While Whistler Blackcomb is most famous for being the largest ski resort in North America and offering some truly gnarly on-snow terrain, the British Columbian resort has plenty to offer when the summer rolls around. The mountain bike park is world renowned, but the hiking and wildlife viewing opportunities are just as incredible.
Whistler’s wildlife is abundant, with deer, squirrels, bears, birds, fish, and so much more inhabiting the valley and lower portions of the mountain. Plenty of animals live in the alpine as well, but only one is responsible for the mountain’s iconic name.
Hoary marmots live amongst the rocks of the alpine and sub-alpine, spending their summers feeding on the mountain’s grasses, leaves, flowers, seeds, and other green plants. When they spot predators like eagles, foxes, coyotes, and bears, the large rodents let out a high pitch alarm call that sounds like a loud, sharp whistle. While it was originally called London Mountain, Whistler was renamed in 1965 to honor the warning signal that greeted summer hikers.
If you haven’t been fortunate enough to spot the large squirrels, head to the High Note Trail on Whistler or the Decker Loop on Blackcomb during your next visit to British Columbia. Those two areas are the best for spotting marmots around the mountain resort.
About Hoary Marmots
Hoary marmots are large, ground-dwelling squirrels adapted to cold mountain environments across western North America. They are especially associated with alpine and subalpine habitats, including rocky talus slopes, boulder fields, and open tundra near the tree line, where they can stay close to cover while still reaching rich patches of summer vegetation.
They spend much of the warm season eating and building fat reserves, then retreat underground for a long winter hibernation. During hibernation, they remain in burrows lined or protected by rock and soil, and their metabolism slows dramatically so they can survive months of snow and scarce food.
Marmots often live in family groups or small colonies, with individuals keeping watch from exposed rocks while others feed nearby. In the short alpine summer, they can be seen basking in the sun, grooming, and moving between feeding spots and burrow entrances. Their survival strategy depends on timing. They must breed, raise young, and gain weight during a brief warm season before snow returns. The iconic scream helps keep the colony safe by alerting others quickly to danger, especially in open habitats where predators can be spotted from far away.
