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Pemberton is a year-round outdoor recreation destination. Sports enthusiasts head to the town from late spring to early fall to indulge in everything from hiking, biking, camping, golfing and horseback riding to soaring, rafting, jetboating, swimming and fishing. Late fall to early spring, thanks to its proximity to Whistler/Blackcomb, the area is a hot spot for downhill and cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling.
Pemberton offers easy access to hiking, mountain biking and horseback-riding trails as well as to wonderful camping opportunities. Hiking trails abound; two notable ones are Nairn Falls, a brisk, 3-km (1.8 mi) roundtrip route that was once part of the traditional path used by the Lil’wat Nation to access the falls and Mount Currie; and the trail to Upper Joffre Lake, a more strenuous but exhilarating 11-km (6.8-mi) route that leads to the crystal-clear lake as well as to breathtaking vistas of the area. Guided horseback riding tours take riders on scenic, ambling routes through forests and meadows as well as past rushing rivers.
Pemberton is fast becoming a mountain-biking mecca thanks to a multitude of trails suited to every skill level. These include the technically challenging Tenquille Lake Trail, which rises 1,373 m (4,500 ft) above the valley, rewarding brave riders with spectacular scenery and 1,220 m (4,000 ft) of single-track downhill; the 50-km (31-mi) long but technically easy Birkenhead Lake Loop; and the 11-km (6.8 mi) Green Lake Trail, a moderate route that feeds into the Lost Lake trail system.
Those interested in camping have plenty of options. Birkenhead Provincial Park offers a walk-in campsite; both Birkenhead and Nairn Falls provincial parks offer many drive-in sites. Backcountry campsites can be found at Joffre Lakes Provincial Park, 5.5 km (3.4 mi) from the parking lot. There are also rustic Forestry Recreation sites along Lillooet Lake as well as Duffey Lake and Pemberton Portage roads.
From April through October, adventure seekers can soar over the valley aboard a two-seater glider. Helicopter tours are also available.
This region is known for its golf courses, offering two spectacular 18-hole courses at the base of Mount Currie.
The Pemberton Museum explores the history of the Pemberton Valley, from its beginnings as a home to Lil’wat Nation – who settled at the foot of towering Mount Currie and at the head of Lillooet Lake – to the arrival of European settlers in the late 1880s, to its role as a farming community. There are some fascinating historical homes on the museum site that date from the late 19th century. The museum’s gifts shop sells locally crafted gifts that include pottery, furniture, jewelry and paintings.
Pemberton is an easygoing town that reflects its farming roots. Those looking for varied entertainment options can find them an easy 30-minute drive away at Whistler/Blackcomb. Pemberton itself hosts many events at its new motocross and stock-car race track.
Pemberton is surrounded by a number of awe-inspiring parks. Birkenhead Lake Provincial Park’s 9,755 ha (24,105 ac) protects habitat such as old-growth forests, sub-alpine and alpine environments as well as lakes for a diverse group of wildlife, including spotted owls, mountain goats as well as black and grizzly bears.
Nairn Falls Provincial Park, located on the Green River, shelters a forest of western hemlock, western red cedar and coast Douglas fir. The park also guards the spiritual site of the Lil’wat Nation, Nairn Falls. A 1.5-km (1-mi) hike from the parking lot leads to a viewing platform of the falls. Some unusual wildlife call this park home, including the rubber boa, one of the most cold-tolerant of snake species.
Joffre Lakes Provincial Park offers many opportunities for hiking, camping and mountaineering. This magnificent park, home to Upper, Middle and Lower Joffre lakes, awes with its soaring, snow-capped peaks, rushing streams and ice-blue lakes. Joffre Lakes is home to much wildlife. Look for mule and coastal black deer, black bears and mountain goats.
After an exhausting day of outdoor recreation, many visitors rest their weary bodies in the area’s hot springs, which include Meager, Keyhole, St. Agnes Wells and Sloquet hot springs.
Pemberton is a terrific watersports destination. There are sandy beaches around Lillooet Lake at Strawberry Point, Twin One, Lizzie Bay and Driftwood Bay. Mosquito, Anderson, Birkenhead and Gates lakes are also popular swimming locales. Memorable jetboat tours on Lillooet River take visitors by soaring, glaciated mountain peaks and traditional salmon fishing camps.
Those looking for a wet adventure can try guided whitewater rafting down many of the area’s rivers, or lake kayaking, particularly at Birkenhead Lake Provincial Park. Fishers head to this area to catch the multitude of kokanee, rainbow trout, Dolly Varden and cutthroat in numerous lakes and rivers.
Pemberton is just a 30-minute drive from Whistler/Blackcomb, North America’s largest ski resort, with over 3,306 ha (8,171 ac) of terrain, more than 37 lifts, over 200 marked runs and award-winning terrain parks. Whistler/Blackcomb is consistently ranked among the top winter resorts on the continent and will host many alpine, Nordic and sliding events in the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Those passionate about cross-country skiing can indulge here, particularly at Lost Lake in the Whistler/Blackcomb area, which offer a 29-km (18-mi) trail network. If you want to get away from the crowds and rush through fresh powder, try single or multi-day guided heli-skiing packages. Or head out on snowshoes: the challenging Joffre Lakes Trail winds past three lakes, with spectacular vistas at Middle and Upper Joffre lakes. Snowmobiling is a growing sport in the region. The Pemberton Ice Cap offer the thrills and chills of vast tracts of ice and snow, panoramic views, ice caves and crevasses. Snowmobilers can also drive along the Upper Lillooet and Meagher Creek Forest Service logging roads north of Pemberton to the Meagher Springs hot springs.
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