Canada – BC Road Trip Day 4 – Travels with Carolyne

Kamloops to Whistler – Day 4 of a 12 Day BC Road Trip

We took an extra long route to Whistler from Kamloops. The fastest route is to take Highway 1 to Lillooet and then to Whistler. However, this route is windy and high up in the mountains. We just had a winter cold snap and were concerned about the road conditions. Instead, we took Highway 1 down to Hope to Vancouver, then to Whistler. This route is the safest option during the winter as it is lower in altitude and does not get as much snow and/or varying weather conditions. Unfortunately, this meant we spent 2+ hours longer on the road and a total of 6+ hour drive. In the summer, we would have definitely taken the shorter route. If you do decide to take the Highway 1 to Lillooet in the winter, then drive safely and make sure to stop at Seton Lake (I heard it is beautiful!).

Day 4
Kamloops to Whistler

After checking out of our hotel, we headed to Hello Toast for breakfast, attempt #2 this week. It was less busy during this week day morning, but the restaurant was still full when we got there. Luckily, no one else was waiting. We beat the line, as a few other groups arrived just after we did. We ordered the ironman eggs bennies and the cayenne in the rain. The cayenne in the rain was so good! It was a mixture of potatoes, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, red onion, eggs, and topped with feta cheese and cheddar. But the sauce – the salsa and dill with a dash of cayenne pepper and chives – was the real winner! What a great way to start the morning!

After breakfast, we started on our long drive to Whistler. The drive between Kamloops and Whistler (through Highway 1 to Vancouver) is very scenic and mountainous and the highway follows the Thompson River. There are many viewpoints and Provincial Parks along the way. A notable attraction is the McAbee Fossil Beds (about an hour west of Kamloops). We did not stop at the Fossil Beds, but I wish we had. The McAbee Fossil Beds is a designated heritage site with an abundance of fossils dating back to the Eocene Epoch. It was closed 2012-2019 to the public and has only been re-opened to the public since June 21, 2019.

We stopped at two spots on our drive to Whistler – Kamloops Lake Viewpoint (just off the highway about 30 minutes west of Kamloops) and a viewpoint right after the Sackum Overhead Bridge (off the highway 20 minutes Northeast of Lytton). We had packed homemade lunches, which we ate during the drive late in the day (Hello Toast was very filling).

After a few more hours of driving, we finally arrived in Whistler. Whistler is one of the largest ski resorts in North America. It has also gained a lot of attention due to it being one of the venues for the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics. We stayed at the Summit Lodge Boutique Hotel in Whistler Village. The room had a balcony overlooking the area. The Summit Lodge Boutique Hotel offers underground parking at an additional cost ($20/day). However, the library has underground parking which costs $5/overnight parking (5pm-10am). If you are like us and will be driving around during the day, this is a good option for cost savings.

I had wanted to stop by the Whistler Sliding Centre before dinner to watch luge, bobsleigh, and skeleton, but it was closed to the public. We will add it to the list for our next visit! Across the street from the hotel is Pasta Lupino, where we ordered takeout Italian food, for dinner. We got the spaghetti and meatballs, the meat lasagna, and a garden salad. The meal came with freshly baked foccacia bread. The meatballs were small, but I thought the meat lasagna was filling.

After dinner, we went on an evening stroll in Whistler Village. We passed the Olympic Plaza and the iconic Olympic Rings. Behind the Olympic Rings is the ice rink.

On our way back to the hotel, we stopped at COWS for ice cream. Despite it being cold outside, I had to get some ice cream! We shared a two flavour scoop bowl – moo york cheesecake (cheesecake ice cream with oreos and chocolate) and wowie cowie (vanilla ice cream with toffee, chocolate chips, and a house made candy bar).

Complete Day 4 Itinerary

*Travel times may vary. Check Google Maps for most accurate travel details.

9:00am: Have breakfast at Hello Toast (3 minute drive from Sandman Signature Kamloops Hotel).

10:00am: Visit the Kamloops Lake Viewpoint (28 minute drive from Hello Toast).

11:00am: Visit the McAbee Fossil Beds (24 minute drive from Kamloops Lake Viewpoint). Note: This is where the route splits for Highway 1 Lillooet or Highway 1 Lytton.

12:00pm: Visit the Sackum Viewpoint (50 minute drive from McAbee Fossil Beds) OR take Highway 1 route through Lillooet to Whistler (3.25hour drive from McAbee Fossil Beds).

1:00pm: Stop for lunch/pack lunch. Continue to Whistler (4.5hour drive from Sackum Viewpoint back to Vancouver, then to Whistler).

6:00pm: Check-in at Hotel in Whistler. Recommendation: Stay at Summit Lodge Boutique Hotel. Have dinner at Pasta Lupino (2 minute walk from Summit Lodge Boutique Hotel).

8:00pm: Go for an evening stroll in Whistler Village. Stop at the Olympic Plaza to see the Ice Skating Rink and the Olympic Rings (5 minute walk from Pasta Lupino). Pick up ice cream from COWS ice cream (4 minute walk from Olympic Plaza).

12-Day BC Road Trip Itinerary

Click “Download” below for an excel version of my 12-Day BC Road Trip Itinerary. Feel free to use the excel file as a planning template for your own trip in BC!

12-Day BC Road Trip Itinerary Download