Stats & Facts

Population

Whistler has almost 14,000 permanent residents and 2,432 seasonal residents (estimated).

Incorporation

The Resort Municipality of Whistler was incorporated on September 6, 1975. It was the first designated Resort Municipality in the province of British Columbia.

Elevation

Whistler Village's elevation is 675 metres, or 2,214 feet. Whistler Creekside's elevation is 653 metres or 2,140 feet.

Location

Whistler is located at 50º 9'N, 122º 57' W.

Distances and Approximate Travel Times by Car:

• Whistler to downtown Vancouver: 127 km (79 miles), 2 hours.
• Whistler to Vancouver International Airport: 140 km (85 miles), 2.5 hours.
• Whistler to Seattle: 354 km (218 miles), 5 hours.

Getting Here and Around

• Most people travel to Whistler from Vancouver by private vehicle on Highway 99, known as the Sea to Sky Highway.
• Scheduled bus service runs from Vancouver and Vancouver Airport to Whistler more than ten times daily. Whistler is also served by regular air (helicopter/float plane) service in the spring, summer and fall.
• BC Transit operates bus routes connecting the Village, Creekside and neighbourhoods north and south including express services to Creekside and Cheakamus. Seasonal, free shuttle services are also available to Lost Lake Park (summer), Marketplace (winter) and the Upper Village (year-round).
• People also get around on bicycles, skis and skateboards!

Public Services

Whistler Health Care Centre, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Whistler Fire Department, Whistler Public Library, Meadow Park Sports Centre, Myrtle Philip Community School (elementary), Spring Creek School (elementary) and Whistler Secondary Community School

Local Media

Local newspaper: Pique
Local radio: Mountain FM (102.1 FM)

Visa and Passport Requirements

Visitors from the United States

The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) is US legislation that requires all travellers carry a valid passport or other appropriate secure document, or combination of documents that establish citizenship and identity when travelling to the United States from within the Western Hemisphere.

Anyone travelling by air between the United States and Canada is required to present a valid passport or NEXUS, SENTRI or FAST card (when used at designated airports) to enter or re-enter the United States.

A valid passport OR one of the following documents is mandatory for any person over the age of 16 travelling between the United States and Canada by LAND or SEA/WATER (including cruises and ferries):

• U.S. Passport Card (not valid for international air travel)
• A NEXUS, SENTRI or FAST Card
• State or Province-issued Enhanced Driver’s License (not valid for international air travel)
• Form I-872 American Indian Card, or (when available) Enhanced Tribal Card

As of June 1, 2009, US and Canadian citizens under the age of 16, or under the age of 19 if travelling with a school, religious, or other youth group, may present a birth certificate, Consular Report of Birth Abroad, Canadian Citizenship Card or a naturalization certificate. Birth certificates can be an original, photocopy, or certified copy.

International Visitors

Persons visiting from countries other than the United States should carry their passport and may require a visitor visa or Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to enter Canada. Other regulations apply if an extended stay, work or certain types of business activity are contemplated. Check with your nearest Canadian Consulate for current requirements well in advance of travel.

Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)

The Government of Canada requires an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) for visits of up to 6 months or to transit via a Canadian airport. All visa-exempt foreign nationals must obtain an eTA before boarding a flight to Canada.

Eligible travellers must hold a valid eTA before boarding their flight to Canada. To find out more, visit the Government of Canada website.

New Requirements for Mexican Citizens Visiting Canada

Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada recently announced that Mexican nationals must meet new requirements to travel to Canada, effective February 29, 2024. Mexican citizens travelling to Canada must now meet new requirements to be eligible for an eTA, or need to apply for a visitor visa.

Full details are available on the Government of Canada website.

Visitor Numbers

Whistler receives approximately 3 million overnight and non-overnight visitors each year (approximately 45 per cent in winter and 55 per cent in summer).

Resort Capacity

Whistler has capacity for about 30,000 overnight visitors. There are some 150 hotels, condos, chalets, pensions and bed & breakfast facilities offering more than 10,000 rooms. There are also 230 hostel beds and 118 campsites.

Ski-in/ski-out

There are approximately 20,000 pillows within 500 metres of the ski lifts

Dining

200 restaurants, cafés, lounges and bars

Shopping and Services

200+ retail shops

Parks and Lakes

Whistler offers 15 public parks with 551.3 hectares (1,362.3 acres) of parkland. Five major lakes dot the valley.

Average Snowfall

The alpine receives an annual average of 10.8 meters (35.5 feet). The valley receives approximately 430 centimetres (14 feet).

Average Temperature

Winter ranges from an average low of -8 to an average high of 3 degrees Celsius(18 to 37 degrees Fahrenheit). Summer ranges from an average low of 11 to 27 degrees Celsius (52 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit).

Mountain Biking Trails

In the valley around Whistler, almost 300 kilometres of maintained double and single track cross-country trails are available, of varying difficulty. 

Whistler Blackcomb Ski Area Stats

Individual Mountain Stats

Mountain Round Trip Duration

• Whistler Village Gondola to Peak 2 Peak Station: 15 minutes
• New Blackcomb Gondola to Peak 2 Peak Station: 12 minutes
• Peak 2 Peak Gondola: 11 minutes

Golf in Whistler

Whistler offers four signature golf courses:

• Big Sky Golf Club - designed by Robert Cupp
• Fairmont Chateau Whistler Golf Club - designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr.
• Nicklaus North Golf Course - designed by Jack Nicklaus
• Whistler Golf Club - designed by Arnold Palmer

Junior Golf Program

Junior tees in place at all four Whistler golf courses. Each of the three village-based courses allows kids to play free if accompanied by a paying adult.

Golf Season

Late April / early May through October. For more information, visit our consumer website www.whistler.com/golf

Whistler Mountain Bike Park

Vertical

The park offers unguided lift serviced vertical to 1,507 metres (4,946 feet).
Top Elevation: 2,182 meteres (7160 feet)

Lifts and Trails

Five lifts (Whistler Village Gondola, Fitzsimmons Express Chair, Garbanzo Chair, Peak Chair, Creekside Gondola) service 68 trails.

Terrain

The trails are ranked 9% beginner, 31% intermediate, 34% advanced, 22% expert, 4% pro.

Skills Centres

Three are offered, including green, blue and double black diamond.

Bike Park Operating Dates

Mid-May to mid-October.