Visiting Whistler in Winter? These are the Best Activities According to a Local

Gorgeous Whistler – the mountainside village that I call home. It’s one of the prettiest places I’ve ever visited and definitely the most beautiful place I’ve called home. Whistler looks its best in the winter months when the village stroll and the surrounding mountains are covered in a thick blanket of snow.

Whistler is heaven for snow lovers, with snow sports like snowmobiling and heliskiing making up some of the most popular things to do on a Whistler winter itinerary. And of course, there’s the skiing itself! Whistler Blackcomb is consistently ranked among the top ski resorts in the world, and there are over 200 ski runs waiting to be explored across both mountains.

So, if you’re planning to visit Whistler in the winter (lucky you) – I’ve put together this in-depth guide to the best things to do here in the colder months. I’ve narrowed it down to just 13 of my absolute favorites so you can rest assured that every activity listed here is bucket-list-worthy!

Is Whistler fun in winter?

Whistler is the epitome of a winter wonderland. This mountainside village comes alive in the winter with lots of winter sports and cozy dining experiences on offer. It’s one of the best ski resorts in the world so, if you’re a skier it’s a must-visit but even if you’re not there are so many fun things to do here in the snowy season. Think, snowmobiling at speed down a mountain and relaxing in an outdoor hot tub surrounded by snow.

So yes, I’d say Whistler is definitely fun in the winter!

Is Whistler worth visiting if you’re not skiing?

Yes, Whistler is 100% worth visiting if you don’t ski. There are so many things to do here if you’re not a skier. My favorites include snowmobiling and dog sledding. But you can also enjoy more relaxing winter activities like going on a snowy hike and drinking in an Ice Bar. In fact, as someone who lives in Whistler, I find that my favorite things to do don’t involve the mountain! On my days off, I love hiking the Train Wreck hike or going ice skating on Nita Lake.

13 Best Things to Do in Whistler in Winter

1. Go skiing (or snowboarding)

It’s highly likely that you’re coming to Whistler in the winter, especially to ski! I mean it is after all one of the best ski destinations in the world. However, locals may tell you that skiing here is not as good as it was in its prime (circa 2013 – 2016). It was taken over by Vail Resorts in 2016 and since then long lift lines and lift operation issues have plagued the ski area. I guess you could say, too, that Whistler’s popularity is its downfall.

Still, it remains an excellent place to ski – the best spot to ‘pow’ in North America thanks to its epic powdery snow! A day pass is quite expensive though – at $190 CAD so you’ll need to allow for that in your budget.

The ski area at Whistler Blackcomb is massive (it’s 4,757 acres) – that area includes 200 runs and 36 lifts. And there’s a run suitable for every ability.

I actually learned to ski in the beginner’s area on Whistler Mountain. I was awful my first season living in Whistler. But over the years I progressed (thankfully) and now, some of my favorite runs include the Upper and Lower Panorama runs off of the 7th Heaven chairlift on Blackcomb Mountain and the Peak to Creek, which connects Whistler to Creekside. It’s a long one at 11 km!

Do First Tracks

To beat Whistler Blackcomb’s notoriously long lines I recommend buying a First Tracks ticket. This gets you on the mountain bright and early before the mountain officially opens. The gondola brings you up between 7:30 and 8 am. We did this several times during our ski season in Whistler and have to agree it’s an awesome experience!

In fact, if I only had a day to spend in Whistler I’d put First Tracks at the top of my list!

This ticket includes a yummy buffet breakfast at Roundhouse Lodge on the mountain before skiing in fresh powder and perfectly groomed corduroy before anyone else. First Tracks is limited to 600 people max., and it operates on a first come first served basis.

Your First Track tickets are not date-specific so if you’re too late lining up you’ll have to use your ticket on another day. The tickets cost $28 CAD (that includes a $17 dining credit) and you still need to buy your lift pass on top of that!

2. Ride the Peak 2 Peak Gondola

If you’re not a skier but still fancy getting up on the mountain to see all the snow then you MUST hop on the Peak 2 Peak Gondola.

The gondola ride is a whopping 4.4 kilometers long and 436 meters high and it connects both Whistler and Blackcomb mountains. It’s undoubtedly one of the most popular things to do in Whistler for non-skiers. The journey across is around 11 minutes and along the way, you can admire the wow-worthy winter scenery.

For something truly unique albeit not for those who are afraid of heights, you can take the glass bottom gondola across. This is called the 360 experience.

The most popular attraction up here is the Skybridge which takes you out to a wow-worthy viewing platform of Blackcomb. There are also two great restaurants up here the Rendezvous restaurant at the top of Blackcomb and Christine’s a fine dining eatery also at the top of Blackcomb Mountain.

A Peak 2 Peak Gondola pass costs from $99 CAD for a day pass per adult.

3. Get your heart pounding on a snowmobiling tour

Snowmobiling in Whistler is super-popular. I LOVED our snowmobiling tour, so much that we did this tour three times while we lived in Whistler!

Imagine cruising down wide groomed trails and deep into Whistler’s backcountry on a high-powered top-of-the-range snowmobile. A snowmobile can reach speeds of up 120 miles per hour, which is very fast!

For beginners, I recommend the 2-hour snowmobiling tour it’s a small group tour that takes you past frozen lakes and to epic snowy viewpoints. It also includes a hot drink and a snack which you’ll get to enjoy at one of the viewpoints. If you’ve forgotten your winter gear, no need to worry as they can provide it free of charge. This tour costs from $249 CAD.

In comparison, the 3-hour tour is most suitable for the more adventurous and confident traveler. The 3-hour snowmobiling tour is pretty much the same as the 2-hour tour in terms of what you’ll see but it includes lunch at a cozy back-country cabin. You can also get winter gear from the company (like clothing, goggles, helmets, etc.) free of charge. The 3-hour tour costs from $292 CAD.

4. Try out heliskiing

Heli-skiing in Whistler is the perfect activity for ski obsessives – think 432,000 acres of big mountain terrain all to yourself (and a handful of others). It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience, that’s for sure. That whopping size includes 173 glaciers and 474 runs. The tour is between 6-8 hours and completely private, so, you don’t have to share the experience with anyone else.

The heli-skiing area is 50 times the size of Whistler Blackcomb Mountain! This tour is best suited for experienced skiers who want to avoid the crowds over on Whistler Blackcomb!

5. Dogsledding (my favorite Whistler winter activity)

I loved our dog sledding tour in Whistler so much – being honest I was a little unsure of doing it at first. But when I saw the operation and how well the dogs are treated, I was sold. These sled dogs have been bred to withstand cold temperatures and endure pulling sleds over long distances. Dog sledding is, after all, a 4,000-year-old Canadian tradition, and in the past, it was a vital form of transport.

On the tour, you can sit back in your cozy sled and let your ‘Musher’ (guide) and sled dogs take you through snow-covered forests and less-explored trails. Dog-sledding in Whistler is a magical adventure. The base is located in Callaghan Valley – a 20-minute drive from Whistler village. You will be treated to the history of ‘mushing’ and learn some basic instructions as to how to use the dogsled before embarking on the magical journey.

Your sled dogs may reach speeds of up to 32 km/h. It’s a 2.5-hour tour and finishes in a cozy hut with hot apple cider and cookies. A tour costs $589 CAD for two people sharing a sled, so, $294 CAD per person.

6. Try out ice skating on a frozen lake

Skating on Whistler’s frozen lakes can only be experienced on a limited number of days in Winter. The temperature and ice conditions on the lake need to be just right for ice skating. That means temperatures of 5 Fahrenheit (-15 Celsius). Ask at the Visitor Information Center on Gateway Drive if you’re unsure if conditions are safe. The best lakes to ice skate on in Whistler are Nita Lake, Alta Lake, and Green Lake.

If you don’t fancy skating on a frozen lake, you can try the outdoor ice skating rink in Olympic Plaza. There’s also an indoor ice skating rink at the Meadow Park Sports Centre.

7. Go tubing on Blackcomb Mountain

The best family-friendly thing to do in Whistler in winter is to go tubing at the Tube Park on Blackcomb Mountain. Called the Bubly Tube Park it’s located at the Base 2 Zone on the mountain. Here, you are sure to have heaps of fun sliding down a 1,000-foot hill on a tube. There’s a conveyor at the bottom of the hill which takes you back to the top so you don’t have to hike it. Handy!

Smaller kids (aged between 3-7 years) have a special lane to tube in, making it safe for them. Prices range from $20 CAD for kids (aged between 7-12 years) and $24 CAD for adults.

8. Try cross-country skiing in Callaghan Valley

Head out to Whistler Olympic Park in the Callaghan Valley to experience the charm of Nordic skiing or cross-country skiing while you’re in Whistler. It’s very different to traditional skiing and it’s something not a lot of people have tried before. Firstly, the skis are long and very narrow and you have to almost walk/glide through the snowy forest terrain. Watch out for the icy parts – I fell far too many times!

I actually found cross-country skiing to be much more difficult than regular skiing. But the scenery along the trail in Whistler Olympic Park and the fact that it was so much quieter than skiing on the mountain meant it was quite a magical experience. Which we ended by having a hot chocolate at the Day Lodge Cafe on-site.

9. Go on a winter hike

For anyone who doesn’t like to ski then hiking is the perfect way to enjoy Whistler’s snowy backcountry scenery. Many of the trails around Whistler require snowshoes in the winter including the easy Rainbow Falls Trail which can be completed in under an hour and the 1.2 km Nairn Falls train.

Some of my other favorite winter hikes in Whistler include (note, these don’t require snowshoes) –

The Valley Trail

If you want a snow-free hike then the Valley Trail is cleared of snow regularly. It’s a whopping 40 km long. My favorite section to walk is from Whistler Village to Nita Lake, this will take just over an hour.

Trainwreck hike

Head out to Cheakamus Crossing to do one of Whistler’s most famous short hikes to the Train Wreck – a set of abandoned rail cars turned art installation. It’s a very easy, mostly flat walk, and the main feature is, of course, the brightly colored graffiti train cars, but you will also be treated to gorgeous views of the Cheakamus River. 

The track is approximately 1 km each way and starts from Jane Lakes Road car park near Cheakamus Crossing.

Brandywine Falls

Brandywine Falls can be found a 15-minute drive from Whistler along the Sea to Sky Highway. Although open all year round, the parking gate is locked during the winter months, but you can still access the trail. If there’s no parking on the side of the highway many people park at Whistler Bungee down Cal-Cheak Forest Service Road which is nearby.

For the most part, this trail can usually be accessed on foot. The trail is fairly short and winds through the trees before emerging at the impressive falls. There is a small viewing platform of the spectacular 70-meter waterfall.

In the summer, you can walk down to the base of the waterfall – I don’t recommend doing this in the winter.

10. Try the unique sport of bobsledding

The sport made famous in Cool Runnings – bobsledding is definitely one of the most unique things to do in Whistler. In fact, the Whistler Sliding Center (above Blackcomb Mountain) is the only place in Canada where you can try bobsledding.

This passenger bobsleigh experience gives you the chance to drive in a real bobsleigh (driven by a trained driver). You will speed through twists and turns at super-fast speeds – 125km/hr! You will feel the acceleration of up to 4 g-forces. This is definitely an activity for the more adventurous traveler.

It’s only open between December and April and the experience costs $249 CAD per person.

11. Ziplining in the snow

You can go ziplining in the winter, yep, in Whistler, it’s one of the most popular winter activities. We did the tour just as it was getting dark and we got to see the magical alpenglow and then zip through the snow-covered trees!

I actually had more fun ziplining in the winter than I had doing it in the summer.

We did our tour with Ziptrek Ecotours – they offer 4 zipline tours and the TreeTrek canopy walk. It’s also with them that you can experience the Sasquatch – the longest zipline in Canada and the USA. It’s 2km long!

As I said, there are several tours to choose from the Bear Tour (4 ziplines); the Eagle Tour (5 ziplines), and the Sasquatch. Prices start from $178 CAD for the Eagle Tour, which is 3 hours long.

12. Relax at an outdoor Spa

Scandinave Spa is a Nordic-inspired 20,000-square-foot outdoor spa surrounded by cedar trees. It’s around a 10-minute drive from the village and here you can soak in an outdoor hot tub and experience the beautiful vista of Whistler’s natural beauty.

There are steam baths, hot baths as well as a large sauna – which is how it’s recommended to start your time at Scandinave Spa. After, warming up you must brave the cold and plunge into one of their cold baths, or stand under the Nordic waterfall for a few minutes. After all that, relax in one of the relaxation rooms or on the hammock which has an incredible view.

Entry to Scandinave Spa costs from $103 CAD.

13. Have drinks in an Ice Bar

The Bearfoot Bistro in Whistler Village is home to the coldest vodka tasting room in the world. The room is set to a freezing -25 Fahrenheit (-32 Celsius) but don’t worry you’ll be given a warn Canada Goose parka to keep you warm. The in-house vodka expert will explain all about the distillation and filtration of vodka and you’ll be given the chance to taste 4 vodkas of your choice.

Fascinatingly, the extremely cold temperatures actually make the vodka taste better. The experience costs $52 CAD per person and that includes 4 drinks.

Where to Stay in Whistler

Deciding where to stay in Whistler is no easy task as there are around a hundred hotels in this small town. Below, I’ve listed my very favorite hotels in Whistler.

• Fairmont Chateau Whistler – my absolute favorite hotel in town (although I may be biased as I worked here for two years). Boasting 500+ rooms but with all the ambiance and personality of a small hotel – the Fairmont is the best address in

• Hilton Whistler Resort and Spa – right in the center of Whistler Village and very close to the gondola, this large hotel is very popular with families

• Nita Lake Lodge – located in Creekside, a 10-minute drive from Whistler Village and looking onto stunning Nita Lake this is one of my favorite hotels in Whistler

• The Westin – is a nice luxury option in Whistler’s lower village, it’s right next to the gondola and the rooms are spacious with great views

• Four Seasons Resort – this is a must-stay for luxury travelers visiting Whistler, located in Whistler’s Upper Village and close to Blackcomb Gondola this hotel is frequented by celebrities

There are also lots of awesome hostels in Whistler for those travelers on a budget! My favorites include –

• HI Whistler – A luxury hostel, a short drive from the village. It’s a huge hostel (it has 188 beds) so there’s plenty of choice in terms of room types. Onsite you’ll find a licensed café, decks with mountain views, and gorgeous common rooms. A bed in a 4-bed dorm will set you back around $50 CAD per night.
• Pangea Pod Hotel – Located right in the center of the village, they have an onsite bar and a rooftop patio and your room is essentially a comfy pod complete with bed and storage space. Expect to pay around $60 CAD per night here.

The Best Restaurants in Whistler

• Bearfoot Bistro – This is one of the most luxurious restaurants in town and if you’re a wine lover you’re in luck as it has one of the most extensive wine cellars in all of Canada. With no less than 20,000 bottles of wine. So, if you’re a wine-lover this is the place for you. As for their food – their butter-poached Atlantic Salmon is amazing. Try their 4-course tasting menu for date night!

• The Rimrock Cafe near Creekside Village is my number one choice for dinner in Whistler. This award-winning eatery is continually ranked as the top restaurant in Whistler. It provides both a unique dining experience and the best fish dishes in all of British Columbia!

• La Cantina is a casual Mexican eatery in Village Marketplace that serves up delicious burritos, tacos, quesadillas, and more. Their sister restaurant Mexican Corner is less casual and also serves up delicious tacos, burritos, and more! Oh, and their frozen margaritas are awesome.

• Sushi Village is one of the most popular restaurants in Whistler and yep you guessed right, it serves up the freshest and most flavorsome sushi in B.C.

• El Furniture Warehouse, or ‘Furnies’ as the locals call it. This is one of the cheapest places to eat in the village. Yep, a meal will set you back around about $10 CAD. Their Mac & Cheese is my husband’s go-to dish, while I love their Street Tacos.

Getting to Whistler

Whistler is a 1.5-hour (121 km) drive from its closest big city – Vancouver. The best way to get from Vancouver to Whistler is to drive yourself as that way you can stop off where and when you please along the way. It’s a really scenic drive, with some incredibly pretty stops along the way like the Capilano Suspension Bridge just outside Vancouver and Squamish.

If you don’t have a car, I recommend renting one as that way you can stop where you like along the way. Alternatively, you can catch a shuttle service from Vancouver to Whistler. Epic Rides offers a shuttle between the two destinations and I’ve used them numerous times before and can vouch that it’s an excellent service. It leaves from Burrard Station in downtown and costs $33.50 CAD one-way or $44 CAD return.

Vancouver Airport (YVR) is a 2-hour drive from Whistler and the Skylynx coach service offers one-way fares from the airport for $32 CAD.

Travel Tip: The cost of renting a car in Canada can be expensive. However, there are some ways you can save money. We tend to always book our rental car through Discover Cars. This is a search engine for rental cars and allows you to filter by price if you’re on a budget or by vehicle type if there’s a specific car you’re after.

What should you pack for your winter vacation to Whistler?

For everyday wear:

In the winter months, it’s best to wear a warm base layer and waterproof winter boots as it can get very cold here (with lows of around 23 Fahrenheit) and the pathways around the village can often be covered in snow.

My everyday base layer is this Sweaty Betty Long Sleeve Merino Running Top which I find to be really warm and breathable. It’s lasted me a couple of winter seasons in Whistler, so it’s definitely durable.

For strolling around Whistler Village I initially had waterproof Timberland’s and although they had good traction and were comfortable I soon switched to the Sorel Explorer Joan winter boot for that extra waterproof aspect and cosiness. Good ski socks are also a must for every day wear and I actually wore these Burton Midweight skiing and snowboarding socks when I wasn’t skiing as they’re so cozy! I love the designs on them.

For skiing:

While for skiing I use this REI Midweight Half-Zip which I find to be quite thick and insulative. I have it in the Dusk Heather and Black Heather colors. And I always buy these Sweaty Betty baselayer leggings,for under my ski gear as I love their designs and they’re so comfortable.

As for your ski gear, no need to bring this with you (unless you really want to) as there are heaps of ski rental stores in the village like Premium Mountain Rental, Spicy Sports, Whistler Blackcomb Rentals, and Can-Ski in Creekside. Or if you’re staying at a large hotel like the Fairmont Chateau or the Four Seasons they have their own on-site ski rental stores. You can tell the front desk team of your sizes before you arrive and when you get there you can book a time to have your gear fitted. And they’ll have them ready for you when you go skiing and store them, too. So handy!

I love Whistler!

And there you have it, 13 of the best things to do in Whistler in winter. I’m sure you’ll agree it’s an awesome list. But, if you really had to ask me to narrow down my top five, I’d go with skiing, snowmobiling, dog sledding, ziplining, and the Scandinave Spa.

You may also enjoy these Whistler blog posts –

How to Spend 3 Days in Whistler in the Summer (& Spring)

What you need to know about Renting in Whistler

Best stops on the Drive from Whistler to Jasper

15 Best Stops on the Drive from Whistler to Banff

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Last Updated on November 6, 2024 by snaphappytravel