Stats & Facts
Population
Whistler has 9,595 permanent residents (2006 census), 2,266 seasonal residents
(estimated) and 11,522 second-home owners (estimated). Seventy-nine per cent of
Whistler workers live in Whistler.
Incorporation
The Resort Municipality of Whistler was incorporated on September 6, 1975. It was
the first designated Resort Municipality in the province of British Columbia.
Elevation
Whistler Village's elevation is 675 metres, or 2,214 feet. Whistler Creekside's
elevation is 653 metres or 2,140 feet.
Location
Whistler is located at 50º 9'N, 122º 57' W.
Distances and approximate travel times by car:
- Whistler to downtown Vancouver: 127 km (79 miles), 2 hours
- Whistler to Vancouver International Airport: 140 km (85 miles), 2.5 hours
- Whistler to Seattle: 354 km (218 miles), 5 hours
Getting here and around
- Most people travel to Whistler from Vancouver by private vehicle on Highway 99,
known as the Sea to Sky Highway
- Scheduled bus service runs from Vancouver and Vancouver Airport to Whistler more
than ten times daily. Whistler is also served by regular air (helicopter/float plane)
service in the spring, summer and fall
- The WAVE (Whistler and Valley Express) serves more than 2.8 million riders per
year in the Whistler area. In the winter, WAVE is free from Marketplace to the Upper
Village loop and during the summer includes free service to Lost Lake Park
- People also get around on bicycles, skis and skateboards!
Public services
Whistler Health Care Centre, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Whistler Fire
Department, Meadow Park Sports Centre, Myrtle Philip Community School (elementary),
Spring Creek School (elementary) and Whistler Secondary Community School
Local newspapers
Pique, Whistler Question, Whistler Today, SNAP
Passport requirements
The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) is new U.S. legislation that
requires all travellers carry a valid passport or other appropriate secure document, or
combination of documents that establish citizenship and identity when travelling to the
United States from within the Western Hemisphere.
Since January 23, 2007, anyone travelling by AIR between the United States and
Canada is required to present a valid passport or NEXUS card (when used at designated
airports) to enter or re-enter the United States.
As of June 1, 2009, a valid passport OR one of the following documents ARE mandatory
for any person over the age of 16 travelling between the United States and Canada by
LAND or SEA/WATER (including cruises and ferries):
- U.S. Passport Card (not valid for international air travel)
- A NEXUS or FAST/EXPRES Card
- State or Province-issued Enhanced Driver's License (not valid for international
air travel)
Beginning June 1, 2009, U.S. and Canadian citizens under the age of 16, or under the
age of 19 if travelling with a school, religious, or other youth group, may present a
birth certificate, Consular Report of Birth Abroad, Canadian Citizenship Card or a
naturalization certificate. Birth certificates can be an original, photocopy, or
certified copy
International Visitors
Persons visiting from countries other than the United States may require visitor
visas. Check with the nearest Canadian Consulate well in advance of travel. Other
regulations apply if an extended stay, work or certain types of business activity are
contemplated.
Visitor numbers
Whistler receives approximately 2.1 million overnight and non-overnight visitors
each year (approximately 48 per cent in winter and 52 per cent in summer).
Resort capacity
Whistler has capacity for about 35,000 overnight visitors. There are some 150
hotels, condos, chalets, pensions and bed & breakfast facilities offering more than
8,000 bedrooms. There are also 230 hostel beds and 118 campsites.
Ski-in/ski-out
There are 19,936 pillows within 500 metres of the ski lifts
Dining
90+ restaurants, cafés, lounges and bars
Shopping and services
200+ retail shops
Parks and lakes
Whistler offers 15 pubic parks with 551.3 hectares (1,362.3 acres) of parkland. Five
major lakes dot the valley.
Average snowfall
The alpine receives an annual average of 1,022 centimetres (33.5 feet). The
valley receives 430 centimetres (14 feet).
Average temperature
Winter ranges from an average low of -8 to an average high of 3 degrees Celcius (18
to 37 degrees Fahrenheit). Summer ranges from an average low of 9 to 23 degrees Celcius
(48 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit).
Mountain biking trails
In the valley around Whistler, over 200 kilometres of maintained
double and single track cross-country trails are available, of varying
difficulty.
Whistler Blackcomb ski area stats
| Average Snowfall |
402 inches/33.5 feet
10.22 metres per year |
| Total Terrain |
8,171 acres/3,307 hectares |
| Trails |
200 + |
| Longitude/Latitude |
50° latitude, 122° longitude |
| Mountain Restaurants |
17 with a total of 6,540 restaurant seats |
| Highest Lift Accessed Elevation |
2,284 metres/7,494 feet |
| Vertical |
1,609 metres/ 5,280 feet |
| Whistler Village Elevation |
675 metres/2,214 feet |
| Creekside Base Elevation |
653 metres/2,140 feet |
| Number of Lifts |
38 (including the PEAK 2 PEAK gondola) |
| Hourly Lift Capacity |
65,507 skiers per hour |
Individual mountain stats
| |
Whistler Mountain |
Blackcomb Mountain |
| Vertical |
1,530 metres
5,020 feet |
1,609 metres
5,280 feet |
| Top Elevation |
2,182 metres
7,160 feet |
2,284 metres
7,494 feet |
| Skiable Terrain |
4,757 acres
1,925 hectares |
3,414 acres
1,382 hectares |
| Terrain Type (beg/int/adv) |
20%/55%/25% |
15%/55%/30% |
| Trails |
100 + |
100 + |
| Parks & Pipes |
2 Parks |
3 Parks 1 Super Pipe 1 Snow Cross Track |
| Total Number of Lifts |
20 including;
2 high-speed gondolas
7 high-speed quads
2 triple chairs
1 double chair
8 surface lifts + PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola |
17 including;
1 high-speed gondola
6 high-speed quads
3 triple chairs
7 surface lifts + PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola |
| Total Hourly Lift Capacity |
34,345 skiers per hour |
29,112 skiers per hour |
| Longest Run |
11 km/7 miles
Burnt Stew to Side-Winder,
Upper and Lower Olympic |
11 km/ 7 miles
Green Road down
Easy Out |
| Mountain Restaurants |
8 |
9 |
| Snowmaking |
215 acres/87 hectares |
350 acres/142 hectares |
| Season dates |
November 26, 2009 - April 18, 2010 |
November 26, 2009 - May 24, 2010 |
| Mountain Bike Park |
mid-May - mid-October, 2010 |
n/a |
| Mountain Bike Trails |
250+ km lift accessed trails |
n/a |
| Summer skiing/riding |
n/a |
mid-June to late-July, 2010 |
Golf in Whistler
Whistler offers four signature golf courses:
- Big Sky Golf & Country Club - designed by Robert Cupp
- The Fairmont Chateau Whistler Golf Club - designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr.
- Nicklaus North Golf Course - designed by Jack Nicklaus
- Whistler Golf Club - designed by Arnold Palmer
Skills centres
Practice and Learning facilities at each course, including Canada's first David
Leadbetter Golf Academy (Fairmont Chateau).
Junior golf program
Junior tees in place at all four Whistler golf courses. Each of the three
village-based courses allows kids to play free if accompanied by a paying adult.
Golf season
Late April / early May through October. For more information, visit our consumer
website www.whistler.com/golf
Whistler Mountain Bike Park
Vertical
The park offers unguided vertical to 1,175 metres (3,855 feet) and guided vertical
to 1,500 metres (5,000 feet).
Lifts and trails
Three lifts, including the Whistler Gondola, service more than 45 trails.
Terrain
The trails are ranked 17 per cent beginner, 23 per cent intermediate, and 60 per
cent expert.
Skills centres
Three are offered, including green, blue and double black diamond.
Bike Park operating dates
Mid-May to mid-October, 2010 (actual dates to be advised)