Whistler, Canada: travel guide
A Coast Mountains ski village with year-round alpine adventure
North America's premier ski resort and year-round mountain-adventure village two hours north of Vancouver.
About Whistler
Whistler is a purpose-built mountain village in the Coast Mountains of British Columbia, about two hours north of Vancouver, and it is best known as a major ski resort. Whistler and Blackcomb mountains are linked by the Peak 2 Peak Gondola, which carries riders across a deep valley with spectacular views.
In summer the same slopes turn to hiking and mountain biking, and the pedestrian village is a lively base with shops, restaurants and a Scandinavian-style spa nearby. Lost Lake Park and Brandywine Falls offer easier outings among forest and water.
Whistler suits skiers and snowboarders from winter through early spring, and active travellers who prefer the long summer days. The drive up the Sea to Sky Highway is a scenic part of the trip.
- Country
- Canada
- Currency
- CAD
- Time zone
- America/Vancouver
Last updated
Top places to visit in Whistler
Whistler Blackcomb
ski-resort · 4.8 rating · about 4 h · check the fee at the gate
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
gondola · 4.8 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
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
village · 4.7 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Pedestrian-only cobblestone village core lined with shops, restaurants, patios and galleries, the social heart of the resort.
Lost Lake Park
lake-park · 4.7 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
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 · check the fee at the gate
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
spa · 4.7 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate
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
lake · 4.6 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
Scenic lake popular for swimming, paddleboarding, canoeing and lakeside parks (Rainbow and Lakeside), with views of the surrounding mountains.
Train Wreck Trail
trail · 4.6 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Easy forest trail crossing a suspension bridge over the Cheakamus River to a series of colourfully graffitied boxcars from a 1956 derailment.
Olympic Plaza
plaza · 4.6 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
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
art-museum · 4.7 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
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-centre · 4.7 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
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 to Whistler
Nearest airport: Vancouver (YVR), about 104 km away in a straight line. The road or rail journey is longer.
Getting around
- Bus
- Car Rental Self
- Walking
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.
More in Canada
Frequently asked questions about Whistler
- What are the top-rated places to visit in Whistler?
- The highest-rated places in our Whistler guide are Whistler Blackcomb, PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola, Whistler Village Stroll, Lost Lake Park, Brandywine Falls.
- Where should I stay in Whistler?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Whistler: Whistler Village, Upper Village, Creekside.
- How do I get around Whistler?
- Ways to get around Whistler covered in our guide: City bus, Self-drive car, Walking.
- What scams should I watch out for in Whistler?
- Scams reported to us for Whistler include Overpriced last-minute lift tickets; Unofficial accommodation listings. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.