Most people picture Whistler under a foot of fresh powder, skis over one shoulder, steam rising off a mug of something hot. That image isn't wrong, but it's incomplete. Once the snow melts, the same mountains that draw skiers all winter open up into a completely different kind of playground, one built around glacial lakes, alpine hiking, mountain biking trails, and a village that knows how to feed people well after a long day outside. If you've been eyeing Whistler for a winter trip, summer might actually be the better introduction. Creators Jake and Emily, who run the channel Two Roaming Souls, put together a guide covering their ten favorite warm-weather things to do around town, and it doubles as one of the better starting points for planning a visit. Here's a closer look at what makes the list, plus one experience that deserves its own spotlight.

Garibaldi Lake and Panorama Ridge

This is the hike people drive up from Vancouver specifically to do. Garibaldi Lake holds a shade of blue that looks edited even when it isn't, fed by glacial melt that gives it that almost unnatural clarity. Panorama Ridge sits above it, and the payoff from the top is the kind of view that makes the climb worth every switchback. The distance and elevation gain make this a serious undertaking as a day hike, which is why most experienced visitors treat it as an overnight backpacking trip instead, camping near the lake and tackling the ridge fresh the next morning.

River of Golden Dreams

For something slower paced, this paddle from Alta Lake to Green Lake is one of the more peaceful ways to see the valley. The route winds through marshland and forest before opening up, and it's a good option for people who want time on the water without committing to whitewater skills. One thing worth planning around is the portage section partway through, where water levels can force paddlers to carry their gear for a stretch. Checking conditions before heading out saves a lot of unplanned hauling.

Riding the Gondola

The gondola isn't just a lift between two mountains, it's an experience on its own. It carries visitors up into high-alpine terrain where the dining options and the views both improve dramatically, and it connects to the Peak to Peak for those who want to cross between Whistler and Blackcomb mountains without descending first. For hikers tackling the High Note Trail loop near the top, going counter-clockwise is the better call. It sets up the best views earlier in the walk and stretches out the time spent enjoying the gondola ride itself rather than rushing it.

The Lake Parks

Whistler has several lakes close to the village, each with its own personality. Rainbow Park tends to top most lists for its unobstructed mountain views across the water, the kind of spot where the backdrop does most of the work. Lakeside and Wayside are solid alternatives with their own quieter charm, and Lost Lake rounds things out as a favorite for swimming and trail access. None of them require much effort to reach, which makes them an easy add to almost any day in town.

Mountain Biking

Whistler built its summer reputation on two wheels just as much as its winter one on two skis. Whether someone's there for the chaos and energy of Crankworx or just wants to rent an e-bike and cruise the Valley Trail at an easier pace, the infrastructure for biking here is some of the best in North America. It's a town that takes the sport seriously, and it shows in how seamless it is to rent gear and find a route that matches whatever effort level someone's after.

Purebread Bakery

Food recommendations don't always earn a spot on a highlights list, but Purebread has built a loyal following for a reason. Expect a line, especially on weekend mornings, but the pastries are consistently good enough that the wait rarely feels like a waste of time. It's the kind of stop that turns into a daily habit for visitors staying more than a couple of days.

Suspension Bridge and Train Wreck

This one's an easy, low-commitment hike that delivers something genuinely unusual: a series of retired train cars deep in the forest, now covered in years of graffiti and street art. The suspension bridge along the way adds a bit of a thrill without requiring any real hiking experience, making this a good fit for families or anyone looking for a shorter outing between bigger adventures.

Brewery Hopping

Whistler's brewery scene is spread between the village and Function Junction, a short drive away. High Mountain Brewing Co keeps things convenient for anyone staying central, while Coast Mountain Brewing and Whistler Brewing in Function Junction are worth the trip out for people who want to sample a wider range. It's a relaxed way to spend an afternoon, and most of these spots have outdoor seating that takes advantage of the mountain views.

The Grey Goose Ice Room

Tucked inside the Barefoot Bistro, this is one of those experiences that sounds gimmicky until you're standing inside it. The room is kept well below freezing, and guests bundle into provided gear for a vodka tasting unlike anything else in the village. It's a short experience, but a memorable one, and a good way to break up a day that's otherwise spent outdoors in the summer heat.

El Furniture Warehouse

Whistler can get expensive fast, especially around the village core. El Furniture Warehouse is the antidote, a no-frills spot known for affordable food and drinks that doesn't skimp on portion size or flavor. It's become a go-to for locals and repeat visitors who know the resort markup isn't always necessary.

Honorable Mentions Worth Building a Trip Around

Beyond the top ten, a few extras are worth keeping in mind. Whistler Olympic Plaza often hosts free concerts throughout the summer, so checking the schedule ahead of a trip can turn an evening into something memorable without extra cost. For hikers craving more after Garibaldi Lake, Joffre Lakes, Cheakamus Lake, Wedgemount Lake, and Brandywine Falls all offer their own versions of the turquoise water and alpine scenery the region is known for, each with a different level of effort required to reach them.

The Sasquatch Zipline

If there's one experience that deserves more than a passing mention, it's the Sasquatch. This is the longest zipline in Canada and the United States, stretching more than two kilometers across the Fitzsimmons Valley between Whistler and Blackcomb mountains. Riders reach speeds well over 100 kilometers per hour, suspended more than 600 feet above the valley floor, and the whole thing is gravity fed, so there's no pedaling or braking involved, just the ride itself.

The setup is part of the experience. Guests take the Blackcomb Gondola up, then a short shuttle ride to the launch platform, with guides handling every connection and disconnection along the way. The drop at the start is the part people talk about most, a steep plunge that levels out into a long, fast glide with views over the valley, the surrounding peaks, and the glaciers in the distance. It's a summer-only operation, typically running from June through September, so it's worth building a trip around that window if this is the priority.

Ziptrek Ecotours, the company behind the tour, has its own video showing the ride from start to finish, gondola, shuttle, launch platform and all. It's worth a watch before booking, since seeing the drop in motion gives a much better sense of what to expect than any description can.

Planning the Trip

Whistler's summer season generally runs from late May or early June through September, with July and August being the busiest and most reliably warm stretch. Garibaldi Lake and the other backcountry hikes are best tackled once snow has cleared from the higher trails, which usually means waiting until mid to late June at the earliest. The village itself is walkable, and the gondolas make it easy to get up into alpine terrain without a car, though renting one opens up the brewery runs to Function Junction and any side trips to Joffre Lakes or Brandywine Falls.

Booking accommodations early matters more in summer than people expect. The resort fills up fast for Crankworx and any major concert dates at Whistler Olympic Plaza, and rates climb accordingly. For anyone planning around the Sasquatch specifically, booking that activity in advance is worth doing too, since it runs in small groups and popular time slots sell out during peak weeks.

For the full visual rundown of all ten spots, including footage of the gondola ride, the lake views, and the trails themselves, the video from Two Roaming Souls is a great companion to have queued up while planning.

A Different Kind of Whistler

It's easy to think of Whistler as a one-season destination, but that's selling the place short. The same terrain that makes it a winter icon turns into glacial lakes, biking trails, and alpine hikes once the snow clears, and the village adapts right along with it, swapping après-ski for brewery patios and outdoor concerts. Whether the draw is an overnight trip to Garibaldi Lake, an afternoon on the Valley Trail, or the adrenaline of dropping into the Sasquatch, summer in Whistler holds its own against anything the winter season offers. For anyone who's only ever considered visiting in the cold months, this might be the season that changes that.