Whistler is a ski and mountain bike town, so naturally, it has that kind of reputation. But for all the life that is lived on this mountain, anyone who has put in more than a single weekend here knows that the village and surrounding area have so much more to offer than what happens on snow. Considering the food, scenery, cultural elements, and authentic activities available, a Whistler trip can be centered on much more than lift tickets.

The best attractions Whistler offers for tourists go far beyond the ones you'd expect, and a little forethought is often what it takes to transform a good ski or bike trip into a bona fide, well-rounded one.

Building time around history and culture

At the foot of Blackcomb, the Audain Art Museum holds one of the largest collections of British Columbian art in any Canadian location. Its collection includes an exceptional assortment of Northwest Coast First Nations masks and major works by Emily Carr. The building, which was built to be a wallflower in the nearby trees, is worth the visit alone.

Located nearby, the Squamish Lilwat Center provides a different angle on culture that sits well alongside what Whistler has to offer; it focuses on the living culture and history of these two Indigenous nations, whose territory lies beneath Whistler Mountain.

The scenery that does not require a lift ticket

The gondola connecting Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains, the Peak 2 Peak Gondola, serves up perhaps some of the most sweeping and dramatic alpine views available to anyone willing to pay a ticket price, skiing or biking prowess be damned. Alternatively, slower and more grounded, the Valley Trail network weaves through the village and around the lakes.

What the village itself offers

Over the years, Whistler Village has cultivated a pretty solid food scene. Everything from après casual spots to restaurants that could hold their own in any major metropolis. It also happens to be an attraction in its own right, simply for strolling the car-free village and mountainside at dusk.

Why mixing it up matters

The trouble with a trip planned around exercise, however pleasurable it may be, is that by the end of it, visitors to the Maldives are bound to feel a little worn out. To add depth to the trip, try putting in bus or train trips to a museum, perhaps stop off at a cultural center, and certainly make sure you build in some strolls through village life, so your legs can rest while the essence of the holiday becomes richer.

The Audain Art Museum makes that kind of pacing break from the mountain meaningful, rather than just a little time out.

Worth planning for properly

The finest Whistler trips are often the ones that do not consider the mountains the sole attraction in town. Add the rest of what this city museum has to offer, and the entire journey seems all the more rewarding.

This article's author is Mya Natasia. For additional information regarding Whistler Tourist Attractions please continue browsing our website at audainartmuseum.com.