Why go
The village makes a useful base for Whistler Blackcomb, but the town is more than its lifts. Valley lakes and trails give non-skiers options, while the compact centre lets a group with different plans meet easily after a day outside.
What to look for
- The pedestrian village sits between Whistler and Blackcomb mountains.
- Valley lakes lie beneath the Coast Mountains.
- The mountain setting hosted events during the 2010 Winter Olympics.
The full story
The valley between the Cheakamus and Green river systems was a route used by the Squamish and Lil'wat peoples long before it became a resort. Early visitors later came by rail to lakeside lodges such as Rainbow Lodge on Alta Lake. Ski development changed the scale of travel here, and Whistler became a resort municipality in 1975. The two mountains developed separately before their operations joined, which helps explain the village's position between them. In 2010, Whistler hosted alpine and Nordic competitions and sliding events during the Winter Olympics and Paralympics. That history is visible in the area's sporting identity, but the lakes and valley trails also recall its earlier life as a summer destination. Use the town as a base for several kinds of mountain day rather than treating every activity as part of the ski resort.
Useful to know
- Separate time in the village and valley from a full mountain day at Whistler Blackcomb.
- Allow for changing mountain conditions when planning outdoor activities, even if the village feels mild.