A group of people walking down a street next to tall buildings

Whistler

Whistler is a mountain resort in British Columbia, known for skiing in winter and hiking and mountain biking in summer. Two mountains rise above the village, joined by the Peak 2 Peak gondola.

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Whistler is a mountain resort village in the Coast Mountains of British Columbia, about two hours' drive north of Vancouver. Its two ski mountains, Whistler and Blackcomb, are linked by the Peak 2 Peak gondola, which carries riders between the peaks. The village at their base has hotels, shops and restaurants, and the alpine skiing events of the 2010 Winter Olympics and Paralympics were held on these slopes.

Winter suits skiers and snowboarders, and it brings the most snow and the busiest slopes, so book lodging early. Summer is warmer and usually quieter, and it suits hikers, mountain bikers and lake swimmers. Once the snow melts, the gondolas carry sightseers and the trails open. Plan at least two nights to cover one full day on the mountains and time in the village.

Whistler in five

Plan half a day around Peak 2 PeakTourism Whistler says the gondola ride takes about 11 minutes one way and rises 436 m above the valley floor. Allow at least 1.5 hours, because you first ride a Village or Blackcomb gondola up.Peak 2 Peak Gondola
Fit winter tires before the drive upTourism Whistler lists winter tires or chains as required on Highway 99 from October 1 to March 31. BC says to obey signs from October 1 to April 30, so check a rental car before leaving Vancouver.BC winter driving
Leave the car parked once you arriveTourism Whistler calls the Village Stroll pedestrian-only and the Valley Trail car-free, with BC Transit buses to other neighborhoods. Day Lots 1 to 5 are a 5 to 10 minute walk from the Village.Vancouver to Whistler
Carry a card, not cash, on the mountainsTourism Whistler says Whistler Blackcomb no longer accepts cash payments. Cards and Apple Pay are widely used around the Village, so a bank card is enough.
Choose summer or winter before you bookTourism Whistler says the ski season usually starts around the third weekend of November and runs to late April, while summer sightseeing runs late May to early October.Summer or winter

Things to do in Whistler

See all attractions in Whistler

Landmark · WhistlerCloudraker Skybridge

Museum · WhistlerWhistler Museum

a large building with a sign on the side of it

Gallery · WhistlerSquamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to WhistlerPut the places you like in Whistler on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Airport: Vancouver (YVR); Tourism Whistler gives about 2.5 hours by road
Getting there: Highway 99 by car, coach or shuttle; floatplane and helicopter charters
Getting around: On foot in the Village; Valley Trail and BC Transit buses beyond
Best base: The Village for a first stay; Creekside for a quieter ski base
Time needed: 2 days for summer sightseeing; 3 or more for skiing

Weather by month

Rainy days
Snowy days

Best
Mixed
Poor

JanuarySnow19 rainy days14 snowy daysHigh1°Low-6°Peak ski season
FebruarySnow17 rainy days9 snowy daysHigh0°Low-7°Peak ski season
MarchSnow19 rainy days10 snowy daysHigh4°Low-4°Spring skiing
AprilRain16 rainy days5 snowy daysHigh8°Low-1°Slush, closing
MayRain13 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh14°Low4°Bike park opens
JuneRain16 rainy daysHigh17°Low7°Long days
JulyPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh22°Low10°Hiking, biking
AugustPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh23°Low11°Warmest month
SeptemberRain12 rainy daysHigh17°Low7°Fall colour
OctoberRain17 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh10°Low1°Shoulder season
NovemberSnow20 rainy days9 snowy daysHigh4°Low-3°Ski opening
DecemberSnow20 rainy days14 snowy daysHigh0°Low-7°Snow, holidays

Average daily high and low in Whistler Village, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Whistler

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 0°
Humidity: 64%
Wind: 4 km/h
Chance of rain: 6%

Whistler

02:57 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT-7

Today5°-1°6%Monday: Cloudy. High 5°, Low -1°. Chance of rain 6%.
Tue5°1°23%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 5°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 23%.
Wed8°1°95%Wednesday: Rain. High 8°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 95%.
Thu7°2°95%Thursday: Rain. High 7°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 95%.
Fri5°2°92%Friday: Rain. High 5°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 92%.
Sat8°1°83%Saturday: Rain. High 8°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 83%.
Sun8°0°84%Sunday: Rain. High 8°, Low 0°. Chance of rain 84%.

Updated 10:45 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 1.397 CAD

Amount

Converted to

CAD · Canadian Dollar

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

Vancouverabout 2 to 2.5 hours by roadThe usual starting point; Tourism Whistler lists coach, shuttle, floatplane and helicopter options.Read the guide
Joffre Lakes Provincial Parka drive north of the valleyTourism Whistler describes a 12 km hike past three glacial lakes; dogs are not permitted in provincial parks.
Garibaldi Provincial Parktrailheads near the valleyThe Rainbow-Madley trail is 16 km and about 6 hours return, per Tourism Whistler.

Before you go to Whistler

Whistler Village staysVillage, Creekside or Upper VillageCheck availability

Vancouver to Whistler day toursGuided days with transportCompare day trips

eSIM for WhistlerData for road and mountain daysRead the guide

Insurance for ski and bike tripsCover for injury and cancelled daysRead the guide

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Rules for Whistler, checked

Tourism Whistler: winter tires or chains are required on Highway 99 from October 1 to March 31; BC says to obey signs October 1 to April 30.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
Tourism Whistler: dogs are not permitted on the gondolas or Whistler Blackcomb property, except certified aid dogs.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source

All Whistler guides

Where to stayWhere to stay in Whistler: Village, Creekside or the valleyChecked Oct 2, 2026

Head to headVancouver to Whistler: day trip, coach or car, or stay a nightChecked Oct 2, 2026

Head to headWhistler in summer or winter: which season fits your trip?Checked Oct 2, 2026

Plan around Whistler

Vancouver

The start of the Sea to Sky drive

Read the guide British Columbia and the Rockies

Loops that include the coast and the interior

Read the guide Tofino

The Pacific beaches on the far side of the island

Read the guide All of Canada

eTA, regions, cities and money basics

Read the guide

Whistler FAQ

Is Whistler worth visiting in summer?

Yes. Tourism Whistler lists summer highs of about 21 to 27 C, and the gondolas run for sightseeing with alpine hiking, lakes and the bike park. The lifts close briefly between seasons, so confirm dates before you book.

How far is Whistler from Vancouver?

Tourism Whistler gives about 2.5 hours by road from Vancouver airport, and 5 hours from Seattle, along Highway 99. Add time in snow and avoid peak travel times, as it advises.

When does the Whistler ski season start?

Tourism Whistler says it usually begins around the third weekend in November and runs to late April, with one mountain often open for spring skiing until late May. Check mountain hours for exact dates.

Do you need a car in Whistler?

Not once you arrive. The Village Stroll is pedestrian-only, the Valley Trail is car-free and BC Transit serves local neighborhoods. A car only helps for the drive from Vancouver and for trailheads beyond the valley.

Can you bring a dog on the Whistler gondolas?

Tourism Whistler says dogs are not permitted on the gondolas or Whistler Blackcomb property unless they are certified aid dogs. Dogs are also not permitted in any provincial park or on the Rainbow-Madley trail.