Whistler Planning & Tips

Once in town, there's really no need to have a car. Many of the hotels operate complimentary shuttles from the upper to lower villages of Whistler. Whistler also has a great public transit system with routes all throughout the village and Creekside.

If you arrive by Whistler Mountaineer, consider taking a float plane back to Vancouver or onward to Victoria. Several float plane companies in Whistler offer flights.

The Art of Smart Timing
You don't have to be a genius to realize that Whistler will jack up the prices during the Olympics (February 12-28, 2010). Arrive before February, and the town will be looking good as it spruces up for the big event. March and April are always a bit warmer, offering longer days for skiing. But, realize you're close to the Pacific, and you can get the same rainy weather as Vancouver. Summer is a much more affordable and laid-back time to visit.

Getting Around
The two-hour drive from Vancouver to Whistler is on Highway 99, otherwise known as the Sea to Sky Highway. This is a gem of a road, recently expanded because of the upcoming Winter Olympics. Take your time, and savor the exquisite scenery as you ride along the quiet shores of Howe Sound and then up into the high peaks. A good rest stop is Shannon Falls, where you can watch ice-climbers pick their way up the iced-over falls with axes and crampons.

Off the Radar
Originally built by the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1914, the Whistler Mountaineer leaves from Vancouver every morning in the summer, promptly at 8:30 a.m. Views of the city and the forest of Stanley Park can be seen as the train hugs the waterfront, quickly passing the exclusive homes of West Vancouver. Grab a seat in the Glacier Dome section, where the glass ceiling allows an even more expansive view of the scenery. A hot breakfast is served as you make your way into Howe Sound, a glorious body of deep-blue Pacific Ocean water that's backed by the Coast Mountains.

As the Mountaineer heads north, away from the coast and high into old-growth forest, stroll to the open-air compartment to watch rock-climbers scurry up the cliffs outside of Squamish. The train slows near two impressive waterfalls, Shannon and Brandywine, before making its final ascent to the lofty peaks of Whistler. Some folks aboard the train will simply head back to Vancouver on the 3 p.m. return trip.

Visitor's Bureau
For more information, visit Tourism Whistler.