Lodgings in Whistler are very high quality, and the price of rooms is equally high. The hotels listed offer superlative rooms with lots of extras. However, the smaller inns offer great value and excellent accommodations, often with services and options that can, for many travelers, make them a more attractive option than the larger hotels. At these smaller, owner-operated inns, rates usually include features that are usually available for an extra fee at hotels. These inns are located outside of the central villages and usually offer a quieter lodging experience than the hotels in Whistler Village.
In addition, Whistler is absolutely loaded with condos. To reserve a unit, which can range from studios, one- to five-bedroom furnished condos, town houses, and chalets with prices from C$125 to C$1,500 (US$100-US$1,200) a night, for many travelers the easiest thing to do is simply decide on your price point and call one of the central booking agencies, such as Resort Quest Whistler (tel. 800/892-2431 or 604/932-6699; www.resortquest.com/whistler) and Rainbow Retreats Accommodations Ltd. (tel. 604/932-2343; www.rainbowretreats.com). Whistler Accommodation (tel. 866/905-4607 or 604/905-4607; www.whistleraccommodation.com) focuses on condos and hotels in the Upper Village.
One other excellent booking service is Allura Direct (tel. 866/4-ALLURA or 604/707-6700; www.alluradirect.com), through which owners of rental properties in Whistler rent directly to the public (and you escape the 10% local hotel tax). The website offers information and photos of numerous properties located throughout Whistler. Though owners are screened -- we encountered no problems and got a fabulous deal on a one-bedroom condo -- quality can vary, so we recommend you do your homework and book only with those owners who accept credit cards.
One of the easiest ways to book rooms, buy ski passes, and plan activities is to visit the official Whistler Blackcomb Resort website at www.whistlerblackcomb.com. Most hotels and condo developments are represented at this one-stop shopping and information site.
Reservations for peak winter periods should be made by September at the latest.
In the Village & Upper Village -- Developed by the owners of Opus, Adara Hotel, 4122 Whistler Green (tel. 866/502-3272; www.adarahotel.com), is sure to become a top choice for Whistler's trendy, urban-chic set. Rustic naturalism meets contemporary color and modern Scandinavian style at this new boutique hotel, which raises the bar on area accommodations. Rooms and suites feature spalike bathrooms with large showers and rain shower heads, luxurious beds, "floating" fireplaces, artful design details, and views of Whistler, Whistler Village, or the mountains. Ski and snowboard waxing plus equipment rentals are offered. Pets are welcome and will also be well attended to, with services such as pet sitting and dog walking available. The hotel is slated to open in 2006; check the website for details and updates.
Camping -- South of Whistler on the Sea-to-Sky corridor is the very popular Alice Lake Provincial Park. About 27km (17 miles) north of Whistler, the well-maintained campground at Nairn Falls, Highway 99 (tel. 604/898-3678), is more adult-oriented, with pit toilets, pumped well water, fire pits, and firewood, but no showers. The 85 campsites at Birkenhead Lake Provincial Park, off Portage Road, Birken (tel. 604/898-3678), fill up very quickly during summer. To reserve at any of these provincial parks, call Discover Camping at tel. 800/689-9025. Campsites are C$14 (US$11).
