A small town with lush forest and bright lakes was named among Canada's best vacation spots
Start your summer plans!
Someone in Whistler. Right: A lake in Whistler, B.C.
There's a reason people flock to this little town, nestled in the mountains just an hour and a half from Vancouver. It's a place where you can roam mountainous trails, dive into bright blue lakes, and then end the day with a beer on a patio. It's a convergence of wild nature and an ease that makes it irresistible to visit.
If you haven't guessed — this is Whistler. Recently our readers were polled on the best vacation spot in Canada, and the beloved ski town came up more than once. Of course, it's not the first time Whistler's gained some attention.
Although it's known as a winter destination, though, the spring and summer here is somewhat of an afterthought. While the snow melts and the skiing stops, the village keeps moving and the seasonal change gives way to a different type of adventure.
An easy taste of this is the pavement trail that winds its way through Whistler, taking you past peaceful parks and glistening lakes. Biking or walking along it you'll be surrounded by towering trees, getting glimpses of the still-snowy peaks between them.
Explore a bit further into the trail system you'll find Lost Lake, a more peaceful lake thats a bit of a reprieve from the busyness of the town.
If you're up for more of a heart-pumping journey there's countless trails in the area to hike — taking you to booming waterfalls, incredible lookouts over the mountains, and glacial lakes. Among the most popular is Garibaldi Lake, a trailhead that is just outside of town. This is where you'll find the bright blue hues you're probably hoping for, although is a gruelling hike to reach it.
Taking the gondola up to the top of Whistler Mountain you'll also find a range of alpine trails that give you incredible views (and it lets you skip some of the harder inclines if you want).
Down in the village is where you'll want to be after a day exploring though, and you'll find incredible restaurants, fun bars, and even a Farmers' Market on Sundays in the summer.
It's easy to see why this spot continues to be a favourite time and time again, so if you're in vacation planning mode – Whistler's waiting for you.
Before you get going, check out our Responsible Travel Guide so you can be informed, be safe, be smart, and most of all, be respectful on your adventure.