During our babymoon to Whistler, we wanted to do some lake activities but thought kayaking would be…read moretoo strenuous for me. So we found Backroads, which offers pedal boating, which was the perfect activity. At $110/hour, it's more expensive than taking a kayak or a canoe (which I believe is $99) and doesn't seem as popular (there were only 2-3 pedal boats). We got there on a Friday at around 10:30 in the morning and it seems the most popular option was the kayak. But pedal boating was perfect for us. First, you go to the kiosk and put down a credit card. Then, you head over to a shed to pick up your life jacket, and depending on which boat you're taking, the crew will let you know the instructions and where to go. We took the boat for about an hour, which was enough time for us to go around the lake with some breaks in between. When you're done, you row back to where you launched, return your life jacket, and go close out the bill. Overall, it was kind of pricey but it was a fun experience being out on Lake Alta. Tip - no parking lot. There's only residential street parking, which wasn't plenty but we were still able to nab a spot at that hour. Bathrooms are actual stalled bathrooms and are pretty clean.

Terrible experience with this agency. They have a monopoly on the lake so can't do much…read more Fundamentally they claim policies and double charge you on your credit card. The staff is untrained and not really engaged in providing instructions. Would avoid them on the next visit.

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!

It still gives me a thrill just writing about this experience. I had the most amazing time…read moreziplining with Ziptrek Whistler. It was my first time, and I am someone who is scared of both heights and speed, so this was a big deal for me. But Lucy and Max from the Ziptrek team were incredible. They made me feel so comfortable and safe the entire time, and honestly gave me the courage to actually enjoy it instead of being scared. And trust me, it is completely worth it. There are 5 ziplines and each one has such a beautiful, breathtaking view. I loved every second of it and I already know I will be doing this again. Highly recommend it to anyone, even if you are scared like me.

Went on the Eagle tour. Really enjoyed the first zipline which let you race against a friend…read more Website says you must be able to hike but it's quite an easy walk. However you do end up doing a lot of standing, especially when the group before us got delayed when someone got stuck! The views were superb and the guides were great!

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!

If you are looking for an adventure that perfectly blends hiking, rock climbing, and light…read moremountaineering, the Whistler Via Ferrata is an absolute must-do. The panoramic views of the mountains are spectacular and unlike anything else you'll see in the area. It was by far the most challenging and fun adventure we've ever taken! Our guide, Fraser, was phenomenal. Right from the start, he got us fitted into our harnesses and did a thorough, reassuring walkthrough of all the equipment and safety protocols. The journey kicked off with about a one-hour hike through the snow to get to the base of the via ferrata. Fraser was fantastic during this part--meticulously checking the route to ensure the path was completely safe to walk through since the snow was covering a lot of rocks. A few helpful tips for anyone booking: - Take the rental boots! They give you the option to rent hiking boots, and you absolutely should. By the end of the snow hike, the rental shoes and socks were completely soaked. We were incredibly grateful that our own footwear stayed dry for the rest of the day. - The descent is a breeze: After an incredible, adrenaline-pumping climb with breathtaking views, the hike back down to the gondola is on a clear, paved path with zero snow. It's an easy, relaxing way to wind down after a big climb. Highly, highly recommend this experience.

My husband and I booked with Mountain Skills Academy & Adventures back in early June for their…read moreSquamish Via Ferrata at the Sea to Sky Gondola. WOW, so amazing! What a great, adventurous activity to soak in the sights and landscape of the surrounding area. After riding the Sea to Sky Gondola to the top (the lift ticket was included in the price of the tour), we met up with our tour guide at a very easy to locate and well-labeled hut. We were greeted warmly and introduced to the small group of others that we'd be climbing with. As newbies to climbing a via ferrata, we appreciated the time our guide took with us to get hooked up with helmets and climbing gear. It was a very hot, very sunny day on our climb but I'm glad I wore leggings as shorts would have been uncomfortable with the belts and loops. Wear decent footwear as there is a lot of climbing to do on this adventure. Our tour started with a short hike downhill to the start of the climbing route. Along the way, we learned a bit of history about the area as well as the local flora. At the start of our climb, we learned the proper way to clip in and traverse the lines, laddered rungs, and bridges. There were plenty of breaks built in and a lot of guidance and directions so we could comfortably work our way up the rocky face of the mountain. The views of Squamish Harbour and the neighboring snowy peaks were awe-inspiring, albeit a bit nerve-wracking to take in at times. For most of the trip you're facing the mountainside so it's easy to forget just how far up you've climbed and the sweeping views behind you. At one point though, we sat on a small bridge facing out and WOWSAH! Took about an hour and a half to make our way through the series of fixed cables. Our guide snapped photos of us through which was much appreciated as I didn't have the right gear on my vacation to keep my phone out for my own photos without fear of dropping it. We received the pictures from the guide right at the end of the trip directly to our cell phones so we left with those in tow. A thrilling tour and first experience on a via ferrata. So grateful for the patience, focus on safety (and fun!), and laid back atmosphere during our time on the rock face. Thank you Mountain Skills Academy and Adventures!

This trail is a fairly easy one from town and really pays off with this ridiculously beautiful…read morelake. The lake seems to also be a sanctuary for Western toads and there is a lovely underpass built for them to travel safely. It has really worked because there are little toads everywhere on this underpass. The trail around the lake is easy to take on by bike, walking, or even a stroller. The lake has great bathing platforms in various spots and must be fun for swimming for those who have not been weakened by sunny California. We did see two bears on the hill maybe 100 yards above the path and very close to Whistler Village and a lone mountain biker who wisely paused and gave it space to cross the biking path in the woods.

A short hike from Whistler Village. Try the many trails. Lovely. Perfect summer day. Bring your…read moresunscreen

My first time bungee jumping & it was an amazing experience. I felt safe & the staff really made me…read moreless nervous. They have had 0 accidents & their bridge is in the most beautiful location! It was super easy to get there using Apple Maps and there is free parking right under the bridge. I purchased my photos from the professional photographer after the fact and they offered discount if both my boyfriend & I purchased our photos. My boyfriend just took a video of me on my iPhone. I would for sure go here again & will recommend it to anyone I know going to Whistler!! It was a super quick drive from the mountain.

An unforgettable experience! If bungee jumping is on your bucket list, Whistler Bungee is the…read moreperfect place to do it. The staff were not only friendly and full of energy, but also clearly experienced and focused on safety, which made the whole adventure even better. Huge shoutout to Jemma, Connor, and Graham--they were fantastic! They walked me through everything step by step and made sure I felt confident and excited. I jumped both forwards and backwards, and I'd do it all over again in a heartbeat!

Came to Rainbow Park on a Friday at around 12:30. There is paid street parking in the area. This…read morewas my first experience swimming in a lake, and it was just okay. I guess I had a different image in my head. Some grass areas were wet/muddy due to sprinklers, and most of the good sitting areas were already taken. The water is cold and just doesn't look too clean - but maybe this is normal for lakes? I probably only stayed in the water for 5 minutes before I started wondering if I would catch something. If swimming in the lake is not for you, I think there is also a hiking trail nearby.

All the happiest pups say rainbow!!!!!!…read more Finding this place was such a happy coincidence. And I am so glad. We were staying in the Four Seasons Whistler this week. Decided to drive out of our hotel and it was worth the trek. Wish I found this spot sooner. It's a gorgeous, open, clean, fresh and stunning park. Both for human and your fur babies. The human side is first. Tiny little ice cream truck, volley ball court, roped off shallow swim area and the whole entire gorgeous lake with the glaciers! Brrrr! The doggy park/ rainbow park/ barking bay is right inside here as well and just covered by a tiny, short door. Which is also open! And the fun begins. Baci hasn't swam in such big or open lake before so I was worried. But as soon as we entered into such lush green grass area full of people sunbathing with their dogs, kids diving off the docks, dogs jumping in, Baci went wild! So happy! They even had a puppy ramp for the dogs to come back up!! Baci didn't jump off, he was actually worried for all the dogs that did and barking at them. Pretty sure he thought they were drowning :D But the dog owners are also super chill, nice and fun! They tried to help Baci jump. Even the kids tried to get him to jump. First day he didn't jump but he went in the water! Followed few other doggos and oh hey!! Doggy paddle!!! So proud! Such happy moment. The doggos had a ton of fun chasing balls and sticks from the water! And running to and from that long dock! Such a good spot for them to run. We came back the next morning and it was even better. Only one other dog was here. We had a blast! Baci used the ramp! Met so many locals and their doggos. Only wish they have something like this back home. Such lucky dogs!! Till then, we'll have to come back just for this!! :)