Ranked among Canada's best-loved summer vacation destinations, Whistler offers active travelers a wealth of new experiences and adventures. While Whistler is one of the most popular ski holiday hubs on the planet, there's more to a getaway in this snow-capped region than gliding down its epic slopes in winter. From swimming in the area's breathtaking lakes to embarking on unforgettable hikes in the wilderness, here are some of the best ways to spend your summer sojourn in Whistler.

When summer rolls around, there's one location where locals and travelers all flock to with their bikes in tow. The Whistler Bike Park is not only one of the most popular attractions in the ski town but a sprawling recreational paradise for those who love to put their peddle powers to the test. Whistler Bike Park is divided into 4 separate zones named Creekside, Peak, Fitzsimmons, and Garbanzo, and there are more than seventy biking trails at this park to choose from. Those with various biking skills and preferences can choose a trail that fits them perfectly at this park, which is known as the most "rideable" bike park in all of North America. Bikes can be rented from Bike and Bean Rental, Evolution on Whistler Green, and Gateway Drive's Whistler Sports Rentals while all one needs is a day pass to spend the whole day biking.

Whether you are based at Pan Pacific Whistler Mountainside or any other ski resort in Whistler, it is crucial to shop at the Whistler Farmers Market in the summer months. Taking place from 11 am to 4 pm every Sunday from July to October, this one-of-a-kind marketplace is the ideal venue to pick up fresh produce, clothing, accessories and crafts. With a whopping 50 stalls occupying the marketplace, customers can be assured that they are getting the best of what Whistler has to offer in terms of both food and other products. The location of this market changes annually so those who wish to attend should check the official website of the farmer's market.

Lost Lake in Whistler, Canada | Image by Bee Calder via Unsplash

Regarded by many to be a great reason to head to British Columbia for the summer holidays, Lost Lake is perhaps the area's best-loved natural attribute, next to the ski slopes. Spread out across a vast area of 167 square meters, this stunning lake is also one of BC's largest. The location is ideal for swimming activities, and those who do not mind the cold waters will find that summer is the only period when one can safely splash around this "beach" as the locals call it. The easiest way to reach the lake is to hop on the free shuttle bus from Whistler Village that's accessible between June and September.

As the home base of North America's longest Ziplining trail, The Sasquatch is an impressive 2km in length. Summer is the perfect time to sign up for this tour, which lasts over an hour and takes one across jungle treetops at speeds of 100km an hour. Those who are ziplining for the first time need not have any reservations as there are instructors and guides on hand to teach you the ropes.

Summer is the season of events in Whistler, British Columbia, and tourists can enjoy the pomp and pageantry of these local festivities. The Mountain Bike Festival and the Whistler Half Marathon are arguably the two biggest events in the area while July brings the Canada Day fairs, rodeos, and outdoor concerts at the epic Olympic Plaza. Whistler Children’s Festival and the Bull 400 World Championships are other red-letter days in the summer event calendar.