Whistler Ski Resort

Host to the 2010 Winter Olympic Games, Whistler is the world-famous ski resort that includes Whistler and Blackcomb mountains just two hours from Vancouver.

Whistler-Blackcomb is the Lower Mainland’s biggest and best ski hill, and the Village of Whistler is beautiful year round with its shops, restaurants and cafes.

This article contains the following information about Whistler:

Whistler Village

The Village of Whistler is absolutely worth a visit, even if you don’t ski. Even the drive along the Sea to Sky Highway to get there is breathtaking in good weather, when clouds aren’t hiding the views. And there is a lot to see along the way.

Interesting places to visit in the town include the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre (which is an Indigenous museum) and the Whistler Farmers Market (which takes place once or twice a week between May and October). There are also lots of shops and restaurants, a couple of other museums, a bike park and a skate park.

Just out of town, there is also the acclaimed Scandinave Spa and Superfly Ziplines. Additionally, there is Vallea Lumina, a really cool light walk attraction in the forest that you can visit. At the same venue there are also RZR All-Terrain Vehicle and Snowmobiling opportunities.

Click Village of Whistler for more information about the town.

Whistler-Blackcomb Ski Hills

Whistler-Blackcomb is the Lower Mainland’s ultimate ski hill, and one of the best in the world. Host to many of the events at the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games, the resort has something for everyone.

In the winter it’s a snow sport enthusiast’s paradise, and in the summer it’s a mecca for hard-core mountain bikers and outdoor enthusiasts from around the globe. The Peak 2 Peak Gondola connects the two mountains and is one of the top attractions in the area.

Click Whistler-Blackcomb for more on the ski resort and year-round mountain activities.

The Whistler Area

Beyond the village and ski resort, the Whistler Area offers lots to do all year. In the summer there is golf, lakes for boating and swimming, plus trails for biking and hiking. In the winter there are trails for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling.

Click Whistler Area for more information on the surrounding region.

The Sea to Sky Region

The Sea to Sky Highway is the drive between Vancouver and Whistler. There are amazing places to visit along the way including Shannon Falls, Stawamus Chief, the Sea to Sky Gondola, Alice Lake and other top attractions.

Click Sea to Sky Region for more details.

Plaza at Whistler Village in Summer — Whistler Village

Whistler Calendar of Events

The resort town of Whistler hosts numerous festivals and events throughout the year including the following:

January: the Whistler Pride and Ski Festival – a 2SLGBTQIA-themed series of events in late January.
February: Family Day happens on the third Monday in February and its a stat holiday in BC. The 2025 Invictus Games also happen in Whistler and Vancouver.
March: St. Patrick’s Day is on March 17th each year. On that day and on the weekend before or after there are Irish-themed celebrations at area bars and pubs.
April: Whistler World Ski & Snowboard Festival – a 10-day festival featuring outdoor concerts, nightlife and everything to do with skiing and snowboarding.
May: Whistler Go Fest – a “Great Outdoor Festival” over the May long weekend with free concerts, sports activities and art workshops. The Whistler Children’s Festival used to take place in July, but since 2022 it now also happens in May.
June: Tough Mudder Whistler – a series of military-style-obstacle-course-type races that take place around the world, and June is when Whistler plays host.
July: Whistler Summer Concert Series – a series of outdoor concerts takes place at Whistler Olympic Plaza on select days. Admission is free.
August: Whistler Summer Concert Series – the free outdoor concerts continue in August with live DJ sets and headlining performers.
September: GranFondo Whistler Bike Race – a 122-kilometre cycling race from Vancouver to Whistler along the Sea to Sky Highway in September. Also in September there is the Whistler Village Beer Festival which celebrates everything to do with craft beer.