20 Activities for Entertaining Wedding Guests in Whistler
People come from all over the world for a Whistler wedding, and it’s not hard to see why: beautiful mountainous landscapes sprinkled with snow through the winter; crystal clear alpine lakes glistening in the summer sun; and plenty of luxury venues. There is no end to memorable Whistler wedding ideas.
Between Whistler and Pemberton in 2017, over 600 weddings took place. That’s more than one per day in a region with under 20,000 residents. Clearly, it’s not just the locals getting hitched. People are making Whistler the spot for their destination wedding.
If you’re planning on getting married in Whistler, we’re sure you’ll want to give your guests a detailed guide about this fine mountain town. We’re also sure that you’ll be looking for some unique and memorable experiences for yourself too. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.
Whether it’s a summer or winter wedding, we’re going to share a whole host of activities to keep you, your wedding party, and all of your guests busy during your stay in Whistler.
6 Family Daytime Activities for All Wedding Guests
We understand that your Whistler wedding has to be catered to all of the family, and that includes the kids too. Whether you’re looking to tire the children out to free up some adult time in the evenings, or you want a full day of family fun, there are plenty of kid-friendly activities for all the family to enjoy.
1. Meadow Park Sports Centre and Water Park
There is fun for everyone—kids and adults alike—at the Meadow Park Sports Centre, with a swimming pool, sauna, steam room, hot tub, and even an indoor ice skating rink.
Spend those cold or rainy days inside with many fun activities available at Meadow Park, or if you’re visiting during the hot summer months, head outside to the water park behind the Sports Centre. Your kids are sure to slip, slide, and splash their day away at the fun and funky water park that truly showcases the beauty of Whistler with clear views of the Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains.
2. Riverside Greens Putting Course
This course is open from mid-May to mid-October and is a great summer family activity. There are 18 holes, and putters are available to rent for both adults and children. Complete with sand bunkers and water hazards, this course will provide enjoyment for all ages and experiences but will also provide entertainment for the most avid golfers.
Riverside Greens Putting Course is located approximately five minutes north of Whistler Village by car, at the Riverside RV Resort and Campground. Ticket prices range from $3 – $5 with tots (four and under) going free. Family tickets are available for $10 (two adults and two kids).
3. Disc Golf
The perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon in Whistler, a little competitive Disc Golf
Sometimes called Frisbee golf, there are many hidden courses scattered throughout Whistler; however, the main course is the Whistler Disc Golf Course, which can be found near Lost Lake.
The course has 27 holes (or baskets) and is free to use and open to the public. This is a great way to get some exercise and fresh air and keep on a family-friendly budget. Discs are not provided so be sure to bring your own.
4. Whistler Skate Park
This is Canada’s second-biggest skateboard park, right here in Whistler. The town recently renovated it a few years ago, making it even bigger and better than ever before.
The park now has over 50,000 square feet of finished and skate-able surface. And it’s not just for pros or adults–this is a welcome space where you’ll find little shredders practising their moves and getting ready for the snowboard season.
5. Escape Room
Escape! Whistler is a fun indoor option to entertain not only the kids but the entire family. This is a real-life gaming experience where groups of two to six people must solve the puzzles and escape the room.
Groups are given 45 minutes to complete the task. Kids over 12 can attend alone, and those under the age of 12 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian (19 years or older). Prices start at $35 per player per room, and children six and under go free.
6. Ice Skating
Lace up those skates and take to the ice at the Whistler Olympic Plaza outdoor skating rink. Skaters are encouraged to bring their own skates and helmets, but rentals are available.
The skating rink is open from 11 a.m to 8:30 p.m with maintenance closure from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m and 5:00 to 6 p.m. The admission fee is $2 if you bring your own skates and $8 for admission with rental skates. Helmets and skating aids are provided free of charge
4 Late Night Activities for Wedding Guests
You’ve got your old high school and college friends coming to the wedding, and you’re expecting them to get antsy for a party. Fortunately, there are so many great options out there in Whistler for nighttime entertainment that you won’t need to be responsible for entertaining them the whole evening.
7. Dining Tours
For those wedding guests looking to dine at some of Whistler’s finest restaurants, why not check out a variety of dining tours available through Whistler Tasting Tours? If you want to start the evening with a taste of the finer things in life, why not encourage them to join the Finer Things Dinner Tour that is sure to satisfy your taste buds.
This guided tour will provide you with some of the best food in town, a sampling of sweet treats, and a wine-tasting experience, as well as discovering an impressive 15,000-bottle wine cellar.
Departures start at 4:45 p.m and prices start at $139 per person.
8. Montis Distilling Tasting Tour
Do you want to surprise your wedding party with the taste of locally made gin or vodka? At Montis Distilling, all spirits are made from local glacier water from Rainbow Mountain, as well as 100% B.C. malt and grain.
Why not enjoy a two-hour experience provided by Whistler Valley Tours, at the vibrant Whistler neighbourhood of Function Junction. Forget the hassle of driving because this tour includes transport to and from the distillery, allowing you to relax and indulge in all of the spirits offered. This Whistler Valley Tour will provide you with a guided tour of the facility and a tasting of all available spirits, paired with a personal charcuterie box from local favourite, Picnic Whistler.
9. Vallea Lumina
If you’re looking for a night-time adventure then Vallea Lumina is ready to whisk you away on an unexpected journey. Explore an enchanted, hidden valley that will flood your senses with pure light as you watch the forest around you come to life.
Vallea Lumina will enhance your imagination using integrated multimedia, immersing you in a world of wonder.
Tours are located approximately 15 minutes North of Whistler Village, with winter tours running from November to April ($29.99 for adults) and summer tours running from May to October. During the winter there is also the option for transportation at an additional cost ($10). Be sure to check the Vallea Lumina website for specific information on opening days and times, as these fluctuate throughout the year.
10. Bar Hop
***Currently not running due to COVID restrictions***
It’s your wedding, and I’m sure you set some time aside for a party. Well, look no further: Bar Hop will provide you with Whistler’s best party experience. Starting at Whistler’s infamous Longhorn Saloon, local guides will take you on a bar hop to four out of five of their preferred venues.
With VIP access, five free drinks, and free pizza from Avalanche Pizza Co. as well as prizes to be won throughout the night, Bar Hop should be your first stop to party in Whistler.
6 Adventure Activities for the Wedding Party
Need some Whistler wedding ideas for the adventurers among your wedding party? We’ve curated a list of some of the most daring and extravagant experiences that all come with a large side of adventure!
11. Experience the 19th Hole
Are you looking to elevate your golfing experience? Blackcomb Helicopters will take you to new heights soaring 2,000 metres above the Pemberton Valley at the top of Mt. Currie. Here, you will get the opportunity to hit some eco-friendly golf balls out into the distance, from B.C.’s highest tee.
Whether you are looking to finish off a round of golf at one of Whistlers various luxury golf courses with a 19th hole or just looking for a scenic flight to your own personal driving range in the skies, Blackcomb Helicopters has a number of options to meet your needs.
Flights cost $1,445 + GST (for up to five passengers) and include shuttles, a scenic flight over the surrounding coastal mountains and glaciers, golf clubs, driving mat, and 30 minutes of pure joy at the top of Mt. Currie.
Booking for summer 2022 is now available through the Blackcomb helicopters’ website.
12. Adventure Dining
Take your dining experience to a whole new level! Whether you’re looking for an action packed snowmobile adventure followed by an intimate, gourmet three-course steak dinner, or a more relaxing snowshoe through the old-growth forests of Whistler’s Callaghan Valley, Canadian Wilderness Adventures has the dining experience for you.
When it comes to adventure dining, there are options for everyone at Canadian Wilderness Adventures. Choose from breakfast or dinner, snowshoe or snowmobile. Either way, there is fun to be had for all of the wedding guests on this experience.
Tour options include the Yukon Breakfast Snowmobile Tour ($259), Sproatt Steak Night By Snowmobile ($299) and the Canadian Campfire Cookout ($155), and are only available during the winter.
Check out the Canadian Wilderness Adventures website for more information on pricing and booking options.
13. Whitewater Rafting
Get everyone in the wedding party in on the Whistler adventure.
Get wet and wild on The Green River rafting tour with The Adventure Group. No matter the weather, rain or shine you can experience the force of Whistler’s waterways as you battle the elements while taking in the beauty of the surrounding scenery. Snow-capped mountains and whitewater rapids set the scene to entertain the most adventurous wedding guests.
Prices range from $129.99 for adults and $89.99 for youth (10-16 years old and minimum 80 lbs in low water / 90 lbs in high water). Check in at The Adventure Group base at Cougar Mountain Basecamp, a 10-minute drive North of Whistler Village.
Rafting tours are not available during the winter and begin operations in the spring.
14. Private Backcountry Ski Guide
Looking to get away into the backcountry with your groomsmen or bridesmaids, on the search for some fresh powdered pillows, steep alpine faces, and couloirs? Altus Mountain Guides can hook you up with a guide on custom backcountry ski trips to help you on your search for those local powder stashes and epic freeride lines.
Create your dream backcountry experience with certified local guides who have an intimate knowledge of the mountains surrounding Whistler. Whether you’re looking to explore the Whistler Blackcomb backcountry or dropping into the Tantalus Range by heli, the possibilities are endless.
Prices start from $650 – $850 for small groups and include guide fees, pre-trip consulting, and adventure concierge support while on the trip. This does not include backcountry ski rentals or avalanche rescue equipment, but these are available for rent. Check out their website for full details.
15 Float Plane to a Remote Alpine Lake
If you’re really looking to impress your wedding party with an experience they are sure not to forget, then what better than a flight on a float plane to a remote alpine lake, tucked away somewhere in the Whistler alpine, with Whistler Floatplane Tours.
Take a two-hour guided scenic flight with your wedding party and marvel at the spectacular sights of the Coast Mountain Range that surrounds Whistler. As the plane comes in for landing, you will soar past a majestic waterfall, pouring into a magical remote lake in the mountains. Here, you will enjoy a picnic lunch and get a chance to explore the lake and its surrounding area.
Prices start at $371 for adults and $204 for children. Start dates for floatplane tours in 2022 are to be decided. Check the website for further information and updates.
16. Axe Throwing
Axe throwing, that’s right! We’ll show you a great time here at Forged. We can host small or large groups, so whether you just want to bring your wedding party or the whole family, we’ll take great care of you. Come and join us as we throw big axes, small axes, even two axes—at the same time.
Once you’re all done hitting bullseyes, stick around for a brew or two at our bar!
Prices start at $39 per person for a one-hour session, and opening times are 12:00 p.m to 6:00 p.m., seven days a week.
2 Relaxing Activities for all the Wedding Guests
17. Spa Day
Winter or Summer, enjoy the outdoor experience at the best spa in Whistler
The stress of wedding planning getting to you? Maybe you travelled through the night just to get here. Relax by putting your body and mind to rest at Scandinave Spa Whistler.
However you’re feeling, the spa will take you to a place of pure tranquillity. First, start with the Wood Burning Sauna or Eucalyptus Steam Baths, then take a plunge into the Cold Baths or soak under the Nordic Waterfall and then it’s time to relax in the Fireplace Lounge or in Hammock Haven (only open in summer).
The spa is surrounded by forest and mountains, and whether you visit in summer, or in winter surrounded by snow, this indoor and outdoor spa has plenty of activities to offer. Prices depend on the season but start at $130 per person.
18. Dog-Sled Tour
If you’re looking for a true Canadian experience on your wedding trip then this is the tour for you. Spend time relaxing and taking in the beautiful scenery surrounding the Callaghan Valley as you learn how to harness the skills of a musher from professional guides.
Feel the cold air rush past you as sled dogs pull you on a journey through old growth forests during a truly magical experience. Canadian Wilderness Adventures runs a three-hour tour in the Callaghan Valley with costs starting at $519 per sled. Tours are only available in winter.
Extravagant Wedding Day Activities
If you’re looking to take your Whistler Wedding to new heights—literally—then look no further. These special wedding day options are for those of you looking to elevate your wedding day and to etch it into the memories of all of your friends and family for years to come.
19. Mountaintop Wedding
In both summer and winter, you and your wedding party can travel to the top of Whistler Mountain for your ceremony.
There are a number of locations you can choose from. Whether you want to travel the Peak 2 Peak Gondola, ascend by chairlift to the peak itself, or find a secluded spot in the alpine only accessible by skis and snowboard, the choice is yours.
If this sounds like the perfect wedding option to you take a look at The Whistler Elopement Company for more information.
20. Heli-Wedding
You’ve heard of heli-skiing, but have you heard of a heli-wedding? If you’re really looking to impress your close friends and family then you can charter helicopters to take you and your guests to remote mountain peaks in order to exchange your vows.
Give your friends and family the opportunity to be part of a truly unique wedding experience. See Whistler from a totally new perspective–it sure makes for phenomenal wedding photos (take a look here). If this is what your dream wedding looks like, get in touch with Blackcomb Helicopters to make those dreams come true.
Your Whistler Wedding: One for the Books
There are plenty of wonderful Whistler wedding ideas to consider, from mountaintops to lower valley treats. In the festive winter season or in the warm summer sun, Whistler’s wedding activities and experiences are here to entertain all. Whether you’re looking for adventure or relaxation, Whistler is the wedding destination for you.