The Other Side of Pemberton: A Two-Day Trip Along Rainforest to Rockies

By Leah Adams-Chute August 28, 2024

Tourism Pemberton | Craig Barker

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Whistler may be the iconic Canadian mountain and resort destination, but if you drive just 20-minutes north you’ll find the alpine adventure town of Pemberton. This laid-back village is full of young families, multi-generation farmers, and longtime locals who laid down roots in the Pemberton Valley surrounded by the towering backdrop of Mount Currie. Check out this two-day summer road trip itinerary exploring Whistler’s lesser known mountain town neighbour for farms, food, outdoor adventures on horseback, and more. If you crave more adventure, you can continue your journey east towards the Canadian Rockies and really go from sea to sky.

A field of sunflowers at Laughing Cow Organics in Pemberton | Tourism Pemberton/Craig Barker

Day 1: Farms and Food

Start your day by heading north on Highway 99 from Vancouver or simply drive 20 minutes north of Whistler to land yourself in Pemberton. You’ll immediately notice the calmer and more grounded vibe in this farm town valley.

Stop in at Blackbird Bakery and order a fresh coffee supplied by the Pemberton Valley Coffee Co. and a sweet or savoury pastry. Everything is baked in house by a team led by a classic French pastry chef who now calls this place home. Journey on to North Arm Farm where you can partake in family farm fun. From mid-June to the end of October, visitors can pick strawberries and blueberries. Arrive with your own picking container, or purchase one from the farm and choose your own perfectly ripe berries. Don’t forget to stop in at the on-site farm shop to buy meat pies, soups, hot sauce and more.

Come the afternoon, head down the Pemberton Valley to The Beer Farmers for a “farm-to-pint” experience. This 500-acre family farm has been owned by the Miller family for four generations. Here, lagers and ales are brewed on-site and served up from the barn tasting room and outdoor seating area. Bring the dog, and the kids, and laze about all afternoon. The on-site Miller’s Fries food truck serves up smash burgers, ice cream, and hand-cut fries for when hunger sets in. If you plan it right, you can visit when the annual tulip field is in bloom or when the sunflower maze is open in August.

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Copper Cayuse Outfitters

Day 2: Horse Around

For day two, kick it up a notch and get out on the trails. Book a morning horseback riding tour with Copper Cayuse Outfitters and see the other side of Pemberton. Trips are suitable for all levels of riders and guests can book full-day, half-day, or hourly horseback riding experiences from April through to October. Full day experiences trot riders through the sub-alpine wilderness around Birkenhead Lake, Fowl River Falls, and Sun God Mountain with lunch included. Half day experiences wander the enchanted forest and woodlands areas, while hourly rides leave from the Pemberton Ranch and explore the Pemberton Valley trails. Multi-day experiences and tours can also be booked with overnight excursions that include river crossings, mountain trail wanders, serene lakes, and a base camp with daily meals and campfires.

If you booked a half-day tour, fuel up with a stop at The Hwy. Cafe for lunch after a morning in the saddle. This cafe, tucked into Pemberton’s industrial park, is the first plant-based cafe in town serving up breakfast, lunch, and treats.

Spend the afternoon on a self-guided Pemberton Farm Tour. Wander eight different local farms to purchase local produce and treats directly from the source. After that, load up and head for One Mile Lake to cool down with a dunk in the water off the dock or let the kids roam the lakeside playground. Directly from the lake there are a series of bike and hiking trails to explore, too. End the day with dinner at a classic Pemberton staple, One Mile Eating House, at the local pub favourite of The Pony, or newcomer Saneh Thai Restaurant.

Head back south to Vancouver via Whistler or continue the journey northeast to explore more of the province along Rainforest to Rockies route. It’s always worth it to venture a little farther and discover what is beyond the regular tourist track.

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