11 of the Top Kid-Friendly Winter Activities in Whistler

Stomping through powdery snow is a favorite thing to do with kids in a Whistler winter. The whole family can explore the forests around the resort while looking out for local birds and wildlife. On a Whistler snowshoeing adventure you’ll likely spot pikas (rodents closely related to rabbits), fearless whisky jacks (Canada jays), deer, and—if you’re really lucky—a bobcat or lynx. Older kids and teens might enjoy a Medicine Trail snowshoe tour that teaches them about traditional medicines from the forest and includes samples of teas made from medicinal herbs.

At Cougar Mountain, one of the lower but still spectacular peaks at Whistler, a family-friendly snowmobile tour will take you through old-growth forests and fun trails that offer sweeping mountain views. Other snowmobile tours guide you out to a miner’s cabin for breakfast sandwiches and waffles, plus plenty of coffee and hot chocolate to warm up after zipping through the snow.

Insider tip: On many Whistler snowmobiling tours, a child under twelve rides for free on the back of each snowmobile with a paying adult.

To truly understand the vast beauty of Whistler, it’s best to see the resort town and its alpine surroundings from above. The easiest way to enjoy sweeping views of the glacier and multiple dramatic peaks dotted with skiers and snowboarders is on a helicopter tour. Provided that conditions are safe, you can even add a mountain landing to the end of a private helicopter flight. Alternatively, you can hop aboard a sightseeing floatplane near Green Lake for more panoramic views.

Ziplining through the forest when it’s blanketed in snow is among the most exciting Whistler snow activities for kids. A guided winter zipline adventure takes you on a circuit of four thrilling ziplines just as the sun starts going down, so the sweeping views include the twinkling lights of Whistler coming alive at night—an exciting experience that isn’t typically offered at many other winter resorts.

For children older than 12, cutting a hole in the ice on one of Whistler’s many lakes and sinking a line on an ice fishing adventure is one of the most unique winter activities for children in Whistler. With a guide setting up a cozy shelter on the ice and providing all the winter gear you need for a catch-and-release fishing experience, it’s easier than it looks. The hardest part: waiting for wild rainbow trout to bite.

Whistler is a photographer’s dream: It’s the quintessential alpine village resort, with dramatic mountain backdrops and all of the tranquil winter scenery that comes with it. Engage a professional photographer to take family photos and you'll have cherished portraits of your crew (and they'll be far better than the snaps you usually return home with from vacation). While a photo session might not be a typical Whistler kids winter guide suggestion, your kids will thank you in years to come.

The spacious Audain Art Museum, with its impressive collection of Northwest Coast First Nations masks and coastal British Columbian art pieces, is also family-friendly, with stations set up in most galleries for kids to create their own masterpieces. This isn't the only option for exploring Whistler art, though. If you’re part of a group and looking to ramp up the fun, consider a self-guided scavenger hunt that takes you on an art adventure around the village. Or, if you're traveling with older kids or teens, be sure to check out the fine art galleries at several of the poshest Whistler hotels.

Don’t forget snowboarding on your list of Whistler kids’ ski and snow activities! Cruising down the mountains on the legendary runs at the Whistler-Blackcomb Mountains is the number-one reason for booking some Whistler family-friendly winter fun. If it's the kids' first time on the slopes or if they want to improve their skills, the resort offers ski school and camps for children aged 3–12—meaning that adults can go off and ski while the kids learn the ropes.

Insider tip: Skip the ski rental shop lines and rent your ski equipment in advance instead: skis, poles, and boots are typically included.

Whistler is known as a culinary hot spot with some noteworthy restaurants; even the fanciest ones are often family-friendly. However, casual dining rules in the village, with plenty of places offering sushi, burgers, tacos, and other dishes for to accommodate even the fussiest kids. You’ll also find hot chocolate and yummy treats that kids, and their accompanying grownups, will love. Try the cinnamon buns at Hot Buns Bakery and don’t miss the Great Glass Elevator—the kind of candy store that dreams are made of.

The Peak 2 Peak Gondola that connects the Whistler and Blackcomb mountains is a double Guinness World Records holder: Its 2.7-mile (4.4-kilometer) span makes it the world’s longest unsupported gondola, and at 1,427 feet (435 meters) it’s the highest, too. Whether you go snowboarding or skiing at both mountains in one day, or explore any of the vast hiking trails around each peak, it’s a signature Whistler experience that’s thrilling for kids and adults alike. Combine admission with a walking tour of Whistler, or enjoy a meal or hot chocolate at the on-site restaurants.

For pure winter fun, take the whole family to the Whistler Olympic Plaza to skate outside surrounded by thousands of festive, twinkling lights. There’s also a dedicated tobogganing hill beneath the Olympic ski jumps, and the resort includes a snow tubing park—one of the best winter activities for kids in Whistler—with more than 1,000 feet (305 meters) of slides and a conveyer to deliver you back up to the top again. As you explore the plaza, be sure to snap a picture in front of the 2010 Winter Olympics rings.