Month guide · Whistler · Canada
Whistler in January
What January is really like in Whistler: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Uncleweed, CC BY-SA 2.0
Quick answer
January is one of the best months to visit Whistler. Expect average highs of 0°C (32°F), lows of -6°C (21°F), about 18 rainy days and roughly 8.5 hours of daylight. Mid-winter, with deep snow in the alpine and frequent storms; busy with Australian and international visitors and holiday crowds.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 0°C (32°F) / -6°C (21°F)
- Rainy days
- About 18
- Daylight
- About 8.5 hours
- Crowds
- Very busy
- Hotel prices
- Highest
Weather in January
January is the 11th-warmest month in Whistler: days average 0°C (32°F) against a yearly average high of 12°C (54°F), and nights fall to about -6°C (21°F). Rain falls on roughly 18 of its 31 days. Compared with December (0°C (32°F)), January is about as warm; by February highs climb to around 3°C (37°F).
- Sunrise (15 January)
- About 08:05
- Sunset (15 January)
- About 16:37
- Daylight
- About 8.5 hours
Winter (December–February). Ski season at its peak, with heavy alpine snowfall, holiday crowds and the highest prices of the year.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, January rates 5 for crowds (the peak is January at 5) and 5 for hotel prices (highest in January). Book accommodation early: January is one of the pricier months.
Events in January
- Whistler Pride and Ski Festival (usually late January)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in January
With cold days, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Museum · Upper Village
Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre
Join a guided tour on arrival; the cultural ambassadors explain far more than the labels.
- 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
Experience · Lost Lake
Scandinave Spa Whistler
Follow the hot–cold–rest cycle three or four times; the cold plunge feels best on a snowy day.
- Time needed
- 2–4 hours
- Cost
- Expensive
- Couples
- Rainy day
- Nature
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
What to pack
For highs near 0°C, lows near -6°C and 18 wet days: a warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers; shoes with good grip for icy pavements; a compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; comfortable walking shoes.
Is January a good time to visit Whistler?
One of the best months to visit Whistler, with a notable event on the calendar. The other best months are February–March and July–September. Compare every month.
Whistler in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is January a good time to visit Whistler?
It is one of the best months to visit Whistler. Mid-winter, with deep snow in the alpine and frequent storms; busy with Australian and international visitors and holiday crowds.
+How warm is Whistler in January?
Average highs are around 0°C (32°F) and lows around -6°C (21°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Whistler in January?
Expect rain on about 18 days of the month, so pack for wet weather.