Whistler, Canada: travel guide
North America's premier ski resort and year-round mountain-adventure village two hours north of Vancouver.
- Country
- Canada
- Currency
- CAD
- Time zone
- America/Vancouver
Top places to visit in Whistler
Whistler Blackcomb
Nature · 4.8 rating · about 4 h
One of North America's largest ski resorts, spanning two mountains (Whistler and Blackcomb) with over 8,000 acres of skiable terrain, alpine hiking and sightseeing in summer.
PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola
Viewpoint · 4.8 rating · about 1.5 h
Record-setting gondola connecting Whistler and Blackcomb mountains, spanning 4.4 km with the world's longest unsupported span and highest lift of its kind, offering panoramic alpine views.
Whistler Village Stroll
Heritage · 4.7 rating · about 1.5 h
Pedestrian-only cobblestone village core lined with shops, restaurants, patios and galleries, the social heart of the resort.
Lost Lake Park
Nature · 4.7 rating · about 2 h
Forested park a short walk from the village with a swimming beach, dock, picnic areas and an extensive network of cross-country ski, bike and walking trails.
Brandywine Falls
Waterfall · 4.7 rating · about 1 h
A 70-metre waterfall plunging into a canyon, reached via a short trail in Brandywine Falls Provincial Park about 15 minutes south of Whistler.
Scandinave Spa Whistler
Activity · 4.7 rating · about 3 h · entry CAD 105
Nordic-style outdoor spa with hot baths, cold plunges, saunas and relaxation areas set in a quiet forest, operating on a quiet (silence) policy.
Alta Lake
Nature · 4.6 rating · about 2 h
Scenic lake popular for swimming, paddleboarding, canoeing and lakeside parks (Rainbow and Lakeside), with views of the surrounding mountains.
Train Wreck Trail
Nature · 4.6 rating · about 1.5 h
Easy forest trail crossing a suspension bridge over the Cheakamus River to a series of colourfully graffitied boxcars from a 1956 derailment.
Olympic Plaza
Heritage · 4.6 rating · about 0.8 h
Village plaza built for the 2010 Winter Olympics, with the Olympic rings, a playground, splash park and a stage hosting free summer concerts.
Audain Art Museum
Museum · 4.7 rating · about 1.5 h · entry CAD 22
Architecturally striking museum housing a collection of British Columbia art, from Indigenous masks to Emily Carr and contemporary photography.
Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre
Cultural · 4.7 rating · about 1.5 h · entry CAD 20
Cultural centre celebrating the Squamish and Lil'wat First Nations through art, exhibits, guided tours and traditional architecture.
Things to do
- Whistler Blackcomb Ski & Snowboard Lift Pass Skiing · 8 h · from CAD 175 per person
- Whistler Mountain Bike Park Day Pass Mountain Biking · 6 h · from CAD 99 per person
- Ziptrek Ecotours Ziplining Ziplining · 3 h · from CAD 149 per person
- PEAK 2 PEAK 360 Sightseeing Experience Sightseeing · 4 h · from CAD 89 per person
- Whistler ATV Backcountry Tour Atv · 3 h · from CAD 169 per person
- Scandinave Spa Nordic Bath Experience Spa · 3 h · from CAD 105 per person
- Whistler Bungee Bungee · 1.5 h · from CAD 159 per person
- Whistler Snowmobiling Tour Snowmobiling · 3 h · from CAD 199 per person
Day trips and tours
- Sea-to-Sky Highway Day Tour from Vancouver 10 h · from CAD 180
- Whistler Glacier & Backcountry Helicopter Tour 3 h · from CAD 450
Where to stay in Whistler
- Whistler Village about CAD 400 per night
The pedestrian heart of the resort, walking distance to the gondolas, shops, restaurants and nightlife. Best for first-timers who want everything at their doorstep.
- Upper Village about CAD 450 per night
Quieter base area at the foot of Blackcomb around the Fairmont Chateau Whistler, with easy access to the Blackcomb Gondola and a more relaxed feel.
- Creekside about CAD 300 per night
The original Whistler base 5 km south, with its own gondola, lakefront lodges and a low-key, local feel; good value and quick highway access.
Hotels
- Fairmont Chateau Whistler 4.5-star · CAD 550 to CAD 1,200 per night
- The Westin Resort & Spa, Whistler 4-star · CAD 400 to CAD 850 per night
- Pan Pacific Whistler Mountainside 4-star · CAD 350 to CAD 750 per night
- Nita Lake Lodge 4-star · CAD 320 to CAD 700 per night
- HI Whistler Hostel 2-star · CAD 45 to CAD 140 per night
- Pangea Pod Hotel 2-star · CAD 110 to CAD 220 per night
Where to eat
- Araxi Restaurant + Oyster Bar Pacific Northwest, Seafood, Canadian · about CAD 110 per person
- Purebread Bakery, Cafe · about CAD 15 per person
- Sushi Village Japanese, Sushi · about CAD 45 per person
- El Furniture Warehouse Pub, Comfort Food · about CAD 18 per person
- Bearfoot Bistro Contemporary, Canadian, French · about CAD 150 per person
- Caramba! Restaurante Mediterranean, Italian · about CAD 35 per person
- Rimrock Cafe Seafood, Canadian, French · about CAD 95 per person
- Peaked Pies Australian, Bakery · about CAD 16 per person
Getting around
- Bus main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Car Rental Self main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Walking main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
Safety and scams to avoid
Overpriced last-minute lift tickets
Whistler Blackcomb ticket windows
Walk-up window prices for lift tickets are far higher than advance online prices, and peak days can sell out, leaving visitors paying top dollar or missing out.
How to avoid it: Buy lift tickets or passes online days in advance through the official Whistler Blackcomb / Epic site for big savings and guaranteed access.
Unofficial accommodation listings
Online vacation-rental platforms
Fake or misrepresented short-term rental listings (sometimes violating local rules) take deposits for places that don't exist or aren't licensed.
How to avoid it: Book through reputable platforms or Tourism Whistler, verify the listing has a valid BC short-term rental registration, and never pay by wire transfer or e-transfer to an unverified host.