They say that Whistler is Never-never land for adults, and I’m not going to argue. This paradise of a backyard is really something in the spring. The lakes thaw, the valley explodes with greenery, bike trails clear and somehow the pristine snowy alpine remains a skier’s dream. When everything is possible you quickly find out what your priorities are – whether that’s biking, skiing/snowboarding or water sports. And if you’re torn between all the incredible options, just plan an epic multi sport activities day like we did!

Whistler locals, Liz and Terry were more than okay with spending a day cramming in three of their favorite sports in front of the camera with me. Apparently, it doesn’t take much to convince mountain lovers to spend all day playing in the mountains? Maybe this is Never-never land…

Activity 1: Skiing/Snowboarding

Waking up at the crack of dawn isn’t a necessity for a full day of spring multi sport activities, in fact, you should have a little sleep in, it’s going to be busy. Additionally, you want to give the snow some time to soften up, in case it froze over night, so hitting the slopes around 10 – 11am is ideal. FYI, tank tops and shorts are considered proper skiing attire in the spring. Be sure to lather up the sunscreen, the UV index is off the charts in the alpine this time of year. Also, double check the weather before trusting our clothing choice recommendations. We like to imagine every spring day is a warm, sunny one but, surprisingly enough, that isn’t always the case.

There is something magical about the views in the springtime. The way the glistening snow glows on the glaciated mountains visible from Whistler Blackcomb is absolutely breathtaking. In short, bring your camera and take lunch outside on patio where you can soak in the endless vistas. Skiing in the spring is social; it’s about getting out with friends and roosting them with your slush spray – this type of skiing doesn’t last forever and it’s a blast.

Whistler Mountain’s last day of winter operations is this Sunday, April 17, but Blackcomb Mountain will be open until May 30. Check the Whistler Blackcomb site after April 24 in case they’ve updated their operations based on the weather and demand. In my opinion, these are the best spring skiing run options on Blackcomb because they typically include sunshine, soft snow and epic views in the spring:

• Xhiggy’s Meadow, off of 7th Heaven Express, rated black diamond
• Springboard, from the top of Rendezvous, rated blue
• Ridge Runner, from Crystal Ridge Express, rated blue
• Green Line, accessed via 7th Heaven Express, rated green

Activity 2: Biking

Spring is prime time for bike lovers. The trails stay damp and have most likely been freshened up recently by our hard working trail crew. Here in Whistler, you can be on just about any of the cross-country bike trails in less than ten minutes without loading up a vehicle. How? Leave the car parked, hop on the Valley Trail and make your way to your favorite cross-country trail. Unlike skiing or snowboarding, which you have been doing all season long, this is probably one of your first bike rides of the season, so maybe take it mellow.

If you’re looking to keep it simple with a cruisey bike ride, hit the Valley Trail. The Whistler Valley Trail system has over 40km of bike-able paved trails with epic lake, mountain, and forest scenery along the way. You can easily customize the length of your ride on the Valley Trail, which is a great option when transitioning into biking season.

Liz and Terry, our Whistler locals and biking experts, have clocked more than just a few springs in Whistler and have shared a couple recommendations for early season biking. The Lost Lake area has a large network of cross-country trails for all abilities with ratings and maps available on site. Tin Pants is an easy, green rated trail in the Lost Lake area. It is a wide, mostly graveled path, so it tends to melt off early. The White Gold Traverse in the Lost Lake network is also a great early season single track with a blue rating. Terry and Liz took me to the ‘Cut Yer Bars‘ zone behind Nesters and it was a blast. This area is rated blue and hosts a variety of drops, wood features and steep rolling rocks that will get your heart racing.

Ready for one step further? The trail Danimal in Stonebridge is rated black and is an adrenaline junkie’s dream with steep and technical terrain. While Liz and Terry are oozing with local bike knowledge, we recommend stopping by Summit Sports in the main Whistler Village for all your biking questions. Summit Sports has bikes galore and knowledgeable staff who get out there daily and know the perfect trails to recommend for any rider.

Activity 3: Stand Up Paddle Boarding

Stand up paddle boarding into the sunset is the absolute perfect end to your action packed, multi sport activities day. The Escape Route in Whistler has blow-up paddle boards for rent or purchase, so no truck is required to transport these SUPs! Evening is prime lake time as the water calms and the sun shimmers across the lake. It’s finally time to wind down the adrenaline and end the day with some serenity. Enjoy the last bit of sunshine and explore one of the many Whistler lakes from a new perspective.

Top Off Your Multi Sport Activities Day with Gibbons

Okay, we might have lied; après is the perfect end to a multi sport activities day, not stand up paddle boarding. You’ve seriously earned a beer or two after completing this list, and an epic patio is where you need to put those legs to rest! The Longhorn patio is the perfect place to kick back with friends, refuel with some tasty nachos, and soak up the views and the atmosphere of Whistler in the spring.

Can’t wait to be part of your own adventurous multi sport activities day (or week!) in Whistler? Contact our expert Whistler concierge services and leave the running around until you’re out on the trails. From coordinating rental equipment to providing you with local know-how, the Gibbons Life concierge team can plan your ultimate multi sport adventures.