Why Don't You
Stories by Kate Heskett | Images by Joern Rohde
Stroll the Village
Whistler’s delightfully meandering pedestrian Village Stroll connects the ski hills to more than 100 shops and eateries, as well as various art installations and points of interest. The cobblestone walkways and mountain views give it a classic ski-town feel. Designed to encourage exploration and surprise, it helps to consider “the Stroll” as three distinct areas.
The Village Centre is a hub of activity, featuring lift uploads for both mountains, the Visitor Centre and friendly Village Hosts’ booths.
At Skier’s Plaza, you’ll find restaurant patios with views of skiers and boarders coming down Whistler Mountain and the liveliest après scene in the Village.
As you wander through Mountain Square, Village Square and Village Common, you’ll notice world-class restaurants and unique shopping experiences.
The Upper Village is accessed via a short, scenic walk over the LED-illuminated Rebagliati Bridge, where the glacial waters of Fitzsimmons Creek rush beneath your feet and large illuminated forest creatures can be seen foraging among the trees.
Here, you’ll enjoy the après scene, with views of the ski-out and learning areas on Blackcomb Mountain. It’s the perfect place to relax around an outdoor fire pit and share stories from the day.
Further down the Stroll, "Thunderbird," a large aluminum sculpture by Squamish Nation artist Sinámkin (Jody Broomfield), welcomes you to explore the adjacent Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre and interpretive forest.
Village North comprises Town Plaza and Marketplace and is home to the stunning Olympic Plaza, a winter wonderland with an outdoor ice-skating rink, free Snow Zone play park and selfie-worthy Olympic rings. This area is adorned with festive lights, making it a must-see after dark!
The Cultural Connector trail begins at the ornamental bridge adjacent to the Olympic rings and links the stroll with Whistler’s major arts and culture buildings, including the Audain Art Museum.
Download the Go Whistler Tours App or visit whistler.com/self-guided-tours for tour options to help you get the most out of your stroll through the Village. whistler.com
Get First Tracks
Whether you’re a deep-powder hound or a corduroy connoisseur, nothing beats the feeling of carving down untouched trails. So why not get an extra-early start to your day with Whistler Blackcomb’s First Tracks Early Access? This special lift pass add-on gives you early upload on the Whistler Village Gondola between 7:30 and 8 a.m., putting you first in line for laps of Whistler’s Emerald and Red chairs. Your $28 + GST ticket also includes a $17 one-time voucher that can be used at any Whistler Blackcomb on-mountain food and beverage location on any day until April 1, 2024.
It’s your choice! Enjoy hot breakfast options immediately at Pika’s restaurant, downstairs at the Roundhouse Lodge, plus grab-and-go items. Or pick up a coffee and fresh pastry from the cappuccino bar. You can also save your voucher for later and start your day by getting in some laps on untracked snow with short lift lines.
First Tracks passes are hard-copy tickets and must be pre-purchased and collected from Guest Services before uploading, as there is no digital option. Tickets are not date-specific, so you can purchase them in advance, skip the ticket window lineup and make the most of your early access.
whistlerblackcomb.com
Take the Kids to the Magic Castle
Skiing and snowboarding with views of mountain peaks and through subalpine forests is a magical experience, but for children at Whistler Blackcomb, there are two extra-special places to explore.
The Magic Castle on Blackcomb and the Tree Fort on Whistler are free outdoor play spaces nestled among the trees, just off the main trails. Both areas are included with a lift pass and are fun places for families with little ones to take off their skis and boards and explore.
“Our Magic Castle and Tree Fort areas provide a wonderful experience for families with kids,” said a Whistler Blackcomb spokesperson. “We have slides at both locations, seasonal special events such as ‘Enchantment Under the Sea,’ carnivals, Easter egg hunts, and fun photo opportunities with our Whistler Kids mascots, Bart the Bear and Rave-On the Raven.”
The Magic Castle, located in the Children’s Adventure Park, is accessible via Easy Out, just above the base of the Catskinner chairlift. The Tree Fort is just off Bear Cub trail near the Big Red Express chairlift.
whistlerblackcomb.com
