Whistler Mountain via Pika's and Mathew's Traverse

Whistler Mountain via Pika’s and Mathew’s Traverse is a solid little grind above Whistler, British Columbia, with big alpine payoff if you hit it on a clear day. The route is 6.6 km out and back with about 389 m of gain, usually done in around two and a half hours, but it feels tougher because so much of it is steady uphill at altitude. You’ll need to ride the Whistler gondola to reach the start, and most people pair this hike with the Peak Express chair, the Cloudraker Skybridge, or even the Whistler via ferrata for a full day up high.

The trail mostly follows ski access roads and gravel paths, so it’s not a wilderness wander, but the views over the Coast Mountains and surrounding glaciers make up for the utilitarian track. Expect steep, sometimes near-constant climbing, loose gravel underfoot, and sections that feel like you’re walking straight up a ski run. On good days you’ll get wide-open views, snow walls that grow more impressive the farther you go, and plenty of photo stops; on socked-in days it can be a total whiteout with no reward at the top beyond a workout.

Recent hikers report very steep and gravelly stretches that can be slippery on the way down, so proper hiking shoes help a lot. Weather changes fast on Whistler Mountain, even in summer, with cold wind, mist, and lingering snow common into July, and some routes like High Note often stay closed early in the season. Aim for a clear-air day to avoid wildfire haze, bring layers, gloves, and a rain shell, and know you can often take a lift down if it’s running, or hike down instead if the lines are huge or the chair is closed.