Nestled into the fold of the Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains, the pretty alpine village of Whistler is absolutely perfect for your Christmas cards. So much so that you might think Whistler has been a ski resort for ages, but it’s really very new! Its first ski season was 1966. And since then it’s snowballed into the largest ski area in North America, with a suitably huge range of accommodation options to match from family friendly properties with facillities galore to more intimate find with chic contemporary interiors. But as with many spectacular ski resorts, the best places to stay in Whistler are really either those with the best views, or the best access to the slopes.
But Whistler is no one season horse, it’s also extremely popular in summer, packaged as an adventure playground, with great hiking, climbing, mountain biking etc., and all the best hotels in Whistler have great summer facilities as well as ski facilities.
Where to Stay in Whistler? The Best Parts of the Resort?
Whistler Blackcomb has 37 lifts servicing over 200 runs across the two mountains, with a vertical drop of around 1,500 metres (5000 feet). There’s a huge range of terrain, from great beginner runs, to chutes and trees, powdery bowls and groomed cruising runs. There are also four terrain parks and miles of cross country trails. And you can experience first-hand the thrill of rushing downhill on the fastest icetrack in the world at the Whistler Sliding Centre. Visitors are able to relive their Cool Runnings dreams on the bobsleigh or experience hurtling down the track head first on the Skeleton Bob. What we’re saying here is that as far as skiable area goes this is a big resort, and so there’s not just one cluster of accommodation.
- Whistler Village is the most built up part of the resort, arranged around a beautiful, cobbled, pedestrianised village with lots of shops, restaurants and bars, and lots of opportunities for entertainment come the evening. There are two lifts from the village to take you up to the slopes, so you’re well connected. This is probably the best place to stay in Whistler for a good balance of skiing and après ski. And there’s plenty of choice when it comes to accommodation.
- Upper Whistler has a village-y atmosphere, and it’s so surrounded by pine trees that it feels like you’re tucked away in the back country, but it’s really just a short walk from Whistler Village and even closer to the slopes. In the summer this is where most of the golfers stay. There are two lifts from here to the slopes, and you can ski-in and ski-out of your hotel door. This is also a great base for cross-country skiers.
- Creekside is probably the best place to stay in Whistler for families, it’s quieter and the restaurants, shops and hotels have a welcoming atmosphere. This is where the first chairlift was built, and there are plenty of ski-in ski-out options here. Creekside also has the Whistler Railway station, which is an historic line that retraces the journey of British Columbia’s gold prospectors.
- Between Creekside and Whistler Village, close to the lake, is Alta Vista, which is another quieter alternative, but closer to the après ski if you want to have a night out. If you’re visiting Whistler in the summer you should know that one of the best beaches, at Lakeside Park, is in Alta Vista.
- Function Junction is another in between option, about ten minutes walk from the centre of Whistler Village, and with a collection of cool shops and restaurants, it’s just that bit quieter. This used to be the industrial part of town and it’s now got a hip, gentrified vibe. It’s popular with the cool kids. And mountain bikers.
This famous resort is popular both in summer and winter. So if you're planning a visit during the busiest months, and want to guarantee a room in one of the best places to stay in Whistler, do your self a favour and book well ahead.
