Snow piled higher than your child is always daunting when finding something to entertain your toddler. At least this is what I thought before we arrived in Whistler at the end of January. I knew we could go sledding, but other than that, I figured we would just enjoy a few walks in the snow.
My son wasn’t ready to strap a snowboard on yet and I was terrified to take him on a ski lift to check out the view. What were we to do to entertain our energetic 2-year-old? Surprisingly more than we thought we could.
Whistler Village
When your toddler has finished exploring his new digs, head on down to Whistler Village to check out all of the kid-friendly (and free!) activities. The Inclusive Playground is enjoyable in the snow, rain or shine.
There is an ice skating rink at Whistler Olympic Plaza; if you don’t have your skates, you can rent a pair for about $8. While ice skating is allowed on several of the local lakes, it’s safer to head to a rink if you have little ones.
Bask in Olympic Glory
Check out some of the spots where the 2010 Olympics happened. Hang out in Whistler Olympic Plaza, get your picture taken with the Olympic rings, and go on the hunt for Olympic event sights.
Every Monday and Wednesday from December through March, there is a Family Après hosted at Whistler Olympic Plaza from 3 to 6 pm. This is a free event with live entertainment, crafts, hotel drinks, and snacks.
Kid-Friendly Dining
What better activity is there than eating with your kids? There are plenty of kid-friendly restaurants in the Village to choose from. If you are looking to do a little family cooking in your condo or grab a quick ready-made meal on the go head on over to the Marketplace IGA in Fresh St. Market.
While you’re at the market, take your kid to the Great Glass Elevator Candy Shop, or not, depending on how excited you want your kid to be for the rest of the day. Spanning over 1,000 square feet, this place is heaven for those who have a sweet tooth. The local and Canadian-made chocolates are a must-try, but they also have imported treats, novelty candies, and freshly popped popcorn.
Go for a Walk
Several paths lead from the Upper Village into the Whistler Village. Stroll along the path, make a few snow angels, and introduce your little one to the fine art of a snowball fight. Just be sure to bring a sled with you to haul them back up the mountain to your hotel; little legs don’t last so long in the snow. If your legs give out as well, just hop on one of the free shuttles that run past the hotels and into the villages.
SLEIGH RIDE
The entire family will enjoy going on a whimsical winter sleigh ride. The old-fashioned horse-drawn sleighs will take you on a journey under the stars through a snow-filled wonderland.
Sledding
Bring your sled, or pick one up once you arrive and hit the slopes. Well, not those slopes, but any mini-ones you may find outside of your hotel, in Whistler Village and public parks.
If you see skiers and snowboards whipping down the hill, stay clear. Your little munchkin may get run over and there are usually no-sledding signs posted. Once you have mastered sledding, head over to the Bubly Tube Park to have a go.
If your toddler is 3 years old or older, they may enjoy a dog sled ride at the Hilton Whistler Resort. This a truly Canadian experience as you sit back and enjoy the ride with your musher and team of furry Arctic sled dogs.
Swimming
Taking a dip might not be the first thing you think of when headed out for a little winter fun. The outdoor pool and hot tubs are a fantastic place to let the kids dive in, make a few friends, and see just how fast a cup of snow can melt when heated by hot tub steam.
Catch a Show that will Captivate the Kids
Every Sunday at 6:30 pm local ski instructors participate in the Fire and Ice show at Skier’s Plaza in Whistler Village. Snowboarders fly through the air doing 360s. Skiers do back flips off a jump. Toddlers yell with joy as a boarder goes down. It doesn’t stop there though – oh no.
Then fire dancers light hula-hoops and other instruments on fire and twirl them around making light patterns in the darkened sky. Think that’s impressive? Just wait until they light a large hoop on fire for the snowboarders to leap through. That’s a crowd-pleaser every time.
There’s also a beautiful family-friendly multimedia light show, Vallea Lumina. Located within the Cougar Mountain Base Camp, you’ll find yourself on a stunning 1.5-mile walk through the forest, under the stars, and to a secret valley surrounded by forestry.
Need a few more kid-friendly suggestions? We couldn’t hit everything Whistler has to offer, but these are on our list for a return visit.
- Peak 2 Peak Gondola Ride
- Whistler Children’s Festival
- Family Snowmobile Tour
- Cheakamus Lake Trail
- Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre
- Family Adventure Zone
- Lost Lake Park
For more information on all there is to see and do in Whistler, check out our Whistler, BC (Winter) page.
Whistler Planning Guide
Hotels in Whistler
- Fairmont Chateau Whistler: Whistler’s famed ski-in, ski-out hotel with complimentary internet and an iconic Whistler fixture.
- Sundial Boutique Hotel: One of the highest-rated hotels in Whistler with free Wi-Fi and steps from Whistler and Blackcomb lifts.
- Aava Whistler Hotel: A chic, pet-friendly hotel just a snowball’s throw away from the bustling village center.
