An Incredible Holiday Itinerary for the Family in Canada

Whistler, Canada is one of my personal favourite family summer break destinations. It combines astonishing raw natural beauty along with fantastic outdoor activities, which makes holidaying here a great way to inspire your kids and show them how beautiful this planet is!

There is an incredible amount to see and do in Whistler, but to get a better idea, here is one itinerary that will help you imagine what your holiday here could consist of...

Day 1

Upon arrival at Vancouver International Airport, take a rental car and head along the mesmerising Sea to Sky Highway. Stop off at Brandywine Falls, Whistler Train Wreck or Lighthouse Park for some amazing views. Once you have arrived and settled into your large studio suite at Nita Lake, head out for a stroll around Whistler Village and Creekside, plus be sure to pick up some items for a delicious dinner from Creekside Market!

Day 2

After a great night’s sleep, you will be raring to get out for a fun-filled day. The perfect way to kick off your vacation is with an exhilarating white water rafting adventure; there are 3 different rivers and each trip is designed to suit different abilities. Many families who have travelled with me have told me that they best enjoy the 4.5 hour trip on the Cheakamus, but the other two serve up higher category rapids for the more experienced tribes. After lunch, more excitement can follow at the number one zipline course in all of North America. I recommend the Ziptrek Twilight Tour, which sees you make your way along tree-top platforms and suspension bridges against a stunning backdrop and twinkling night stars.

Day 3

Explore Whistler’s magnificent surroundings with a day of cycling on day 3. Again there are different options for different skill levels, which include country biking, road cycling, recreational cycling and a number of excellent cross country trails across a wide range of terrain.

Day 4

No trip to Whistler is complete without a day of skiing or snowboarding on the slopes. For advanced riders, the Horstmann Glacier is a must visit. This concludes the first half of your Canadian family summer break adventure.

Day 5

Back to the airport and catching a connecting flight to Campbell River; here you take a short ferry across to Quadra Island where you will meet your guides and fellow kayakers in a local B&B. After a briefing session, you can enjoy some fine local cuisine at a superb nearby restaurant.

Day 6

After being prepared by your captain, you will set off on a breathtaking journey to Spirit of the West’s secluded wilderness base camp. Along the way, keep a look out for beautiful marine life which could include dolphins and whales. Once you are all settled and had your kayaking orientation, you can then set off and explore intricate shorelines and possibly see majestic wildlife including Orcas, whales, bears and cougars.

Day 7 & 8

After a delicious camp breakfast, you can begin to plan how you spend these two days. Whilst they can be action packed, there is also the opportunity to relax at the remote camp if you wish. Otherwise, you will set out after breakfast and continue exploring the raw and beautiful coastlines to look out for wildlife. There is also the opportunity of hikes and a visit to a marine wildlife research centre.

Day 9

After a final paddle, you will pack up and then get a water taxi back to a B&B at Quadra Island.

Day 10

Following breakfast, a short flight from Campbell River to Vancouver Airport and the onwards back home will conclude your incredible family summer break in Canada.

This amazing trip is sure to create many happy family memories, but we can also make personalised itineraries based on your needs and wishes. Get in touch with us today to find out more about this life changing Canadian adventure!

Richard Edwards is the Managing Director of Summit & Blue, an adventure holiday company offering independently crafted itineraries for a family summer break in exciting destinations around the world, including France, Italy, Portugal, the USA and Canada. With unique itineraries and exciting activities like biking, hiking, white water rafting and canoeing, we create holidays for those looking for an experience a little more off the beaten track.