Whistler is a gem of British Columbia. In the summer, there are endless hiking and mountain biking trails to explore. In the winter, the mountains offer incredible opportunities to ski and snowboard in one of the most beautiful places in the world. Combine all of this adventure with chalets, great night life and fantastic restaurants, Whistler makes for a perfect vacation spot right here in Canada.
In this guide, we are sharing the best hotels and resorts to stay in, as well as the best restaurants to eat at and some great things to do during your vacation in Whistler!
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Know Before You Go:
Language: Two official languages in Canada are English and French, with over 80% of the population speaking English! The majority of locals in Whistler speak English.
Currency: The official currency is the Canadian Dollar. Typically 1 CAD converts to approximately 1.30 USD!
Payment Methods: Most places that you visit in Whistler will accept all major Credit Cards such as Visa, Mastercard and AMEX. ATM’s are available throughout the Village as well!
Electrical Outlets: Plugs: Electrical Outlets in Whistler (and all of Canada) are type B (the same as the USA). The standard voltage is 110-120 V, and the standard frequency is 60Hz. If you are travelling from outside of Canada and the USA we recommend a Universal Travel Adaptor or Voltage Convertor!
How To Get There:
Rental Vehicle: If you are flying into British Columbia you will likely be flying into Vancouver International Airport. From there, you can pick up a rental car and head north to Whistler! The Sea to Sky highway is considered one of the most scenic and beautiful drives in the world.
Shuttle Bus: You can catch shuttle buses from Vancouver Airport and right in the heart of Downtown Vancouver. There a few services, however we used Skylynx and the service was always on time and professional! It is also $20 CAD one way, or $30 CAD roundtrip from downtown Vancouver! You can check out their website here to book! The shuttles have a variety of drop off points, and if you book with Skylynx they will drop you right at your hotel!
When To Visit:
Whistler is a great place to visit all year round! The time of year that you visit will be dependent on what kind of adventure you are looking to have!
Spring/ Summer: The spring and summer season is the perfect time to explore hiking trails, canoe and SUP on Alpine lakes and do some back country camping in the area! Wild flower season starts in early July in the mountains, so you will see a lot of beautiful flowers during your hikes. The Village itself will be open and most restaurants offer patios, so you can enjoy the great weather in mountains!
Fall/Winter: Due to the altitude of Whistler, expect some snow to appear in late Fall! Winter in Whistler is one of the most beautiful times to visit! If you like to ski or snowboard, Whistler has legendary mountains to shred. Or if you are more of the Apres Ski type, Whistler Village has plenty of restaurants and bars to visit!
Where To Stay:
There two different areas of Whistler. Whistler Village is the main place to stay as it houses the majority of the restaurants, bars, hotels and activities in the area. Whistler Creek is a short 5 minute shuttle ride away from the Village and has some hotels and AirBnb’s. This is where the majority of the locals live that work in Whistler!
Budget:
Aava Hotel Whistler
Aava Hotel is located in the Lower portion of Whistler Village. This hotel offers basic amenities and clean rooms. There is a pool and fitness centre located in the hotel. The hotel is within walking distance to all of the restaurants and bars in Whistler. This is a great choice if you are looking for a budget stay in Whistler Village.
Unique:
Nita Lake Lodge
Located in Whistler Creek, this hotel is one of the ONLY hotels in Whistler to be located directly on a lake. They offer SUP, Kayak and Canoe rentals included with your stay. The hotel is located right along the bike path that leads to Whistler Village and bikes are available at the front desk. The lake is on the cold side, but on hot summer days it is the perfect place to swim! They also cut holes in the ice in the winter for those brave enough to take the plunge. The resort has three restaurants and cafes on sight meaning you really do not have to leave the resort at all!
Luxury:
Four Seasons Resort Whistler
Four Seasons Whistler is the epitome of luxury in the mountains. This expansive resort offers a variety of fine dining and casual options right in house. Their rooms are all spacious and have a beautiful balcony to sip your morning coffee on! There is a pool on site that is open year round, and a sauna to enjoy during the cooler months!
The Four Seasons goes the extra mile and offers guests unforgettable experiences. This summer they offered guests free snow cones throughout the afternoon from their cute camper on site. In the winter, they offer free hot chocolate. During the evenings, the fire table on the patio is the perfect place to roast marshmallows and make s’mores!
Places to Eat:
Whistler Village and Whistler Creek are full of incredible restaurants and bars for all tastes and price ranges. This list encompasses budget, fine dining, fun bars and local secrets!
El Furniture Warehouse
This restaurants has locations throughout Canada and if you are looking for budget eats without compromising on quality then this is the spot for you! This restaurant is super popular with locals and tourists alike as the food menu prices range from $5.95 CAD to $7.95 CAD per dish. Portions are generous and options include Mac ‘n’ Cheese, Burgers with fries, Spaghetti, Nachos and more! Check out their website here for their full menu. They have great mixed drink options, a long list of beer (including local brews) and non-alcoholic drinks!
The Raven Room
If you talk to any of the local staff, they will likely tell you that their favorite spot for great cocktails and cheap happy hour eats is The Raven Room! They are known for their Negroni and every local will tell you to try the Crispy Thai Chicken Bites. In the winter time, they set up clear domes out on patio with heaters for a unique dining experience. This spot is a great place to relax after a full day of adventure! Check out their website here for more information.
Longhorn Saloon
If you are looking for a party bar, then this is the perfect spot! They have DJ’s throughout the afternoon and into the evening during their summer season. They have a great selection of drinks, and this spot is located right at the bottom of one of the ski hills! The food is on the pricier side, so we recommend getting food elsewhere and coming for drinks if you are looking to save some money! Check out their website here.
Braidwood Patio
Located on the grounds of the Four Seasons Resort in Whistler, this patio is serving up Margarita and Ceaser Flights, great food and an incredible atmosphere! During the summer months they have a chef grilling up kebobs right on the patio and live music during the evenings over weekends! This patio has atmosphere like no other in Whistler Village. We highly recommend giving this spot a visit.
If you are visiting during the winter months, Braidwood Tavern is located inside of the resort and offers a very similar menu!
LA Cantina
If you are looking for cheap Mexican eats in the heart of Whistler than this is the place to go! This very casual restaurant has $3.70 Tacos and $7 Frozen Margaritas. You order when you arrive and take a number to your desired table or take your food to go! During the summer months they have expanded their seating onto a patio. This place was a total hidden gem and we are SO happy that we found it.
Sushi Village
When we asked locals where to get good sushi in Whistler Village, this is where they sent us, and it did not disappoint! Sushi Village offers an a la carte menu of a variety of sushi and other Japanese dishes. There service was great and the server told us that the family that runs the restaurant has owned it for 20+ years! Check out their website here for more information and for their menu!
Cows Ice cream
This place ALWAYS has a line in the summer season. But it is there for a very good reason! If you are looking for a sweet treat while in Whistler Village, this ice cream shop has custom waffle cones made in house and endless amounts of ice cream to choose from.
Things To Do:
Whistler is known as an adventure lovers paradise. No matter which season you visit, there are SO many things to do in and around Whistler.
Hiking:
There are so many hiking trails in and around Whistler, that it could take you a lifetime to see them all. The hiking trails in the area range from easy to difficult and some require back country camping! We have included some of our favorite trails in this guide!
Panorama Ridge Hike: This hike is 30km round trip and takes you to arguably the most scenic point in the Whistler area. There are some steep climbs, and due to the sheer distance this is considered a difficult day hike! However, if you are lucky, you can get permits for backcountry camping at Garibaldi Lake Campground or Taylor Meadows Campground to break the hike up! Currently you require a permit to hike any trail at this trailhead to avoid over crowding. You can find all the information on how to obtain a permit here!
Garibaldi Lake Hike: This hike is 18km roundtrip and takes you to one of the most beautiful Alpine lakes we have ever seen! This hike starts at the same trailhead at Panorama Ridge. There is a campground located at the lake for backcountry campers! Permits for this trail and for camping can be found here!
Cheakamus Lake: This hike is also located in Garibaldi Park and is 8km roundtrip! This is a relatively easy hike that has minimal elevation gain and offers some incredible views. Read more about this hike here!
Train Wreck Site: This hike is a sort 2km roundtrip and is quite popular with visitors in Whistler! This hike passes over a suspension bridge that is over Cheakamus River. You can read more about the hike and where to find the trailhead here!
Brandywine Falls: At only 1km round trip, this is one of the easiest hikes near Whistler and is SO worth it! The waterfall is incredible to see in person. Read more about how to get to the parking lot for this hike here!
Explore Whistler Village:
Whistler Village is a great place to walk around and explore. There are plenty of boutiques, souvenir shops and stores to visit. There are also a lot of restaurants and bars to try. Whistler Village also was one of the sites of the 2010 Winter Olympics! The Olympic Rings are located in Whistler Village.
Visit The Lake:
Lost Lake: Lost Lake is one of the most popular beach parks in Whistler! Check out their website here for all the activities to do in the park!
Nita Lake: If you are a guest at Nita Lake Lodge, rentals of the Canoes, Kayaks and SUPS are included! This lake does have a public dock so if you are not a guest and have a Kayak or SUP, you can visit here too. The dock is a great place to jump in and swim as well.
Take a Gondola Ride:
There a few Gondola’s in the Whistler area and all are worth visiting as they offer spectacular view points!
Peak to Peak Gondola: Located in Whistler Village, this world record breaking Gondola ride offers epic views of Whistler and the surrounding area. There are 50+km of hiking trails at the top of the Gondola connecting Whistler and Blackcomb Mountain. Whistler Mountain is home to the famous Whistler Mountain Inukshuk brought up for the 210 Winter Olympics held in Whistler! Read more about the Gondola and purchasing tickets here.
Sea to Sky Gondola: Located in Squamish, this Gondola is only a 40 minute drive south of Whistler towards Vancouver and can easily be added to your itinerary for your adventure in Whistler! At the top, there are stunning views from multiple lookout platforms, and a suspension bridge! Day tickets are $55.95 per adult and are worth the price in our opinion. Read more about this Gondola, their hours and things to do at the top here!
Final Thoughts:
Whistler is an incredible vacation town located north of Vancouver in British Columbia. If you love the outdoors and you are looking for an adventure, Whistler is a place that you need to add to your bucketlist ASAP! Whether you are visiting in the Summer or Winter season, there is something to do for everyone!
Have you been to Whistler? Let us know in the comments below.
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