Travel Blog

2 Jul

Top 12 Instagram Spots in Whistler this Summer

In true Pacific Northwest fashion, Whistler is surrounded by striking rainforest, waterfalls and snow capped peaks, making it full of insta-worthy locations and moments. Picking our top 12 was no easy task! We’ve chosen a mix of village life, Canadiana, architecture and geological wonders to get you feeling inspired. There is something really special about capturing your travels and being able to share and look back on them later through the powers of social media. So go pack your camera and get ready to explore…

1. Audain Art Museum

Aside from the incredible collection of traditional and modern art housed inside, the Audain Art Museum is a west coast masterpiece in and of itself. From the He-yay meymuy (Big Flood) sculpture by Xwalacktun that marks the entrance, to the angled wood paneling and seamless integration into the forest, it is just begging to be instagrammed.

#fridayafternoon at @audainartmuseum #art #whistler A must See! #onlyinwhistler #audainartmuseum

A post shared by PERFECT WEDDING MAGAZINE (@perfectweddingmagazine) on Jun 16, 2017 at 3:07pm PDT

How to get there: Located between Day Lots 3 4 the museum is accessible from the Valley Trail or Blackcomb Way. The street address is 4350 Blackcomb Way.

2. Olympic Rings

The Olympic Rings, so popular they had to be lowered so people could pose with them safely. While you might first think they’re over-instagrammed, we assure you a new angle, favourite outfit or just the right light can keep it original.

Impromptu trip to Whistler 🏔 #onlyinwhistler #explorebc #carriestravel

A post shared by Carrie A. Mitchell (@carrieamitchell) on Jun 2, 2017 at 1:46pm PDT

How to get there: Enter on the north side of the village or meander along the stroll until you reach Whistler Olympic Plaza.

3. Bar Oso

Named after Whistler’s arguably favourite animal (oso is bear in Spanish), this tapas bar serves cocktails as irresistible as the graphic floors and walls. If you’re an #ihavethisthingwithfloors fan it’s a must visit.

Currently craving: another round @baroso_whistler 🖤 indulged in Spanish style tapas, house made charcuterie and handcrafted cocktails (..and then this floor) #goingback #OnlyInWhistler

A post shared by SYDNEY SOCIAS (@theworkinggirl.ca) on Jun 6, 2017 at 12:13pm PDT

How to get there: Bar Oso is between Village Square and Village Common in the same row of shops as Aritzia and the Body Shop. Look for the artfully lettered sign in the window.

4. Black Tusk

The view of Black Tusk is as quintessential Whistler as it gets. This remnant of a stratovolcano has served as a culturally significant landmark for thousands of years, in the Squamish language it is called t’ak‘t’ak mu’yin tl’a in7in’a’xe7en, “Landing Place of the Thunderbird”.

Views from the top of whistler mountain reveal black tusk. #snow #atthetop #photographeronanadventure #canon #canonphoto #canoncamera #canonrebelt5 #blacktusk #mountains #onlyinwhistler #whistlerlife #whistlermountain #peak #snow #trees #nature #hike #explore #adventure #wander #couple #date #canada #canada150 #beautifulbc #photography #photographer #photooftheday

A post shared by Christian Harris (@christianharrisphotography_) on Jun 14, 2017 at 12:52pm PDT

How to get there: There’s more than one view of Black Tusk but to find this classic, take the Whistler Gondola and either hike up to Whistler Peak or take the Peak Express chairlift. You’ll need a sightseeing ticket to get up there.

5. PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola

Welcome to 11 minutes of 360 views. If you’re after an aerial shot, waiting for a gondola with the see-through floor panel is worth it. Try angling your camera to avoid reflections in the glass.

Traveling from Whistler peak to Blackcomb peak, this gondola soars 4.4 kilometers across the sky. It holds the world record for the longest freespan between ropeway towers. #peak2peak

A post shared by Anthony Di Virgilio (@advphotography.ca) on Jun 9, 2017 at 2:26pm PDT

How to get there: Grab a sightseeing ticket and upload via the Whistler Gondola to the Roundhouse Lodge and then transfer to the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola. Find out more about alpine sightseeing.

6. Mountain Top Inuksuk

Inuksuit were installed around Whistler during preparations for hosting the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. A traditional inuksuk served as a stone marker, mainly used for hunting, navigation and conveying messages to travelers. The large, human shaped inuksuit around Whistler are modern interpretations representing friendship, and since their installation these Canadian cultural icons have welcomed people from all over the world.

Over the weekend I had some of my family members arrive for a visit! Meet Connie, Brodie, Sheila and Ted! It was their very first experience visiting us here to Whistler so as a good guide I took them up the mountain and showed them our amazing backyard!!!! They were just ecstatic as to how much terrain there was and of course the beauty of my new home!!!! It was such an honor to show them how much I care about my family and the distance I will go to make sure their experience is a memorable one! #WhistlerBlackcomb #WBWorkLove #WB360 #HappyLifty #TheirHappyLifty #Family #JMoCaresAboutHisFamily #OnlyInWhistler #Whistler #ExploreBC #AboriginalBC #Inukshuk #AboriginalTourismLeader #NextTourismLeader #YeahBro #FamilyFirst

A post shared by Jonathan Cyril Moses (@jonnymo86) on Jun 12, 2017 at 11:11am PDT

How to get there: Upload via the Whistler Gondola and hike Pika’s Traverse to visit this Inuksuk. Explore Whistler Peak, Blackcomb Mountain and the village to find more!

7. Snow Walls (Spring) / Cheakamus Lake Lookout (Summer)

If you’re here in spring or early summer, the snow walls are a must-see. The towering figures give you a perspective of how much the landscape transforms through the seasons. If you’re visiting in the summer when all of the hiking trails are open and clear of snow we recommend heading out to capture the beautiful alpine-turquoise waters of Cheakamus Lake.

Canada eh? 🇨🇦 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ A little #snowcro on top of #Whistler mountain with @danica.hoopfit on a lovely spring day. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 25 foot snow walls courtesy of #WhistlerBlackcomb. ⛄ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📷: @barnes_charms

A post shared by Matt – Whistler, BC, Canada (@acro.matt) on Jun 17, 2017 at 5:25pm PDT

I’ve camped innumerable times by Cheakamus Lake, but rarely do I get to see it from this vantage point. Note to self– gotta get out hiking on @whistlerblackcomb more often, it’s like there’s a new gem of a view from every vantage. – Taken in my 📱 in a @catalystcase_

A post shared by Roberto Gibbons Gomez (@theexpeditioners) on Sep 15, 2016 at 11:28pm PDT

How to get there: Snow walls –  upload Whistler Gondola, follow Pika’s Traverse trail. Cheakamus Lake Lookout: Upload Whistler Gondola and Peak Express chairlift to hike the High Note trail. Find out more about the alpine hiking trails.

8. Suspension Bridge

There’s more than one suspension bridge around Whistler but the unique thing about the ones at Ziptrek Ecotours is that they’re in the rainforest canopy, that’s about 150 feet off the forest floor. Not to mention, you get to zipline between exploring them!

Who’s ready for a little adventure? 🌲. . . . #onlyinwhistler #explorebc

A post shared by Ziptrek Ecotours (@ziptrek) on Jun 22, 2017 at 5:28pm PDT

How to get there: Book a Eagle, Bear or Mammoth zipline tour from Ziptrek Ecotours.

 

9. A Whistler Brewery

We are lucky enough to have three local breweries creating all kinds of Whistler/BC inspired craft beer. Each place has their own distinct vibe; head to Coast Mountain Brewing for the rustic cabin feel, Whistler Brewing Co. for an outdoorsy meets industrial experience and The BrewHouse for a big sunny patio right beside Whistler Olympic Plaza.

 

It might be a drizzly day outside but it’s warm and cozy inside the tap house. Open until midnight this eve pouring plenty of good times. #whistler #coastmountainbeer 📷@reactivedesigninc

A post shared by Coast Mountain Brewing (@coastmountainbeer) on Jun 15, 2017 at 12:29pm PDT

How to get there: Whistler Brewing Co. and Coast Mountain Brewing are out in Function Junction south of the Village. It’s a half hour pedal from the Village, or you can grab a #1 South or #2 bus out there (the fare is $2.50, or free on weekends from July 1 to September 4, 2017). The BrewHouse is right by Whistler Olympic Plaza (just find the rings).

10. Lost Lake Dock

A scenic respite from the main beach area, this dock offers an incredible view of Whistler Mountain. Our minds are hardwired to calm down when looking at water, one of the reasons shots like this are so loved. Go in the early morning to capture that sweet mountain reflection in still water.

Enjoying the stillness of the early morning.

A post shared by Nathaniel Sisco (@nathanielsisco) on May 30, 2017 at 10:14pm PDT

How to get there: Head to Lost Lake Park and follow the Lost Lake Loop trail.

11. Brandywine Falls

One of the Sea to Sky’s most spectacular waterfalls, Brandywine plunges 70 meters over the lip of a lava flow. On sunny days you can often see a rainbow at the bottom making it that much more photogenic.

Shine shine, rainbows. No lollipops but.

A post shared by Claire Armit (@clayaar) on May 19, 2017 at 9:44pm PDT

How to get there: The entrance is off the Sea to Sky Highway on your way to Whistler from Vancouver. The trail to the view point is marked from the parking lot. It is very popular to go off-trail to photograph this waterfall from the bottom but the area is closed not only for your safety but also for habitat protection – please respect the signs. For the creative, there are endless ways to capture this waterfall from the trail without sacrificing the environment.

12. Train Wreck

Cross a suspension bridge over the Cheakamus River, head into the woods and you’ll find an accident turned into art. Since the 1956 crash the train cars have been used as everything from bike jumps to canvases, it’s a true one-of-a-kind incidental art installation.

Whistler Train Wreck, Whistler. BC Mangled railway box cars left in the forest from a 1956 train crash have become a unique Whistler destination with local artists keeping them colourful. #onlyinwhistler #seatoskytrail #reportage#documentaryphotography#gowhistler#graffiti#trainwreck

A post shared by Marion Tipple (@amatiimages) on Jun 15, 2017 at 11:00pm PDT

How to get there: See this post for detailed instructions.

The Caesar

Canada’s most beloved  and photogenic drink (it even has it’s own day – the Thursday before the May Long Weekend). But is it really a drink or more of a snack? You can find out for yourself at almost any of Whistler’s restaurants and pubs, the answer will likely differ by venue.

I was just reminiscing with my girl @karladreyerdesign about the fun we had when we attended the All About Me Women’s Weekend @fairmontwhistlr I don’t think we expected to drink as much as we did, but when the drinks look like this, how can you resist? 👌🏻 I hope everyone has a great weekend! Happy Friday! 📸 @brit_gill. . . . . . . . . #gowhistler #canadianblogger #DailyhiveVan #vancitybloggers #vancouverblogger #travelblogger #igersvancouver #explorewhistler #whistlerlife #whistlervillage #fairmonthotel #explorebc #littlethingswhistler #onlyinwhistler #vcbfood #vancitybuzz #vancityhype #veryvancouver

A post shared by Jamie Khau-Styling The Inside (@styling_the_inside_) on Jun 9, 2017 at 10:19am PDT

 

We hope these inspire you to get ‘gramming and discover more insta-worthy Whistler locations for yourself!

What’s your favourite insta-worthy spot in Whistler? Share your photos with @GoWhistler using #OnlyInWhistler for a chance to win prizes all summer long. Please respect the places you capture so others may enjoy them after you – take only photos, leave only footprints.

Article source: https://www.whistler.com/blog/post/2017/06/26/top-instagram-spots-whistler/