Whistler is famous for its winter skiing and riding, but it turns out there’s an even more rare and spectacular experience waiting in the alpine.

After a late arrival of summer on Blackcomb and Whistler mountains, wildflower season is finally here — but only for a limited time. Arthur DeJong, Whistler Blackcomb’s environmental resource manager, said the blooms will be out through the end of August, but after that it’s anyone’s guess.

All it takes is for one night of frost or snow in the alpine to bring the wildflower season to an end, and such cold snaps have been known to occur in early September, he said.

“I won’t be long before we get some freezing up high,” he said.

Seeing wildflowers in the alpine is so special because for most of the year the rich ecology of the area is hidden under a thick blanket of snow, DeJong said. Wildflower season is the most “dynamic” time of the year in the alpine, he said.

“(The true alpine) doesn’t reveal its ecology until the snow melts,” DeJong said. “Wildflower season is the most prolific, colourful part of that unveiling.

“It’s a choice time to be up there.”

In recent days, the south aspect of Blackcomb has been rich in Sitka valerian, lupine and fleabane, and the Indian paintbrush is starting to bloom, he said Friday (Aug. 13). Red, white, purple, yellow and other colours are visible against a backdrop of “vibrant” green, he added.

“We are nearing what appears to be the peak of the bloom,” he said.

And the best locations to enjoy the splendour, snap a few photos and maybe even get inspired to pick up your paintbrush? DeJong recommended the Lakeside Loop on Blackcomb, a 1.3-kilometre one-way trail that’s rated blue for intermediate hikers. For advanced and expert hikers, the Decker Loop on Blackcomb is rich with colours, he said. On Whistler, the signature High Note Trail has sections with plentiful blooms.

“For anyone who enjoys the alpine, it really is almost a pinnacle time to be out there,” DeJong said.

Wildflower season is even more special this year because it’s so short. Because of a late start to summer and a deep snow pack, DeJong said the flowers started to bloom about three weeks late this year. Depending on what happens with the weather now, he’s not even sure the flowers will bloom at all on some of the mountains’ north aspects where there are still patches of snow.

But the good news is that most of the 50 kilometres of hiking trails on Whistler and Blackcomb are now open.

DeJong, who spends many of his days in the local alpine, said people might also see wildlife such as black-tailed deer, owls, hawks, black bears, marmots and more.

“It’s so ecologically rich,” he said. “Our greatest natural asset here is our alpine.”

DeJong reminded alpine adventurers to bring a camera and be cautious of the extreme fire hazard — that means no smoking or fires.

Experience a rare piece of nature with wildflower season in Whistler. Get up there on the Whistler Village Gondola or take the open-air chairlifts on Blackcomb. For a list of hiking trails, what’s open, difficulty ratings and maps, visit whistlerblackcomb.com.