Sharing is caring!

Top Family Winter Activities & Eco-Friendly Things To Do in Whistler, Canada

Take your family on an eco-friendly travel getaway to Whistler, Canada. Enjoy the fun winter sports, indoor and outdoor activities, explore unique Whistler attractions, check out countless things to do Whistler Village has to offer! Unforgettable time guaranteed!

Planning the perfect family ski trip can be something of a minefield. Finding a resort that is close to an airport, is accessible for those with young (or impatient) children, caters for all levels (and sizes) of skier, and that has enough for the children to do away from the slopes can be quite frankly, exhausting. And what about that new year's resolution to travel more sustainably?

The Canadian mountain resort of Whistler is a firm favorite with families, and with good reason. Located just a two-hour drive from Vancouver Airport, the Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains make up North America’s largest ski area offering something for all ages and abilities. Outdoor and indoor activities and winter sports are available in abundance in Whistler, to keep even the most restless of children occupied for hours. 

Finally, the resort is leading something of a green winter sports revolution, so you can take some comfort that your thirst for adventure won’t be harming the planet unnecessarily. Here’s our essential guide to things to do in wonderful Whistler, British Columbia, Canada. 

***This post may contain affiliate links and we may earn compensation when you click on the links at no additional cost to you.
All product recommendations and feedback are ours and based on personal experience.
Please refer to our Disclosure Policy. 

Also, check out these articles:

• Gorgeous & Easy Winter Hikes Near Vancouver To Absolutely Enjoy
• Breathtaking Waterfall Hike – Full Guide – Crooked Falls Near Vancouver
• Joffre Lakes Trail: Practical Guide to Successfully Hiking Most Popular BC Alpine Park
• Places to Visit in India on Your Next Family Holidays Trip
• Havana, Cuba – Top Places to See and Things To Do With Family

.

The Skiing

Let’s start with skiing, which is surely at the Top of Whistler attractions list! Rising out of British Columbia’s glacier-carved the Coast Mountains, this world-class resort has two mountains – Whistler and Blackcomb – connected by a gondola and 200 trails spread across over 8,000 acres. While the most demanding runs on offer are sure to challenge even former Olympians, there are many beginner areas perfect for families and those new to the powder. 

With so many trails and such a large area, it’s best to buy a pass and book a Whistler ski or snowboard adventure package. Not only will you benefit from helpful tuition, but you’ll ski the untouched backcountry trails under the safe guidance of a local ski instructor and guide. 

.

Whistler Apres Activities (that don’t harm the planet)

Contrary to popular belief, not all apres-ski has to revolve around alcohol and partying. Whistler has a great reputation for its family-friendly activity-led apres. There are many fun things to do in Whistler as you’ll now discover!

.

Zipline

.

For families with a head for heights, head to the Whistler zipline where you can enjoy one of the more extreme versions of sightseeing. You’ll be securely strapped into a specially designed harness that even lets two people enjoy the adventure side by side – great for family photos. Try to keep your eyes open as you fly down the mountainside high above the snowy valley floor and frosted pines.

.

Sleigh Ride

For a more leisurely type of sightseeing, you won’t go wrong with a Whistler sleigh ride activity. Cozy up on the back of a horse-drawn sleigh and enjoy a delicious hot chocolate halfway through. The rides run from mid-December through to late March depending on snow conditions and it’s the perfect activity to cross off the bucket list. Unsurprisingly, this one of top-rated Whistler attractions on offer for families this winter, so be sure to book this one in advance.

.

Forged Axe Throwing

For those traveling with older kids, Forged Axe Throwing is a great place to spend an hour. You’ll learn the art of this intriguing and exciting Canadian pastime, throwing axes (or hatchets as they’re known) at wooden targets.

Expect things to get competitive as you aim for a bullseye and your inner lumberjack is unleashed.

What’s more, all the old wooden targets are repurposed as firewood (a cleaner alternative to coal) and the circle of life is complete.

.

Dog Sledding

Another Whistler must-do during the winter season is dog sledding. Canadian Wilderness Adventures offer this traditional method of transportation to all. Jump onboard a sled and watch as these super dogs charge their way across the fresh snow. Your kids can even learn about these special dogs and try a few of the commands used by mushers to guide the dogs through the landscape.

Venturing into backcountry? These should be useful:
Leave No Trace & Outdoor Ethics – Zero Impact Family Adventures
Hiking With Kids: 12 Simple Safety Rules Every Parent Should Follow

.

Tubing

Tubing is another planet-friendly winter pastime to add to the Whistler fun list. Easily accessible from the Village, the Whistler Blackcomb Tube Park is the best place to slide your way over 1,000 feet of ice lanes. 

.

Vallea Lumina

Last but by no means least, is one of the most unique Whistler attractions that is sure to leave most of us in awe – the Vallea Lumina.

This multimedia night walk is perfect for families with kids of all ages. You’ll follow an illuminated 1.5 km trail through the woods in pursuit of a mythical light-filled valley. Legend has it that two bold travelers walked this very path, unearthing wondrous and magical happenings and witnessing stardust falling from the sky. Adults and kids alike will be captivated by the magic of this activity that takes around 50 to 80 minutes to explore.

The winter night walk experience runs until April 13th, 2020, and transportation leaves every twenty minutes after sundown, departing from the Whistler's Village Gateway Bus Loop.

.

Where to stay in Whistler Canada

There’s no shortage of accommodation in Whistler, but due to the resort’s popularity, you may need to do your homework and book in advance. 

For a room with a view, the Nita Lake Lodge Hotel is set on the edge of a stunning expanse of water (as the name suggests). This Whistler venue is almost a unique attraction by itself. Fully committed to sustainability, it is perfect for the carbon-conscious among us. Nita Lake has many initiatives including growing its herbs and vegetables on an organic rooftop garden, using energy-efficient lighting, a policy of using chemical-free cleaning products, a comprehensive recycling program, and energy-efficient boilers. 

The Westin Resort & Spa can’t go unmentioned here either. In their quest to become the most eco-friendly hotel in Whistler, they run a successful Make a Green Choice programme, allowing guests to enjoy reward vouchers in return for making eco-conscious choices. Just one night without a full housekeeping service saves a considerable amount of water, electricity and natural gas. The hotel also operates a hybrid guest shuttle and a cutting-edge Energex heating and cooling system that uses infra-red sensors to detect when guests are present.

The 4-star Hilton Whistler Resort is another worthy of a mention in our eco-friendly accommodation round up. The hotel recently upgraded its facilities to include energy-efficient lightbulbs, economy flush units in all toilets, biodegradable take-out packaging, and eco shower heads. 

And of course, when it comes to eco-travel: sharing is carrying! AirBnB has its solid presence in Whistler Village, and you can rent anything from a shared space to an entire cottage through them to accommodate larger families. Get our GIFT of $62 CADcredit on new AirBnB accounts towards your future reservations!

Whistler’s bars and restaurants are plentiful too, and the region recently held its annual Cornucopia food festival. You’ll find an abundance of family-friendly eateries to suit all tastes and budgets, that serve both traditional Canadian food and unique international delicacies.

TIP: if you are visiting briefly and staying in Vancouver, you can still experience Whistler on a day-trip! It will only take you about 1.5 hours to get here by car!

.

Whistler’s Epic Pledge to a Zero Footprint

While all the attractions in Whistler Canada are undeniably appealing to families seeking a memorable winter getaway, our thirst for an adventure across the globe is no doubt having an impact on the planet. At a time when we’re all working hard to cut our carbon footprint, Vail Resorts, owner of Whistler Blackcomb, is leading the green skiing revolution. We shouldn’t be surprised by this, particularly in a part of the world that relies on timely and consistent snowfall each year.

The company’s sustainability initiative, an Epic Promise for a Zero Footprint, is split into three parts to eliminate carbon emissions, waste production and environmental impact by 2030. Changes like the use of low-energy snowmaking equipment and eco-friendly building design, tree planting, the sourcing of electricity from renewable energy sources and many offsetting programs will be in action this winter.

While promises are easy to make, it seems Vail Resorts are putting their money where their mouth is – and Whistler indeed has a strong practical eco-focus. They invested US$2.4 million into energy upgrades including more LED lighting and 168 high-efficiency, automated snow guns. This move alone led to a decrease of 37,511 million metric British thermal units and put it a quarter of the way towards its 2030 energy-efficiency goal.

While we can’t change the world right away, Whistler Canada, with its countless things to do and family-friendly activities, is no doubt one of the most eco-friendly ski resorts available to families this winter. 

.

Visiting Whistler is definitely a bucket list experience. …and if you decide to spend a week or two here over Christmas – it could no doubt become your best Christmas in Canada.

Do you have other cool eco-friendly activities to suggest in the area? Or are you a brand that wants us to check you out? Leave us a comment or send us a message!

.

This post was prepared in partnership with a guest-writer – Rachael Hopwood

.

Share your pictures on social media! tag #PerfectDayToPlay to be featured on our Instagram! 

.

Sharing is caring!