Experience Off Season in the Canadian Rockies
When the powder is dumping at Whistler Blackcomb it’s easy to forget that plenty more adventures await in future seasons.
North America’s largest ski resort transforms into a mountain playground as soon as the snow melts (typically in late April). Crowds return for summer, but during the shoulder seasons — May and mid-October through late November — travelers are treated to crowd-free hiking trails, their pick of tee times, and reservations at always-booked restaurants like Araxi and Il Caminetto. The Club’s four, four-bedroom luxury residences at Kadenwood Estates, put Members steps from all of the action. Here’s what they should take advantage of during the quiet months.
Lace Up Your Hiking Boots
The Whistler area is laced with spectacular trails. From the Club Residences, guests can easily reach both the Train Wreck Trail, a 3.1-mile out-and-back hike, and the 2.6-mile roundtrip Cheakamus River Trail. The mellow terrain makes these accessible for all fitness levels. Both provide great photos of the roaring, turquoise river. The former, winds through a thick forest that leads to a series of seven, mural-painted train wrecks. Avid hikers should make the one-hour drive north of Whistler to tackle the more challenging Joffre Lakes Hike. The 6.8-mile roundtrip trail takes in three sparkling aquamarine lakes, waterfalls, glaciers, and snow-capped peaks. You’ll want to give yourself four to five hours to complete the hike; go on a weekday to avoid the crowds.
Tee Off at Championship Courses
Rated British Columbia's number one golf destination, Whistler's four championship courses provide a one-of-a-kind mountain golf experience. Play Jack Nicklaus’ signature design at Nicklaus North Golf Course, challenge yourself at Arnold Palmer’s first-ever Canadian design, set amongst the old-growth cedars and firs at the Whistler Golf Club, tee off at the base of majestic Mount Currie on the Robert Cupp-designed Big Sky Golf Club (the longest of the four), or experience the creeks, ponds, and stands of ancient Douglas fir at Robert Trent Jones Jr.’s course at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler Golf Club.
Take to the Sky
Get your adrenaline fix on a zipline tour. Ziptrek Ecotours is a great option for families, offering a range of experiences from the thrilling five-zipline Eagle Tour which crosses over the Fitzsimmons Valley between Whistler and Blackcomb Mountain to the TreeTrek Canopy Walk, a network of suspension bridges, suspended stairways, and boardwalks that wind through old-growth cedar, hemlock, and fir trees. Couples should book with Superfly Ziplines. The company’s unique system allows two guests to ride side-by-side.
Get a Dose of Culture
Two fantastic museums are located right in Whistler Village. The Audain Art Museum houses the private art collection of Canadian home builder and philanthropist Michael Audain. The 56,000 square-foot space boasts one of the world’s most extensive collections of old First Nation masks and an excellent collection of paintings by Canadian artist Emily Carr whose work was inspired by aboriginal culture and Pacific Northwest landscapes. A striking modern building in the Upper Village is home to the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre. Cultural Ambassadors from both First Nations communities provide guided tours of the facility, which includes a First Nations longhouse, theatre, museum, and art gallery, as well as a traditional istken (an earthen pit house) that visitors can go inside.