Whistler Summer Siteseeing

The great thing about living in Vancouver is the close proximitry of Whistler. Even though it is like a second home to Robyn and I in the Winter, we do frequently visit it also in the Summer too. Yes, I only consider there to be two seasons in BC; Summer and Winter.

This past Sunday Robyn, her mum and myself headed up to Whistler for a little bit of siteseeing. The plan was to head up to the Peak of Whistler and wander back down to the Roundhouse Lodge, jump on the Peak 2 Peak to Blackcomb and head back down to the Village. So we did just that.

One thing I would like to remind people is that the Day Lots in Whistler are now Paid usage and the daily fee is $12 per car. It is also tracked by license plate, so you can’t just pass your ‘ticket’ to someone when you’re leaving either. Yes, we do like the paved lots, but it just makes a Whistler trip that more expensive. For a Siteseeing Gondola Ticket, they sell for $43.95 and for the 3 of us it would have cost a total of $143.85 (includes the parking). The great thing about having an EDGE card is that we had free siteseeing tickets since we reloaded are cards with Winter time before a certain date. Add the price of food on top of that, and it can get a bit expensive.

If you have NEVER gone up to the Peak of Whistler or Blackcomb during the Summer season, I do HIGHLY recommend you do it at least once. The views and scenery are breathtaking and you might get a chance of seeing some unexpectant wildlife too!

On to the photos!

It does feel different going up a chairlift without all your snowgear on. It is easier to move around on the chair and check out the scenery though.

Once you get to the top of the Peak, you are presented with 360 degree view of the near by mountain ranges. Did I mention how clean the air is up at Whistler too?

I believe the High-Note trail might be partially closed, so we decided to stick to the track road that leads back down towards Harmony Bowl.

They still have so much snow up on Whistler for being July. I hope it all sticks around to use as a base for this upcoming Winter season though.

Do you think there is enough snow still? Look at that height of that snow wall! The great thing about so much snow, was that it kept you cool with the cloudless sky. It must of been like 35 Celcius (95F) up there.

We got back to the Roundhouse Lodge for a quick dehydration break, pick up a couple things at the gift shop and then headed off on the Peak 2 Peak across to Blackcomb Mountain. Does anyone else find it a bit odd to try and grow grass up there (as in the photo) where in a couple of months the snows will come again? I’m sure it would look nice with green grass as opposed to dry dirt, but… Oh well.

A couple of tourists on the gondola with us were talking about how there had been some bear sightings on Blackcomb. As we approached Blackcomb they got up to the glass of the gondola with their cameras ready. I too have seen bears from the gondola before, perhaps we’ll get to see them again?

Tourists, Skiers and Snowboarders were loading up into the Mountain Express buses. These buses take people to 7th Heaven for which you can access the Blackcomb Glacier for Spring/Summer ski/riding. That day was the last day for the season too. Robyn and I want to get up to the Glacier one year, perhaps next year will be the year. I haven’t done a t-bar before so I am a bit hestiant to try it out.

The patio at the Rendezvous Lodge was busy with people eating great good and enjoying the great view. We headed back down to the Upper Village via Solar Coaster, I was on the look out for bears though.

Behold, a black bear foraging on the dandylions underneith of feet as we went down the chairlift. I don’t think it was an adult because it wasn’t as large as other black bears I have seen. He (or she) never did look up though, must be used to the human traffic overhead.

Once we got down to the Upper Village, we stopped off at Merlin’s for lunch. The food there (as with most places in Whistler/Blackcomb) was good. The patio had a nice breeze going through it which helped with the sun shinning down on us too.

After lunch we checked out the Farmer’s Market too. Busy with people checking out all the vendors and their wares. Lot’s of great things to see and buy too.

It was another great day trip up to Whistler/Blackcomb and we look forward to doing it again soon later this summer.

Have you been up to Whistler during the Summer? What are your favourite Whistler Summer activities to do? If you haven’t gotten up to Whistler in the Summer, what would you like to do if you could go?