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Skiing Whistler Blackcomb is of course, first and foremost about the skiing. Not only is it one of the best ski resorts in Canada, but it has also been called the best in the world. And part of what makes it deserving of such a tag is the resort itself.
Whistler Village didn't happen by accident. It's an example of joined-up thinking, a pedestrian-only village where locals bring their up-for-anything attitude to every shop, restaurant and gathering place. Its energy is palpable. And Whistler’s offering of experiences lets you indulge all of the senses, in all of the seasons. From the cultural to the culinary, the educational to the entertaining, its boutique shops, museums, restaurants, galleries, international events and colourful festivals deliver countless options to make a Whistler ski holiday totally memorable.
Where is Whistler?
Whistler Blackcomb is located in the Coast Mountain Range, 120km north of Vancouver, British Columbia, on the west coast of Canada. The drive from Vancouver to Whistler is approximately 2 hours along the scenic Sea to Sky Highway (Highway 99). The nearest airport is Vancouver International and transfers to the resort are available by shuttle bus, limo, SUV, and even helicopter (weather dependent).
Get to know Whistler Village
Whistler Village is the heart of this resort, clustered around the Skiers Plaza at the foot of the slopes. Built in a style familiar throughout British Columbia – all angles and pastel colours, sloping roofs and timber cladding - its pedestrianised high street, the 'Village Stroll', meanders like a stream through the town where hotels and condos mingle with shops, bars and restaurants, linking to everything the resort has to offer.
Located in the Village is the Olympic Plaza where an ice-rink has been set up, along with a dedicated area for the little ones to play and slide in the snow, called the Snow Zone. Plus if you love skating and want a truly authentic experience, if the conditions are right you can take your skates for a spin on several of the local lakes. A great chance to immerse yourself in nature with an unbeatable view of the surrounding peaks.
Blackcomb base is known as the Upper Village and is within walking distance of Whistler Village. Whistler's original local ski-hill base area, Creekside, is situated a 3 km drive to the south; it has its own lower-key resort development with a gondola link to the mid-mountain flanks of the main Whistler Mountain slopes.
The main resort centre and its surrounding slopes has a wonderful buzzing atmosphere in high season and on most weekends, but the scale of the area and the choice of various resort amenities means that there are usually quieter corners where you can unwind and soak in the tranquillity of the mountains.
Dining in Whistler
Whistler’s food and drink scene is as eclectic as its people, with more than 200 restaurants, cafes and bars serving wonderful culinary offerings from all around the world. Choose from laidback snacking, exquisite fine dining, authentic pubs and street food - they're all on hand in this mountain village. Whistler’s dining experiences are also an adventure. Do fondue by snowmobile, sample your way through a brewery, or savour caviar and champagne at an alpine lake.
Try a guided lunch or dinner progressive tasting tour - these feature four of Whistler's best restaurants in one enjoyable evening. It's a deliciously memorable multi-course meal where each plate is provided by a different restaurant in a literal moving feast. It's always a good idea to book in advance for the most popular restaurants.
The best non-ski activities in Whistler
There are so many things to do in Whistler. Dogsledding, ziplining and specialty snowmobile tours like the Mountain Top Fondue are hugely popular. If you prefer your down-time to be on the calmer side, don’t miss Vallea Lumina, a multi-media experience and light show in the forest, or the chance to relax in the hot pools at the outdoor Scandianve Spa. For more excitement, you can experience the thrill of sliding down the same track as the Olympians with Passenger Bobsleigh and Skeleton, at the Whistler Sliding Centre on Blackcomb, or try your hand at biathlon at Whistler Olympic Park.
Non-skiers can also take a winter sightseeing tour by taking a gondola from the Village. Go for a ride on the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola and take in all the must-see sights with the backdrop of the magnificent Whistler and Blackcomb mountains. And while you’re up enjoying an eagle’s eye view of the surrounding snowy landscapes, take the opportunity to sample some fantastic on-mountain cuisine, with a huge range of options to choose from no matter your taste or budget.
Young kids will love the Tube Park, while snowshoeing is an activity the whole family will love. And remember, Whistler Village itself is wonderful to explore. In the winter months, it's lit up with thousands of fairy lights, so throw on some layers and enjoy the simplicity of a winter stroll here or at Creekside Village.
Whistler’s skiing story may only go back 50 years, but there’s a much older story being told here, too. This area is where the territories of two First Nations peoples, the Lil’wat and Squamish tribes overlapped. Their history goes back for centuries and it’s a heritage that’s rightly honoured and celebrated in Whistler at the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre. It’s more than worth an afternoon of your time.
Unmissable events in Whistler
From First Nations culture to the latest in contemporary art, music and more, Whistler’s arts and culture scene plays an integral and entertaining part in daily life here. Check out the Whistler Film Festival, Whistler Pride Ski & Snowboard Festival and World Ski and Snowboard Festival, all on the calendar for 2024/25.
There are also Whistler Blackcomb’s Fire & Ice Shows, comedy nights, live music, art exhibitions and races of all kinds on and off the slopes to name a few events that happen weekly during the winter. Looking further ahead, the 2025 Invictus Games will be held at Whistler Blackcomb and in Vancouver from February 8-16 2025. Keep an eye on the Whistler events calendar as it starts to fill up for the coming season.
Great accommodation options in Whistler Village
Whistler offers a varied selection of accommodation, from charming mountainside townhomes, full-service hotels, secluded alpine homes and fully equipped condominiums, with something to suit all budgets. Booking in advance gives you the most perks, the best availability and biggest savings, but sometimes you need a last-minute deal. Whistler has those too.
How to plan a ski trip to Whistler
As a world-class ski resort, Whistler is unsurprisingly popular, especially at peak times, so it's essential to plan ahead. Here are some tips to help you.
How many days in Whistler is enough?
Short answer: the more the merrier. But certainly the longer your stay, the greater your savings and the more time you'll have to explore the world class slopes and the many other activities. Staying longer means more time to enjoy your skiing and immerse yourself more deeply in the local community, and will leave you feeling refreshed and fulfilled. Lift tickets will be limited this season, so if you know you’ll ski, buy your tickets or passes in advance. Whistler Blackcomb Day Passes start from $94 CAD per day, but the more days you buy, the better value it becomes.
Can I book a package?
Of course, and the easiest way is to book direct at Whistler.com. Book a 2024/25 Winter Package now and save up to 30% on lodging. Plus, you'll receive a free Whistler.com Gift Certificate on stays of 7 or more nights. And be sure to book ski lessons, equipment hire and even restaurants in advance, too.
Is it expensive to ski in Whistler?
It can be, but it’s also a prime opportunity to get outstanding value for money. The epic experiences you’ll have in Whistler are something you won’t find anywhere else, and the memories will last a lifetime.
If you're scanning the prices of lessons and lift passes online, remember the favourable exchange rate for British visitors means every Canadian dollar equates to just under £2. So you can roughly halve the prices you see on-screen - and on the mountain!
You can also find some great savings by booking well in advance. Booking early for winter 24/25 direct with Whistler ensures the best rates, prime accommodation choices, and peace of mind for a stress-free ski holiday.
To find out more about this wonderful destination and to book your winter getaway to Whistler, go to whistler.com/winter
