Whistler in Winter Guide: What to do and where to stay
Living in Seattle, driving up to Whistler in winter is one of my favorite pilgrimages. Less than five hours from my place, it’s a super easy and stunning drive, leading you to one of North America’s mountain meccas.
Once you’re in Whistler, you can put the car keys away – you won’t need them until you leave – and focus on shredding the slopes, enjoying the village life, and spending time with friends and family.
If you’re a fiend for snowboarding or skiing, visiting Whistler in winter is one of the ‘must-dos.’ You’ll have the time of your life and be thinking about making this an annual tradition.
Inside this guide, you’ll find plenty of information to plan a trip and have the most incredible time!
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Whistler in Winter: Planning an Epic Trip
What to do during winter in Whistler?
I will note that you should check road conditions before visiting each location. A heavy snow year may make some of these inaccessible. Please carry snow chains, have snow tires, or drive a vehicle with 4×4 or AWD to ensure the best traction control.
Ski & Snowboard at Whistler and Blackcomb Resort
This is THE reason to visit Whistler in winter. It’s a world-class resort offering unbelievable conditions and views. But it’s also not easy. Whistler’s blues could be blacks elsewhere.
If you’re looking for easier riding, the Whistler side of the mountain is for you. If you want harder, more advanced terrain, go for Blackcomb.
One run that everyone should try is the Peak to Creek, the longest consistent run in North America, totaling almost seven miles and over five thousand feet of descent. It was a heckuva run, and we were pretty tired afterward, but it was thrilling!
How much does a lift ticket cost?
It’s not cheap. If you buy early, you can get them to be around $125 per day, but if you buy them around the date you will go, it could be $250 a day. In CAD, it’ll be even more expensive.
Snowshoe around Lost Lake
My first winter in Whistler, while I was going through cancer treatment, was a low-key one. We kept it simple by snowshoeing around Lost Lake. There was a small amount of elevation gain, but overall, it was relatively mellow and allowed us to enjoy the fresh air and snowy forest.
While we brought our snowshoes, you can rent them, too.
The cost of snowshoeing is $13.50 per person, while the cost of Nordic skiing is $27. (Prices in CAD.)
Book some tours or experiences
If you have more time in the area or are looking for more extensive activities, these are for you.
Sure, these will be a bit pricey, but they will create some insane memories and photography opportunities.
Ice Skate in Olympic Plaza
I’m not an ice skating person, but if you want to, it’s there for ya! There’s also a sledding area next to it for younger kids and families.
Take a photo in front of the Olympic Rings
The rings are next to the ice skating rink, so theoretically, you can knock out a few of these in one fell swoop.
The rink is open from late November through mid-March and costs a few dollars per person.
Not Skiing? Take the Gondola up and enjoy lunch at Roundhouse or Rendezvous Lodge
If you’re not looking to ski but want to enjoy the views up top, you can! You’ll have to buy a lift ticket, which isn’t cheap, but you’ll gain access to the famous Peak2Peak Gondola and all the restaurants up top.
Check out the nearby waterfalls
There are a few beautiful waterfalls in the Whistler area that should be accessible during winter.
Alexander Falls
If the road is clear, this is a great place to have lunch and drive out to near the Whistler Olympic Park. Alexander Falls is only an overlook with no hiking opportunities, but it is still a nice view to look at.
Rainbow Falls
A 2-3 mile hike in the Whistler area, this one may be harder to access with snow. I recommend bringing microspikes in case of traction issues.
Brandywine Falls
Brandywine Falls gets an immense amount of fanfare, but I found it underwhelming. None of the views are especially good for photos, and it’s a pretty short and uneventful hike. It’s probably just me being a photography snob.
What is cool is that it’s a basalt canyon, which was exactly what we saw in Iceland at Studlagil Canyon.
Shannon Falls
Now, Shannon Falls is pretty sweet. It’s not in the immediate Whistler area but in Squamish near the Sea to Sky Gondola. It’s a must-visit area, though hit it on the way up, as it’s easier to access via the highway in that direction.
Explore Whistler Village
One of the reasons I love winter in Whistler so much is that once you arrive and park your car, you no longer need it. It’s one of the most walkable and accessible areas I’ve ever visited. Plus, the buses are fantastic.
We stayed in a VRBO in the village with a bus stop a couple hundred yards from us. It was incredible!
Where to stay in Whistler in Winter?
Creekside Village
This is the first resort area you’ll reach driving north towards Whistler. It’s only a couple of miles from the area and has gondola access on the Whistler side of the mountain. I haven’t stayed or even been here, but it looks like a great home base for a weekend or longer.
Whistler Creekside Village Lodging Options
Whistler Village
Whistler Village is broken up into an Upper Village and a Village Centre. The upper portion is closest to the Blackcomb Gondola, which will take you up to that side of the mountain. The Village Centre is the lower or main region with the Whistler Gondola.
Budget Lodging: Pan Pacific Whistler
Mid-Tier: Listel Hotel Whistler
Luxury: Westin Whistler
Squamish
Forty-five minutes south is Squamish, a cute coastal town that is far more affordable than Whistler proper. That said, the Sea to Sky Highway can get backed up on weekends, which will make your drive less fun.
Unless the lodging prices are significantly higher, I would recommend getting a place in the Whistler area and not worrying about driving.
What you need to know before your trip
Currency Exchange Rate
As of March 2025, the exchange rate is $1 CAD to $0.70 USD. This means everything is “30% off” in Canada.
Drive Time to Whistler in Winter
If you can avoid downtown Vancouver, you’ll save yourself A LOT of time. We had to pick up our friends in February 2025, and it added almost an hour to the trip.
Distance from Vancouver: 90 minutes to 2 hours, depending on traffic
Distance from Seattle: 4.5-5.5 hours, depending on traffic and border crossing time
Sea to Sky Highway
The Sea to Sky Highway (Highway 99, officially) is one of the most stunning drives in Canada and the Pacific North West. Starting north of Vancouver, it winds its way 100 miles to Pemberton (which is just north of Whistler).
From Horshoe Bay to Squamish, you hug Howe Sound, with the islands and the coastal mountain visible to your west. I’m truly enamored with the region whenever I visit.
After you pass Squamish, you’re into the mountain region of the drive, showing off the stunning terrain peaks and glaciers that call this area of British Columbia home.
Weather throughout the winter in Whistler
While everyone knows how epic skiing and snowboarding at Whistler is, you have to remember that the town of Whistler only sits 2,200 feet above sea level. So, it’s not a high elevation area, which means the village level may not have a lot of snow.
Now, there will be snow, but you won’t always have feet of snow like you’d envision for a mountain town.
During the three trips I’ve taken to Whistler in winter, we’ve had highs around 37-45 and lows below freezing. It’s honestly a pretty nice place to be where you aren’t freezing but are getting cold temperatures.
FAQ: Winter in Whistler
How pricy is Whistler during this timeframe?
I wont lie, it’s not cheap. This is probably the most expensive time of the year, with how popular skiing is. Prices in Canada are already a bit higher than in the United States, but with the currency rate, it does help level things out or even make things cheaper.
I would say expect hotel prices in the $300-$600 range per night, with food costing about $30 per meal. That said, if you rent an Airbnb or VRBO, you can probably get a better nightly rate if you have friends to share the cost.
Is Whistler worth visiting during winter?
I won’t say I have extensive experiences in mountain towns during winter, but Whistler is 100% one of my favorite places to visit. Yeah, it’s touristy, but it’s also beautiful, enjoyable, and super easy to navigate.
If you’re a snowboarder/skier, you need to visit Whistler at least once in your life. It’s such a cool vibe and experience; you’ll remember it forever.
If I don’t ski/snowboard, should I go to Whistler?
That’s a tough one. While I think it’s worth it, I might recommend Squamish more than Whistler. It’ll be warmer, less expensive, and provide you with a few more hiking/outdoor opportunities. You should still drive up to Whistler for a day to see the town and sights, though.
If you do stay in Squamish, don’t miss the gondola up there or a flightseeing trip!
How many days should I spend up here?
If you plan to ski/snowboard, I recommend at least three days in Whistler. This would give you two days on he slopes and another day to hang out or be your travel day. I’ve done it by taking a half day on Friday and then returning on Monday, with snowboarding on Saturday and Sunday.
Final thoughts on Whistler in Winter
As you plan your Whistler in winter trip, I hope this guide helps you plan an amazing trip and have the adventure of a lifetime. There is an incredible amount of things to do in the region – probably requiring multiple trips to really fully grasp the Whistler mountain area.
Until next time, adventurers, stay safe.
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