The Local’s List: March

There’s a touch of spring in the air with longer, sunnier days. The gondolas and chairlifts open earlier at 8:30 AM, and close later at 4 PM, giving you more time on the slopes, or the chance for a lazy breakfast or early après without losing ride time.

Talking of après, Whistler’s sunny patios are a highlight at this time, whether you’re sipping on an ice cold, locally brewed beer, handcrafted winter cocktail/mocktail, or enjoying the warming fix of a decadent, hot chocolate. Take a look at our suggestions in our Insider’s Guide to Spring Après.

We’re also thinking about investing in progress this month, as it’s the theme for International Women’s Day, which happens on March 8. We touched base with 100 Women Who Care Whistler, who have raised $227,700 for Sea to Sky community organizations since its inception in 2019.

Here’s what’s happening in Whistler this March.

Outdoor Adventure

You’ll find us:

• Challenging ourselves at the Women’s Freeride Fiesta All-Day Freeride Clinic on March 9. Spend the day with experienced and passionate coaches as you push yourself on new terrain.
• Feeling the need for speed at the Kokanee Valley Race Series, happening on March 28 on Blackcomb Mountain. This race series is open to skiers, snowboarders and telemarkers with different gender and age divisions. No racing experience is required to join in on the fun of recreational racing.
• At the Freeride World Qualifier 2 on March 10 to 12. The jam-packed schedule is guaranteed to showcase some gnarly drops, jumps and lines from the top freeride competitors in the province.
• Competing or watching the slopestyle action at Canada’s longest-running snowboard competition, Showcase Showdown 2024 on March 30. This event is a jam-format contest with a custom-built venue in Blackcomb Park. Open to all ages with more than $15,000 of great prizes up for grabs!

Adventure Lite

You’ll find us:

• Taking a guided tour with Whistler Sightseeing Tours, which has been named one of Canada’s (yes, the whole country’s) top 5 experiences on Tripadvisor!
• Taking the pooch for a cross-country ski or snowshoe at Whistler Olympic Park on Saturday, March 10 for Dog Day. Proceeds from all dog tickets sold that day go to Whistler Animals Galore (WAG), specifically to their Critical Care Fund. They’re also celebrating their season wrap-up on March 30 with their Spring Shannanigans events.
• Treating our mind and body to a healing and invigorating thermal journey at the Scandinave Spa. Encircled by Whistler’s old-growth rainforest and rugged Coast Mountain views, you embrace complete silence at the spa, stowing your phone away for a digital detox. Allow at least two hours to go through stages of hot, cold and rest, surrounded by nature.
• Stretching it out at the SNOWGA + Sound event at the Audain Art Museum with Protect Our Winter athletes and ambassadors on March 17. This all-level yoga session for skiers and boarders will be followed by a relaxing sound bath experience.
• Taking the plunge at the Arc’teryx Winter Cold Plunge Series at Green Lake on March 5

More ways to get outside.

Family Fun

You’ll find us:

• Ice skating with the kiddos in Whistler Olympic Plaza. You can rent skates right there, and enjoy the music and glowing lights as you lap this picturesque, outside rink. Note that the ice skating at Whistler Olympic Plaza typically wraps up in mid-March, but if the weather changes and warms up, it may close sooner, so you better get your skates on!
• Feeling the need for speed as we thunder down the Olympic bobsleigh track! There’s a special March deal happening at the Whistler Sliding Centre, where youths (ages 14 to 18) slide at 50% off with a full-paying adult. Book online and select a date in March or April to get the deal.
• Flying through the air like an eagle on a ziplining tour, better yet, add a multi-media show to the mix with the new, evening Vallea Lumina Flyover Tour option. Our teen Insider, Alexander Emm, went out with Superfly and wrote about his experience in his blog 6 Tips from a Whistler Teen. While you’re out at The Adventure Group’s base on Cougar Mountain visit the Wishing Tree. For every “wish” you make an anonymous donor gives $10 to BC Parks to help protect our green spaces!
• Spending spring break weekdays cross-country skiing and snowshoeing at Whistler Olympic Park as youth (18 and under) ski for free from March 18 to 29.
• Watching the kiddos get creative at the Audain Art Museum’s spring break kids’ programming. There are three unique workshops; Learning to Paint by Numbers on March 20, Introduction to Watercolor on March 21 and Harry Potter on March 24.
• Getting the whole family involved with cultural education at the SLCCs Spring Break Programming. There are a variety of programs to choose from over spring break – be sure to check out the lineup and plan ahead!

More family-friendly activities.

Arts & Culture

You’ll find us:

• Celebrating women with music at the newly expanded and renovated Alpine Cafe on March 8 for International Women’s Day featuring Handsome Men and DJ Soul Club, plus special guests. Entry is a $20 donation to PearlSpace (formerly Howe Sound Women’s Centre).
• Listening to the Music of the Renaissance and Baroque at the Maury Young Arts Centre on March 10 at 5 PM. And then the soul-stirring melodies and captivating storytelling of Sechile Sedare, an award-winning contemporary roots, blues, and folk duo featuring sibling songwriters Leela and Jay Gilday on March 23, doors at 7 PM.
• Perusing the tiny works of talent at the Anonymous Art Show, Arts Whistler’s most adrenaline-fuelled gallery event of the year! View 300+ 8×8 inch works from legendary Sea to Sky creatives, from ironwork pieces to 3D clay designs, oil on canvas and even knitted pieces! All the artists’ names have been hidden so you can spend an afternoon deciphering their creative identities. The exhibit runs from March 26 to May 4, Sneak Peek is March 27 and Buying Night is on April 5.
• Visiting the SLCC’s newest exhibit: Fighting for Justice. This exhibit shares the history of fighting for justice on the coast through a travelling exhibit from Vancouver Island University, alongside stories from the Squamish Nation and Lil’wat Nation – open until March 31.
• Listening to powerhouse band Shred Kelly on their Blurry Vision Album Release Tour at the Garibaldi Lift Company (GLC) on March 30. Emerging from the majestic landscapes of the Canadian Rockies, Shred Kelly blends elements of alternative, folk, and rock music. There are only 100 tickets, so get yours before they go!
• Tapping into our artistic side at the Audain art Museum’s adult paint workshops with Paint & Wine on March 1 workshop and the Painting Everyday Objects workshop on March 9.
• Having a laugh at Arts Whistler Live! presents: Geekenders Naughty Python’s Flying Burlesque Circus at the Maury Young Arts Centre, March 14.
• Getting creative at the Paint ‘N’ Sip nights at The Point Artist Run Centre on March 3, 10, 17 and 31.
• Enjoying the tunes of Whistler’s own Zada at the album release party, located at the GLC on March 16. Foxy Moron and Vinyl Richie will also be spinning tunes. It’s a live music event you won’t want to miss, so grab your tickets now!