670 meters high in the Coast Mountains of British Columbia and just two hours north of Vancouver, Whistler is home to one of the most popular ski resorts in the states. Set between the Whistler and Blackcomb mountains, millions of holidaymakers flock to Whistler every year to take to the slopes and test their skills on professional courses at the Olympic Park, a venue for the Vancouver Winter Olympics.

But Whistler is much more than just a resort town and with a great range of accommodation to choose from, it provides the perfect vacation spot for all travellers. Hop over to this site for a range of luxury lodges and chalets where you can sit by the fire and watch the snow fall, or blow out the cobwebs to the backdrop of the breath taking Coast Mountains.

When you’re not relaxing in your luxury retreat, the following are our top tips for your first trip travelling to Whistler in any season.

1. Wrap up warm and have some fun!

Get your coats and scarves out and head up to Whistler Blackcomb, which is one of the largest ski resorts in North America. Whether you’re into skiing, snowboarding, tobogganing, or sledging, with the record-breaking peak-to-peak gondola, you can go up one mountain and come down the other. Just make sure you bring your biggest coat and extra thick socks and get ready to brave the cold.

If you’re feeling more adventurous, head up and try your hand at heli-skiing! With the glacial climate, wilderness, and powder snow, British Columbia is perfect. Boasting over 173 glaciers and 475 runs, you’ll be dropped off by helicopter at the top of the mountain and it will be up to you to make your way down. It’s hard to know what to bring with you, so be sure to check out a solid ski packing list before heading off on your adventure.

If skiing isn’t your thing, why not head out by snowmobile or snowshoe to one of our frozen lakes to fish for trout? You’ll be nice and snug in an ice hut with some heaters, trying to catch a ten pound fish through an eight inch hole in the ice.

2. Don’t miss the Après-ski

Being a ski resort town, Whistler is chock full of bars, restaurants, and cafes offering a relaxed, informal atmosphere. Whether you’ve come straight off the slopes, or you’ve been exploring the mountain, make sure to pack some casual clothes for an evening meal as you will be hungry.

Feeling like a night out? Get ready to dress up and hit the bars and enjoy some seafood at Araxi, Japanese food at Teppan Village, and Mexican food at Caramba. Whistler really does have food for everyone and don’t forget to check out the deals in late afternoon if you want to make some savings.

For a meal with a view, head up to the Crystal Hut – a cosy, log cabin style restaurant over 180 meters up the Blackcomb mountain. For local food and great cocktails right in the village, just walk over to Alta Bistro. Or, if you’re not sure what you want, the main town is completely pedestrianized so you can just walk around and you’re sure to find something that tickles your fancy.

For drinks, Bearfoot Bistro is a MUST. Bring your sense of adventure for a unique experience champagne sabering and step into the ice room for the COOLEST vodka tasting in the world! With temperatures hitting -32°C (-25°F), this is a memory that will last a lifetime and, don’t worry, they provide the (artic exhibition) parkas!

If you’re more of a beer drinker, head over to Dubh Linn Gate Pub for Irish chips, craft beer, and Irish ale, with nightly live music from 8pm. Or, if you’re looking for a cabin feel, pop over to Dusty’s for some classic southern barbecue, a chilled atmosphere, and some rock music to get you ready to head over to Merlin’s and dance the night away.

3. Search out the adrenaline rush

For adrenaline junkies, the Sasquatch zipline tour is the perfect way to experience the mountains. Spanning over two kilometres, the sasquatch is not only the longest zipline in Canada but is the longest zipline in the whole of North America. With a dual zipline for side by side zipping, and GoPro® hire to capture your experience, the sasquatch will not only give you the high of a lifetime, but also footage to show your family and friends to prove you did it.

If you’d rather spend a bit more time enjoying the view, check out the Cloudraker Sky Bridge. At 2200 meters above sea level, the sky bridge spans 130 meters between the Whistler Peak and West Ridge over the Whistler Bowl. The bridge is perfect for instagrammers and adrenaline junkies alike and will take you up to the Raven’s Eye cliff walk for 360° views of the Coast mountains.

The viewing platform lets guests lean out over the Whistler Bowl to feel as though they are suspended 12 meters from the cliff’s edge and allowing them to get that perfect shot (just make sure you keep hold of your cell phone!).

4. Get back to nature

There’s no easier way to get back to nature than to go hiking, and Whistler offers some of the best scenery and hiking routes in British Columbia for you to enjoy.

Whether you’re a planner or you prefer to go with the flow, Whistler has the route for you. With forest and lakes in almost every direction, you can get a good dose of nature whether you have the whole day to explore, or just an hour to spare. If you’d rather be on two wheels than two feet, hop on a mountain bike and hit the slopes of the famous Whistler Blackcomb ski resort.

The Whistler and Blackcomb mountains are home to British Columbia’s only black bear population. With around 60 black bears and their cubs making their home and foraging around the ski areas, sightings are not uncommon from the gondolas and ski lifts.

If you’d rather be more certain of a sighting, why not head on a bear tour? These bears have been studied by scientists for over two decades so you have a unique opportunity to visit bear dens, alpine meadows, and old growth Western Hemlock forests whilst being guided by a professional.

If hiking, biking and driving are too fast-paced for you, Shinrin-Yoku provides a more Zen option. Literally translated as “forest bathing”, Shinrin-Yoku is the practice of spending mindful time in nature, taking in the forest with all your senses.

The tour combines a leisurely forest walk with meditation practices and sensory experiences to open your senses and your mind to further appreciate nature and put you in touch with your extra sensory perception and abilities, providing an opportunity to experience the Canadian countryside in a completely unique way.

So, whether you’re here for the snow sports, or for a summer thrill, you’ll find some amazing activities in Whitsler. Hit the slopes, explore the Olympic venues, swim in the lakes in summer or ice fish in the winter – whatever you do, just make the most of your visit to this historical alpine town.