Plan your visit
Plan your visit to Whistler
Distances, seasons, openings and rules, checked against official sources where they publish a figure, on 26 October 2026. Each block names its sources.
Whistler at a glance
Facts about Whistler from the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) and other official sources, with the date where a fact can change.
- Where
- The Resort Municipality of Whistler covers 24,500 hectares on the west coast of Canada, approximately two hours north of Vancouver along the Sea to Sky Highway, in the Coast Mountain range.
- Population
- The 2021 census counted 13,982 residents (Statistics Canada), and the RMOW says almost 14,000 permanent residents live in Whistler. More in the Whistler Village guide.
- Territory
- The RMOW says Whistler's lands and waters lie within the unceded territories of the Lil'wat Nation and the Squamish Nation.
- The municipality
- The RMOW was incorporated on 6 September 1975, when fewer than 1,000 people lived in Whistler.
- Skiing
- Whistler Mountain opened for skiing in January 1966, and Whistler Village, Blackcomb Mountain and the north side of Whistler Mountain opened for business in December 1980.
- The village
- The village consulting team began work in 1978, and landscape architect Eldon Beck, who the RMOW says was instrumental in the design of Vail Village in Colorado, created the foundation of the Whistler Village plan as a car-free town centre.
- Olympics
- Whistler was the Host Mountain Resort for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, according to the RMOW.
- Winter 2026-27
- Whistler Blackcomb lists 20 November 2026 as its opening day and says opening and closing dates are subject to change, pending weather and conditions.
- Snowfall
- The Environment Canada station in Whistler, at 657.8 m elevation, averages 418.7 cm of snowfall a year in its 1981 to 2010 normals, and December is the snowiest month at 114.0 cm.
- Bears
- Both black bears and grizzly bears live in Whistler, and the RMOW advises staying at least 100 metres from any bear.
Sources: RMOW: About; RMOW: Whistler history; Whistler Blackcomb: hours of operation; Environment Canada: climate normals, WHISTLER station; RMOW: living alongside wildlife; Statistics Canada: 2021 Census Profile, Whistler.
A day in Whistler, summer or winter
A plan built from the stops described on this page. Check each stop before you go; the table of openings below gives the dates checked on 26 October 2026.
- Morning: the village and Olympic PlazaStart in Whistler Village, the car-free core planned from 1978, and walk to Whistler Olympic Plaza, the park that held the 2010 Winter Games medal ceremonies. The RMOW says the plaza is in Village North, within walking distance of all village bus stops. Voyzo's village tours meet at the Gondola Transit Exchange in Skiers Plaza.
- Late morning: the Cultural CentreThe Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Líl̓wat7úl Cultural Centre is at 4584 Blackcomb Way (hours are in the table below). Voyzo's 3-hour private village tour includes a stop there, and the page for the sightseeing tour says full admission is not included.
- Afternoon in summer: Lost LakeLost Lake Park at 4700 Lost Lake Road has a swimming area, docks and trails, open from dawn until dusk in summer. The RMOW's transit page (copy saved 14 August 2026) listed a free shuttle running daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. between 27 June and Labour Day; check the dates for your trip. There is no lifeguard and the water can be cold.
- Afternoon in winter: snow and liftsFrom 15 December to 31 March the Lost Lake trails are for skiers and snowshoers with a ticket or pass. Whistler Blackcomb lists 20 November 2026 as its opening day; confirm that the Peak 2 Peak Gondola is running on your date before you plan around it.
- Evening: the spaScandinave Spa Whistler at 8010 Mons Road lists daily hours of 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Electronic devices stay in lockers, and the spa recommends three to four heat, cold and rest cycles of about 45 minutes.
- A second day: let a tour plan itFor the lakes, lookouts and Olympic sites in one loop, see the village tours; for black bears, the 4x4 safari; for glaciers and peaks from the air, a helicopter flight; in winter, the snowmobile tour. See the tours above.
Sources: RMOW: Lost Lake Park; RMOW: transit service; Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre; Scandinave Spa Whistler; Whistler Blackcomb: hours of operation; RMOW: Whistler Olympic Plaza.
Best time to visit: season by season
Temperatures, snow and rain are 1981 to 2010 averages from Environment Canada's WHISTLER station (climate ID 1048898, elevation 657.8 m); no 1991 to 2020 normals for this station were found when checked on 26 October 2026. What is on is the schedule published when checked on 26 October 2026.
Best time to visit: season by season
| Season | Typical weather | What is on |
| Winter (December–February) | Mean daily highs of -0.2 to 3.2 °C and lows of -5.4 to -4.2 °C. Snowfall averages 114.0 cm in December, 103.0 cm in January and 64.2 cm in February, and the mean snow depth is 54 cm in January and 60 cm in February. | Lost Lake's winter trails run from 15 December to 31 March for skiers and snowshoers with a ticket or pass, and Whistler Olympic Park lists a night skiing special on select Mondays and Wednesdays from 14 December 2026. The RMOW lists 1 October to 31 March as the winter-tire period on most major highways, including Highway 99; check DriveBC before you drive in March or April. Voyzo's snowmobile tour runs while the backcountry has enough snow. |
| Spring (March–May) | Mean daily highs rise from 7.2 °C in March to 16.4 °C in May, and lows from -2.3 to 3.8 °C. Snowfall falls from 47.4 cm in March to 15.8 cm in April and 1.0 cm in May. | The RMOW's winter-tire period and Lost Lake's winter trail season both end on 31 March. Park food trucks run from mid-May to Labour Day, according to the RMOW. |
| Summer (June–August) | Mean daily highs of 19.9 to 24.0 °C and lows of 7.2 to 9.2 °C. July and August average 21.7 and 22.6 days with a high above 20 °C, and they are the driest months at 44.7 and 47.5 mm. | Lost Lake Park is open from dawn until dusk. The RMOW says food trucks may not be scheduled at Lost Lake in late July and early August because of the annual Western Toad migration, whose timing varies from year to year. Crankworx Whistler is listed for 16 to 25 July 2027. Bears live around Whistler's trails: see the outdoors section. |
| Autumn (September–November) | Mean daily highs fall from 19.8 °C in September to 3.5 °C in November, with lows from 5.6 to -1.8 °C. Precipitation averages 154.6 mm in October and 192.1 mm in November, the wettest month of the year, and snowfall averages 7.6 cm in October and 65.7 cm in November. | Winter tire rules start on 1 October. Whistler Blackcomb lists 20 November 2026 as its opening day and Whistler Olympic Park lists 27 November. The Cultural Centre is on a renovation schedule from 6 November to 31 December 2026. The RMOW says bears are most motivated to search for food before hibernation in the fall. |
The normals are for the WHISTLER station at 657.8 m, so they describe the valley, not the mountain tops. Season dates change every year: check each operator before you go.
Sources: Environment Canada: climate normals, WHISTLER station; Whistler Blackcomb: hours of operation; Whistler Olympic Park; RMOW: Lost Lake Park; RMOW: roads and winter driving; Crankworx Whistler; RMOW: living alongside wildlife.
How to get to Whistler and get around
Journey times are for normal conditions. Municipal pages were read from dated copies, so confirm schedules and fares before you travel.
By road from Vancouver
The RMOW puts Whistler approximately two hours north of Vancouver along the Sea to Sky Highway, and the provincial Ministry of Transportation maintains and clears Highway 99. A shuttle operator's FAQ on Tourism Whistler's site notes that only one highway connects Whistler and Vancouver, so delays are unavoidable in extreme weather or after a traffic incident.
Road conditions and fuel
The RMOW points drivers to DriveBC for highway alerts and live Highway 99 cameras, or 1-800-550-HWYS (4997). It advises packing warm clothing, food, water and a charged phone, and topping up fuel because there are long stretches between gas stations.
Winter tires
The RMOW says vehicles in British Columbia must use winter tires on most major highways between 1 October and 31 March. On Highway 99 a passenger vehicle needs tires with the three-peaked mountain and snowflake symbol, or the M+S symbol with at least 3.5 mm of tread. Commercial vehicles have different winter tire and chain rules.
Shuttle bus from Vancouver
Tourism Whistler (copy saved 26 June 2026) says three operators run year-round shuttle bus service between Vancouver International Airport, downtown Vancouver and Whistler, and that private transfers are also available. One operator's FAQ gives a typical journey of around 2.5 hours from the airport. Schedules change by season, so check before you travel.
Local transit
Whistler Transit buses run from 5:20 a.m. to 3 a.m. daily with extra winter service, and the Village Shuttles (routes 4 and 5) are free (RMOW, August 2026). BC Transit's fares page, in a copy saved on 8 March 2026, listed a single ride at CAD 2.75 and a DayPASS at CAD 5.50, and children 12 and under ride free; the live page showed the same figures on 26 October 2026. Check fares before you ride.
On foot, by bike and parking
More than 50 km of paved Valley Trail links the village with parks and neighbourhoods. The RMOW's parking page (copy saved 18 February 2026) lists year-round pay parking in Day Lots 1 to 5 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., a maximum stay of 24 hours, and no parking in those lots from 3 a.m. to 6 a.m. between 1 November and 31 March. It warns that the lots can be busy at weekends and in holiday periods.
Sources: RMOW: About; RMOW: roads and winter driving; Tourism Whistler: Vancouver to Whistler by shuttle bus; RMOW: transit service; BC Transit: Whistler fares; RMOW: Valley Trail; RMOW: where to park in Whistler.
What is open, and what changes in 2026–27
Dates published by each operator or owner, as read on 26 October 2026 unless a row says otherwise. Operators change hours and seasons, so the last column says where to check.
What is open, and what changes in 2026–27
| Place or event | What is published | Check |
| Whistler Blackcomb winter season | The opening day is listed as 20 November 2026. Whistler Blackcomb says opening and closing dates are subject to change, pending weather and conditions, and that all lifts may close without notice due to weather. | Whistler Blackcomb hours of operation |
| Peak 2 Peak Gondola | Whistler Blackcomb describes a 4.4 km (2.7 mile), 11-minute journey. The pages read did not list operating dates for the gondola, so confirm that it is running on your date. | Whistler Blackcomb lift and terrain status |
| Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre | Standard hours are Tuesday to Sunday, 10 am to 5 pm, closed Mondays. From 6 November to 31 December 2026: Wednesday to Sunday, 10 am to 5 pm. The museum, gift shop and cafe are closed on 2 to 5 November (renovations), 11 and 13 November, 25 and 26 December and 1 January 2027; the centre says additional special closures apply and to check slcc.ca/visit. | slcc.ca |
| Scandinave Spa Whistler | Daily hours of 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., with massages from 9 a.m. | scandinave.com |
| Lost Lake Park | Per the RMOW (page copy of 9 March 2026): open from dawn until dusk in summer. The winter season is 15 December to 31 March, for skiers and snowshoers with a ticket or pass; walking, hiking, biking and dogs are not allowed on the trails then. The parking lot is pick-up and drop-off only from 15 May to 15 September. The RMOW's transit page (copy of 14 August 2026) gave no 2027 shuttle dates. | whistler.ca |
| Whistler Olympic Park, Callaghan Valley | Winter opening is listed as Friday 27 November 2026, weather permitting, with hours of 9 AM to 5 PM daily and until 9 PM on Mondays and Wednesdays, and a night skiing special on select Mondays and Wednesdays starting 14 December 2026. | whistlerolympicpark.com |
| Crankworx Whistler | The next festival is printed as 16 to 25 July 2027. | crankworx.com/whistler |
| Voyzo tours with conditions | The snowmobile tour page says it is winter-only and runs only when the backcountry has adequate snow cover. The mountain-landing helicopter page says the landing happens only when weather allows. The bear-safari page states no season, so Voyzo confirms the dates available when you ask. | Each tour page and your quote |
Not found when checked: the 2027 summer shuttle schedule, the Peak 2 Peak Gondola's operating dates and a calendar date for Whistler Blackcomb's closing day.
Sources: Whistler Blackcomb: hours of operation; Whistler Blackcomb: Whistler in summer; Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre; Scandinave Spa Whistler; RMOW: Lost Lake Park; RMOW: transit service; Whistler Olympic Park; Whistler Sport Legacies; Crankworx Whistler.
Outdoors and wildlife: rules that apply to visitors
Whistler's parks and trails sit in bear habitat, and the lakes are cold. These are the rules and advice published by the RMOW and BC Parks.
Bears
Both black bears and grizzly bears live in Whistler, and the RMOW says to stay at least 100 metres from any bear. Its trail advice: make noise, travel in a group of four or more, avoid dawn and dusk, carry bear spray, keep dogs on a leash and never feed a bear. Whistler has been a Bear Smart Community since 2011. Report a bear or cougar in a residential area to the B.C. Conservation Officer Service on 1-877-952-7277, or text 7277.
Lakes and water safety
At Lost Lake there is no lifeguard on duty and the water can be cold, according to the RMOW. The RMOW's rules say to bring a life jacket and whistle: Canadian law requires anyone paddleboarding, canoeing, kayaking or using an inflatable boat to have the right safety gear, except when floating in a swimming area, and non-compliance may result in a CAD 230 fine for each missing item (page copy of 9 March 2026).
Park rules at Lost Lake
Dogs are not permitted on the Lost Lake beach; Canine Cove, an off-leash area, is 400 metres north of it. Camping, campfires, smoking and alcohol are not permitted, and briquette barbecues are prohibited when the fire danger rating is high.
Garibaldi Provincial Park
BC Parks describes Garibaldi Provincial Park as 195,000 hectares, legislated as a Class A park in 1927, with five access points along Highway 99 between Squamish and Pemberton, 2 to 16 km off the highway: Diamond Head, Black Tusk/Garibaldi Lake (Rubble Creek), Cheakamus Lake, Singing Pass and Wedgemount Lake. The page read on 26 October 2026 listed day-use pass rules only for dates in 2025, so check BC Parks for current rules. It says climbing the Black Tusk is not recommended because of loose, unstable rock.
Sources: RMOW: living alongside wildlife; RMOW: Lost Lake Park; BC Parks: Garibaldi Provincial Park.
Practical information
Money, entry, access and safety points that visitors ask about, each from an official page and dated where it can change.
- Sales tax
- The B.C. government says the general rate of provincial sales tax (PST) is 7% of the purchase or lease price of goods and services, with some exceptions; its page, updated on 21 September 2026, does not give a rate for short-term accommodation, so check your booking.
- Entering Canada
- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada says visa-exempt foreign nationals need an eTA to fly to or transit through a Canadian airport but not when arriving by car, bus, train or boat, and that an eTA is linked to a traveller's passport (page details dated 23 April 2024). Check the IRCC site for your own nationality.
- Parking payments
- The RMOW's parking page, in a copy saved on 18 February 2026, carried a notice dated 29 December 2025 saying fake QR codes imitating the official payment signs were found on pay parking terminals in Day Lots 1 to 5, and that municipal parking in Whistler does not use QR codes for payment.
- Accessibility
- Lost Lake Park lists two accessible parking stalls, an accessible washroom and two accessible picnic tables, and the RMOW's transit page says at least one of the two shuttles on each park shuttle route is wheelchair accessible. The RMOW's page for Whistler Olympic Plaza (see Voyzo's guide) lists low-grade ramps, hard-surface pathways, accessible washrooms and an FM induction loop.
- Time zone
- The B.C. government says the province has adopted permanent year-round daylight saving time, called Pacific time (PCT), at UTC-7. The final clock change was on 8 March 2026, and on 1 November 2026, when clocks would usually be turned back, no change will be made. Its page, published 17 September 2026, says parts of northeastern and southeastern B.C. use a different time zone from the rest of the province.
Sources: Government of British Columbia: PST; IRCC: eTA facts; RMOW: where to park in Whistler; RMOW: Lost Lake Park; Government of British Columbia: B.C.'s new time zone (Pacific time); RMOW: Whistler Olympic Plaza; RMOW: transit service.
Nearby: Squamish, Brandywine Falls and the Callaghan Valley
Places within reach of Whistler by road, from official park and venue pages.
Squamish and the Garibaldi trailheads
Squamish lies on Highway 99 south of Whistler, and Voyzo lists its tours on its own page. BC Parks puts the access points for Garibaldi Provincial Park on Highway 99 between Squamish and Pemberton; the outdoors section lists them.
Brandywine Falls Provincial Park
BC Parks says the park is 47 km north of Squamish off Highway 99 and describes a 70 metre waterfall. The Brandywine Falls Trail is a 10 to 20 minute one-way walk, there is no access to the lower falls area, and the park gate is closed in the off-season so visitors can only enter on foot.
Callaghan Valley
Whistler Olympic Park is at 1500 Callaghan Valley Road and is run by Whistler Sport Legacies, a not-for-profit organization. Voyzo's 4x4 bear safari begins at Alexander Falls and then enters its Legacy Trail Network, according to the tour page.
Sources: BC Parks: Garibaldi Provincial Park; BC Parks: Brandywine Falls Provincial Park; Whistler Olympic Park; Whistler Sport Legacies.