Pemberton

Beyond Whistler — a farming valley town surrounded by glaciers, rivers, and some of BC's wildest mountain terrain.

Pemberton is a small town in the Pemberton Valley, about 35 kilometres north of Whistler on the Duffy Lake Road. It sits in a broad agricultural valley surrounded by some of the most dramatic mountain scenery in BC — the Pemberton Icefield to the west, Mount Currie rising steeply to the east, and the Lillooet River winding through the valley floor. The town has a dual character — it is both a farming community with a strong agricultural tradition (Pemberton is famous for its seed potatoes, which are exported around the world) and an adventure sports destination that draws visitors who want to experience the wilderness beyond Whistler. The combination gives Pemberton a grounded, authentic character that contrasts with the resort atmosphere of its famous neighbour. The Pemberton Valley is excellent for outdoor recreation. The Lillooet River and its tributaries offer good fishing for salmon and steelhead, and the surrounding mountains provide hiking, mountain biking, and backcountry skiing. The Hurley Forest Service Road, which climbs over the mountains to the north, provides access to the remote Bridge River Valley and the community of Gold Bridge. The Pemberton Music Festival, held annually in July, is one of the largest music festivals in western Canada, drawing major international acts and tens of thousands of attendees to the valley. The festival has become a significant part of Pemberton's identity and a major economic driver for the community.