Rented E bikes from their Whistler Village location. Bikes worked great, staff was friendly, easy…read moreexperience and recommend. Allow us to see a few lakes in the creek nearby much more efficiently than walking.

Ever feel like the challenges of life are closing in on you? Sometimes it just feels like it is…read moreonly a matter of time before you succumb to those pressures and demands. It feels not so much a question of if, but when, you'll finally be consumed by them. And then, often by accident, life takes an unexpected turn and you are provided an opportunity to choose to push the eject button (that's been right in front of longer than you realized) and propel yourself into what feels like an alternative universe. A place that allows you to unplug from the breakneck pace of today's society, take a deep breath, and finally linger in the bliss of just being present. No chirping cell phones, no calendar reminders, no bills to receive, no health concerns to ponder, and no need to make plans for the future. An all too brief respite from what emotionally entangles you and seeks to rob you of your peace and your purpose. Without planning it, we fell into such a rabbit hole while floating down the River of Golden Dreams (its actual name). A little rowing (and a lot of just floating) later, we arrived at Green Lake and just allowed the wind to help us drift across glacial waters so green we felt like they can be seen from outer space. We dipped our hands into that water, splashed it around a bit, and pondered just how much time and attention it voluntarily sacrifices to the stresses of today. It whispered its response back to us, "None." So what to do if Green Lake doesn't happen to be in your backyard, and yet an escape is exactly what you need right about now? Good question! We're on this journey right alongside of you, so while we're pursuing our "Green Lake escape", we wish you good fortune in discovering yours! (In keeping with Canadian tradition, we were careful to pack an "Oh Henry!" bar as part of the emergency rations for us and our tour guide Peter.) And that's...Henry's Take. #celebratelife #justbreathe #wetadventures

a lazy summer afternoon on the river of golden dreams, drifting quietly through the trees with…read morenothing but blue skies overhead, the gentle ripple of the water and the occasional paddle breaking the stillness. we were fortunate to have friends who had been here before and knew the river, and even better, they had all the equipment to lend us, life jackets, paddles, kayaks and paddle boards. having the gear taken care of was a huge help because there is actually a lot of work that happens before you even get on the water. hauling everything down, inflating the paddle boards, packing and unpacking all the gear...it adds up quickly. thankfully, they had an electric pump that saved the day and made inflating the boards a whole lot faster. when we visited, the river was pretty shallow and surprisingly uncrowded, which made it feel like ideal conditions for slowing down and trying kayaking and paddle boarding for the first time. the water was calm enough to take your time, look around and actually notice what was happening beneath and along the banks. officially known as alta creek, the river flows from alta lake to green lake, winding its way through the forest. the much more poetic name, river of golden dreams, dates back to whistler's early tourism days. alex philip, who founded rainbow lodge with his wife, myrtle, was apparently quite the romantic and would paddle honeymooning guests down the river in a large canoe, often by moonlight. myrtle later recalled that alex called it the "river of golden dreams (and romance)." there is another version of the story, however, suggesting the name came from the song "down the river of golden dreams." either way, the name stuck, and honestly, floating down this quiet, winding stretch of water, it is easy to understand why. the river has been part of whistler's summer tradition for generations. long before today's paddle boards and kayaks, it was part of the experience for visitors staying at rainbow lodge, whistler's first resort, which alex and myrtle philip opened in 1914. today, the river is still a popular way to spend a warm summer afternoon, whether you're paddling, floating or simply taking in the scenery. and there is so much to look at along the way. every bend revealed another little piece of the ecosystem, ducks gliding through the water, beaver dams tucked among the branches, grasses and bushes growing right into the river, and tiny white flowers blooming underwater. some of the submerged plants even looked like little fuzzy caterpillars swaying beneath the surface. it felt less like travelling down a waterway and more like quietly moving through a living forest. the water was so refreshing under the summer sun. surrounded by towering evergreens, dense greenery and reflections dancing across the surface, it was one of those rare afternoons where time seemed to slow down. no schedule, no rush, just paddling, drifting and taking everything in. the whole trip took about an hour and a half, but it felt longer in the best possible way, the kind of slow summer afternoon where you lose track of time and suddenly realize you've been out on the water for ages. for first timers, having someone along who knows the river is definitely a plus. there are shallow sections, submerged branches and other obstacles, along with beaver dams that can require some navigating. this also isn't somewhere i'd recommend bringing a casual pool floatie. there are too many sharp objects and things beneath the surface that could easily puncture an inflatable. proper kayaks or paddle boards are a much better option, especially when you have someone experienced showing you the way. and before calling it a day, do a quick leech check. apparently even paradise has its little surprises. the river of golden dreams really lived up to its name that afternoon, quiet, green, golden in the summer light and completely unhurried. just one of those perfect whistler days spent outside, getting a little wet, surrounded by nature and letting the river carry the afternoon along. sometimes the best summer days are the ones with absolutely nothing on the schedule.

Weird that this place isn't mentioned anywhere on Yelp. Regardless, this my review of the vendor…read more After zip lining earlier in the morning by Blackcomb, we drove over to Alta Lake for our canoe rental. We researched this prior to our trip out to Vancouver and Whistler and this did not disappoint. The ambiance is so mellow, it was mainly younger families who were picnicking on the grounds with their wee little ones, as the younger and non-children adults were mainly in the water in various activities: swimming, boating, paddle-boarding, kayaking, canoeing. We made a reservation to the the latter of all the options. You're given a 10 mins introduction to the map of your self-guided tour as well as what to expect. After that, you're ready to go. FYI: those canoe's are heavy has hell, so better have some arm muscles as you will be carrying it on and off the waters at some part of the self-guided tour. The trip starts off with you paddling through Alta lake, where you'll see gorgeous lakeside homes along with various boating and SUPs to kayakers everywhere. You'll get views of Whistler and Blackcomb mountain, which makes for great shots. At times, it got a little congested, but it was fine. From the lake it turns into a stream which results in ~2.5-3 hours in your vessel floating or rowing through valley wetlands. What you are not informed about is the RIDICULOUS amount of mosquitoes on the water. I'm prone to get mosquitoes bites... prior to the trip, had zero bites; after this, I had easily over a dozen!!!! No joke! After you're done, there's a free shuttle that picks up you and your rental and returns you to the starting line. Everyone's professional and prompt in helping you load the boat, and customer service was great. Would have given it 5 stars if it wasn't for me leaving with all my mosquito bites. Hope I didn't catch malaria!

I would strongly recommend "Whistler Year-Round Fishing" to anyone who wants to have a great…read moreexperience! Matt takes care of absolutely everything! He is very professional and he treats the fish with the upmost respect every time!

Had a great time fishing fir pink salmon. This is the tour company you want to book with!read more

Great experience and Tom was a wonderful guide. Beautiful spot with a gradual introduction to…read moreATV-ing.

Charlotte and Kit were our guides and we had a great time! Always checked in on us and took us to…read moresome fun areas. Even helped up with getting some great pics! Definitely recommend! Thank you Charlotte and Kit!

Like everyone else, I'm pretty sure this year has been feeling like one of the longest never ending…read morestories of our lives!!! 2020 please end soon ... please!? Needed this dayscape - via the magnificent Sea-to-Sky Highway to the majestic mountain enclave - Whistler - in beautiful British Columbia! Folks be prepared - you will be tempted to stop several times on the drive up. Spectacular views during the daylight hours will leave you breathless!!! This review is done under - Whistler - but encompasses the drive up, the beautiful scenery, the mountains & forest that are all part of an amazing nature built province ('State' - for all those in Merica) of BC. And no, BC does not belong to Britain but to Canada. Don't laugh I've been asked this question before! I won't get into the whole Commonwealth technicality but yes if one is leaning towards that angle I guess you could say - the Queen does own the whole of Canada as we pay mega bucks as in millions each year to the UK - to be part of the British Empire! Oh how lucky we are!? So Harry & Megan got tired of this British royalty life & escaped to a quieter environment in ... Hollywood!?? Ok then!!! The big draw to Whistler is in the winter - skiing & snowboarding. The Blackcomb & Whistler mountains are world wide renowned & super popular! Hiking & mountain biking takeover in the summer. Whistler is mighty expensive so bring all 5 of your credit cards! There are a few good restaurants as well but please make reservations ahead of time or you'll be left hopping around to find whatever's available. Of note & in no particular order but worth trying, Oso Bar (Spanish) - make reservations this spot is fire (thank you manager for the complimentary dessert), Lucia Gelato (try the Ginger flavour), Fat Tony's Pizza (open till 3am so could be a real life saver), El Funiture Warehouse aka All Food @ $5.95 Everyday - that's like $3 bucks US right!?! Everyone eats here, superstars, the rich, the average Joe - there's no class rules when your starving & don't want to blow a lot of money - you will save money eating here!!! Avalanche Pizza, Splitz Grill (can be pricey but it's the burger you design so blame yourself for the hunger causing your mind to go crazy with so many toppings) & finally tacos at La Cantina. There's a few more spots including fine dining but that will be for an update after covid-19 ends. I'm real hesitant to go inside & prefer to stick to patio dining for now, as much as I can. The Whistler Village area is real easy to walk around in & you'll only need to drive if you have to go further up the mountain. I have been coming to Whistler since the early 90s & have stayed in many hotels & condo rentals. Definitely shop around & prebook your stay before coming up here. However, today's trip was just a day trip escape from the big city & was thoroughly enjoyed. The drive from Vancouver takes 90 minutes or less depending on how fast you drive - longer if you stop along the way & or make a pit stop in Squamish, a beautiful town & worth the stop - see my Squamish review. Whoa got the shock of my life while walking about! Five years ago on a cruise in the Caribbean, our group met the super charismatic, charming, & so awesome Cruise Director (entertainment) Matt! Check him out on Instagram @ mattcruisedirector. Merica many of you might be very familer with him from the Carnival Cruise Line!!! Couldn't believe he's now living here - currently on the Sunshine Coast of BC but will be relocating to Vancouver. It was a pleasure to run into him & his wife! I had vivid fond cruise flashback memories while chatting with him. That awesome cruise back in 2015 on Carnival Breeze was phenomenal!!!!! It was a total awesome riot! I discovered my island paradise - Curaçao! Side note - Vancouver & Whistler hosted the 2010 Winter Olympics! I can tell you from first hand experience with actually being involved in the Olympics as a volunteer - it was so spectacular an event!!!!! Vancouverites today still speak highly of it! Super natural Whistler is highly recommended if you've never been - so do check it out! Come experience Whistler & be wowed!!! You will exhale & feel that - we got this ... life is good after all!!!!!

Just a heads up to those of you thinking to get the edge or season passes. They've made the refund…read moresystem as much difficult as they possible could. I purchased the 5 days edge pass in May without realizing that my mom will need a knee replacement surgery this coming winter. As soon as I know the surgery is happening in this coming winter, I put in a request online to refund my money at the beginning of July. They not only asking you to fill out a mile long form with all those emails going back and forth, you are also requested to get all the signed documents from the doctors for approvals. It's been 2 months and I am still waiting for the refund. I've been going to Whistler for more than 30 yrs, this year is the worst experience ever.

Lush lush powder. It's a winter wonderland and visiting this place brings me vivid memories of…read moreBanff. The gondola is a nice smooth ride, but don't spend all day riding the gondola you'll lose time on the hill.

Very large skiable area with gondola service to main ski areas. Sitting in a gondola is very…read moreluxurious because it's enclosed, your snowboard is unstrapped and sitting outside on the gondola so you can sit in comfort and unwind for a bit without fear of loosing your gloves. There were nice runs off both the Whistler side and the Blackcomb side but as a snowboarder I think I liked the Blackcomb side better. There were less flat cat track spots and connector areas. Although once I figured out where to go, the runs on the Whistler side were amazing. I felt the Whistler side was consistently more crowded and had better snow than the Blackcomb side. I hear the Blackcomb was designed on a computer model as it's the newer side vs the Whistler side was not. Whistler has a large village that has many restaurants, grocery stores, board-shops and winter clothing stores. All the rentals in the area are some how connected to the Whistler village and you'll have to either walk thru there to get to the lifts and gondolas or have a ski in/ ski out situation. There is also a free bus system that connects all the surrounding rental areas and Whistler village. There are also a few different (paid) bus services to and from Vancouver airport to Whistler so you don't have to rent a car. Whistler is a cool place with a huge skiable area. It's located at a lower elevation so the 2 times I've been there, there was no new snow. It had a good base and had good groomed runs. This past time there was a fog layer in the middle of the mountain every day. So the top of the lower runs had limited visibility. If you went to the top of the mountain you'd be above the cloud line. My biggest complaint was that you couldn't always see the contours of the ground, when the run turned a certain way or was obscured from the sun behind a hill or trees. So on a long run you'd have good visibility in some areas then there'd be areas where there'd be bad visibility. Combine that with the mid mountain clouds / fog certain parts became a little sketchy. But once you got the run down you just trust that it's smooth and go, just takes a little leap of faith. Overall I enjoyed myself. I liked the ski in / ski out place that we rented (painted cliff), the ease of getting to and from the airport, and the ease of getting around via the free bus service. It would be amazing with some fresh pow! Going to Whistler? Check out my reviews of places in Whistler village to help plan your vacation. https://www.yelp.com/collection/mDjTabp4tD1hN0_JiY9-Ww/Whistler

We booked whitewater rafting with The Adventure Group in Whistler and it was an incredible…read moreexperience. One of the best bonuses right off the bat was the free transportation they provide from Whistler Village out to their basecamp--it made the logistics completely seamless. Make sure you arrive with some time to spare because their basecamp is awesome. They have a bunch of complimentary activities to keep you entertained before or after your tour, including Wiffle ball golf, axe throwing, a nice hike around the beautiful grounds, and giant yard games like Jenga, tic-tac-toe, and cornhole. It really extends the adventure and adds so much value! When it comes to the rafting itself, they make the whole process completely stress-free. Literally all we needed to bring was a bathing suit and a towel--they provide absolutely everything else. Since the water was still cold, they geared us up in full wetsuits, a jacket, boots, a life jacket, and a paddle. We rafted the Green River, which features class 2-3 rapids. It is the perfect adventure for beginners because you get plenty of opportunities to get splashed and feel the adrenaline, but it still feels completely safe. Our group of six was paired with an amazing guide who gave us super detailed instructions on all the paddle movements we needed to know to work as a team. If you are looking for a fun, well-organized, and action-packed water adventure in Whistler, I highly recommend TAG!

Had the best time with TAG! We experienced 2 adventures with them- snowmobiling and the Vallea…read moreLumina. There was still lots of snow on the mountain trails for our ride and Marley was a terrific guide. The light show was really well done and their sound system rocked throughout the woods. Axe throwing, included with the day pass, was also fun. It was easy to get there and back to the village on the free shuttle service. Highly recommend!

Not sure why I have never reviewed this before as it's is an engineering marvel as the highest and…read moreat one point the longest gondola between two mountains! Connecting Whistler and Blackcomb mountains, each gondola is large, comfortable with lots of viewing space. There are some with glass bottoms that arrive approximately every 20 minutes but there is plenty to see on the regular gondolas and those lines are remarkably quicker. The ride is very smooth with exceptional views and we buy the summer passes that give unlimited rides on Whistler, Blackcomb and Peak to Peak throughout the summer season which is economical if you plan to take multiple trips ! A must do when visiting Whistler

We went up to Whistler for the day and the Peak to Peak Gondola did not disappoint. We went in…read morespring so most of the snow had melted. I think it was the last weekend of skiing so it wasn't very busy. I recommend wearing good shoes with traction because you will be walking in the snow if you're going when there is still snow on the mountain. With you ticket you can spend as much time as you want on the top and going from peak to peak, so we did go back and forth a few times. However once you come down the mountain, your journey comes to an end. We also explore the villages and it was pretty quaint and fun to check out all the little shops and restaurants. We definitely want to come again during the winter months and maybe get a few runs in on the mountain as well. When we saw the people skiing and snowboarding, we were a little jealous and wanted to do a few runs as well, but alas we didn't bring our gear. Next year for sure! We'll be back!