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If you’re ready for some adventure in the great outdoors, look no further than a Via Ferrata tour in Whistler!
There’s no better way to experience the stunning scenery in Whistler than by tackling a Via Ferrata course through the mountains. Don’t worry if you aren’t a pro climber, because these “iron pathways” are full of metal rungs, cables, and ladders that are fixed into the rock face so that even beginners can enjoy the adventure. It’s basically a huge jungle gym that allows you to climb mountains safely and efficiently!
We spent a lot of time in Whistler while living in Vancouver, and we can confirm that the Via Ferrata here is hands down one of the best things to do – especially if you’re a thrill-seeker like us. That’s why we’ve decided to share all the details on our favorite Whistler Via Ferrata tour below so that you can feel confident booking the best tour out there!
Check the schedule and book your Via Ferrata tour online here!
- Our Favorite Via Ferrata Tour in Whistler
- When can you do Via Ferrata in Whistler?
- Should you book your Via Ferrata tour in advance?
- What should you wear for Via Ferrata in Whistler?
- Is Via Ferrata in Whistler worth it?
- Other Things to do While You're in Whistler
- Where to Stay in Whistler, British Columbia
- Thanks for reading!
- Why We Book Tours with Viator
- Don't Forget Travel Insurance!
Our Favorite Via Ferrata Tour in Whistler
If you’re ready to book your Via Ferrata tour, look no further than this half-day climbing experience in Whistler. We did this tour last time we visited Whistler and can’t recommend it enough!
The tour starts at the top of the Peak 2 Peak Gondola. This is where we met our guide before hiking for around 40 minutes across a glacier, which really kicked things off on a high note.
After arriving at the course, our climb lasted for about 3 hours. The route covers 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) and 260 meters (850 feet) of elevation gain. It goes all the way to the summit of Whistler Mountain, which is 2,181 meters (7155 feet) above sea level. That’s pretty dang high!
Trust me, when you see the views, you will be SO glad that you put the effort in. Plus, we thought it was a nice reward to take the chairlift back down the mountain after our climb.
What stands out for us about the Via Ferrata in Whistler is that it’s a moderate-level course, so it’s challenging but still suitable for beginners. You’ll be harnessed in and the guides will make sure you get through the course safely. So if you don’t have any climbing experience but still crave adventure in the mountains, the Via Ferrata in Whistler is just the ticket!
The Via Ferrata tour runs daily during the summer months and is perfect for outdoorsy people 12 years and older. For the tour alone it costs $209 CAD, which includes a professional guide and safety equipment. However, to get to the starting point of the tour you must get to the top of the Peak 2 Peak Gondola as well.
We didn’t want to worry about booking the gondola ticket and climbing experience separately, so luckily Viator has the option to book a combo deal which includes the Via Ferrata and your Peak 2 Peak Gondola ticket for $279 CAD. This made our day nice and easy without having to make separate bookings. Plus, it’s actually cheaper than booking directly because Viator’s prices already include taxes. That’s what I call a win-win!
Check the schedule and book your Via Ferrata tour online here!
Related Read: See which gondola snagged the top spot in our comparison of the best gondolas in Vancouver.
Why We Book Tours with Viator
Viator is a trusted online booking system for tours around the world! We almost always book our tours using Viator for a couple of reasons:
- Free cancellation on most tours – Most of the tours on Viator allow you to cancel and get a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. This is handy in case plans change, or if booking an outdoor activity, the weather forecast is looking grim.
- Reserve now and pay later – You can secure your spot on some of the most popular tours well in advance and not pay until closer to the day of the tour.
- Lowest price guarantee – If you happen to find the same tour at a lower price elsewhere, Viator will refund you the price difference.
- Pay in your chosen currency – Avoid costly international transaction fees by choosing to pay in your home currency.
- Peace of mind – When booking with tour operators you find in person on the street or in small booking offices, you are often promised one thing and given another. This online platform holds tour operators accountable with a written description of inclusions as well as the opportunity for customers to leave reviews.
Check out the Viator website here! Or, for more info, read our detailed review about Viator here.
When can you do Via Ferrata in Whistler?
The Via Ferrata in Whistler is generally open from mid-May until early October. However, this is a weather-dependent activity, so some years it may open later if there’s still too much snow on the mountain.
The best months to do the Via Ferrata are July and August, when you can all but guarantee the snow will be gone and the weather will most likely be balmy, with lots of bluebird days.
The Via Ferrata is normally open every day from when it opens in mid-May until early September. During late September and early October, it only opens on weekends, before it shuts altogether for the winter.
And in terms of time of day, Via Ferrata tours are at 9 am or 1:30 pm. You’re likely to get the best conditions in the morning, but it doesn’t make a huge difference to be honest. We typically go for morning tours just so we have more of the day left to explore. Especially since you have already paid for the Peak 2 Peak gondola ticket, we recommend exploring more of Whistler Mountain afterward and doing the gondola ride between Whistler and Blackcomb Mountain to tick another great Whistler experience off your bucket list!
Check the schedule and book your Via Ferrata tour online here!
Should you book your Via Ferrata tour in advance?
Yes, definitely! The Via Ferrata in Whistler is a really popular thing to do, but there’s a maximum group size of 6, so it books up fast. It also only runs during the warmer months from mid-May to October which is the busy season in Whistler.
We had our hearts set on doing the climb, so we didn’t want to take the chance that the tour would be sold out for when we were planning to be in Whistler. That’s why we reserved our spot on Viator in advance so that we didn’t miss out. Plus when you book with Viator, you can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the tour starts, which means there’s no risk in case your plans change and you need to cancel!
If you’re ready to book, reserve your Via Ferrata experience here!
What should you wear for Via Ferrata in Whistler?
We both dressed in comfortable, activewear clothes so that we could easily move around on the Via Ferrata course. For footwear, our trusty hiking boots came in handy! But if you don’t have a pair, you can rent them on the day of the climb.
The weather up in the mountains can change on a dime, so it’s a good idea to pack a waterproof jacket, any extra layers, and some gloves because it can be cold at the top. We wore backpacks while climbing the Via Ferrata, so we could keep warmer clothes in there just in case we needed them.
Sunglasses are also a must, and make sure to bring some sunscreen along. Even though we felt a bit like we were packing for the beach and not the mountains, the sun reflects off of the snow up here, so we found it got really bright!
If you overpack (guilty over here!), just talk to your guide when you arrive at the office at the meeting area before the climb. They were super kind and totally willing to store anything we didn’t want to bring with us.
Related Read: If you’re planning to visit Banff, make sure to read our guide to all the best stops between Whistler and Banff.
Is Via Ferrata in Whistler worth it?
Yes, 100%. We loved it!
Our climb was absolutely awesome, and the views were some of the best that we’ve seen in Whistler. The experience was a little scary, but this Via Ferrata is actually very modest compared to some of the ones in Europe, which can be downright terrifying! It makes climbing so much more accessible and we had that huge sense of achievement (and bragging rights!) to say we climbed to the top of the mountain.
Learn more about the best Via Ferrata tour in Whistler and secure your spot here!
Other Things to do While You’re in Whistler
While you’re in Whistler, the Via Ferrata isn’t the only thing you need to check out. Below, I have listed just a glimpse of my favorite things to do in Whistler!
- Go ziplining – For epic views of rivers, glaciers, lakes, and mountains, why not soar above them? Whistler has some incredible ziplining tours and the one that tops them all is the Sasquatch® Zipline! It’s the longest zipline in Canada and the craziest one we’ve been on (in a good way!). You’ll zip 7,000 feet (2,133 meters) down the face of Blackcomb Mountain – talk about an unforgettable experience!
- Hit the slopes – Of course, if you’re visiting Whistler in the winter, this is a world-class destination for skiing and snowboarding. Blackcomb Moutain is Whistler’s pride and joy with over 200 different runs suitable for all levels. So check out the hotels in Whistler perfect for a ski trip and head to the slopes!
- Ride an ATV/buggy – One of our very favorite tours in Whistler was a buggy tour! In our small 4-wheel utility vehicle, we zoomed the mountain tops and admired all of the panoramic views (when we weren’t splashing in the puddles, that is!). If you prefer to ride an ATV, that is possible too with the same company. The buggy tour is $335 CAD whereas the ATV tour costs $209 CAD.
- Go hiking – The nature all around Whistler is stunning! Some of our favorite spots include Brandywine Falls. It’s only a short walk from the parking lot to this stunning waterfall surrounded by rough cliffs. And of course, you can’t miss the hike to Joffre Lakes. These three alpine lakes are an unreal shade of blue (the second one is my fav!) you’ll have to see to believe.
- Scenic flight – These are not cheap but are 100% bucket-list worthy! There are a few different options here but the most unique are the scenic helicopter flight with a mountain landing and a seaplane flight that departs and lands from the water. Both options have mindblowing views and the helicopter tour even includes a glacier landing!
Where to Stay in Whistler, British Columbia
Now that you have a list of the best things to do in Whistler, you need somewhere comfortable to stay! I recommend booking your accommodations as early as possible, as Whistler is a very popular destination. Here are my favorite places to stay!
Luxury – $$$
For a luxury hotel in the heart of Whistler, the Whistler Village Suites is my top choice. For Whistler, it’s still a great value hotel and has a swimming pool, 3 hot tubs, a bar, a fitness center, and a restaurant. The rooms a very nice and for groups they have 2 bedroom apartments. Some of the suites even have balconies with mountain views!
Prices range from $300 to $800+ CAD depending on season and room size. You can check availability and reserve your stay on Booking.com.
Mid-range – $$
Our go-to hotel in Whistler is the Adara Hotel. For us, it is the perfect mix of luxury and affordability with everything you need for a comfortable stay. They offer underground parking and are only a one-minute walk from the Whistler Stroll, so you can park your car and leave it while you explore Whistler Village.
They also have a beautiful outdoor pool and hot tub offering mountain views – perfect for relaxing in the evening. The loft rooms are our favorite, and most also offer mountain views from the upstairs patio. Rooms
Rooms range from $150 to $300+ CAD per night. Book Adara Hotel on Booking.com here.
Budget – $
For those travelers on a budget, the Hi Whistler is one of the only budget options. Although a hostel, the place is very clean and comfortable and they also have private rooms. They also have Cheaky’s Café which serves coffee, snacks, meals, beer, cider, and wine. It’s a great place to meet travelers and enjoy your time in Whistler.
A single bunk in a mixed dorm room averages $56 CAD or if you’re traveling with a group you can book out a private dorm.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!
If you’re looking to save money on travel insurance, we currently use and recommend SafetyWing. We’ve been using their coverage since 2018 and they’ve had our backs when we needed emergency flights and got sick overseas.
SafetyWing is one of the cheapest providers out there and covers everything from medical costs to lost luggage, travel delays, and emergency flights. A huge difference we’ve found between them and other companies is that they let you take out a policy AFTER leaving your home country. We’ve also found it handy that it’s a monthly payment rather than a lump sum, and you can get a refund for unused time.
SafetyWing has helped us out in some scary situations before and their affordable coverage has given us peace of mind. You can read our honest review of SafetyWing for all the pros and cons.
Thanks for reading!
The Via Ferrata in Whistler is such a fun outdoor adventure, and we thought the views were definitely worth the effort! Hopefully, our guide has answered all your questions and given you the push you need to book this great tour!
If you’re still debating a visit to Whistler, check out our review on if visiting Whistler is worth it, and check out one of the related guides below:
22 BEST Stops on the Drive from Whistler to Calgary
12 Things to KNOW Before Driving the Sea to Sky Highway
How to Get from Vancouver to Whistler +20 EPIC Road Trip Stops