty mountain breakfast menu make it a lovely way to fuel up before a big day of adventure. It is a bit of a treat, but worth it for a special morning.

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