Shopping Walk: Whistler
Shopping route: Whistler Village Stroll
Known for: Upscale boutiques, galleries, hotels and restaurants
Starting point: Whistler Village
Parking: Free public day parking is available in Whistler Village at the day skier lots. Blackcomb has free parking near Base II and Whistler Creekside in the underground garage.
Getting there: Whistler is about 140 kilometers north of downtown Vancouver on the scenic Sea to Sky highway (Highway 99), which was extensively upgraded in advance of the 2010 Winter Olympics. You should plan for at least two to two and a half hours to drive there, and be prepared for one of the most breath-takingly scenic and beautiful drives of your life. New highway improvements have reduced bottlenecks, but it’s always best to allow lots of time.
If you don’t want to drive, you can take an express bus to Whistler from downtown Vancouver via Greyhound or Pacific Coach Lines, or from the Vancouver International Airport (with stops in downtown Vancouver) via Perimeter Reservations. The Whistler Mountaineer train also runs between Whistler and North Vancouver (with bus transfers to downtown Vancouver) from May to October only. You can also charter a float plane, helicopter, minibus or limousine to get you there.
Overview: Whistler was already known as a world-class ski resort before it became one of the two venues, along with Vancouver, for the 2010 Winter Olympics, and the community has been in overdrive since the games were announced. New hotels, shops and restaurants have moved in, making Whistler an even more popular destination to visitors and locals, year-round.
The heart of the community is Whistler Village, a European-style enclave of pedestrian-only streets that house mostly upscale boutiques specializing in everything from ski and apres-ski wear to fashions for an evening out. You’ll also find a good selection of stores selling high-quality souvenirs, jewellery, art and home decor items. Many of the big hotels in the area have their own boutiques, as well as luxurious spas. You won’t go hungry or thirsty, with the wide selection of casual and upscale cafes, bars and restaurants in the area.
Whistler Creekside, about four kilometers south of the village, also has a cluster of shops, cafes and restaurants, as well as a farmer’s market on Saturdays that sells the work of local artisans as well as high-quality foods and produce. Many people stay in the Upper Village for close access to Blackcomb lifts.
Close and worth considering: Nester’s Market plaza, about 2.5 kilometers north of Whistler Village just off the highway, is where many locals shop. It’s home to a large outlet of the Whistler-based grocery chain, as well as a florist, a pharmacy, a video-rental store and a few sports-equipment and clothing stores. The grocery store will even deliver groceries to your Whistler hotel room or condo.
Good to know: If you’re staying in Whistler Village, your car might as well stay in the hotel parking lot for most of your trip — you can easily navigate the entire village on foot. In the winter, be prepared for the temperature to be significantly colder than it is in Vancouver — it will often be snowing there when it’s raining in the big city.
Note: Many shops and vendors have seasonal hours, including closing completely for certain months of the year. Our walk takes you along Village Stroll which actually is a walk and not a street. Therefore, individual merchant addresses are not uniform.
Detailed Google Maps
Where is Whistler?
Click on ENTER FULL-SIZE MAP below to interact with the map and get shopping details.
Copyright © 2010 Chicwalks Media Inc. All rights reserved.
No copying, reproduction or syndication permitted without express permission. All logos and trademarks on this site are the property of their respective owners.