Travel guide · Canada
Whistler travel guide
Two mountains, the Peak 2 Peak Gondola and a car-free village two hours from Vancouver
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Clarisse Baudot, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Whistler is a mountain resort town in British Columbia's Coast Mountains, about 120 km north of Vancouver along the Sea-to-Sky Highway. Its two mountains, Whistler and Blackcomb, form one of the largest ski areas in North America, linked by the Peak 2 Peak Gondola, and in summer the same lifts serve a famous downhill bike park and alpine hiking trails. The pedestrian-only village at the base, built for skiers from the late 1970s and a host venue of the 2010 Winter Olympics, holds most hotels, restaurants and après-ski bars. Plan 5 days for a first visit; the best months are January–March and July–September.
Key facts
- Country
- Canada
- Best time to visit
- January–March and July–September
- Ideal stay
- 5 days
- Main airports
- YVR
- Mid-range daily budget
- $300–$500 per person (estimate)
- Known for
- Skiing and snowboarding, Peak 2 Peak Gondola, Mountain biking and 2010 Winter Olympics
Why visit Whistler
- Whistler Blackcomb has more than 200 marked runs on two mountains, with bowls, glaciers and tree skiing above a car-free village.
- The Peak 2 Peak Gondola crosses 4.4 km between the two mountains, up to 436 metres above Fitzsimmons Creek.
- In summer, the Whistler Mountain Bike Park and alpine trails such as the High Note Trail make it as busy as in winter.
- The Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre and the Audain Art Museum add Indigenous culture and BC art to a sporting trip.
- Lakes, waterfalls and the Valley Trail network are a short walk or bike ride from the village.
Top things to do
The six sights most first-time visitors build a trip around. See all 16 things to do.
Nature · Whistler Village
Whistler Blackcomb ski resort
Two mountains with more than 200 marked runs, three glaciers, alpine bowls and long groomers, rising more than 1,500 vertical metres above the village.
- Time needed
- Full day
- Cost
- Expensive
- Iconic
- Active
- Outdoors
- Views
Viewpoint · Whistler Blackcomb
Peak 2 Peak Gondola
Opened in 2008, the gondola links the Roundhouse on Whistler Mountain with the Rendezvous on Blackcomb in about 11 minutes across 4.4 km, with a 3 km unsupported span and a maximum height of 436 metres above the valley.
- Time needed
- 1–3 hours with time at the top
- Cost
- Expensive
- Iconic
- Views
- Kids
- Photo spot
- Couples
Experience · Whistler Village
Whistler Mountain Bike Park
From about mid-May to October, the lower half of Whistler Mountain becomes a lift-served downhill bike park with trails for beginners to experts, including famous lines such as A-Line.
- Time needed
- Half or full day
- Cost
- Expensive
- Active
- Outdoors
- Iconic
Viewpoint · Whistler Blackcomb
Cloudraker Skybridge and summer alpine trails
In summer, the Peak Express chair lifts sightseers to the summit of Whistler Mountain, where the Cloudraker Skybridge, a 130-metre suspension bridge, crosses to a viewing platform hanging over the West Ridge.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Expensive
- Views
- Outdoors
- Active
- Photo spot
- Nature
Museum · Upper Village
Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre
Shared by the Squamish and Lil'wat Nations, whose territories meet at Whistler, the centre's longhouse-inspired building holds carvings, weaving, canoes and a reconstructed pit house.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Art
- Rainy day
- Kids
Gallery · Village North
Audain Art Museum
A dark, elongated building raised on stilts in the forest, designed by Patkau Architects and opened in 2016, holds a collection of British Columbia art from historic Northwest Coast masks to Emily Carr, E.J.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Art
- Rainy day
- Architecture
Where to stay
Whistler Village is the easiest base for a first visit. Compare all 6 areas.
$$$$ · Best for first-timers, nightlife, families and solo travellers
Whistler Village
Pedestrian stroll of shops, bars and hotels at the base of both gondolas
$$$ · Best for families, budget and quiet stays
Village North
Newer extension with the Marketplace supermarket, condos and the Audain museum
$$$$ · Best for luxury, families, quiet stays and couples
Upper Village
Blackcomb's base, with the Fairmont Chateau and ski-in, ski-out hotels
$$$ · Best for quiet stays, families and couples
Creekside
Whistler's original 1960s base area, with its own gondola and a quieter village
What to eat
- Poutine — Fries with cheese curds and hot gravy, the standard après-ski refuel; some places top it with pulled pork or short rib.
- Après-ski nachos — Huge platters of nachos piled with cheese, jalapeños and salsa are a Whistler après ritual, shared at slopeside patios as the lifts close.
- Caesar — Canada's signature cocktail of vodka, Clamato, hot sauce and Worcestershire in a celery-salt-rimmed glass, often garnished with pickled beans or bacon.
- BC wild salmon — Sockeye and spring (chinook) salmon from the BC coast, cedar-planked or grilled; Indigenous preparations are served at the Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre café.
- Bannock — A simple fried or baked bread with a long history among Indigenous peoples across Canada, served plain, with jam or as a base for savoury toppings.
- Ramen and sushi — A large Japanese community of seasonal workers and visitors has given Whistler many Japanese restaurants, and a bowl of hot ramen is a favourite after a cold day on the hill.
When to go
For skiing, the best time to visit Whistler is January to March, when the snowpack is deepest, with December holidays and February long weekends the busiest and most expensive. For summer activities, July to September brings warm, dry weather for biking, hiking and lakes. May, October and November are quiet shoulder seasons, when some lifts and businesses are closed.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | March–May | Sunny spring skiing into April, then a quiet shoulder season in May as the valley greens and the Bike Park opens. |
| Summer | June–August | Warm, mostly dry days for the Bike Park, alpine sightseeing, lakes and festivals; as busy as winter in July and August. |
| Autumn | September–November | Golden September hiking and biking, then a wet, quiet shoulder season with closures until the lifts reopen for skiing in late November. |
| Winter | December–February | Ski season at its peak, with heavy alpine snowfall, holiday crowds and the highest prices of the year. |
Getting there and around
Most visitors fly into Vancouver International (YVR), about 135 km and 2.5 hours away. Scheduled coaches and private shuttles run from the airport and downtown Vancouver to Whistler Village; driving takes about 2–2.5 hours via the Sea-to-Sky Highway, longer in snow.
Whistler's village is pedestrian-only, and the main areas are linked by the Valley Trail and frequent local buses, so most visitors do not need a car once they arrive. Getting there means the Sea-to-Sky Highway from Vancouver, a scenic but sometimes demanding mountain road.
Plan your days
Three days gives two days on the mountains and a day for the village, spa or lakes. Skiers usually stay five to seven days; summer visitors can combine Whistler with Squamish, Joffre Lakes and Vancouver.
Practical information
- Currency
- CAD
- Language
- English
- Plugs
- Type A and B sockets, 120 V, 60 Hz
- Tap water
- Tap water is safe to drink.
- Emergency number
- 911
- Tipping
- Tip 15–20% on the pre-tax amount at restaurants and bars, about $1–$2 per drink, 10–15% for taxis, and $10–$20 per person per day for ski or bike instructors and guides if you are pleased.
The main risks are mountain ones: avalanches outside the ski area boundary, tree wells after heavy snow, sudden weather changes in the alpine, black bears on summer trails and winter driving on the Sea-to-Sky Highway. Stay in bounds unless trained, check conditions before heading out and follow posted closures.
Flights to Whistler
Questions travellers ask
+How many days do you need in Whistler?
Three days gives two days on the mountains and a day for the village, spa or lakes. Skiers usually stay five to seven days; summer visitors can combine Whistler with Squamish, Joffre Lakes and Vancouver. How to split your days.
+When is the best time to visit Whistler?
For skiing, the best time to visit Whistler is January to March, when the snowpack is deepest, with December holidays and February long weekends the busiest and most expensive. For summer activities, July to September brings warm, dry weather for biking, hiking and lakes. May, October and November are quiet shoulder seasons, when some lifts and businesses are closed.
+What is Whistler known for?
Skiing and snowboarding, Peak 2 Peak Gondola, Mountain biking, 2010 Winter Olympics, Après-ski, Sea-to-Sky Highway and Alpine lakes. Whistler Blackcomb has more than 200 marked runs on two mountains, with bowls, glaciers and tree skiing above a car-free village.
+Is Whistler expensive?
Whistler is very expensive for international visitors: a mid-range trip costs roughly $300–$500 per person per day before flights (AMZBooking estimate). Costs and money-saving tips.
+Do you need a car in Whistler?
No. Once in Whistler, you can walk, ride the free and paid local buses and use the Valley Trail. Rent a car only for day trips to Squamish, Pemberton and trailheads, or to travel from Vancouver on your own schedule.