Is there anything more disappointing than seeing rain in the forecast on your vacation? It can really damper your time (pun intended) and force you to be agile with your plans. I was so bummed when each day on my trip to Whistler was calling for rain. However, I found that there is a lot to do on a rainy day in Whistler! Vacations and trips are what you make it, so it’s important to let go of what you can’t control (like the weather) and make the most of it! If you find yourself in the same shoes I was in, don’t fret! Here’s how to spend a rainy day in Whistler!
Explore the Village (Crowd-Free!)
Arguably the best part about the rain? It keeps people away! I visited in early-July which is peak season for summer tourism. I was expecting the town, stores, restaurants, and parking lots to be packed. While that was certainly the case in the pockets of time when the rain let up, the town was empty during the rain! Grab an umbrella and your rain coat and take advantage! Bop in and out of stores without waiting in a line or being crowded. Enjoy a cup of coffee with no wait. Or take selfies in the Whistler Olympic Plaza shame-free! A rainy day in Whistler is truly a blessing in disguise for exploring the village!
Go Bobsledding
At first, this one may sound crazy. But hear me out! The Whistler Sliding Centre is located just outside of the village and offers summer rides to tourists on the same track the athletes rode on in the 2010 Winter Olympics! You’ll sit in your sled and zip around turns at around 90 km/h (55 mph)! It is one of only three public bobsledding courses in North America (Lake Placid and Salt Lake City are the other two), and you can sign up for a summer bobsled with no experience necessary. Don’t stress about the weather for a second. The course is open rain or shine and the rain does not effect the course at all. It’s as safe in the rain as it is on a dry day! Plus, all the helmets they give you have a windshield so you don’t even have to be nervous about rain pelting you in the face during your ride. Just wear a rain coat, and you’re good to go!
Read More: 5 Tips for Summer Bobsledding in Whistler
Enjoy a Scenic Lunch
Just because you might not want to be outside, doesn’t mean it’s not still beautiful to look at! The great thing about Whistler is that it’s a winter destination, so there are plenty of indoor dining options that offer great views. For lunch one day, I ate at Black’s Pub, a low-key bar/restaurant toward the end of the village. The food and drinks were great, but the best part was looking out the window out to the mountains. Even though it was raining, there were still many people out on the mountain biking trails, which ended right at the base of the ski lift next to Black’s Pub. It was a lot of fun to watch them race down the hill in the mud! The end of town near the ski lifts have tons of restaurants that would be a perfect place to stay dry, grab a bite, and enjoy the views.
Cruise Down the Coast
When in doubt, pack up the car and do a mini-road trip up and down the coast! This little pocket of the world is so beautiful, with the sound on one side of you and the towering mountains on the other. Drive down highway 99 (toward Vancouver) and make all the stops along the way at scenic overlooks. Even when it was raining, I found the low clouds to create a totally unique landscape that is different during the sunny days. Pictured above is a scenic viewpoint near Britannia Beach. If you get a few short pockets of rain-free time (or don’t mind walking in with an umbrella), a stop at Shannon Falls and Brandywine Falls are both a must! Both viewpoints are a short walk from the parking lot (think no more than 10-15 minutes) and offer incredible views. One of my favorite stops along Highway 99 was the town of Squamish. There are cute shops and restaurants in town, and if you drive out to this pin, you can get incredible vies of The Stawamus Chief mountain!
Train Wreck Hike
I know suggesting a hike when it’s raining doesn’t make a lot of sense, but hear me out. The forecast when I visited Whistler was calling for rain all-day, every day. However, I found that the forecast changed throughout the day pretty quickly (we are in the mountains after all). There were a few pockets of sunshine throughout the day that were such a pleasant surprise! Should you find yourself with some time with little rain, definitely try to sneak this hike in. It’s a short, easy hike that will only take about an hour round-trip (depending of course how much time you want to spend at the train wreck). Of course if the ground is slick, you’ll want durable footwear as there are periods of uphill/downhill walks. Where to park for the Train Wreck hike can be confusing so, here is a pin that shows the area (and a visual of the trailhead to help).
Read More: A Chubby Girl’s Guide to Hiking Whistler’s Train Wreck
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