Whistler Jeep Tour with Canadian Wildnerness Adventures

Whistler Jeep Tour on Blackcomb Mountain

Looking for a fun and unique Whistler summer adventure? Consider a Whistler Jeep tour to view glaciers and snow-capped mountain peaks.

One of the things we love about Whistler is that even after visiting multiple times per year, for over 20 years, we still find new things to do. On our most recent visit, we took our boys on a Whistler Jeep tour of Blackcomb Mountain. This was the first time we’ve taken a Jeep 4×4 tour in Whistler.

Initially, we wanted to do a Whistler ATV tour, but our boys are not quite old enough for that type of adventure. Soon, but not yet. So, we kept looking at options and landed on the Blackcomb Glacier Safari with Canadian Wilderness Adventures.

I remember a time, about 20 years ago, when Whistler was basically a ghost town in the summer. Many Whistler restaurants and shops closed for the summer season because there wasn’t enough guests to make it worthwhile. This was before the Whistler Bike Park and the Peak to Peak Gondola were built.

Times have certainly changed. Now, I would argue, there are more things to do in Whistler in the summer than there are in the winter.

Watch the short video below from our Whistler Jeep 4×4 Tour with Canadian Wilderness Adventures.

Having trouble viewing? Watch directly on YouTube or Facebook.

Blackcomb Glacier Safari

The Jeep 4×4 tour starts in Whistler Village and takes guests straight up the side of Blackcomb Mountain to view the snow-capped Horstman Glacier. This mountain sightseeing adventure delivers spectacular views of the Coast Mountain Range and vast terrain that makes up the Whistler Blackcomb ski resort.

Details about the Blackcomb Glacier Safari jeep tour

Departure times: 10:00 AM, 12:30 PM and 3:00 PM
Departure location: Carleton Lodge or Eagle Lodge in Whistler Village
Duration: 2 hours round trip
Whistle Jeep tour price: $149 Adults, $99 Kids 12 and under

*Tours are private, with guests from the same family/party per one guide.

Learn more and make reservations here.

The Whistler Jeep Tour departs from Whistler Village

We met our guide, Mitch, at the Eagle Lodge location. Canadian Wilderness Adventures will either start here, or at its Carleton Lodge location in front of the Whistler Mountain Gondola.

This is also the meeting point for the Whistler ATV tours, dune buggy tours and electric bike tours. Most Whistler tours depart from Whistler Village and have a set meeting point.

Bring your mask! Whistler Jeep tours are intimate, so it’s difficult to maintain social distancing. Given the current pandemic and COVID-19 health recommendations, jeep tours are now private.

While inside the Jeep, everyone is required to wear a face mask.

Bumpy or Smooth?

When our guide, Mitch, asked us if we wanted ‘bumpy or smooth’, our boys immediately shouted BUMPY!

We later learned that this was the right choice because it meant we went up the mountain a different way than our descent. This gave us more variety during the 2 hour jeep tour.

There are several Whistler 4×4 trails on Blackcomb Mountain, which makes every Whistler Jeep adventure unique. That, and the ever changing weather and alpine environment.

Shortly into our Jeep tour, we spotted this mother deer and her young fawn.

Learn about Whistler Jeep tours with Canadian Wilderness Adventures here.

Glacier Creek lodge on Blackcomb Mountain

This was our first time seeing Glacier Creek lodge in the summer. Normally, during the winter, this lodge and it’s huge outdoor patio is crowded with skiers and snowboarders.

It was actually kind of eerie seeing Glacier Creek so quiet and empty.

Glacier Express Chairlift – the top of the lift reaches 7,011 feet (2,137 meters).

Jersey Cream chairlift on Blackcomb Mountain.

Our private ride on the Whistler Jeep Tour

Can you spot the black bear in the above photo?

We contemplated doing a separate Whistler bear tour on this trip to Whistler. Our boys were excited about seeing bears in Whistler, so they were happy to have spotted this black bear grazing in middle of the ski run on Blackcomb Mountain.

Unfortunately, I didn’t have my telephoto lens with me. This was as close as I could get.

Crystal Hut on Blackcomb Mountain

After our brief stop at Glacier Creek, we continued driving along the ski runs and back roads of Blackcomb Mountain. The next stop on this Whistler Jeep Tour is Crystal Hut, located at 6,053 feet (1,845 meters).

Spectacular views of Whistler and the Coast Mountains from Crystal Hut.

Above the clouds. Whistler Village is below that fluffy pillow of white clouds.

Views of the Blackcomb Mountain ski terrain during the summer.

That rocky snow-capped mountain in the distance is Whistler Peak, home to the dizzying Cloudraker Skybridge (closed for 2020 season due to COVID-19) and the Top of the World Summit.

Related – Best Things to do Along the Sea to Sky Highway

Driving the trails on Blackcomb Mountain. Whistler Mountain in the distance.

Blackcomb Gondola

The new Blackcomb Gondola transports guests up to the Rendezvous Lodge. This new gondola completes the Peak 2 Peak 360 Experience, connecting Whistler Mountain and Blackcomb Mountain.

The Jeep passes several chairlifts on the Blackcomb Glacier jeep tour.

Horstman Glacier on Blackcomb Mountain

The Horstman Glacier is the highest point the jeep reaches on the Blackcomb Glacier Safari with Canadian Wilderness Adventures. This viewpoint is at 7,494 feet (2,284 meters) elevation.

You can see the Showcase T-Bar lift that transports skiers and snowboarders up to the Blackcomb Glacier, located on the backside of Blackcomb Peak (elevation 8,000 feet / 2,440 meters).

Above is a photo of Horstman Glacier, located on Blackcomb Peak. For perspective, those two little red dots are actually large snowcat groomers parked beside a mountain cabin.

Behind this mountain, at the top of the lift, is Blackcomb Glacier Provincial Park.

Stunning landscape views of Horstman Glacier on Blackcomb Mountain in Whistler.

Top of 7th Heaven Express Chairlift

Of course, you can’t reach a peak in Whistler or Blackcomb without snapping the obligatory photo in front of an Inukshuk. The Inukshuk has become an unofficial symbol of Canada, and it was used in the logo for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games that were hosted in Vancouver and Whistler.

The Inukshuk pictured above is located beside the top of 7th Heaven Express Chairlift at an elevation of 7,494 feet (2,284 meters). I believe this is the highest Inukshuk statue in Whistler.

Sightseeing on the Whistler Jeep Tour

Rocky mountain terrain on Blackcomb Mountain. The views from up here are incredible.

I believe that’s Overlord Glacier clinging to the side of that mountain peak in the distance.

Windy mountain trails on Blackcomb Mountain. This is the 7th Heaven skiable terrain.

Whistler Mountain terrain during the summer

To the far right is the Symphony Express chairlift and the Flute Bowl. This is my favourite section to snowboard on Whistler Mountain. In the center is Harmony Express Chairlift and Harmony Bowl, another super fun section on Whistler Mountain.

Above is the 7th Heaven Express Chairlift. We’re told that the body of water in the distance is the drinking water reservoir on Blackcomb Mountain.

Do you know how Whistler got its name?

Whistler is named after the hoary marmot. Hoary marmots are known for the whistling sound they make when they feel threatened or in danger. They are sometimes called “whistle pigs”.

These cute mammals, which are the largest species of ground squirrels, love to soak up the sun on the giant mountain rocks on Blackcomb Mountain.

Can you spot the sleeping marmot?

The Peak 2 Peak Gondola on Blackcomb Mountain. Whistler Peak in the backdrop.

Passing under the new Blackcomb Gondola on the Whistler Jeep sightseeing tour.

Where to Stay in Whistler

There several Whistler hotels to choose from. Location does matter, depending on what you plan to do on your Whistler holiday. We typically stay at hotels in Whistler Village and Whistler Upper Village because everything is walkable from there.

Hilton Whistler Resort & Spa

We stayed at the Hilton Whistler Resort & Spa on this trip to Whistler. We like the Hilton Whistler’s CleanStay program and commitment to guest safety during the pandemic.

The property is located in the heart of Whistler Village, so it’s close to everything.

Some of the Hilton Whistler Resort amenities include:

Outdoor pool and two hot tubs (during the pandemic, guests reserve 2 hour time slots).
Free 1 hour bike rentals are offered during the summer.
Tennis courts, basketball net, table tennis and full gym facility.
Cinnamon Bear Bar offers poolside service. It’s one of the few hotels in Whistler that offer a full menu and drinks selection on the outdoor pool deck.
Outdoor patio with full restaurant service (and blankets for when the sun goes down).
Taman Sari Royal Heritage Spa offering authentic Javanese treatments.

Check hotel room availability and pricing here.

You can also find unique Whistler vacation rentals on AirBnB. Get your $45 credit for Whistler accommodations here.

Search for more Whistler hotel deals here.

The outdoor pool at Hilton Whistler Resort in Whistler Village.

Have you taken a Whistler Jeep Tour?

Share your experience and travel tips in the comments below. Our readers thank you!

Whistler Jeep Tour with Canadian Wildnerness Adventures