There’s a fun new attraction in Whistler that will be taking sightseeing on Whistler Blackcomb to, literally, a whole new level. A 130 meter (427 feet) long suspension bridge opened Canada Day weekend (July 1, 2018) at the top of Whistler Mountain.
To access it, you need to take the Whistler Village Gondola up to the Roundhouse Lodge at the top of Whistler Mountain. From here, you’ll follow a walking path to the right that leads down towards the Peak Express chairlift. Take the Peak Express to the top and you will see the suspension bridge on the right side.
The Cloudraker Skybridge Suspension Bridge stretches from Whistler Peak to the West Ridge, high above Whistler Bowl. The West Ridge Lookout, still under construction, will consist of viewing platform and a cantilevered walkway that will extend 12.5 meters (41 feet) out from the West Ridge. (Currently you must cross back over the bridge the way you came.) I can’t wait for the viewing platform to open!
The Cloudraker Skybridge Suspension Bridge offers 360° panoramic views, from the iconic Blacktusk and Garibaldi Lake to Whistler village and the entire coast mountain range.The bridge is a little wobbly, especially in the middle, but that’s to be expected. I definitely didn’t find it to be a deterrent. The entire experience is truly breathtaking.
A lift ticket is required for Whistler Blackcomb summer sightseeing. One day tickets are $58 CAD and allow you to hike both Whistler and Blackcomb mountains, and to also take the Peak 2 Peak between them. If you have a 2017/18 Winter Season Pass, you can purchase a summer sightseeing pass for $89 CAD. If you’ve already purchased your 2018/19 Winter Season Pass, you have unlimited access to sightseeing all summer long.
WHEN TO GO
The Whistler Village Gondola opens at 9 a.m. and the Peak Express chairlift opens at 10 a.m. Times may vary so be sure to check WhistlerBlackcomb.com for updated information. I recommend going up first thing in the morning to beat the crowds.
WHAT TO WEAR
Make sure you’re dressed for the mountain climate. It was sunny and 25° Celsius the day I went however the weather can change quickly on the mountain and it’s often much cooler than you’d expect. I highly recommend layers like the Arc’teryx Atom LT jacket and Alpha SL Jacket; they’re basically bulletproof and I never leave on a hike without these two items. Plus they’re so lightweight, you can just cram them in the bottom of your pack if you don’t need them. And of course you’ll want to ensure you’re wearing appropriate footwear like runners with grip or hiking boots, too. Don’t be that person who goes up in flipflops or heels, ok?
After experiencing it myself, I can see the The Cloudraker Skybridge Suspension Bridge being the best place in Whistler to take Instagram-worthy photos and see our extraordinary mountain vista views. Will you try it out when you’re in Whistler next?
SAVE THIS TO PINTEREST FOR EASY REFERENCE
This post may contain affiliate links. This means that at no extra cost to you, I earn a small commission if you make a purchase. Thank you for your support!
How long does it take to go from whistler village, up the gondola, walk to the express lift, up the lift, and across the bridge?
It depends how long you want to spend up there but the Whistler Gondola takes about 40 minutes, then I’d suggest another 10 to walk to Peak Express Chair, and 10-15 minutes to get to the top of the peak. The suspension bridge isn’t long so if you wanted to, you could walk it in 5 minutes. But I’m assuming you’ll want to take your time, enjoy the sights, and take some photos. Same with the walk to the Peak chair and your time on top of the mountain. Also, none of these times factor in lift lines.
Thanks, so about 1 hour to get up, plus whatever time staying up there, then hour to return a minimum? I have a time constraint, hence why I’m looking into time.
Yes, I’d allow that much time. An alternative if you’re a little pressed for time is to do the Peak 2 Peak gondola from Whistler to Blackcomb mountain. It’s 15 minutes each way and you’ll get some gorgeous views with less of a time commitment.