Whistler BC for a weekend

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Whistler BC is one of the easiest getaways from Vancouver. When us Vancouverites are stuck for something to do, we head up to Whistler. It’s only a 90 minute drive, one of the most scenic drives you’ll ever do. I’ve done day trips, and weekend trips. I’ve been to Whistler more times than I can count. It really is a nice place no matter when you visit. In the summer there are tons of outdoor activities you can do such as mountain biking, ziplining and hiking. In the winter, Whistler is known the world over as one of the best places for skiing and snowboarding. For that reason the population of Whistler residents is more Australian than Canadian, so don’t think you took a wrong turn somewhere along the way. You’re still in Canada.

Getting to Whistler BC from Vancouver

There are a few ways to get to Whistler, but no matter which one you choose it doesn’t take too long, and there are amazing views everywhere you turn. Here are some of the best ways to make the trip from Vancouver.

Driving to Whistler BC

The easiest way to get to Whistler is by car. It’s a spectacular 90 minute drive, 2 hours if you stop along the way which you’re bound to want to do. From Vancouver you cross into North Vancouver over the Lion’s Gate bridge and all signs point to Whistler. It’s a winding road called the Sea to Sky highway, which pretty much sums up how awesome it really is.

You can’t get lost once you’re on the highway and there are phenomenal viewpoints along the way. Most of the viewpoints are more accessible on the drive from Whistler to Vancouver than on the way up, but there are some good things to see in either direction. Local’s TIP: Leave enough time to visit the Sea to Sky Gondola or Britannia Mine Museum along the way.

Whistler by bus

If you don’t drive, or would prefer to relax and let someone else take care of it, there are bus services that go between Vancouver and Whistler. Check out Tourism Whistler’s page for more on this. Typically a ticket runs from about $25 CAD one way and $35 CAD return, but this might vary from company to company. I’ve taken buses to Whistler before, but I’m more inclined to drive now so I can stop along the way. Local’s TIP: Day Parking Lot 4 is only $5 per day and sometimes free around shoulder seasons.

Seaplane to Whistler

If you really feel like splashing out then Harbour Air fly between downtown Vancouver and Whistler, where the planes land on Green Lake close to the village. It’ll cost you a chunk of change (starting price $165 per person one way), but it’s an epic journey that isn’t easily beaten. Taking the small planes can make some people uneasy. I was a little nervous the first time I took one. Some only have about a half dozen seats, although most have 12-18 seats. But after you squish into the plane, the view will capture your attention much more than anything else. Local’s TIP: Flights to Whistler are seasonal and only run a couple times a day each way even then.

For more on Harbour Air destinations check out this post: 24 hours in Victoria BC – the West Coast’s (not so) hidden gem

Where to stay in Whistler BC

Whether you go to Whistler on your own, with your partner, or with a group of friends there are accommodations to suit. Plan for a weekend in the summer or the middle of winter and you could pay a pretty penny, but look around and you could be lucky enough to find a deal. If you’re not into skiing and don’t care about going in the middle of summer the April and October are about as cheap as you’re going to get.

Budget accommodation in Whistler

Whistler and budget don’t typically go hand in hand. You can try the HI-Whistler hostel. It’s outside of the main village, actually about a 15 minute drive. I had a car when I stayed there, but there is also a bus service that will get you to and from the village if you want. Originally it was built where part of the Athletes village for the 2010 Olympics was. The area that is now pretty ghost town like, but it was a newer building, really clean and quiet.

Mid range Accommodation in Whistler

Whistler has a number of apart-hotels and lodges. A lot of them are centrally located in Whistler Village where the action is.

Delta by Marriott Whistler Village Suites

Located right in the village, the Delta Marriott is really convenient to pubs, restaurants, shops and of course the ski hills. What I like about the rooms here is that many of them are suites which have separate bedroom and living room, and a kitchen area which is unlike a lot of hotels. They’re perfect if you’re in Whistler for a few days or if you want to save money a little and cook there (even to grab a few items for breakfast or lunch instead of eating out for every meal).

The Crystal Lodge and Suites

The Crystal Lodge is even more central in the village, you can literally see the street and the people walking by the central area of the village. That of course does mean it might not be as quiet as some places, but you can’t get closer. When I stayed there we had a group of 10 people over a 3 rooms so we got the Deluxe Studio rooms which had a good sized living area where we could hang out. There’s a pool and lots of restaurants nearby.

High end accommodation in Whistler

Whistler has it’s fair share of fancy hotels. The town of Whistler must be 50% hotels with being one of the most popular places to visit. I’ve been lucky enough to stay at a couple of these. The good thing about these hotels is that they are more like resorts than just a city hotel. They have a lot more amenities to keep you busy during your stay. Generally they are not in the main village, but more in the Upper Village (a short walk away from the central village area.

Fairmont Chateau Whistler

Unlike most of the other Fairmonts in Canada which were mostly built as railway hotels (think Fairmont Hotel Vancouver and Fairmont Banff Springs), the Fairmont Whistler is a newer property. Built in the 1990s it has a wonderful lodge-like feel, but with a bit more glamour.

Most of the rooms have a view of some description whether it be village, mountain or slopeside. The hotel has a number of restaurants and bars. I love sitting in the Mallard Lounge for an après-ski (it’s still allowed even if I don’t ski).

Nita Lake Lodge

The Nita Lake Lodge is a beautiful boutique property located in Whistler Creekside. Creekside is about a 5 to 10 minute drive from the village. It’s where a lot of people who live in Whistler actually reside. As the name suggests the hotel is on a lake and has spectacular views. Despite not being in the village the hotel offers a great shuttle service when you need it, and is lovely and quiet. Perfect couples getaway or girls weekend location. We stayed here for my friend’s bachelorette weekend and took full advantage of the pool and hot tub area as well as the bar that served the most amazing cocktails.

Where to dine in Whistler BC

Whistler has a good combination of affordable places to eat and fine dining. It caters to the droves of tourists visiting each season, and to the mostly 20-something residents on a gap year. Here are some of my favorite places to eat in Whistler.

Purebread

Looking for a cheap(ish) lunch? Purebread is a fantastic bakery in the village. They have a location in Vancouver which I discovered after stumbling across their stall at Vancouver’s Farmer’s markets. Imagine my happy dance when I found they opened a Whistler location. You’ll need at least 10 minutes to decide what you want as the choice is overwhelmingly awesome. Their cakes are delicious (try the Drunken Apple Blondie or the lemon-lavender loaf), they have mouthwatering savory pastries, country-style breads and fresh coffee.

Moguls Coffee Shop

This is usually my go to for a cheap breakfast or lunch while in Whistler. Their pastries are good, but their sandwiches are perfect for an on-the-go day. Their breakfast wraps are my favorite. The place has limited seating but you might be lucky to get somewhere to sit. Otherwise, just pack up your food and hit the slopes or trails.

Dubh Linn Gate

Irish pub right at the edge of the village, they also have a location in Vancouver. Their appetizers are great snacks for a lunchtime, or some of the more heartier Irish fare for dinner. A lot of times they have live music, usually with an Irish theme which is what I love about it. It gives the place a little bit of atmosphere and something different to the other pubs in the village. If it’s summer when you’re there try and get a seat on the patio out front so you can watch the mountain bikers racing down Blackcomb opposite.

Creekbread

Sure, there are cheap pizza places in the village where you can grab a slice after a late night. But if you’re looking for a really good quality pizza, head over to Creekbread in Whistler Creekside. I went here with my friends when we stayed at the Nita Lake Lodge nearby. It had the most delicious pizzas. They might not be the cheapest, but it’s ideal if there are a few people in your party so you can try a few different pizzas. We ordered way too much, but it was worth it. I’d like to say I got something fun and different but you just can’t beat a cheese pizza. Well, maybe a Four Cheese pizza.

Grill and Vine

When we went to Whistler for a friend’s birthday weekend, we’d seen Grill & Vine advertising a 4 course menu that sounded divine. Now I’m always a bit skeptical of set menus. For one thing, I’m vegetarian and these usually don’t cater well for us veggie-lovers. However I was really impressed by how well they adapted the menu for me on the spot. I loved this place so much I took my parents when they visited and we did the 4 course menu again. It changes seasonally too which means you get to try different things. The server explained each course in such detail that it made it even better.

Mallard Lounge

If you end up staying at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler, you have to eat in at least once. Prepare to drop some serious coin though. I have stayed there a couple times and love the Mallard Lounge. It’s great for people watching as it’s just off the main lobby. The cocktails are fun, but the food is really good too. Everything from sandwiches, soups and salads, to steak, salmon and pizza. Their vegetarian options are way better than most other fancy hotel menus that I’ve found. Oh, did I mention they have a chocolate bar? If that doesn’t seal the deal I don’t know what will.

Araxi Restaurant

I love food, but I’m not a big fine dining person. Sometimes the food seems too over the top that it becomes more about the art than the flavor. With Araxi, you can forget all of that. The food is just as amazing in flavor as it is to look at. I went here last year for a Bachelorette weekend as my friend really wanted to dine here. I was worried I wouldn’t find anything, but again it was a 4 course tasting menu. Boy was I wrong. It was beyond what I expected and I’m all but ready to sell a kidney to go back tomorrow.

Where to drink in Whistler BC

You’ve had a busy day on the slopes, or walking the trails. Time to do what Whistler does best and relax with a drink. That could be the Brit in me talking (any excuse for a beer) but Whistler has some fun watering holes.

Black’s Pub

Above I mentioned Dubh Linn Gate which is a great pub in the village. With similar views and just a few steps away is Black’s Pub. They have a decent sized patio which is great in the summer or winter. I’m not one for the slopes, but my boyfriend Jeff likes to snowboard. So while he’s snowboarding at Blackcomb opposite, you’ll find me at Black’s Pub on a heated patio with a beer and a book. When he’s done, it’s only steps away to join me.

Roland’s Creekside Pub

While we’re on the topic of casual pubs, this place is for those of you not staying in the village. If you’re over in Creekside (think Nita Lake Lodge) then it’s worth heading over to Roland’s after you’ve enjoyed you pizza from Creekbread. Or grab some pub food here instead. It’s a pretty big place. The first time I went here was when Jeff had been competing in Tough Mudder in Whistler and we were struggling to find space for 10 people in the village. So we headed on over to Roland’s and were able to get in. Since then I’ve been back a few times.

Ketel One Ice Room

I’m not a huge vodka fan. I’ve been drinking it more when I’m trying to cut down on beer, and it’s great with a mixer or in a cocktail. Drinking it in shot form though? Didn’t think I’d do that. That is until we went to the ice room in the Bearfoot Bistro. Their vodka tasting experience is around $50, although since there were a few of us we decided to share the experience.

We were all given Canada Goose jackets to wear (spoiler alert: the ice room is rather cold), and then got to select some vodkas to try. We had the Ketel One vodka then a Vincent Van Gogh espresso. Not a huge coffee fan I washed it down with a Belvedere Citron and a birthday cake flavored vodka. It was a fun experience, especially for a birthday or bachelorette.

Cure Lounge and Patio

If you’re feeling a little fancier than Roland’s and you’re still in Creekside, the Nita Lake Lodge has a really fun lounge. They’ve kind of spruced up your typical lodge like bar and added a contemporary twist. The couches are super comfortable and the cocktails are divine. When we were there they were running with a fairytale theme to some of them. I think I made my way through a couple of Mad Hatters and Poison Apples before we went out.

What to do in Whistler BC

What isn’t there to do in Whistler? Sure everyone knows it’s a ski town, and that’s a great way to spend the winter months. But what if you don’t ski? Or what if it’s summer? Here are some of the popular things you can do in Whistler throughout the year.

Ski/Snowboard and the Peak to Peak Gondola

Since I already admitted that I’m not a skier I’ll just say that Whistler BC is world class for the slopes. I mean, you don’t get the Winter Olympics for being average right? Jeff snowboards so we try to go once a year. Great thing about Whistler though is you can ride the gondola up the mountain even if you don’t want to hurl yourself down a mountain on a large plank.

The peak to peak is really cool as when you go up Blackcomb and then take a second gondola over the valley below to Whistler mountain (hence the peak to peak) you get some scarily awesome views. Some of the gondolas have a little glass window in the bottom so you can see below as you’re making your way across.

Whistler snowmobiling

We went snowmobiling in Whistler BC a couple years ago and it was so much fun. Taken by bus from the village about 15 minutes we were kitted out with gloves and helmet, and got our snowmobile. Since I’ve never done this before Jeff and I shared one which was fine by me. I didn’t want to be responsible for hurling the snowmobile off the side of a mountain. The two hour tour took us on a giant loop with plenty of stops for photos. We did the more introductory tour, although there are other tours you can book if you’re more advanced. Halfway around we stopped at a little hut to warm up with some hot chocolate and cookies to snack on. All in all a fun adventure.

Mountain biking in Whistler

So what happens to the ski runs in the summer? Well they turn into mountain bike runs. Whistler is just as popular in the summer, and it’s nicer to sit outside too. Sitting at Black’s Pub in the village I’ve watched as many people raced down the mountain with incredible speed and agility. That makes me realize I am no more a biker than I am a skier. Still, it’s awesome to watch if you’re like me. And if you’re more adventurous then give it a go.

Walk the trails in Whistler

I’m beginning to realize I’ve talked about mostly extreme sports, and more exhilarating activities so far. Whistler BC, however, has some fantastic trails if you want anything from a full on hike to a leisurely amble along the river. Late spring is one of my favorite times as there’s still some snow around and it makes your photos way prettier. Just watch out for bears, it is Whistler after all.

Whistler Farmers’ markets

In the summer there are some great markets around the village. Usually in the upper village, kind of starting where the Fairmont Chateau Whistler is, there’s a decent sized market each Sunday. They have delicious food, produce and local crafts. Don’t have a big breakfast that day as you’ll want to sample everything. It gets busy though so get there earlier if you can. Markets are seasonal May through October, and there are Wednesday afternoon markets in the same place in July and August if you’re there mid-week. I always go home with way more than I need, but it’s just all so good.

Ziplining in Whistler

So you’ve had a nice walk, eaten some delicious food at the markets. Time to get the old adrenaline pumping again. I was wary about ziplining at first. I mean you’re jumping voluntarily off a cliff where you hope that the rope will hold you. That’s not being a wuss, that’s self preservation. But last year I finally convinced myself I could do it, and when you’re there it’s difficult to back out. It was really a lot of fun though. We went with Ziptrek Ecotours and took the Eagle tour. 5 ziplines. By the third one we were trying to zipline upside down just to make it interesting.

Shop ’til you drop

Whistler has a lot of outdoor clothing shops, hiking shops and ski shops. They have gear for every exhilarating adventure you might want. But mixed in with all of this and the barrage of tourist shops are some nice little finds. As cheesy as it is I love the Cows shop. They have the best ice cream that people can’t say no even in the middle of winter. They also have a ridiculous amount of cow puns on their merchandise. There are a lot of local craft shops, chocolate shops and various other places to spend your money.

Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre

Part museum, part learning opportunity, the cultural center in Whistler is the perfect place to learn about First Nations history. If you’ve been to Vancouver and visited the Bill Reid Gallery of Native art (if you haven’t, you should), then you’ll love this place too. They do tours and you can get really interactive here. We watched the film in the little theater, watched the welcome song and dancing, and even got to make some cedar jewelry. Great place for kids, but we had fun as adults too.

Whistler BC anytime of year

No matter when you choose to visit Whistler there will be lots to do. If like me you don’t really like skiing or the sports that require you to go in the middle of winter, then the shoulder season is great. It’s usually a little cheaper in April/May and October/November. If you want to visit for a weekend in the middle of summer or middle of winter, you’ll have to book far in advance. If you’re in Vancouver for only a few days, consider a day trip to Whistler BC. Another option is looking at staying over either in Squamish between Vancouver and Whistler. Or head a little past Whistler to Pemberton.

Related post: Fall in love with Vancouver – 5 autumn activities in and around the city

I’ve been to Whistler BC many times. Alone and with Jeff on a nice getaway just the two of us. I’ve been with the girls for a Bachelorette (and the boys went two days after us) and with a big group of friends for a celebration weekend. Whistler was perfect for them all. Great places to eat and drink, always a fun activity to do, and friendly people. And for those of you with kids (or child-like adult friends who get bored of car rides quickly) the scenic drive is not too long.

Where to see a bear in Canada

Whatever you go to Whistler for, I will share one more insider tip. If you want to see a bear, take a detour along the road to the Whistler Olympic Park. It’s on the Southbound side of the road so easier to do on the drive back to Vancouver. If you see Brandywine falls (also an amazing stop) you’ve gone too far. Drive slowly up this usually quiet road and you’ve got a good chance of seeing a bear or two. It’s my secret spot to take people when they come to visit. But you didn’t hear it from me.

If you’ve enjoyed this post please leave a comment or share using the social media buttons below. What’s your favorite thing to do/see/eat in Whistler BC?