As the largest ski area in Canada and the site of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games, the alpine village of Whistler, British Columbia, is nestled at the base of two signature mountain peaks, Whistler and Blackcomb. Renowned for its vast ski terrain ranging from double black runs and glacier chutes to bunny hill slopes, skiing is at the heart of everything during the busy winter season. As the village has grown, its attractions have expanded to encompass activities beyond the slopes. Whistler’s summer season is bustling with those seeking fresh air mountain adventures and the chance to enjoy the excellent artistic, culinary, and wellness scenes. With cultural destinations such as the First Nations Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre and the Audain Art Museum, and numerous annual festivals, Whistler offers plenty to at every time of year.

International visitors can fly into Vancouver International Airport (YVR) and then rent a car or book the daily coach shuttle to Whistler. In winter, note that your rental car must be equipped with winter tires, or those with a M+S (mud and snow) designation. The drive takes approximately two hours, winding north along the Howe Sound fjord on the scenic Sea to Sky Highway 99. Whistler village is compact and pedestrian-only: cars can access hotel parking garages and lots around the perimeter. The Main and Upper Village are connected via an easy 10-minute stroll that includes a covered bridge over Fitzsimmons Creek. If you don’t have a rental car, taxis, transit, and rideshare services are available if you wish to travel to Whistler Creekside, access golf courses, or visit other attractions in the valley.

Whistler has grown into a truly four-season resort town that buzzes with activity and people staying in the area’s vacation rentals all year round. Winter enthusiasts will revel in the skiing, riding, and snow play opportunities on the slopes of Whistler and Blackcomb, and in the nearby Callaghan Valley. The summer season attracts mountain bikers, hikers, and golfers. Whistler hosts a variety of popular culinary and cultural festivals throughout the year, including Whistler Cornucopia in fall, the Whistler Film Festival and the Whistler Pride and Ski Festival in winter, and the World Ski and Snowboard Festival (WSSF) in spring. As a mountain town, weather tends toward colder temperatures in winter with regular snowfall throughout the season. In summer, you should prepare for warm days but have a sweater ready for cool nights when the sun sets.

Whistler Train Wreck

Hike to a unique set of ruins at the Whistler Train Wreck. A scenic one-hour walk and suspension bridge over the Cheakamus River leads you to the site of seven abandoned boxcars that went off the rails in the 1950s. A series of boxcars that went off the rails in the 1950s and have since been abandoned are now a hiking destination along this scenic one-hour trek that also involves crossing a suspension bridge over the Cheakamus River. The rail cars have since been used as jump-offs for mountain bikers and as colourful, graffiti-covered backgrounds perfect for photo ops.

Audain Art Museum

Whistler is home to one of British Columbia’s leading art galleries and iconic buildings. The Audain Art Museum houses one of the world’s finest collections of Northwest Coast First Nations masks, as well as a permanent collection featuring many of B.C.’s most prominent artists.

Lakes and Rivers

Whistler has several lakes and rivers offering aquatic adventures for guests in summer. The River of Golden Dreams, officially known as Alta Creek, connects Alta Lake at its southern end to Green Lake in the north. The short meandering flow of the river is ideal for canoeing or kayaking in summer. Alta Lake is calm and perfect for paddle-boarding, while Lost Lake is closer to the village centre and popular for summer swimming and sunbathing.