Lovers of winter sports have been visiting Whistler, British Columbia since the early 1960s, even before the quaint mountain village had a town square. What a difference 50 years makes. In 2010, this scenic ski resort paired with Vancouver in hosting the Winter Olympics. Once on the world stage, this alpine village had the chance to show off its first class restaurants, hotels and of course the ski slopes of Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains.

But summers in Whistler also have their charm. Winter’s cross country ski trails become scenic hiking trails during the warmer seasons. Wander past hidden lakes, evergreen forests, fields of boldly colored wildflowers and at higher elevations, permanent pockets of snow. Trails range from easy walks, perfect for the beginning hiker, to advanced challenges that lead you through steeper terrain. The following travel tips are geared towards visitors who want to experience the best hiking trails Whistler has to offer.

Lost Trail

The Lost Lake trail is one of the easiest hikes, leading from Whistler Village to an alpine lake that is perfect for a summer swim. The three-mile route wanders through scenic forest land and marshes rich with wildlife. You may even find beavers industriously building their waterfront homes or river otters tumbling about in search of dinner. The best time to hike this trail is between May and October.

Ancient Cedars Loop Trail

Running just under three-miles in length, the Ancient Cedars Loop Trail takes hikers through a grove of old-growth cedar trees on the way to Cougar Mountain. The moderately challenging hike takes you through blueberry fields and forests of Douglas firs, some more than 900 years old. The trail starts at Green Lake, just outside the village core. It branches off of the Soo River Forest Road, which leads around Cougar Mountain’s tree covered base and to the Showh Lakes. The best hiking along this trail is between June and October. This is also the time the blueberries ripen, so you might be able to grab a natural snack along the way.

Whistler Mountain Trails

Whistler Mountain itself offers a network of trails for hikers of various skill levels. Paleface Trail is one of the shortest, only a half mile long, but offering views of extinct volcanoes. Ridge Lookout, about the same length, is known for its panoramic mountain views. Both of these have slight elevation changes and are rated easy to moderate. Take the Whistler Mountain Gondola to the mountain summit to find the High Note Trail, arguably the most scenic trail. Rated intermediate to advanced, this six-mile journey takes you through alpine meadows and is high enough that the glacial peaks seem close enough to touch. Far below are the waters of Cheakamus Lake. High Note Trail merges with the Musical Bumps Trail which takes you back to the gondola. Best time for the Whistler Mountain trails is July to September.

Garibaldi Provincial Park

Nearby Garibaldi Provincial Park also offers 56 miles of hiking trails. The closest is the challenging Wedgemount Lake Trail, a few miles drive north of Whistler Village. The 4.3 mile trail is steep, climbing 3,800 feet to views of the lake, the Armchair Glacier and Wedge Mountain. This hike takes a full eight hours, but wilderness camping is allowed. Another trail in the Garibaldi system leads to Cheakamus Lake. This four-mile segment is an easy hike through the forest to the glacier-fed alpine lake. Spend the night at one of the ten campsites that rim the lake or just make it a day hike. The trail takes between two and three hours, depending on how often you stop to enjoy the view. The trails and campgrounds are open from May 1st until mid November, weather permitting.

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