Winter Side of Whistler
Story by David Burke | Images By Joern Rohde
While some say summertime is the best time in Whistler — and if you’re here, you may have an opinion about that! — wintertime activities and ambiance undoubtedly put the resort on the worldwide map. Every fall, the first dusting of snow brings a murmur of anticipation to the Whistler Valley and surrounding area. This murmur rises to a crescendo with the opening of skiing and snowboarding season at Whistler Blackcomb.
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 outdoors on the rink at Whistler Olympic Plaza (rentals available) or indoors at the Meadow Park Sports Centre rink. 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 near Whistler Village and Whistler Olympic Park/Callaghan Valley Nordic offer both cross-country skiing and extensive, marked trail networks exclusively for snowshoeing. whistlersportlegacies.com
Whistler’s best-known winter activity is, of course, skiing or snowboarding on either Whistler or Blackcomb mountain — or both!
For the 2024-2025 season, Whistler Blackcomb’s (WB) parent company, Vail Resorts, continues upgrading the guest experience. After last season’s opening of the new, eight-person Fitzsimmons chairlift on Whistler Mountain, the upgrade of the popular Jersey Cream quad to a high-speed, “six-pack” lift on Blackcomb is planned for completion in the fall of 2024, increasing lift capacity there by 29 per cent.
Also, WB guests can expect a more seamless experience 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. 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
From Feb. 8 to 16, 2025, the first-ever wintertime Invictus Games will descend on Vancouver and Whistler. The resort will play host to competitions in alpine and Nordic skiing, snowboarding, and skeleton as part of the global competition started by Prince Harry to “inspire recovery, support rehabilitation, and generate a wider understanding and respect for those who serve their country,” according to the Games’ mission statement.
invictusgames2025.ca
Whistler has a storied tradition of welcoming the world in winter — definitely one to consider putting on your bucket list.
whistler.com
Whistler has a storied tradition of welcoming the world in winter — definitely one to consider putting on your bucket list.
whistler.com