Pemberton Guide for the Non-Skier
Photo by Dave Steers
Pemberton is known for its big mountain skiing, but the possibilities are endless.
You don’t have to be a sender skier or snowboarder to visit Pemberton in the winter. Tour our beautiful little town from the quaint coffee shops, breweries, and ice fishing or take a stroll along the trails with snowshoes. Pemberton is an excellent location for anyone looking to avoid the hustle and bustle of Whistler, with the same stunning views.
Read along to discover a few alternatives to sliding down a mountain on skis or a snowboard.
Get your Caffeine Boost:
Start your morning off right with the best cup of joe! Hit up Pemberton’s best coffee shops for a delicious, organic cup of coffee and a treat. Mount Currie Coffee is a local legend coffee shop with the famous Canadiano (latte with maple syrup) and fantastic breakfast wraps. Located just across the road from the Pemberton Valley Lodge, it’s just a short stroll to get your morning boost.
Stop in at North Arm Farm for a quick coffee and walk around the farm with the stunning Mount Currie glowing in the background. They offer tasty sandwiches from 9 AM-5 PM, farm fresh and ready to go. During the winter season, they have select produce available for purchase. Choose between potatoes, winter squash, beets, carrots, and garlic—the perfect ingredients to make a delicious winter soup.
The Blackbird Bakery is a local staple located in the heart of Pemberton. They are known for using local, organically sourced ingredients and freshly baked bread each morning. They use Pemberton roasted coffee beans and tea from Squamish to make the hot cuppa. They’re open 7 AM, Tuesday-Saturday, until they run out of sweet and savoury goodies. You deserve to treat yourself to one of their mouth-watering sweets!
The Booze Tour:
Sometimes you need a break, so why not go for a beverage at Pemberton’s breweries or distillery to distract yourself? Open daily; the Pemberton Brewing Company has your beer needs covered. They’re consistently coming up with seasonal and creative beers. On select nights, you can also find local artists performing for you to enjoy. Head to their Instagram feed to see which guests appear and what beers are on tap.
You’ll find a hidden gem in the Pemberton Valley, The Beer Farmers. This family-owned and operated farm is dedicated to 100% locally grown and crafted ingredients for their beer. They’re always working on new and unique favours like their award-winning Rose & Hibiscus Sour. They pour every ounce of love into their beer; trust us, you can taste the difference!
Don’t feel like drinking beer? Not a problem; you must stop into the Pemberton’s Distillery. They make the world's only Potato vodka, gin, and more. Made from Pemberton’s famous potatoes, you know it’s got to be good! They also use local, organic grains and fruits to distill their whisky and brandy. It’s a must-stop to pick up your next alcohol for the most incredible cocktail drink.
Winter Fishing:
Are you looking to adventure in the outdoors but want to stay away from extreme sports? Then, ice fishing could be for you! Join the thrill of reeling in a fish from a frozen lake. The Sea to Sky has renowned flyfishing and ice fishing; join the experts from The Pemberton Fish Finder. Let them take you to the honey hole to catch a whopper. It’s a refreshing way to spend an afternoon, but don’t forget to bundle up. Book yourself a guide any day of the week to show you where to find the big ones!
Take a Walk, But on Snowshoes:
Pemberton is well known for its fantastic bike trails in the summer, but what happens to them in the winter? Of course, a few brave souls would try to bike, but why not walk along to find a stunning viewpoint? There are countless trail units in and around Pemberton to hike on, one of the most popular being the Joffre Lake area. It has three stunning lakes to climb to, each growing in beauty.
Check out our previous blog for all the info you’ll need to plan your next snowshoeing adventure!
Don’t limit your next vacation by trying to stay in the thick of Whistler. Instead, gift yourself a quiet retreat in Pemberton and rejoice in all the great activities you can enjoy. Make the most of our beautiful town, eat and drink well as you indulge in fun afternoon activities to keep anyone entertained. Then, book your next vacation to see it in all its glory for yourself!
Posted: Friday, January 06, 2023