The town of Whistler is about 90 minutes North of Vancouver, BC. It’s best known for it’s ski resort Whistler Blackcomb, one of the biggest ski resorts on the continent! The mountains hosted events during the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics and they attract people from all over the world for skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, tubing, tobogganing, and more. Whistler is incredibly beautiful and acts as the perfect nature getaway from the city. We visited Whistler for a weekend before the holidays and had an amazing time. We’ve only been to Whistler a handful of times together, but we’re thinking we need to make it a regular trip! We highly recommend Whistler as the perfect lesbian friendly getaway outside Vancouver.
Whistler in the Winter
Winter is of course the busiest season on the mountains! Whistler Blackcomb is world class and offers incredible skiing and snowboarding, along with plenty of other winter sports and activities. Visiting during the snowy months is certainly most popular, and around the holidays the area is especially festive. At the base of the mountains is a village with carollers and holiday decorations to get you in the spirit of the season. You can go skating on the outdoor rink and check out all of the beautiful light displays along the pedestrian pathways in the village! Be sure to check out the Whistler tourism website when you’re planning your winter visit to see what events are happening!
Winter Activities
Ski or Snowboard
With more than 200 marked trails and an incredible apres-ski scene, skiing and snowboarding at Whistler Blackcomb can’t be beat. The resort offers rentals, lessons, and even heli-skiing!
Go Snowshoeing
If you’re new to winter sports, snowshoeing is a perfect introductory activity. You can do self-guided trails or join a tour, and there are even dog-friendly snowshoe trails is you want to bring along your pup.
Visit the Tube Park
A no-experience-required downhill activity, snow tubing at Whistler is fun and family-friendly.
Try Winter Ziplining
If you’re looking for more of a thrill, Whistler offers plenty of winter ziplining options!
Go Snowmobiling
There are plenty of guided snowmobile tours if you’re wanting a scenic look at the backcountry. There are tours to suit all levels and even some that can accommodate families with small kids.
Take the Peak2Peak Gondola
For stunning 360 degree views of the mountains, glaciers, lakes, and forests, don’t miss out on this incredible experience.
Check Out the Sliding Centre
Since hosting competitions during the 2010 Olympics, the Whistler Sliding Centre has opened to visitors for self-guided tours, as well as bobsleigh and skeleton experiences! International competitions are also held here, so you may even be able to catch a race!
Lesbian Friendly
Canada is known as one of the most LGBTQ+ friendly countries in the world, and the Vancouver area is most definitely welcoming to lesbian travellers. (Click here to read our full article about how lesbian friendly Canada is!) One of the reasons we love travelling in our home country is because we feel so free to be ourselves. Our trip to Whistler was no different! Everyone was warm and welcoming, and we spent our visit being openly affectionate as a couple. It always feels amazing to explore a destination hand in hand without a second thought. Whistler is an inclusive community and we can definitely recommend it as a lesbian friendly travel destination. They even host their own pride festival! Whistler Pride & Ski Festival happens every year in late January/early February and has been running since way back in 1992. It’s now one of the biggest LGBTQ+ ski weeks in the world! Head to the Whistler Pride Website for more information.
Has anyone else visited Whistler in the Winter? Let us know in the comments!
