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Pow Day In Whistler. Photo by Kirill Zubovsky.

Top 10 Amazing Facts about Whistler 

Whistler is a resort municipality in British Columbia, Canada, located in the southern Pacific Ranges of the Coast Mountains. It is incorporated as the Resort Municipality of Whistler and is located approximately 125 kilometers (78 miles) north of Vancouver and 36 kilometers (22 miles) south of Pemberton.

It has a permanent population of about 13,982 people (2021), as well as a larger but changing population of seasonal workers. Over two million people visit Whistler each year, primarily for alpine skiing and snowboarding, as well as mountain biking at Whistler Blackcomb in the summer.

It has been named one of the top ski destinations in North America by major ski magazines since the mid-1990s, and its pedestrian village has won numerous design awards. Whistler hosted the majority of the alpine, Nordic, luge, skeleton, and bobsled events during the 2010 Winter Olympics.

1. Whistler was shared ancestral territory

Before Whistler was founded, it was the shared ancestral territory of the indigenous Squamish people. Their history is linked to the rivers, lakes, and mountains that served as landmarks for navigation and travel. 

This location represents the two countries’ long-standing relationship, with Spo7ez serving as a hub of trade and commerce between the two. Spo7ez was destroyed when the Black Tusk Volcano erupted. It caused a massive rock slide that buried the ancient village beneath hundreds of meters of rubble.

From this point forward, both Nations cohabited within the region, traveling to the area during the warmer months to set up seasonal camps for hunting and trapping.

Lilwat7 Nation members lived in camps along Green Lake prior to the settlement of the first European fishing and trapping communities. They were rousted by police to make way for the railway and other infrastructure around the lake.

An Istken pit-house was discovered on the land that became the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Center. It was used as a shelter by the Wolf Clan (known as the Wallace Family).

2. Whistler was initially named the London mountain

The Royal Navy conducted the first British survey in the 1860s. The surveyors named the London Mountain because of the heavy fog and cloud that typically gathered around it. The area was informally dubbed “Whistler” due to the hoary marmot’s call.

In the early twentieth century, the area began to attract trappers and prospectors. They established small camps. The Rainbow Lodge was established in 1914 by Myrtle and Alex Philip, who purchased 4.0 ha (10 acres) of land on Alta Lake and established the Rainbow Lodge.

3. Whistler is well known for winter activities 

Grooming of the ski jumping hill in Whistler. Photo by lululemon athletica.

Whistler is well-known for its winter skiing and snowboarding, as well as its summer mountain biking and hiking. Cross country skiing, skate skiing, ice skating, snowshoeing, backcountry skiing, telemark skiing, and tobogganing are also popular winter activities in Whistler. Golfing, fishing, trail running, mountain biking, outdoor yoga, and hiking are popular summer activities in Whistler.

4. Whistler hosted the 1968 Winter Olympics

Olympics sign at Whistler, British Columbia. Photo by Richie Diesterheft.

Until the 1960s, this peaceful neighborhood lacked basic infrastructure. There were no sewage facilities, water, or electricity, and there was no road connecting Squamish or Vancouver. Four Vancouver businessmen began exploring the area in 1962 with the intention of developing a ski resort and bidding for the 1968 Winter Olympics. 

Around 2,400 athletes, coaches, trainers, and officials were housed in the Whistler Olympic and Paralympic Village (also known as the Athlete’s Village). Following the games, the site was transformed into Cheakamus Crossing, a new residential neighborhood.

5. Whistler prints a weekly newspaper

Pique Newsmagazine, Whistler’s weekly newspaper, is published every Thursday.  The Lost Duck is a monthly events guide and calendar that details what’s going on at the resort.

Other tourist-oriented print publications, such as FAQ, Visitors Choice, and Whistler Magazine, are published on a quarterly to once or twice a year basis.

6. Whistler is an expensive destination

A world-class resort usually has world-class prices. Despite the fact that budget travelers can find package deals, lift discounts, and hostels in Whistler, it remains one of Canada’s most expensive ski resorts. However, because it is one of the best, many people believe it is worth the money.

7. There are two mountains at Whistler

Mountains at Whistler. Photo by Richie Diesterheft. Wikimedia

Whistler and Blackcomb were once separate ski areas that were friendly rivals until 1997, when they merged. With this historic merger, Whistler Blackcomb became one of the world’s largest ski resorts, with more than 8,000 acres of skiable terrain.

8. Whistler has a pedestrian only village

Whistler’s main village area is a no-car zone at the base of Whistler Mountain, making it easy to stroll around before or after hitting the slopes and enjoy the boutiques, retail outlets, gift stores, and restaurants. There are plenty of parking spots around the village if you arrive by car.

9. Whistle Film Festival is held annually, at Whistler

Ski racers’ paraphernalia. Photo by Ruth Hartnup.

Whistler Film Festival (WFF) is a film festival held annually in Whistler. The festival is held on the first weekend of December and features juried competitive sections, the Borsos Awards, and the Pandora Audience Award. 

In conjunction with the film festival, the Whistler Summit is a conference for the Canadian film industry. The Whistler Film Festival bills itself as “Canada’s coolest film festival”. It has been attracting an increasing number of distributors and sales agents.

The 2015 festival featured the Canadian premiere of Carol and the world premiere of Rehearsal. About half of the films shown are Canadian. Paul Gratton, the festival’s director of programming since June 2012, wants Whistler to become a “mini-Sundance” for Canadian films. The 2020 festival was held entirely online due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

10. Whistler is easily accessible

Whistler is in an excellent location. It’s a two-hour drive from Vancouver along the Sea to Sky Highway, and several bus companies run daily between the two cities.

Vancouver has a major international airport, and Seattle is only about three hours south. All of this means you can arrive quickly, easily, and affordably.