Winter Side of Whistler
By David Burke | Images By Joern Rohde
Those gravity-fuelled sports are only the beginning of the Whistler winter experience. The crisp winter air, the muffled silence of a snow-laden forest, the cozy warmth of friends and family enjoying hot beverages at that après-ski gathering place, a comforting meal at one of Whistler’s excellent dining establishments — all these experiences and more await wintertime visitors. Whether you’re a gravity-fed downhill slider or not, there’s no better place to be in winter than here.
The list of outdoor wintertime adventures here is limited only by your imagination. The sport of Nordic, a.k.a. cross-country, skiing has become increasingly popular. Its cousin, backcountry skiing, has also enjoyed steady growth, affording those with the proper gear, knowledge, and training the chance to enjoy quiet, powder-filled days along the famed Spearhead Traverse and other routes.
Whistler’s lakes normally freeze hard enough in parts of the winter for locals and guests to enjoy the classic Canadian activity of ice skating — ice conditions permitting, of course. Resort guests can also skate indoors at Meadow Park Sports Centre or outdoors at Whistler Olympic Plaza. The latter is a magical experience for both beginner and more advanced skaters, as you glide around the ice amid the twinkling lights of the Village, next to the Olympic rings. The use of helmets is encouraged; you can bring your own gear, or skate/helmet rentals are available for a small fee. whistler.ca/culture-recreation
Snowshoeing is another way to enjoy the peaceful solitude of a snow-filled forest, and while you can venture out on your own, the Lost Lake Nordic trails (whistler.ca/parks-recreation) near Whistler Village and Whistler Olympic Park/Callaghan Valley Nordic offer both cross-country skiing and extensive, marked trail networks exclusively for snowshoeing. whistlerolympicpark.com
Whistler’s best-known winter activity is, of course, skiing or snowboarding on either Whistler or Blackcomb — or both!
For the 2025-’26 season, WB’s parent company, Vail Resorts, plans to continue upgrading the guest experience, with improvements to parking and investments in the mountains’ signature activities and events. Last season’s opening of the new, six-person Jersey Cream Express chairlift on Blackcomb Mountain increased lift capacity there by 29 per cent and improved circulation in the Glacier Creek Zone.
Also, WB guests now experience more seamless access with the introduction of mobile passes and mobile lift tickets, allowing them to purchase tickets online and store tickets and passes on their phones using the My Epic app. whistlerblackcomb.com
Ziplining is a year-round activity that’s both thrilling and safe. In winter, you can enjoy soaring through the snow-filled forest above a glacier-fed creek. Tours combine an exhilarating experience with fascinating insights into the Whistler area’s ecology.
whistler.ziptrek.com
Dogsledding is a unique way to experience the wilderness, allowing guests to learn to mush their own team or just relax and enjoy the ride, led by an expert guide. Snowmobiling is also a fun and exciting way to access Whistler’s backcountry on a guided tour or an adventure into high alpine bowls for the experienced, big-mountain enthusiast. canadianwilderness.com
Exploring the resort’s history, nature and attractions in all seasons recently became easier with the introduction of the Go Whistler Tours app. After downloading the app onto your phone, you can access a variety of self-guided walking tours that provide fascinating insights into Whistler’s off-the-beaten-track features, its hidden gems and its history (see related article on Page 44). whistler.com/self-guided-tours
Whistler has a storied tradition of welcoming the world in winter — definitely one to consider adding to your bucket list. whistler.com