[VIDE] Explore Whistler, BC: Express Chairlift, a nice way to enjoy the view of Whistler Mountain

By SweetnSpicyLiving on September 27, 2023 • ( 2 Comments )

Last few weeks, I had been sharing with you my Whistler adventure. This is the 3rd instalment of 5 post series that I want to share with you. All the 5 post are related to each other and will basically give you idea on what to do in Whistler if you happen to be there.

If you missed the last posts, you can view them here:

Breakfast at Fergie’s Cafe @Squamish, BC – gives you an idea where to have breakfast or brunch on the way to Whistler
Gondola from Whistler Village – a short gondola trip from Whistler Village to the roundhouse at the

It’s always good to have breakfast or brunch before we embark on our adventure. Have a look the short video I made for Fergie’s Cafe and then scroll down and let’s start our journey to see the Cloudraker Suspension Bridge and Raven Eye Look Out point. I’ll take you on a short open chairlift ride to the top.

Let’s Start the Day with Breakfast @Fergies Cafe in Squamish

Breakfast or brunch is always a must whenever we go out of town. It doesn’t matter where, it could be grab and go or a sit in option. Very few places offers a sit down meal option along teh way to Squamish or Whistler, but we found one that is worth the stop.

I have a separate post about Fergie’s Cafe that I released last week. If you missed that post, have a look at it. I left a link at Featured Posts section at the end of this post, or if you are excited to see it now, click HERE. Here is a short video to inspire you to visit this place.

Now, let’s go to the main activities that we did. There are a lot of outdoor activities that you can do in Whistler whether you take teh gondoal or not. Gondola ride is quite expensive but in my opinion it is worth if if you have a budget for it.

Tips for the Trip

Plan Ahead – Weather you are driving to go to Whistler or taking a shuttle bus, it is always good to plan ahead. Weekdays are better time to visit as it is not as busy, but if weekend is all you have alloted then book ahead if you are taking a shuttle .
Check the weather– Always check the weather before you go. Whistler could get really hot during the Summer but can also be cold at times especially at the top.
Wear proper clothes for the weather: Regardelss if it is super sunny, I always bring with me a light jacket. The weather at the top of the mounatin could change easily and even on a nice day it could be windy and cold at the top.
Bring Snacks – There are a lot of places to eat at the village and there is also a restaurant at the top. Depending on what you plan to do at the top, I often find that bringing a snack with me is not a bad idea. A simple cookie, granola bars or some chips are handy especially if we do hiking at the top.
Come in Early – If you are taking the gondola ride, I highly recommend taht you come early to maximize the price you pay for. It costed us 90CAD per person to for the unlimited gondola ride both for blackcomb and Whistler Muntain, plus the peak express chair lift to access the Cloudraker Skybridge and Raven’s Eye.

The Gondola from the Whistler Village stops at the Rounhouse. That’s the place where the restaurant and shop are located. They have amazing view of the mountain from the patio.

The Express Chairlift is few minutes walk from the roundhouse. It is a bit far down. Depending on the day and time of visit, it could get busy but not as busy as the line up for gondola. The ride is included in the ticket when you purchase the gondola ticket.

It’s an open chairlift

If you are not afraid of heights, then I highly recommend you take the express chairlift to the top. Not only that this gives you an amazing view of the surrounding but this also takes you to the Cloudraker Bridge and Ravens Eye Lookout Point. The view at the top is amazing and definitely worth the time. This is the peak and will give you the view that you will not see from the base alone.

The first time I saw this chair lift, I was REALLY hesitant to try it. I am afraid of heights and just imagining being in an open chairlift terrified me. With a lot of convincing from friends, I gave it a try. The chair can accommodate max 3 adults and there is a height requirement for kids. So if you are taking kids with you, check that out.

The first few minutes we’re scary for me then I slowly relax and enjoyed the ride. That was the first time riding it .. this trip was my second. To be honest there was till a split second or minute that I felt a bit scared, but it did not last that long. Eye on the prize as I told myself. The prize at the top is an amazing view .. that’s worth it for me. Besides, I paid 99CAD for unlimited gondola and this lift so might as well make the most of it 🙂

The chairlift ride only takes about 8 minutes. It is an open chairlift, no seatbelts but there is a bar to protect you from falling. If you are afraid of heights, this is definitely not one that you would want to try.

What’s at the top to see

The express chairlift gives visitors access to the Cloudraker Skybridge and Raven’s Eye. A trip to Whistler isn’t complete without a walk along the Cloudraker Skybridge, a 130-metre alpine suspension bridge that gives you incredible views out over the Coast Mountains. At one end you’ll find the Raven’s Eye Lookout, a phenomenal viewing platform that gives you 360-degree mountain vista.

These 2 alone require a post on its own. This will be the next in my Whistler series so stay tuned for that. I will also share a short video for better appreciation.

If you do not feel like taking the express chairlift, there a few beautiful hiking trails at the base. The Alpine and Harmony Trail are juts one of them. Have a look to get an idea about these trails. Hiking at the top is definitely worth it if you have extra time to spare. 1 or 2 trails is more than enough for the day. This still gives you time to relax, have a meal and appreciate the view.

Hiking in Whistler

Whistler Harmony Trail Hike – Summer Hike at Whistler BC, Canada

Length: 2.7 km
Elevation Gain: 127m
Duration: About 1 hr.
Difficulty: Moderate
Blog Post: Click HERE for more details about the trail

If you like or love hiking, there are hiking trails to choose from at the top. Two of my favorite are these two here. The Harmony Trail is an easy trail. Generally considered a moderately challenging route (of course this depends also in your physica conditon). Tt takes an average of 55 min to complete. This is a popular trail for hiking and walking, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day.

Alpine Hiking Whistler BC – Summer Hike at Whistler BC, Canada

Length: 1.4 km
Elevation Gain: 78m
Duration: About 1 hr.
Difficulty: Moderate
Blog Post: Click HERE for more details about the trail

Experience this 1.4-km loop trail near Whistler, British Columbia. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 31 min to complete. This is a very popular area for hiking, so you’ll likely encounter other people while exploring. The best times to visit this trail are June through October.

Hiking Info Source: AllTrails.com

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Categories: Travel, Travel Video, When in British Columbia (BC)

[VIDE] Explore Whistler, BC: Express Chairlift, a nice way to enjoy the view of Whistler Mountain