Whistler

getting there

Whistler Olympic Village is ~75 miles (121 km) north of Vancouver, Canada on British Columbia Highway 99.

on the trail

whistler trails

• Cut Yer Bars Trail: 2.4-mile loop with 429 feet of elevation gain. Difficulty: Easy. Best Season: March through October.
• Lost Lake Nature Trail: 1.7-mile loop with 278 feet of elevation gain. Difficulty: Easy. Best Season: July through November. Also a good snowshoeing destination in winter.
• Whistler Train Wreck: 1.4 miles round trip with 150 feet of elevation gain. Difficulty: Easy. Best Season: May through November. Enjoy old growth forest, a suspension bridge and seven train box cars left over from a wreck in 1956, now painted with artwork and graffiti.
•  Ancient Cedars Trail: 2.7 miles round trip with 984 feet of elevation gain. Difficulty: Moderate. Best Season: May through October. Enjoy old growth cedar forest,  hunting for mushrooms of every shape and size (October is the best time), and stunning views of snowy mountains and a hidden waterfall that ends in a cluster of yellow cedars.
• Cheakamus Lake Trail: 8.9 miles round trip with 1,318 feet of elevation gain. Difficulty: Moderate. Best Season: April through October. There may still be snow higher up in the earlier months. It's also good for beginner mountain biking and for backpacking/camping (with fee).
• Rainbow Lake Trail: 9.1 miles round trip with 2,709 feet of elevation gain. Difficulty: Strenuous. Best Season July through October. The terrain and bio-zones are varried terrain and bio-zones, but the trail is well-maintained and marked. The trail meanders through forests, flowers, and berry bushes, and across creek bridges and boardwalks.
• Wedgemont Lake Trail: 6.4 miles round trip with 3,937 feet of elevation gain, Difficulty: Strenuous. Best Season: July through September. This is one of Whistler's most difficult trails offering 360° panoramic views of peaks and glaciers, and a waterfall. There are  lots of roots and boulders in the first bit of the trail.
• Harmony Lake Trail: 1.7-mile loop with 416 feet of elevation gain. Difficulty: Easy. Hike to a postcard-perfect mountain lake.

Information for Leaders

Considerations for travel to Canada

• Start by reviewing the latest regulations. Look for information on border crossing and travel to Canada on these websites:
  
  • U.S. Customs and Border Protection
  • U.S. Department of Homeland Security
  • WSDOT (Washington State Department of Transportation)
  • Government of Canada
• Everyone must have a passport or other valid ID like a NEXUS card.
• NEXUS cards can save a lot of time but only work if everyone in the car has one.
• Make sure your vehicle insurance is valid for Canada.
• Make sure your health insurance is valid for Canada.
• Border crossing regulations are strict in both directions. Know what you’re allowed to take and declare everything to avoid problems.
• You may be able to save time by checking alternate border crossings.
• See the Travel Industry Council of Ontario's 9 Travel Tips for Crossing the Canadian/U.S. Land Border blog post for some good tips on traveling to Canada.

• Suitable Activities: Day Hiking
• Seasons: Year-round
• Weather: View weather forecast

• Difficulty: Easy, Moderate, Strenuous
• Length: 2.8 mi
• Elevation Gain: 150 ft
• High Point: 2,047 ft

• Land Manager: Land Manager Varies
• Parking Permit Required: see Land Manager
• Recommended Party Size: 12
• Maximum Party Size: 12
• Maximum Route/Place Capacity: 12