Posted by on 14 Dec 2022 , in North America

At the same time, there’s good value on accommodation and Whistler.com’s shop local voucher gives you $100 towards your gift-buying this season if you stay for three nights or more. Book yourself a room with a fireplace, hot tub, view of the mountains, and make it a cozy, Canadian getaway.

Admire the Festive Lights

Lights, lights and more lights – 350,000 to be exact – that’s how many you’ll find strung around Whistler Village. Download the free, Go Whistler Tours app, which has three, self-guided routes that take you around the best of Whistler’s festive lights. The app even has suggestions for where to get a warming hot chocolate.

If you enjoy the Village light display, you’ll love Vallea Lumina, an immersive multimedia night walk in the forest. Watch stories play out over the snow and pursue hidden wonders around every corner.

Go Ice Skating and Tobogganing in Whistler Village

Skating brings back those childhood, holiday feelings of exhilaration and pure, simple delight. The outdoor rink at Whistler Olympic Plaza opens on November 25, and you can bring your skates or rent them. Situated in the Village with views of the mountains as a backdrop, it’s got that magical, snow-globe feel and on a clear night, you’ll be skating under the stars.

Right next door is the Snow Zone, a tobogganing heaven for kids and big kids alike. It starts as soon as there’s enough snow to mold into small hills and icy gullies, perfect for a few cool rides.

Talking of sliding, the Eberspächer Luge World Cup is happening at the Whistler Sliding Centre on December 9 and 10. Athletes from over 20 countries will be hitting speeds of up to 130 kilometres per hour as they compete, and it’s free to spectate. If you feel inspired, you can take to the track with their public skeleton and piloted bobsleigh programs.

Shop Local Artisans

Carefully picking out the perfect gift for a loved one and supporting a local artisan at the same time – it’s a guaranteed double dose of the warm and fuzzies. You can shop everything from scented candles to original paintings and prints in boutiques and galleries along the Village Stroll.

The Maury Young Arts Centre, located opposite the Brewhouse, has a year-round, Sea to Sky, artisan shop in its lobby, and from December 10 to 23 they have 20% off. If you go there, make sure to enquire about any upcoming performances, shows and workshops, including the Holiday Singapalooza with Barbed Choir, happening on December 9.

Celebrate the Ski and Snowboard Season

The true gift of winter – the ability to ski and snowboard. Both Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains will be open for skiing, riding and sightseeing on November 24. Get your season started early and take advantage of the quieter slopes in the early season, especially if you come midweek.

INSIDER TIP: If you haven’t already started doing them, you should get some squats in.

Whistler Film Festival

Talking of cozy nights, the Whistler Film Festival is adding its own stars to Whistler’s starry skies from November 30 to December 4. The 2022 lineup includes 86 bold and inspiring films with the big star power of Daniel Craig and Edward Norton (Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery), Anna Kendrick (Alice, Darling) and Jon Hamm (Corner Office) to name just a few.

Visiting the Trees of Hope

Fairmont Chateau Whistler and Mountain Galleries have partnered to present Trees of Hope – a unique art auction featuring art by fourteen invited artists. At the end of October, these artists gathered at the Fairmont to paint their version of a Tree of Hope. Their paintings are donated to a silent auction, with all proceeds going to Canuck Place Children’s Hospice, which provides palliative and respite care services for sick children in BC Canada.

Beginning December 5, the paintings will be on display at Fairmont for the duration of the silent auction, which ends on January 31, 2023. Visit the silent auction to view and bid on all of this year’s beautiful Trees of Hope paintings.

Credits by: Tourism Whistler