10 Tips to Love Whistler Better This Summer
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Whistler, B.C. – With summer in full swing, Tourism Whistler is encouraging visitors to Love Whistler Better by making informed, respectful and responsible choices that help protect the natural environment, support the local community and create a safer, more enjoyable experience for everyone.
“Love it. Better.” is the call to action behind the 2026 Don’t Love It To Death campaign, an award-winning regional stewardship initiative led by destinations throughout the Sea to Sky Corridor. Since launching in 2022, the campaign has encouraged visitors and residents to recreate responsibly and help care for the places they love. This summer, Tourism Whistler is building on that message by sharing practical tips that help visitors reduce their impact while making the most of their Whistler experience.
"As one of the founding partners of the Don't Love It To Death campaign we believe stewardship is a shared responsibility," said Lauren Everest, Senior Manager of Communications & Membership at Tourism Whistler. "Every visitor has an opportunity to make a positive impact. Simple choices like planning ahead, reducing waste and travelling during quieter times help protect what makes Whistler so special, while creating a better experience for everyone."
The following 10 simple tips can help visitors Love Whistler Better this summer:
1. Know Whose Land You're On
Whistler is located on the traditional territory of the Lil?wat Nation and Squamish Nation, whose peoples have lived on and stewarded these lands since time immemorial. Visitors are encouraged to learn about the history, cultures and ongoing contributions of both Nations during their stay. The Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre offers authentic Indigenous cultural experiences, exhibitions and guided tours that provide insight into traditions, stories and connections to the land while supporting cultural preservation, language revitalization and local employment.
2. Visit Midweek and Off-Peak
Visitors can help reduce congestion and enhance their experience by travelling midweek, visiting popular attractions outside of peak periods and slowing down to stay longer in Whistler. Travelling during quieter periods can offer added value, including greater availability, a more relaxed experience
3. Help Protect Against Wildfire
Visitors should follow all fire restrictions and bans, properly dispose of smoking materials and familiarize themselves with current wildfire conditions and fire danger ratings before heading outdoors. A municipal campfire ban is in effect for all areas within the Resort Municipality of Whistler and will remain in place until September 30, 2026. When campfires are permitted, they should always be attended and fully extinguished before leaving the area. Report any wildfires immediately by calling 911.
4. Know Before You Go
Planning ahead is essential for a smooth and enjoyable experience in Whistler. Before arriving, visitors are encouraged to research activities, check operating hours, trail and road conditions, review weather forecasts and choose experiences that match their abilities and comfort levels. Visitors should also check whether permits, reservations or BC Parks day-use passes are required for the areas they plan to visit, have a backup plan in case popular attractions or recreation areas are busy, and book in advance to help local businesses prepare. Before travelling, review Whistler Know Before You Go resources, check local advisories at whistler.ca/advisories and current road conditions at DriveBC.
5. Keep Whistler Beautiful
Small actions can make a big difference in helping protect Whistler's natural environment. Reduce single-use waste by bringing a reusable water bottle, coffee cup and shopping bag where possible, and properly sort waste using the resort's recycling and waste stations. Whistler's high-quality tap water and an extensive network of refill stations located throughout the resort make it easy to stay hydrated without purchasing bottled water. Remember to pack out what you pack in and leave natural areas as you found them.
6. Leave the Car at Home
Whistler is easy to explore without a vehicle. Consider taking a shuttle from Vancouver International Airport or downtown Vancouver, or carpool to reduce traffic and parking pressures while enjoying a more relaxed journey. Once in resort, many accommodations, restaurants, attractions and outdoor experiences are within walking distance or accessible by public transit, bike or the Valley Trail network.
7. Keep Wildlife Wild
Seeing bears and other wildlife can be a memorable part of a visit to Whistler, but maintaining a safe distance is essential for both people and animals. Never feed wildlife, store food securely and dispose of waste responsibly using bear-resistant bins and other designated receptacles. Give bears plenty of space (at least 100 metres) and consider joining a guided bear viewing tour for a safe and responsible way to observe them in their natural habitat.
8. Adventure Responsibly
Whistler's mountains, lakes and trails offer incredible opportunities for adventure, but conditions can change quickly. Follow AdventureSmart's Three Ts: Trip Planning, Training and Taking the Essentials. These include water, food, extra layers, sun protection, a charged phone or other means of communication, a basic first aid kit, and appropriate safety equipment. Visitors should let someone know their plans, understand how to call for help and stay on marked trails while respecting closures and posted signage.
9. Support Local Businesses
One of the best ways to Love Whistler Better is by supporting the local businesses and people who bring the destination to life. Shop at local retailers, dine at local restaurants and consider participating in a guided experience with a local operator. Supporting local means supporting the people behind the experiences that make Whistler unique.
10. Sign Up for Whistler Alert
Visitors are encouraged to sign up for Whistler Alert, the Resort Municipality of Whistler's emergency notification system. Whistler Alert is used to communicate with residents and visitors during an emergency and provides text, phone and email alerts about emergencies that may impact safety, health or property. Visitors are asked to provide their contact number and the date they plan to leave Whistler, and will not receive alerts after their intended departure date.
For more information on how to visit Whistler responsibly, including tips on protecting the environment, respecting wildlife and supporting the local community, visit whistler.com/responsible-travel.
For additional resources on recreating responsibly throughout the Sea to Sky region, visit DontLoveItToDeath.com.
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Whistler is Canada’s premier year-round leisure and meeting destination located in the Coast Mountains 120 kilometres (75 miles) north of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Consistently rated the top ski resort in North America, Whistler was the Host Mountain Resort of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. The resort offers an extensive range of accommodations totaling 10,000 bedrooms among 24 hotels as well as townhomes, condos, B&Bs and chalets. Whistler also boasts more than 100 restaurants and bars, 200 retail shops, 25 spas and countless activity options from world-renowned skiing and snowboarding, mountain biking and golf, to hiking, rock climbing and watersports. The Resort Municipality of Whistler is home to a diverse community of more than 10,000 permanent residents.
Tourism Whistler is the member-based marketing and sales organization representing Whistler, operating the Whistler Conference Centre, Whistler Golf Club, Whistler Visitor Centre and whistler.com – Whistler’s official source for visitor information and booking.
Media can visit whistler.com/media for Whistler facts, media releases, story starters and access to images and B-roll.
Media Contacts:
Tourism Whistler
Jessie Boyd
Specialist, Communications
+1.604.938.2721 | jboyd@tourismwhistler.com
W: www.whistler.com/media
F: www.Facebook.com/GoWhistler
I: www.Instagram.com/GoWhistler
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