Tourism Whistler (TW) is launching new tours to help disperse visitors throughout the valley this summer.
In a release last week, TW noted its Go Whistler Tours app now has 11 self-guided tours that "highlight the lesser-known (though equally inspiring) nooks of Whistler."
The free tours are simple to follow and share cultural stories, natural world history and insights, TW said.
“Since its launch in 2021, we have added several tours, each one curated by a local expert. We are proud of how this app has become a hat-trick of sorts: it reduces the demand for paper maps, it elevates small businesses, and it enhances the visitor experience. We are excited to see how our new summer tours perform,” said Kate Selig, TW's senior manager of content marketing, in the release.
The app incorporates audio so users can listen to the voices of different locals as they explore the route.
"Each stop has imagery, and some include video extras. The map and GPS functionality makes it easy to navigate, and there are tour options for people on foot and exploring via bike," the release said.
The newest tour, "Art & Storytelling of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh and Líl̓wat7úl," went live on June 21 for National Indigenous Peoples’ Day. It leads people to nine locations that are culturally significant to both nations. A collaboration between Tourism Whistler and the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre, the four-kilometre tour provides insights into how the ancestors passed on knowledge to their children and grandchildren for the benefit of future generations.
“The tour is an invitation for guests to learn about the unceded territory of the Squamish Nation and the Lil’wat Nation here in Whistler. To understand how our art connects our families to our land, and how it transforms our intangible wealth into tangible wealth. Join us in a cultural journey to learn about our homes here in Whistler with stories from our Ancestors,” said Mixalhítsa7 Alison Pascal, curator at the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre, in the release.
The Go Whistler Tours app is free to download on the Apple App Store and Google Play, and can also be viewed in a web browser at Go Whistler Tours.
