With the last precious days of summer slipping away and the school backpacks already packed, we had one mission: get out of town for one final family adventure. We decided on a classic BC trifecta—Vancouver, Whistler, and Victoria—and made it happen in a mad, three-day dash over the Labor Day weekend.
Leaving right after the boys’ Saturday Japanese language school, the car was a chaotic symphony of snack wrappers and excited chatter. After a much-needed dinner stop in Bellingham, we finally pulled into Vancouver around 8 p.m., exhausted but buzzing with anticipation for the next big day.
Day 1: Trading Snow for Sun in Whistler
The next morning, we were off to Whistler! My last time here was for a honeymoon snowboarding trip, so the change from a cold, white landscape to a lush, green mountain town was a pleasant surprise. It turns out, Whistler is just as magical in the summer. We grabbed some bikes and spent the entire day exploring the town’s paved trails and soaking up the vibrant atmosphere.
The village of Whistler was absolutely beautiful. We took a break from our bike ride to explore the bustling Farmer’s Market, where we grabbed some delicious local treats and enjoyed the lively atmosphere.
Taking our bikes on our family trip to Vancouver and Whistler was a lot of work. From loading and unloading four bikes to securing them at every stop, it was a major effort. But all that extra work was absolutely worth it! Having our bikes with us allowed us to fully explore and enjoy our time in Whistler, giving the boys a blast and letting us experience the joy of biking in nature. We’re so glad we did it.
If you’re interested in learning more about how to make a family bike trip work, you might want to check out my post “Best time with my children: Bikes“ where I share tips and gear descriptions.
One of the highlights of the ride was a trail to the beautiful Lost Lake. The boys loved the challenge, and the payoff was pure bliss: a cool, refreshing break by the water on a hot day. We kicked back, watched them splash around, and just chilled, taking it all in. Whistler proved that it’s a true all-season playground, and it’s definitely high on our list for a return trip!
The highlight of our ride was the trail to the beautiful Lost Lake. The boys eagerly took on the challenge of the ride, and the reward was a moment of pure calm: a cool, refreshing break by the water on a hot day. We kicked back and watched them splash around, soaking in the peaceful scenery. The trail was the perfect distance for a family bike ride, taking us just under 30 minutes round-trip. It was the ideal way to earn our rest!
Whistler proved that it’s a true all-season playground, and it’s definitely high on our list for a return trip!
Day 2: Thrills and Chills in Victoria
On Sunday, we were ready for a new island adventure. We caught a ferry to Nanaimo, with the boys’ faces glued to the windows as we sailed across the water. The big event of the day was the Malahat Skywalk, and let me tell you, it was beautiful, fun, and totally thrilling!
The absolute best part for the boys was the massive spiral slide from the very top of the tower. They did it at least three times, and the frantic climbs back up were a workout in themselves—a hidden exercise program designed just for them, ha! The view from the top was breathtaking, and it was so fun watching our older son, who is a little scared of heights, still enjoy it while holding on tight. We also had a scavenger hunt finding all the cool wooden sculptures along the walk.
After all that excitement, the boys had a sudden, intense craving for Japanese food, so we made a detour to a giant H Mart (Korean market) nearby. We loaded up on all the essentials: cup ramen, rice, natto (fermented beans), and salmon sashimi. There’s something so perfect and memorable about a simple feast in a hotel room after a big day of adventure.
As a fun fact about Victoria, its tap water is consistently ranked among the highest in quality, rivaling most bottled water. Nice!
Day 3: Crabs, Crabs, and The Final Stretch
For our final day, we took a scenic ferry from Victoria back to Port Angeles in the US. We decided to make one last stop at Kitsap Memorial State Park. The plan was a final bike ride, but the trails were a little short. That didn’t matter one bit, though, because the boys discovered the beach was teeming with crabs! They spent the rest of the day in pure joy, running around and trying to catch the little creatures.
It was a perfect, low-key way to end a jam-packed, three-day trip. We came home exhausted, but with hearts full of great memories. It was a true whirlwind, a perfect last hurrah for the summer, and a reminder that the best adventures are often the ones you decide on a whim.
