The 10 Best Free Things to do in Whistler, Canada

July 10, 2021 Fernanda Pittenger

Whistler, British Columbia, is a short trip from Vancouver by road or air. The stunning landscape, pedestrian-only Village and genuine, down-to-earth mountain culture make Whistler an unforgettable year-round destination. Winters provide reliable snow for skiing, snowboarding and Nordic sports while golf, mountain biking and hiking fill the warmer months. Festivals, spas, restaurants and bars combine with endless outdoor activities to make Whistler the ultimate place to escape and unwind.
Restaurants in Whistler

1. Joffre Lakes Provincial Park

Off Hwy 99 East of Pemberton, BC On the Duffey Lake Road, Whistler, British Columbia Canada +1 800-689-9025 http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/joffre_lks/
Excellent
89%
Good
10%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 511 reviews

Joffre Lakes Provincial Park

Reviewed By martinray2016 - Vancouver, Canada

Beautiful mountain lakes accessible for most people on a very easy 2 hour hike through the woods. Leave early to beat the rush as this is a very popular hike.

2. Oracle Emporium at Whistler

121-4338 Main St Olympic Plaza, Whistler, British Columbia V0N 1B4 Canada +1 604-905-0084 [email protected] http://oraclewhistler.com/
Excellent
94%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
6%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 17 reviews

Oracle Emporium at Whistler

At The Oracle, you'll discover unique gifts, beautiful home decor, meaningful jewelry, freedom-wear fashions, original and limited edition art, a vast assortment of journals, motivating books, a multitude of incense, and a myriad of cards, decks and eclectic, interesting items. Psychic readings and Holistic therapy by appointment or walk-in.

122-4090 Whistler Way The Westin Hotel, Whistler, British Columbia V0N 1B4 Canada +1 604-962-7722 [email protected] http://fathomstone.com
Excellent
91%
Good
7%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 56 reviews

Fathom Stone Art Gallery

At Whistler's retail "The Shops" at the Westin, Fathom Stone Art Gallery has expanded offering stone art classes daily for locals and visitors. Classes include the 1 hour pendant, 1-2 & 3 hour inukshuk, 3 hour 2-D wildlife, 4 to 6 hour 3-D bear, or 6+ hour freestyle classes. Class participants come and go as they please making their art at their own pace. You get to take home your completed soapstone carving made in the heart of Whistler village. Drop in's welcome from 12 noon to 6 pm, please come see the carving live! (8AM to 10 PM upon appointment 24 hours advance notice) Just bring yourself and lunch/dinner money, take out food locations are on the village stroll. Group bookings available for weddings, conventions, conferences etc. Fathom Stone Art Gallery is Whistler BCs premier stone art gallery & studio. The islands, lakes and mountains of British Columbia and Southeast Alaska hold very rare, colorful and unique stone types including marble, jade, serpentine, limestone, quartz, brucite, soapstone, granite, alabaster and more. Each piece is hand picked, carved and polished in the Whistler studio. Fathom and team spend their free time outdoors enjoying nature. Fathom Stone art exclusivly carves mad in Whistler Inukshuks Fathom Stone Art is 100% made and retailed in Whistler, British Columbia.

Reviewed By 379suh

My 2 teenage boys thoroughly enjoyed carving their inukshuk soapstone souvenirs with John as an alternative Apres ski activity. My inukshuk was an opal inspiration with Chris. Thanks guys.

4. Lost Lake

Whistler, British Columbia Canada +1 604-932-5535 http://www.whistler.ca/lost-lake-park
Excellent
59%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,777 reviews

Lost Lake

A 15-minute shuttle ride from Whistler, this lake is perfect for those who want to take a break from the slopes and jog, walk or picnic by its peaceful shores.

Reviewed By liketOtravel00742 - London, United Kingdom

A pretty little lake that is close to Whistler Village and easily accessible on foot, by bike or using the municipality's free summer shuttle, which runs from the Gateway Loop by the Whistler gondola every 15 minutes. There's a beach, a doggie beach further along, a dock around the far side of the lake, and an easy to walk loop of a couple of kilometres. There are toilets, a place to top up a water bottle, and sometimes a food truck in on site. On a hot day, it does get very busy. So be warned. And the water really isn't all that warm. That's it! Enjoy.

5. Brandywine Falls Provincial Park

Highway 99, Whistler, British Columbia V0N 1H0 Canada +1 604-986-9371 http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/brandywine_falls/
Excellent
63%
Good
34%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 718 reviews

Brandywine Falls Provincial Park

Reviewed By pds209 - New Westminster, Canada

The main trail here is a short, easy, and picturesque walk to a platform from which to view the falls. The route is, for the most part, wide and paved. The only “choke point” is a small bridge over a stream near the entrance. Beyond the main viewing platform, there are a couple of further viewpoints from which to take photos and admire the surroundings. This park is an excellent choice for families.

6. Whistler Public Library

4329 Main St, Whistler, British Columbia V0N 1B4 Canada +1 604-935-8433 http://www.whistlerlibrary.ca/
Excellent
75%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 237 reviews

Whistler Public Library

Reviewed By crystalm7777 - North Vancouver, Canada

Nice little kids area with lots of books (obviously!), stuffed animals, and a room with toys :) dinosaurs, big blocks, puppets, etc. Many days they offer kids story time or singing time, and BC residents can check out books with their library card/or ID. Visitors from out of province can check out books for a 10$ fee. This was great for us, as we are staying 10 days and we loved checking out lots of books for the kids to read in our place. Great little nature walk right beside and the little Whistler museum. Great spot to check out with young kids, and even better on a rainy day!

7. Upper Village Market

4580 Chateau Blvd, Whistler, British Columbia V0N 1B4 Canada +1 604-932-0230 [email protected] http://www.uppervillagemarket.com
Excellent
50%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
14%
Poor
3%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 36 reviews

Upper Village Market

Upper Village Market is a gourmet grocery store located at the base of Blackcomb Mountain in the Upper Village of Whistler, B.C. Canada. With our Grocery DIRECT DELIVERY Service you can have your groceries delivered right to your hotel room or ski chalet. Whistler Gift Services, a division of Upper Village Market, offers Gift Baskets perfect for that special Thank You, Congratulations, or warm Welcome to Whistler. Our Corporate Gift Service will compliment a special client with hand picked regional & international specialties.

8. The Whistler Train Wreck Trail

Alpha Lake Rd, Whistler, British Columbia V0N 1B1 Canada +1 604-932-5535 [email protected] http://www.whistler.ca/culture-recreation/parks-trails/train-wreck-bridge
Excellent
64%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 347 reviews

The Whistler Train Wreck Trail

A long-time favourite among hikers and mountain bikers, Train Wreck features graffiti train cars and spectacular views of Cheakamus River. The trail was built many decades ago. The Resort Municipality of Whistler's new pedestrian bridge creates a safe, legal access point. The bridge connects Train Wreck to the Sea to Sky trail, which is part of the Trans Canada Trail. Associated trail connections have also been built on either side of the bridge. The Train Wreck suspension bridge can be accessed off Jane Lakes Road in the Cheakamus Crossing neighbourhood at the south end of Whistler from two locations: the multi-use singletrack "Trash" trail or the double track Sea to Sky trail

Reviewed By dk97

Neat little hike to an old train wreck where the cars are covered in graffiti -- nice urban art in the woods.

9. Callaghan Country's Alexander Falls Touring Centre

#1000 Callaghan Valley Road, Whistler, British Columbia V0N 1B1 Canada +1 604-938-0616 [email protected] http://www.callaghancountry.com/
Excellent
65%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 243 reviews

Callaghan Country's Alexander Falls Touring Centre

Callaghan Country's Alexander Falls Touring Centre is open for the season! We are Callaghan Valley's hub for snowshoeing, cross-country & backcountry skiing. Excellent day visit for families & dog lovers! The purchase of an admission ticket upon entry will provide you free parking & full access to over 90km of the Ski Callaghan Nordic trail network ideal for recreation and nature pursuits on snowshoe, classic cross-country ski, & skate ski. Our Ski Shop offers a wide variety of nordic equipment for rent and sale to get you ready for your next adventure. This location is also the gateway to our Journeyman Lodge; an all-inclusive ski-in or mechanized-access backcountry lodge located 13 km into the Callaghan's pristine wilderness.

Reviewed By markrP6479WV - Christchurch, New Zealand

Really nice waterfall in the forest, really easy access from the carpark. We drove a couple of minutes up the road and saw a black bear on the side of the road which was awesome too! great area to explore!

10. Whistler Visitor Centre

4230 Gateway Dr, Whistler, British Columbia V8E 0Z8 Canada +1 604-935-3357 [email protected] http://www.whistler.com
Excellent
57%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
2%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 286 reviews

Whistler Visitor Centre

Reviewed By DevonSurfGirl

The recommendations were tailored to our preferences, from walks, activities and restaurants, such knowledge and patience answering our questions.

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