Fall can be the best time to visit Whistler Resort.
Weather can be amazing, crowds less & deals plentiful.
Check out the top 10 things to do in Whistler in this fall.
Alpine Hiking
September and October have seen some of the most fantastic weather in past years, this coupled with the fact that the crowds are smaller in the fall months in Whistler, make it a real treat to get out to hike in the alpine. Take in the last of the alpine splendour and get started ski season on your fitness program. There are many epic hikes in and around Whistler and the Sea to Sky, check out some favourites here.
Get Fit for the Slopes
Autumn is a great time to get started on your pre ski season fitness regime so your legs are ready to rock and roll on opening day, and the best part is you’ll be able to get out of bed the next day! Starting early means you can build up slowly and maintain longer, and it is also a good way to prevent injury. Get 4 top tips in our ski fit post here.
Bike Like There’s No One Watching (because there probably isn’t)
Autumn mountain biking is known for tacky conditions, less dust, more comfortable air temperatures, “hero dirt,” and way lest people on the trails and in the park. Even in the rain (or sometimes snow) Whistler die-hards keep pedaling and the Whistler Mountain Bike Park is usually open until mid-October. Mud rules, greasy corners are fun, and filthy clothes and a dirty face only prove how much fun you had.
Walk on Water
Or at least paddle on it. While Whistler’s lakes can be a bit chilly for swimming in the Autumn months they’re still perfectly good for floating upon. Mountain Life Magazine publisher Todd Lawson is one of Whistler’s premier Stand Up Paddleboard enthusiasts.
“Out on the lakes the autumn scenery is what it’s all about,” Todd says. “Especially those days when the winds are really calm, everything is quiet and you get a nice visual blast from all the fall colours in the trees and maybe a dusting of snow on the mountains. It’s totally serene.”
Fishy Business
Autumn brings salmon into the rivers south of town and the trout in the Whistler lakes start to get hungry and less picky about what they’ll bite. ”The lakes get good in the autumn because you have that sweet window where they go from too warm to too cold,” says Whistler Flyfishing’s Brian Niska. “So you get that magic temperature where the fish are feeding and they’re not too selective –you can put a leech pattern on and call’er good.”
Check out the Insider’s fishing post for a better look at local fishing.
Shop
The slower pace of autumn makes for perfect for shopping in Whistler. With winter approaching and all the latest ski and snowboard gear lining the shelves, you need to take a little time to try things on, test out multiple brands and models and basically get yourself as prepared as possible to rip that pow once it arrives. Check out the Whistler Insider’s Local Walk and Shop tour if you need more guidance but the best shopping often comes from wandering around and letting your instincts sniff out the best deals.
Or, on the opposite end of the spectrum, the annual Turkey Sale,a massive flea-market of winter gear that attracts thousands, happens every (Canadian) Thanksgiving Weekend. It’s mayhem, but it’s fun.
Pamper Thyself
Feeling creaky in the joints? Rainy day blues happening every day? Time to spa it up. Whistler has plenty of spas and wellness facilities. The Scandinave is always popular and I can personally attest that the Thai Stem Foot Massage at Avello is no joke either.
Insider tip from a girl here in the offices –“You can go to the Spa at the Four Seasons, or any other one, for a morning massage from a registered massage therapist (RMT) and then just relax there and enjoy the facility for the entire day.”
Now that’s what I’m talking about.
Just because Summer is officially over doesn’t mean the pound dogs suddenly stop needing their daily walks. Head a few minutes north of the Village to WAG – Whistler Animals Galore and see if they have any puppies that need a stroll. Drop in walking hours are 1-4pm daily and few things help a person make friends in this town as quickly as a happy pooch.
Eat
Many of Whistler’s finest restaurants often reward their locals and autumn customers with fantastic deals and affordable set-menu specialties.With 100+ places to eat and some truly world class offerings autumn dining in Whistler has enough options to brighten even the greyest of days. (Combine this one with #2 Hit the Gym for guilt-free enjoyment of all those fantastic meal deals.)
Read, Learn, Get Cultured
Even though Whistler is an outdoor paradise there is lots happening inside and the rainy days of pre-winter are the best time to check out stuff you won’t have time for once the snow falls. “There’s tons of awesome stuff happening at the library,” says Nadine. The Whistler Public Library website has dozens of events listed and often has university professors speaking on top scientific topics and current events.
Not to be outdone, The Whistler Arts Council generally fires up the pre-winter stoke with their Out of Bounds:Tales from the Backcountry photography exhibit as well as an excellent live music performance series. Check their events listings.
Over at the Whistler Museum and Archives there’s always something cool happening there and its listed on theirevents page.They often host debates and lectures to coincide with the annual Whistler Readers and Writers Festival which takes place each October and sees some of Canada’s top authors in town for a weekend of readings, workshops and parties.
Of course, sitting in your private vacation rental home reading books is never a bad idea either. Happy Fall season in Whistler.
Fall Vacation Rental Deals
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