Welcome to Whistler!
Product Guide & Travel Information 2026–27
Everything you need to know before you go — brought to you by Travelplan Ski
The resort
Introduction
Whistler is a destination for mountain lovers who have both a sense of adventure and a sense of purpose.
This legendary ski destination is both an international sports mecca and a down-to-earth mountain town, famous for its world-class, side-by-side mountains, Whistler and Blackcomb. Whistler Blackcomb was the official alpine skiing venue for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. It delivers a unique combination of spectacular vistas, expansive terrain, old-growth forests, a magical village with both sophisticated and laid-back experiences, and a community of passionate locals who are proud to protect and share this place.
Fifty-five per cent of Whistler Blackcomb's terrain is green and blue (beginner and intermediate), so there is room for every ability — from first-timers finding their feet to experts chasing powder in the alpine bowls.
For Australian travellers
Why Whistler?
Of all the ski resorts in North America, Whistler Blackcomb stands out as the ultimate destination for Australians — combining easy accessibility, incredible terrain for every level, a vibrant village atmosphere and exceptional value that’s hard to beat.
For an Australian skier choosing a North American ski holiday, Whistler Blackcomb’s advantage is not that it is the biggest, cheapest, or most luxurious resort. Its advantage is that it delivers the best combination of world-class skiing, convenience, snow reliability, village atmosphere, and value of experience in one destination.
Whistler is the safest choice for an unforgettable North American ski holiday because it combines the scale of a world-class ski area, the convenience of Vancouver access, reliable snow, a genuine alpine village, and terrain that works for everyone — from first-timers to experts.
Easy access from Australia
Direct flights from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane connect through Vancouver — with Whistler just 90 minutes up the Sea-to-Sky Highway. No multi-stop domestic transfers, no exhausting layovers — you can leave Australia in the morning and be on the slopes the next day.
Perfectly balanced terrain
With 200+ marked runs across two mountains, 55% of the terrain is rated green and blue — ideal for beginners and intermediates — while 16 alpine bowls and 3 glaciers deliver serious challenges for advanced riders. Every member of the group finds their perfect run.
World-class village experience
Whistler Village is a pedestrian-only hub with over 200 shops, 90+ restaurants and bars, spas, galleries and live entertainment — all ski-in/ski-out. The atmosphere rivals any European resort town but with a relaxed Canadian friendliness.
Outstanding value for the dollar
The favourable AUD-to-CAD exchange rate stretches your budget further than comparable US or European resorts. Lift passes, accommodation, dining and gear hire all deliver significantly more value — making a premium experience surprisingly affordable.
Perfect for families & friend groups
Whistler’s family-friendly ski school, kids’ adventure zones and gentle learning areas make it a hit with families, while groups of friends love the legendary après-ski scene, night skiing and the endless variety of on-mountain terrain to explore together.
Far more than just skiing
Snowmobiling, ziplining, bungee jumping, snowshoeing, dog sledding, spa retreats, bobsled runs, heli-skiing and Scandinave Spa — Whistler offers 14+ winter activities beyond the slopes, so non-skiers and rest-day adventurers are never short of unforgettable experiences.
The numbers speak for themselves
Whistler Blackcomb isn’t just big — it’s the biggest ski resort in North America, with a vertical drop, season length and village atmosphere its rivals can’t match.
Skiable Terrain
3,307 ha
Largest in North America — over 50% more than Vail.
Vertical Drop
1,609 m
One mile of vertical — the biggest lift-serviced drop on the continent.
Runs & Terrain
200+ runs
16 alpine bowls, 3 glaciers, and the famous PEAK 2 PEAK gondola.
Season Length
Nov – May
One of the longest seasons in North America, plus legendary spring skiing.
Step one
How to Get There
Whistler sits a spectacular 125 kilometres north of Vancouver along the famous Sea to Sky Highway — one of the world's most scenic transfer routes, winding past Howe Sound fjords, waterfalls and coastal mountains. Getting there without a car is easy.
Fly into Vancouver (YVR)
Vancouver International Airport is the gateway to Whistler, with direct flights from Australia and connections worldwide. From YVR it is a short, scenic 2.5-hour transfer north to the resort. Helicopter charters and seasonal floatplane services are also available for those wanting to arrive in style.
Door-to-Door — Whistler Shuttle
A meet-and-greet service inside the terminal with drop-off at your Whistler accommodation — ideal for early and late flights, families and groups with ski luggage. Winter schedules run up to 13 departures daily. Typical journey time is around 2.5 hours.
Private Transfers & Limousines
Private SUVs, vans and limousines can be arranged for direct hotel-to-hotel transfers at your own schedule — the most comfortable option for families and groups, with child seats available on request.
Find your way
Maps
Whistler Blackcomb resort trail map — 200+ runs across two side-by-side mountains connected by the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola.
Whistler Village — Your Accommodation
Most Travelplan accommodation is located in the heart of the resort — Village Centre, Village North and the Upper Village — steps from the lifts, dining and nightlife. The village is entirely pedestrian, so nothing is more than a short, level walk from a lift base:
Whistler Village — 52 Travelplan properties pinned by building number across Village Centre, Village North and Upper Village.
Blackcomb Benchlands, Creekside & Surrounds
Blackcomb Benchlands (next to Upper Village), Whistler Creekside and Function Junction.
Trail Maps
Plan your days on the mountain with the official Whistler and Blackcomb trail maps, covering more than 200 runs across both mountains, plus interactive maps and real-time lift status in the My Epic app.
Plan ahead & save
Lift Pass Options
Whistler Blackcomb offers a variety of passes structured around Vail Resorts' Epic Pass ecosystem. These products provide massive savings over standard window lift tickets, but they must be purchased in advance before deadlines early in the season (typically early December).
The Epic Pass Lineup (Season-Long Access)
Epic Pass
Provides unlimited, unrestricted access to Whistler Blackcomb and over 40 other resorts worldwide (such as Vail, Beaver Creek, Park City, and Perisher). It includes summer scenic gondola access.
Epic Local Pass
Offers unlimited access with holiday restrictions at Whistler Blackcomb, Vail, and Park City, alongside unrestricted access to select midwest and eastern US resorts. It is perfect if your dates are flexible outside of peak holidays.
Flexible Multi-Day Passes (1 to 10 Days)
For shorter trips, you can customise your pass by choosing the exact number of days you want to ski, and choosing whether to include or exclude restricted holiday peak dates.
Whistler Blackcomb Day Pass
Provides 1 to 10 days of access exclusively to Whistler Blackcomb. It offers up to 65% savings over window tickets but does not include extra pass holder discounts or summer sightseeing.
Epic Day Pass
Provides 1 to 7 days of flexible access across Vail Resorts' global portfolio, including Whistler Blackcomb. Unlike the resort-exclusive day pass, this option includes Epic Mountain Rewards (20% off on-mountain food, lodging, rentals, and lessons).
Gear up
Ski & Snowboard Rental Options
When renting gear in Whistler, you can choose between Whistler Blackcomb Rentals (the official, resort-owned operation) and Black Tie Ski Rentals (a premium, high-touch independent delivery and boutique service).
Whistler Blackcomb Rentals
The official, resort-owned rental operation with multiple locations across the village and on-mountain. Convenient pick-up and drop-off right at the base of the lifts, with a wide range of ski, snowboard and accessory packages for all levels.
Black Tie Ski Rentals
A premium, high-touch independent service that delivers and fits gear directly to your accommodation. Perfect for families and groups who want a personalised, hassle-free experience without queuing at a rental shop.
Learn & improve
Snow School
The Snow School caters to all skill brackets, from first-timers stepping onto the snow to expert skiers looking to navigate steep alpine chutes or terrain parks.
Lesson Formats
Daily Adult Group Lessons
Grouped strictly by ability level. Multi-day bundles (e.g., "book 3 days for the price of 2") are regularly offered to save money.
Whistler Kids & Teens Programs
Highly structured group lessons split into age brackets (Kids aged 3–12 and Teens aged 13–18). Lessons include continuous supervision, safety-focused instruction, and dedicated learning zones.
Private Lessons
Fully customised half-day or full-day coaching sessions for individuals or private groups of up to 6 people. Includes priority lift-line access to skip the crowds.
Specialty Camps & Clinics
Multi-day immersion programs including women-only camps, freestyle park training, and avalanche/steep terrain instruction.
What's fresh this season
New & Notable for 2026/27
NEW — The Showcase Chair on Blackcomb
The biggest change on the mountain this season. The much-endured Showcase T-Bar, in place since 1988, has been replaced with a brand-new fixed-grip quad chairlift, delivering faster, easier and far more comfortable access to the upper Horstman Glacier and Blackcomb Glacier zone. Part of Vail Resorts' US$239 million capital plan; opening subject to regulatory approval and conditions.
Roundhouse Lodge Refresh
Whistler Mountain's Roundhouse Lodge — the largest restaurant in Whistler — is being upgraded, following the reimagined Corona Mountaintop Lodge with its refreshed Seppo's Bar, lounge area and renovated outdoor patio.
Your Phone Is Your Lift Pass — My Epic App
Mobile Pass uses low-energy Bluetooth to scan you through the lifts hands-free — just activate your pass in the app, keep your phone in your pocket and ride. The app also offers real-time lift line status, interactive trail maps, personalised stats and the AI-powered My Epic Assistant.
Epic Friend Tickets
Replacing the old Buddy Tickets, Epic Friend Tickets give pass holders 6 or 10 tickets to share with family and friends at 50% off, with no date restrictions, valid across Vail Resorts' 37 North American resorts.
Book Lift Access Early — Daily Ticket Limits
Whistler Blackcomb caps winter lift tickets each day. If tickets sell out online they will not be sold at the windows. Lock in your lift access before you travel — pass sales typically close in early December and prices rise as the season approaches.
Cashless Resort & Carpool Parking
All on-mountain transactions — dining, retail, rentals and lessons — are cashless, so bring a card or your phone. All Whistler Blackcomb lots remain free, with expanded reserved carpool parking for vehicles of four or more (reserve at whistlerblackcombparking.com).
Explore the Wonder Routes
Seven curated, colour-coded routes with turn-by-turn directions uncover Whistler Blackcomb's hidden gems — from the best viewpoints and powder stashes to family runs and every après spot. Don't miss the Gold Medal Route, tracing the 2010 Olympic legacy down the Dave Murray Downhill to Creekside's Timing Flats.
New Flavours in the Village
Whistler's culinary scene keeps evolving, with a strong run of new openings across the Village and on-mountain menus now featuring regionally inspired Indigenous dishes created with the Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre.
Whistler Dining GuideBeyond the slopes
Activities
Fire & Ice Show
Every Sunday night in winter, Whistler's best skiers and riders jump and flip through a blazing ring of fire in Skier's Plaza, with fire spinners, a DJ, live entertainment and fireworks. The show tells the legend of Spo7ez and features world champion hoop dancer Alex Wells. Free to watch — dress warmly and grab a hot chocolate.
First Tracks
Get on the slopes before the crowds — upload from 7:30 AM at the Whistler Village Gondola. Limited to the first 600 people with a valid voucher, and includes a $17 CAD on-mountain credit. Buy in advance; it sells out on busy days.
Tubing — the bubly Tube Park
305 metres of sliding bliss across multiple lanes with a conveyor carrying you back up. No skill or equipment required. Access via the Excalibur Gondola (free for foot passengers). Children must be 3+ and taller than 91 cm. Wear snow boots!
Mountain Top Fondue — Snowcat & Snowmobile
Journey to the charming Crystal Hut at 1,830 metres for a candle-lit fondue dinner with fine wine, fresh-baked fruit pie from the wood-fired oven, panoramic Coast Mountain views and live music. Awarded a Canadian Signature Experience — a true "Must Do".
Vallea Lumina
A multimedia night walk through old-growth forest on Cougar Mountain, blending light, sound and projection into an enchanted trail. A brilliant non-ski evening for families — book ahead.
Ziptrek
Soar across a network of zip lines and suspension bridges above Fitzsimmons Creek, or walk through the treetops. Several tours available for every nerve level.
Snowmobile Tours
Ride wide, winding trails through the pristine Callaghan Valley to the historic Northair Goldmine and an open play area. Perfect for first-timers and families — kids under 12 ride free with a paying adult.
Scandinave Spa
Five minutes from the Village, this spectacular outdoor spa spans 1.2 hectares. Warm up in saunas and steam rooms, plunge in cold water, relax by outdoor fireplaces — repeat, and completely de-stress after a day on the mountain.
Dog Sledding
A real Canadian experience for the whole family. Help your professional musher harness the team, learn the commands, and glide through forested trails on an unforgettable winter journey.
Bobsleigh & Skeleton
At the Whistler Sliding Centre on Blackcomb, watch future champions thunder past — or ride the Olympic track yourself with Passenger Bobsleigh and Public Skeleton experiences. Free access via the Excalibur Gondola.
Whistler Heli-Skiing
An exclusive tenure of 174,800 hectares, 173+ glaciers and 475 runs — roughly 50 times the size of Whistler Blackcomb. Packages run from "Intro to Heli-Skiing" to the Astar Ultimate, with Dawn Patrol first-tracks access offered when weather grounds the helicopters. A bucket-list essential.
Ski with an Olympian
Follow their tracks, copy their technique and hear their stories — Snow School's most exclusive program puts you on the hill with a genuine Olympian.
Extremely Canadian
Big-mountain skiing specialists offering all-mountain guiding, coaching, avalanche skills training (AST) and backcountry touring.
Free Go Whistler Tours
Self-guided tours from Tourism Whistler and the RMOW lead you to unique experiences across the resort, from art galleries to nature walks.
Eat & drink
Dining
Fresh food, amazing views, mountaintop venues — experience gourmet cuisine in a fine-dining atmosphere, share a casual fireside meal with friends, or grab a quick bite on the go.
Whistler's extensive selection of award-winning restaurants and chefs offers appetising fare spanning cuisines from around the world, with many featuring organic and locally sourced ingredients. From celebrated fine dining and lively family favourites in the Village to 14 on-mountain dining locations — including mountaintop table-service restaurants, cosy log-cabin huts and Whistler Blackcomb's first all plant-based restaurant — there is a table for every taste and budget.
The party after
Après & Nightlife
Whistler's après scene is legendary — ski boots on the dance floor from 3 PM, live music by the fire, and clubs that keep going long after the lifts close.
The GLC
Rated one of North America's best après bars by SKI magazine — a sophisticated lounge-style spot, kid-friendly until 8 PM.
Dusty's Bar & BBQ
Famous for its location at the base of the 2010 Olympic downhill runs at Creekside.
Longhorn Saloon
At the base of the mountains in the main village — champagne bottles popping and music bumping on the perfect après patio.
Bar & Grill
Famous for table-top dancing and giant nacho platters — cocktails on the deck or sport on the screens.
Beacon Pub & Eatery
On the village square, with the best people-watching patio in Whistler.
Brewhouse
Draught beer brewed on-site and a kitchen turning out tasty northwestern dishes.
Garfinkel's
Hip-hop nights, live bands and theme events — Thursdays are a long-standing local favourite.
Après Après
After-dinner cocktails, stories, dancing and meeting people from all corners of the globe.
Buffalo Bill's
Mainstream and classic dance hits keep every night popular — especially weekends and Industry Night Wednesdays.
The Raven Room
Ranked 27th in Canada's 50 Best Bars — worth the visit for the cocktail list alone.
Stock the chalet
Groceries, Shopping & Pharmacy
There are four main grocery stores in Whistler. Hours are a guide only and can change seasonally — please check locally on arrival.
| Store | Location | Approx. Hours | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fresh Street Market | Main Street | 8 AM – 7 PM | Largest full-service store: deli, bakery, specialty foods, hot entrées |
| Nesters Market | 7019 Nesters Rd | 8 AM – 9 PM | Fresh produce, local products and a full-service pharmacy |
| Whistler Grocery | Main Village | 8 AM – 11 PM | Broad range for all tastes and dietary needs, longest hours |
| Creekside Market | Creekside | 7 AM – 9 PM | Fresh produce, fine meats, seafood, artisan breads and deli |
| Rexall Pharmacy | Village Square | 9 AM – 7 PM | Full-service pharmacy (also inside Nesters Market) |
For up-to-date opening hours and reviews of local businesses, the Whistler interactive map is the most reliable source once you arrive.
Good to know
Other Information
Babysitting & Child Care
Baby's on the Go — baby equipment rentals delivered to your accommodation: cribs, strollers, high chairs, car seats and more. Toll free 1-866-905-0002, [email protected]
Additional licensed child care options are listed through the Resort Municipality of Whistler.
Ski & Luggage Storage
Snow School
Pre-book Snow School with your Travelplan consultant — advance booking is essential over the festive season and school holidays.
Sightseeing for Non-Skiers
In-Resort Transport
Clothing
- ▸ Helmet (recommended), goggles, high-SPF sunscreen
- ▸ Neck warmer, beanie and warm gloves or mittens
- ▸ Thermal layers under jacket and waterproof pants
- ▸ Correctly fitted boots and skis
Tipping Guide
- ▸ Restaurants, bars and cafés (table service): 15–20%
- ▸ Hotel porters $1–2/bag, concierge $10–20/favour, housekeeping $5/day, ski valet $2–5/day
- ▸ Instructors and guides: 20% · Babysitters: 15–20%
Whistler Blackcomb is cashless — plan to tip by card where possible.