Bookstore
Available as paperback
and as e-book.
Whistler Attractions
Arts & Culture
Admittedly, Whistler isn’t exactly the place to go for high culture. Musical performances, ranging from classical and choral to folk and blues are held at the Maurice Young Millennium Place community center (tel. 604/935-8410). There are also frequent outdoor concerts in summer, as well as festivals and events year round; your best bet is to check the Tourism Whistler events calendar to see what’s coming up (www.whistler.com).
Believe it or not, Whistler does have a museum. The Whistler Museum (4333 Main St.; tel. 604/932-2019; www.whistlermuseum.org) covers the story of the area from the First Nations to the early British settlers and right up to the Olympics. More First Nations culture is on offer at the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre (4584 Blackcomb Way; tel. 866/441-7522; www.slcc.ca), a beautiful new glass-and-stone building filled with haunting artifacts. There are displays, events, a cafe, a gift shop, and more.
Shopping
The Whistler Marketplace (in the center of Whistler Village) and the area surrounding the Blackcomb Mountain lift brim with clothing, jewelry, crafts, specialty, and equipment shops that are generally open daily 10am to 6pm. One of the best things to shop for is art; for a list and map of all the galleries in town, as well as information on events, contact the Whistler Community Arts Council (tel. 604/935-8410; www.whistlerartscouncil.com).
Spas
After a tough day on the slopes (or in front of the fire), nothing makes you go ahhh like a trip to the spa. And Whistler has several excellent options.
The Taman Sari Royal Heritage Spa (tel. 604/938-8836; www.tamansarispa.com) at the Hilton offers an unusual array of Javanese and European spa treatments. The Westin’s Avello (tel. 604/935-3444; www.whistlerspa.com) has a variety of signature treatments, including hot rock, Thai, and Satago massage. The Vida Wellness Spa at Fairmont Chateau Whistler Resort (tel. 604/938-8000; www.vidaspas.com) provides massage therapy, skin care, and body wraps. And the Scandinave Spa (tel. 604/935-2424; www.scandinave.com) offers Finnish-style saunas, steam room, hot pools, and cold showers, as well as massages.
If something didn’t quite go right on the slopes or on the trails, Whistler Physiotherapy (339–4370 Lorimer Rd.; tel. 604/932-4001; www.whistlerphysio.com) specializes in sports therapy.
Black Tusk Gallery
One of Whistler's finest First Nations galleries, Black Tusk sells totem poles, handsome paintings, sculptures, prints, masks, and jewelry.Around Town
- Museum
Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre
A surprisingly engrossing little museum the Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Center showcases BC's neighboring Squamish and Lil'wat First Nations peoples through exhibitions of carvings, canoes, and other artifacts, as well as hourly live performances of dance and music, and demonstrations…Around Town The Plaza Galleries
Whistler has art beyond bear sculptures and mountain paintings, and most of it is being sold at the Plaza Galleries. This includes exquisite vases and glass wear, unique wire-mesh friezes, and paintings of Paris, New York, and London by Kal Gajoum.Village NorthWhistler Village Art Galleries
This contemporary art gallery puts its emphasis on sculptures of bears, big ones in hand-quarried marble by Cathryn Jenkins, and smaller ones in bronze by Georgia Gerber.Around Town
Whistler Shopping
Whistler Village, and the area surrounding the Blackcomb Mountain lift, brim with clothing, jewelry, craft, specialty, gift, and equipment shops open daily 10am to 6pm. You'll have absolutely no problem finding interesting places to shop in Whistler -- both quality and prices are high.
17 Results
- Bookstores
Armchair Books
A well-stocked, welcoming little bookstore right in the center of the Village, Armchair Books sells hard-cover and paperback fiction, nonfiction, children's books, magazines, and titles by local Canadian authors.Around Town - Sporting Goods
Can-Ski
This Whistler institution (it now has three stores around town) sells skis, boots and poles, as well as outerwear from North Face, Marmot, Arc’teryx, and other high end brands.Around Town Castro's Cuban Cigar Store
The woodsy interior and wooden Indian evoke an early-20th-century cigar shop, as, for U.S. citizens, does their stock of Cohibas and other fine Cuban cigars—a reminder of pre- (and, eventually) post–Cold War good times.Around Town- Sporting Goods
CoMor
Near the Whistler Olympic Plaza, CoMor claims that it’s the largest ski and snowboard shop in town. Inside there’s performance ski and snowboard gear and clothing from top-of-the-line manufacturers, plus street clothes, sunglasses, accessories, and more.Village North - Food
Cow's
The big plastic cow out front lures in passersby for decadent, creatively named ice creams like Moo York Cheesecake served in homemade waffle cones. The shop also sells cheeky, cow-themed T-shirts, caps, and souvenirs.Around Town David's Tea
Fancy a organic mint tea flavored with gooseberries and rose or a coconut chai rooibos ? This is the place to come. Pop and alternative music blares while tea aficionados browse, sniff, and sip from a selection of 70-plus loose-leaf green, black, white, oolong, and rooibos teas.Village North- Sporting Goods
Fanatyk Co Ski and Cycle
For more than a decade, this has been the go-to destination in Whistler for expert sales, repairs and rentals of mountain bikes. Laid-back staff answer questions from hardcore riders, who often come in splattered head-to-toe in mud.Around Town Helly Hansen
The Norwegian outdoor-clothing giant offers a large selection of outerwear,sportswear, and footwear and does so at two Whistler outlet. This is the bigger one; it's near the Westin.Around Town- Food
Marketplace IGA
This large grocery is a bit far out from the Village Center but it's convenient for those staying in Village North.Village North - Fashion
Roots
Canada’s homegrown version of the Gap, this retailer initially specialized in comfy, well-made (and pricey) sweats, but has since expanded to a full line of shirts, shoes, sportswear, jeans and accessories.Around Town - Jewelry
Ruby Tuesday
Nope, not the fast food chain. This bright, funky little shop specializes in accessibly priced, creatively designed jewelry from primarily local artisans.Village North - Sporting Goods
Summit Ski Bike Board
The only full-service shop of its kind in Whistler, Summit sells, rents and repairs mountain bikes, skis, and snowboards. The basement houses a huge selection of bikes from all the top brands in summer and skis and boards with similar cache in winter.Around Town - Food
The Grocery Store (Whistler Grocery)
With so many Whistler hotels offering rooms with kitchens and kitchenettes, you need somewhere centrally located to buy groceries. This is it, right in the Village Square. There's a good (if a bit pricey) selection of produce, pre-cooked meals, and packaged goods, plus a big attached…Around Town The Hat Gallery
Tip your hat to this one trick pony, which stocks hundreds of different hats, all designed to keep your head warm.Around TownThe North Face
This cavernous outlet store on the Village Stroll offers outerwear, sleeping bags, backpacks, and designer duds from the famous outdoor gear company.Village North- Souvenirs
Trading Post at Whistler
Whistler’s largest souvenir shop, The Trading Post carries an extensive collection of stuffed animal moose in Mountie gear, Whistler T-shirts, sweatshirts and key chains, as well as nifty personalized pocket knives.Village North - Food
Whistler's Creekside Market
An upscale grocery choice near the Creekside lifts, the Creekside Market carries fine meats and seafood, fresh produce, and artisan bread. It also boasts a large deli counter for those needing pre-prepared foods.Creekside
Whistler Nightlife
For a town of just 10,000, Whistler has a pretty good nightlife scene. Of course, it is considered the preeminent ski resort in North America and attracts millions of year-round visitors. Bands touring through Vancouver regularly make the trip up the Sea-to-Sky Highway; some even make Whistler their Canadian debut. Concert listings can be found in the free weekly “Pique” (www.piquenewsmagazine.com).
Tommy Africa’s (tel. 604/932-6090; www.tommyafricas.com), beneath the Rexall at the entrance to the Main Village, and the dark and cavernous Maxx Fish (tel. 604/932-1904; www.maxxfish.com), in the Village Square below the Amsterdam Cafe, cater to the 19-to-22-year-old crowd. The crowds at Garfinkel’s (tel. 604/932-2323; www.gibbonshospitality.com/garfinkels), at the entrance to Village North, and Moe Joe’s (tel. 604/935-1152; www.moejoes.com) on Golfer’s Approach are similar, though perhaps appropriate for slightly older ages.
The Cinnamon Bear Bar in the Hilton (tel. 604/966-5060; www.hiltonwhistler.com), Buffalo Bills (tel. 604/932-6613; www.gibbonshospitality.com/buffalobills) across from the Whistler Gondola, and sports bar Tapleys (tel. 604/932-4011; www.gibbonshospitality.com/tapleys), off the Village Square, cater to the 30-something set. Bills is bigger, with a pool table, video ski machine, a small dance floor, and music straight from the 1980s. Tapleys has multiple screens for airing hockey games, and the Cinnamon Bear is a slick, tranquil spot.
For a short visit, try the four- or five-bar Whistler Club Crawl (tel. 604/722-2633; www.whistlerclubcrawl.com) to skip the lines and save on cover. Guided tours run on Thursday and Saturday nights. The C$60 cost covers dinner, five drinks, and cover for each adult.
If all you want to do is savor a beer and swap ski stories, try the Whistler BrewHouse (tel. 604/905-2739; www.mjg.ca/brewhouse) in Village North or the fun and very Irish Dubh Linn Gate Old Irish Pub (tel. 604/905-4047; www.dubhlinngate.com) in the Pan Pacific Whistler Mountainside hotel, which often features live musicians.
17 Results
- Bars & Pubs
Amsterdam Cafe Pub
With a swell little patio and prime spot right in the pedestrian heart of Whistler at Village Square, this pub is usually packed with a lively après-ski crowd. Inside, it’s woody and warm, with waitresses who are deliberately, cheekily blunt, and indifferent. There's a simple pub…Around Town - Bars & Pubs
Buffalo Bills Bar and Grill
Buffalo Bills is a dance club, party spot, live music venue, and après-snowboard bar rolled into one. Many nights are themed—some focus on DJs, some on sports, some on variations of "Party!" Weekend nights are a complete madhouse.Around Town - Bars & Pubs
Cinnamon Bear Bar
An après ski joint popular with locals, the Cinnamon Bear has a high-ceilinged central area with a stone fireplace, built-in backgammon and chess boards, leather armchairs, and two great pool tables. It's been named Whistler's best pool-playing bar several times.Around Town - Bars & Pubs
Crystal Lounge
Located underground in the Crystal Lodge, this bar looks like a big rec room and attracts a youthful, snowboarding crowd. There's live music sometimes, TV sports, and drunk young 'uns.Around Town - Bars & Pubs
Dubh Linn Gate Irish Pub
Located a couple of ski-lengths from Blackcomb's Excalibur Gondola, this pleasantly musty and knocked up Irish pub has an authentic, wood-filled interior (brought piece-by-piece from Dublin) full of memorabilia and cozy touches. It’s often packed and lively, which makes sense since…Around Town - Bars & Pubs
Dusty’s Bar & BBQ
The preferred après-ski destination in the Creekside area, Dusty’s looks like a cross between Wild West saloon and an enormous mountain chalet. The interior is a loud, big open room with worn wood furniture and scuffed floors. They serve decent burgers, pulled pork and chicken, and…Creekside - Bars & Pubs
Fifty Two 80 Bistro and Bar
This bar inside the Four Season is—believe it or not—a popular locals hangout tucked away in the sniffy Upper Village. The main lure is the large heated terrace outside with a wood-burning fire pit. The Four Seasons also hosts weekly promotions like Fish Fry Mondays and half-price…Upper Village - Bars & Pubs
Garfinkels Club
Another hot nightspot, Garfinkels focuses on DJ dance nights, plus occasional live bands. It's all about the drinking. I mean the dancing. I mean...Village North - Bars & Pubs
Garibaldi Lift Co. Bar and Grill
You can't get any closer to the slopes than this: The Garibaldi is set right at the lower edge of the slopes, between the the Whistler Express Gondola and the Fitzsimmons Chairlift. Fun and big, it's got an oversized slope-side patio; a big fireplace; windows all around; reggae and…Around Town - Bars & Pubs
Longhorn Saloon & Grill
Whistler’s iconic après-ski destination, the Longhorn is loud, big and dingy in the best way. There’s a wings-and-nachos vibe (though we'd skip the food), with pool tables, TV's and video games to distract you if the cheap beer and snowboard babes don't.Around Town - Dance Clubs
Maxx Fish
A young and (sometimes) rambunctious crowd packs this trendy, urban space for DJ-spun house and hip-hop, dancing, or lounging like wannabe VIPs in the booths.Around Town - Bars & Pubs
Merlin's
Set in the Upper Village, Merlin's is part party bar and part club, with its DJ booth lodged, appropriately enough, in a retired gondola car. It's kid-friendly at lunch and dinner, but things change after 9pm or so.Upper Village - Bars & Pubs
Roland’s Creekside Pub
The rarest of commodities in Whistler, Roland’s is a real neighborhood bar—worn around the edges, filled with real locals, cozy, and without a hint of pretense. Its decor consists of a wall full of hockey banners and a pinball machine in the corner. There's a good barbecue joint next…Creekside - Bars & Pubs
The Mallard Lounge
This very grown-up room in the swank Fairmont Chateau Whistler is country club all the way, with plush sofas and club chairs, a big fireplace, and a menu of classic cocktails, Scotch, wine, and "alpine warmers" (including flaming coffee). Outside, three fire pits keep things toasty…Upper Village - Dance Clubs
Tommy Africa's Bar
Pass through the leopard print door (likely after waiting in the long line to get in), and you’ll find a sultry dance club full of Whistler’s young and beautiful. In biz for more than 20 years, the club has themed party nights, guest DJs, and special events.Around Town - More Entertainment
Village 8 Cinemas
Village 8 plays current Hollywood films on eight smallish screens. Along with a popcorn stand, there's a cafe on site.Around Town - Bars & Pubs
Village Lounge & Nightclub
You get two nightlife experiences for the price of one (sort of) here. Upstairs is an urbane lounge with occasional live music. Downstairs there's a dance club with DJ, lightshow, and—a Whistler first—unisex restrooms (which gives you an idea of what may go on out on the dance…Around Town
