British Columbia's Mountain Playground

Adventure in Whistler - Hike and Bike

06.19.2015

Think California has it all? You should see our nearby neighbor to the north! British Columbia, Canada, is one of the world’s best—and most beautiful—base camps for adventure. You can enjoy all kinds of outdoor pursuits in one of BC’s flagship destinations: Whistler. The winter skiing is great, but summer here is awesome. Even the two-hour drive from Vancouver to Whistler will wow you: the world-famous Sea-to-Sky Highway is a wide, winding road with vistas the entire way. Stop midway in Squamish (aka the Adventure Capital of Canada) and take the Sea to Sky Gondola to almost 3,000 feet above the spectacular fjords of Howe Sound. From the top, hiking trails head out in all directions, including the hike up the Stawamus Chief (pictured), the second largest granite monolith in North America. Then it's on to Whistler, where the energy goes up a notch. Mountain biking here, in the Bike Park or the alpine, is a rite of passage for all skill levels, or get big air with heli-biking. Hiking the High Note Trail is a Whistler must-do for its mountaintop and lake views, alpine wildflowers, and the iconic view of Black Tusk peak. After a day of adventure, stroll Whistler's pedestrian-friendly village, filled with gourmet restaurants, lively pubs, boutique shopping, spas, and a variety of lodging options.

TOP 10: Whistler is just one of the Top 10 Places to Go in British Columbia. Check out the full list!

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories

Napa's Art of the Matter
Downtown Napa uncorks more than just excellent wine. Art has firmly established itself along the walkways and parkways in the area, punctuated by an annual ArtWalk (year-round) and a temporary Lighted Art Festival.
View
Tamtastic Sunset
Sure, the East Peak of Mount Tam is absolutely spectacular at sunset, but some magic-hour enthusiasts are onto a fresh perspective in getting a little more personal space for their panoramic viewings.
View
Golden Mile
Dubbed the Golden Mile, this car-free stretch of road in Golden Gate Park features rotating art installations of murals, sculptures, and abundant bright yellow Adirondack chairs for kicking back to relax.
View
Hike Artdoors
Add a little color to your new year. This 3-mile loop through the Montalvo Arts Center mixes the beauty of the natural world with local artists’ creations.
View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories

Animal Encounters
Located where Redding’s famous Sundial Bridge overlooks the Sacramento River, Turtle Bay Exploration Park is 300 acres of gardens, a museum and playground, aquarium, and unforgettable up-close animal encounters!
View
Sundialed
Redding is home to one of the world’s most famous pedestrian-only bridges—the Sundial Bridge was created by the Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava (its sister bridges are in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Seville, Spain). The glass-deck bridge across the Sacramento River is a true sundial....
View
Trio of Trails
Get into Joshua Tree National Park Park early and hit the classic circuit of short trails before the crowds arrive. We also have some food and overnight recos.
View
White Tank Campground for Stargazing
Heaven for star buffs: the best campground in Joshua Tree National Park for night-sky viewing, in a place named an International Dark Sky Park, with a full-on observatory just minutes away! White Tank Campground is at 3,800 feet in the eastern part of the park.
View