Full screen Full screen   Share photo

Whether you need to know local public holidays or highlights through the seasons, we hope you will find the facts gathered below useful tools for your travel planning. Please feel free to contact us if we can assist you further.

General information

Home to Whistler and Blackcomb, consistently regarded as the best ski mountains in North America, and a summer paradise for outdoor enthusiasts, Whistler offers alpine scenery on a breathtaking scale. The ski and snowboard season lasts from November to August. The mountains offer over 200 marked trails, with 12 magnificent bowls and each with a vertical drop exceeding 1,524 metres (5,000 feet). Winter also brings snowshoeing, sleigh rides, skating, and glacier skiing. In warm weather, the natural landscape challenges with mountain biking, hiking, kayaking, rafting, mountaineering – and superb golf.

Whistler village radiates European charm and a decidedly Canadian savoir faire; it's a sophisticated, friendly destination whose pedestrian-only heart brims with international dining, and exceptional shopping, cultural and entertainment choices.

Travel from Vancouver is easy, whether by private limo or shuttle bus, via the scenic Sea to Sky Highway.

Time zone

GMT -8 hours
Pacific Standard Time

Language(s) spoken

English

Electrical system

Local voltage is 110 to 120 volts AC. Adapters available; please request through the Concierge.

Shopping hours

Hours of operation vary by store and range from 8:00 am to 10:00 pm. Please see the Concierge for details

Time and distance to shopping

• Blackcomb Upper Village: 1 minute/0.2 kilometres/0.12 miles
• Whistler Village: 15 minutes/1.1 kilometres/0.68 miles
• Village North: 10 minutes/0.78 kilometres/0.47 miles
• Nester's Market: 25 minutes/2.3 kilometres/1.43 miles (walk)
• Creekside Village: 10 minutes/5.6 kilometres/3.48 miles (drive)

View in–depth travel advice from Frommers.com

Back to top

Seasonal highlights

January

TELUS Winter Classic: The Whistler Blackcomb Foundation’s local charity fund-raiser is an action-packed event including fun ski and snowboard races, as well as food and wine tastings.

January-March

Kokanee Valley Race Series: Every Thursday, GS, Slalom and Super G races are open to adult skiers, snowboarders and telemarkers. Races alternate between Blackcomb and Whistler Mountains.

January-March and May

Sprite Park Rider Series: Weekend ski and snowboard competitions in halfpipe, slopestyle, rail jam and snowcross. Open to all ages.

February

Appleton Rum Peak to Valley Race: Teams of four compete in Whistler Mountain’s top-to-bottom ski race.

WinterPRIDE: A celebration of the 15th annual Whistler Gay and Lesbian Ski Week, held between February 4 and 7, 2007, includes dance parties, culinary events, health and wellness, comedy shows and daily ski guiding on both mountains.

April

TELUS World Ski & Snowboard Festival: The ninth annual spring celebration returns, including a high-energy outdoor concert series, prestigious action-sports photography and film events, demo days and non-stop parties.

May

Showcase Showdown: This two-day quarterpipe pro-am event brings out some of the best snowboarders in the region. An easy walk from the top of the gondola, it is also a fun spectacle for sightseers.

June

Whistler Jazz & Blues Weekend: Whistler Village comes alive with street concerts of swing, gospel, blues, classical jazz and jazz vocals. Evening performances take place in Whistler Blackcomb's pubs and eateries.

July

Whistler Arts Experience: Whistler’s artists and performers share their talents and their works in this week of gallery tours, imaginative displays and entertainment.

August

Weetama, Whistler's Celebration of Aboriginal Culture: Whistler provides the spectacular stage for the arts and culture of the region’s Aboriginal communities. Music, art, dance, cuisine and educational components come together to provide this culturally rich experience.

November

Cornucopia – Whistler's Food and Wine Celebration: Indulge your senses with gourmet dining, wine tasting and special events. Over 70 top wineries from California, Oregon, Washington, British Columbia and around the world - as well as an array of industry experts - participate in a weekend of gala tasting, winemaker dinners, food and wine seminars and a closing gourmet brunch.

December

Nokia Snowboard FIS World Cup: The best boarders in the world return to compete for the largest purse in North America's World Cup circuit.