Whistler & Sea to Sky Information

The Whistler Village is situated between Whistler Mountain and Blackcomb Mountain.  Park the car and enjoy a walk around.  In fact you have to since the zone is designed to be car-free with pedestrian only access to the shops and restaurants, and the ski-out hotels help to make it easy too.  Here is where the off-piste action happens – après ski, live music, hearty meals, fine dining, pub grub, and more.

Dining in Whistler is divided into the following areas: Blackcomb Mountain, Village North, Whistler Village, Creekside, Whistler Mountain, Upper Village and Whistler Valley.  From award-winning culinary works of art to tea, delicious meat pies, fancy cupcakes and organic delectables there is a tasty treat to meet your wish and your budget.  And then there is slope side on mountain eateries too.

The mountain playground is what it is all about - action packed and accessible for all ages and abilities. From the extreme steep and deep to the gentle watch-me-learn a new alpine experience for the first time senior and grandchild.   Winter or summer there is some serious recreation to do and to come away refreshed.  Don’t forget to listen for the distinctive ‘whistle’ of the hoary marmot (summer time only – they hibernate in winter).  After all that’s where Whistler gets its name.

Sea to Sky Country
Along the way to Whistler coming up from the Horseshoe Bay area northwest of Vancouver and tracing the contours of Howe Sound check out the district of Squamish, its Adventure Centre and the new venues purpose-built for sports and events.  Don’t miss a look at the 1000-ft (310 m) Shannon Falls also at six times the height of Niagara Falls, and the massive rock face 2000 ft (652 m) of the Stawamus Chief - the world’s second largest free standing granite monolith after the Rock of Gilbraltor.  Brackendale Eagles’ Park is where you can watch for mighty eagles from the banks of the Squamish River.  And, just so you know, Squamish means ‘mother of wind’ and you will see why local windsurfers love it  here since the Estuary and Spit area catches big wind for making it a top spot for the sport.

While presenting itself as the Outdoor Recreation Capital of Canada, Squamish (population about 15,000 people) is near enough to both Vancouver and Whistler to work well for commuters finding somewhat more affordable housing in the region and enjoying all manner of pursuits right in their own backyard.  Also, with regional roots from First Nations of the Coast Salish Aboriginal peoples to the heydays of mining, gold digging and tree felling, you can tap into interests at the historic site of the BC Museum of Mining, the West Coast Railway Heritage Park, and the Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre located in nearby Whistler.

More about:

• Pemberton
• Squamish
• Whistler Village

Return to the British Columbia regional overview page.