The Local’s List: November

Get ready for the sounds of clinking glasses, crunchy snow underfoot and the satisfying swoosh of ski edges digging into fresh corduroy. November sees us celebrating food and drink at the iconic Whistler Cornucopia events that happen from November 7 to 17.

Keen skiers and boarders are getting their squats in (check out 5 Ski Exercises to Get You Ready for the Slopes for inspo), checking their gear and keeping their eyes on Whistler’s webcams, raring to go for Whistler Blackcomb’s opening day on November 22 (conditions dependent). Remember to lock in those ski days now to get the best deals on lift passes. Check out our blog, Secrets to Whistler Blackcomb Lift Ticket Savings for the insider scoop on how to get the best deals on passes and lift tickets ahead of the winter season.

November also marks Remembrance Day on November 11. To honour those who have served, join the annual ceremony, which convenes at Whistler Olympic Plaza. Ceremony details will be posted on the RMOW website.

Outdoor Adventure

You’ll find us:

• Making sure we’re ready for Whistler Blackcomb’s opening day on Thursday, November 22. Read our Insider’s Guide on Tuning Up for the Winter Season, which gives you a run down on what you might want to get and check before you head up the hill. This year, we’re loading all our friends and family into the car to take advantage of the trial carpool program. Vehicles with four or more occupants get free priority parking access in Lot 7 and Creekside Level 1 parking lots from 6 AM to 11 AM on weekends and peak periods.
• Getting muddy on an ATV tour or a Side-by-Side UTV tour with Canadian Wilderness Adventures before they switch out the tires for tracks. Depending on the weather, November might see them shift to snowmobile and snowshoe tours, or a unique combination of the two!
• Diving into the benefits of the Wim Hof Method with certified instructor, Laura Douglas on November 10 at ALGN Whistler. Dive into the three pillars of the Wim Hof method, breathing cold exposure and commitment. The workshop includes breathing sessions and (optional) ice baths.

Adventure Lite

You’ll find us:

• Trying something new at one of Cornucopia’s drink seminars. It’s the perfect opportunity to get out of your comfort zone drink-wise and find some new favourites. Whether you focus on a specific wine varietal, hone in on one region or country, or opt for spirits like whiskey and tequila, there are 36 seminars to choose from.
• Kindling our inner spark at Ignite, Fairmont Chateau Whistler’s invigorating wellness retreat weekend. Join them for yoga, meditation, nourishing cuisine and rejuvenating experiences guided by wellness experts from November 1 to 3.
• Keeping our swing sharp with ‘The SIM’ at the Whistler Golf Club, a state-of-the-art golf simulator with Trackmen technology, opening on November 1. Connect with your fellow golf enthusiasts and join in on six exciting 9-hole events held from November 1 to December 22.
• Braving the seasonal rain (we are in a lush coastal rainforest) and heading out to some of the lower valley hikes we love like Lost Lake, Cheakamus Lake and Train Wreck. Check out our Tips for When it Drips. If snow is on the ground, consider opting for shoes with good grip, or adding traction with Yaktrax or snowhoes.
• Joining Whistler Naturalists on their monthly bird walk (the first Saturday of every month), which leaves from the bottom of Lorimer Road. Or, opt for a self-guided tour using the free, Go Whistler Tours app and choose one of the curated routes that take you all over the Whistler Valley.

More ways to get outside.

Family Fun

You’ll find us:

• Getting outside during the darker evenings of late fall on a Winter Après Zipline tour with Ziptrek. Beginning November 23, adventure seekers delight in a zip through the old growth forest as soft twinkle lights reveal themselves at dusk.
• Dropping off the kids/teens (ages 8 to 14) to Discover Luge, happening Nov 18 at the Whistler Olympic Sliding Centre. Athletes receive an introduction to sliding sports and on-ice sliding instruction.
• Inspiring the kiddos creative and entrepreneurial spirits at the young artists’ annual craft fair, Bratz Biz. It’s being held during the Arts Whistler Holiday Market at the Westin Resort and Spa on November 30 and December 1 from 10 AM to 5 PM.
• Feeling festive at the inaugural Whistler Winterlight event, happening on Friday, November 29 from 6 to 8 PM at Olympic Plaza. Check out the funky light installations, interactive activities and the Ferris wheel, where you’ll get a bird’s eye view of the festive lights throughout the Village Stroll. 
• Checking out the new gaming arcade that has opened up beside Fat Tony’s Pizza. Now open from noon till late.

More family-friendly activities.

Arts & Culture

You’ll find us:

• Checking out the new exhibit at the Maury Young Arts Centre, a/New, which explores themes of identity, landscape and female representation. Check out the Art Party on November 1 from 6 to 8 PM with light bites and a DJ included, and engage deeper by joining the a/New Writing Workshop on November 3.
• Admiring the new Lil’wat Nation Story Pole by Master Carver Jonathan Joe and Apprentice Redmond Q̓áwam̓ Andrews which was carved over the summer and is now being prepared to be raised beside its Sister Pole at the entrance to the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre (SLCC) on Lorimer Road. The pole will be installed and awakened on November 8.
• Creating a Lino print stamp out of a 4″x5″ rubber block on November 16 at ART POP Whistler. Make a set of cards for the holidays, a special birthday or just something for you. No experience necessary!
• Having a laugh watching Wes Barker: Stunt Magician on November 22 at the Maury Young Arts Centre. You may recognize Wes from his TV show (Big Trick Energy) or other appearances on networks that include America’s Got Talent, Ellen and more. Join Wes on a wild and ridiculous ride of amazement and trickery.
• Immersing ourselves in the latest exhibit opening on Nov 23 at the Audain Art Museum. Curve! Women Carvers on the Northwest Coast sheds light on a lesser-explored facet of Northwest Coast art, women’s contributions to the rich tradition of carving wood and argillite. Get personal with some of the artists at the Curve! Women Carvers Panel Discussion on November 23 from 2 to 4 PM.
• Listening to one of BC’s favourite concert pianists, Jane Coop, who’s joined by acclaimed principal cellist of the Vancouver Symphony, Henry Shapard to perform an all-Beethoven program of Sonatas and Variations on Sunday, November 24th at the Maury Young Arts Centre.

You’ll find us:

• Kicking off Cornucopia at Cellar Door on November 8, trying wines poured from 50 international and regional wineries at Cornucopia’s CRUSH Grand Tasting event on November 9, and then immersing ourselves in the glitz and glamour of Cornucopia’s newest signature event, Straight Up: Gatsby Gold! on November 16. Read our dedicated blog and take advantage of the great deals on tickets when you package them with accommodation through Whistler.com.
• Having a jig at the Polka & Pilsner event at The Point Artist Run Centre on November 15. Enjoy a traditional Czech Dinner while elegant piano melodies play followed by a polka dance lesson. Purchase tickets for the entire evening (including dinner) or just the music and dance portion of the night, whatever suits your fancy!
• Indulging in the fall dining deals before they wrap up Take a look at Araxi, Wild Blue, Rim Rock, Sidecut Steakhouse, Sushi Village, and the list goes on! Check out our Insider’s Guide to Whistler’s Fall Dining Deals for all the details.
• Christmas shopping at the Arts Whistler Holiday Market at the Westin Resort and Spa on November 30 and December 1. Packed with talented local artisans and producers, this is where you can get that stocking filled.
• Pampering our bodies at a Whistler spa. Our skin tends to get dry at this time of year when it’s buffeted by the cold outside and then the heat when you come inside, so give it some TLC.
• Getting cozy with a pumpkin-spiced latte at a local coffee shop. Take a read of our Insider’s Guide to Whistler’s Coffee Shops and choose your java spot.

More on Village shopping, dining and arts and culture.

Save The Date

Whistler Film Festival | December 4 – 8
Whistler Pride and Ski Festival | January 19 – 26
Invictus Games | February 8 – 16

Be a Responsible Traveller: Don’t Love It to Death

• Whistler is bear country. Take a read of our Bear Aware blog post so you can act responsibly on behalf of these beautiful, wild creatures. Remember, a fed bear is a dead bear.
• Help keep Whistler green by choosing tap water over bottled water, avoiding single-use plastics, leaving the car at home, choosing active transportation and sorting garbage properly to reduce your waste.
• Be AdventureSmart and always practice Leave No Trace principles.
• Consider our Responsible Travel pillars, Respect Nature, Think Environment, Don’t Love It to Death and Support Local.
• Whistler Alert is the official emergency notification system used by the RMOW to communicate with residents and visitors during emergencies via text message, phone and email. We encourage you to sign up for it while you’re here (just in case). When you register, you will be asked to provide your contact number and the date you plan to leave Whistler so that you don’t receive alerts when you’re back home.

If You’re Driving . . .

• Take a read of Go Car Free: 8 Reasons to Ditch the Car on Your Whistler Trip in case we can convince you that you don’t need your car!
• This year, Whistler Blackcomb is launching a trial carpool program on November 22. Vehicles with four or more occupants get free priority parking access in Lot 7 and Creekside Level 1 parking lots from 6 AM to 11 AM on weekends and peak periods.
• Winter tires or chains are required on the Sea to Sky Highway from now until March 31. Make sure to check you have these, especially if you’re using a rental car. Read more on our Road Conditions page.
• Help reduce congestion on the highway by travelling during non-peak times. Peak travel times on the Sea to Sky Highway to Whistler include Friday afternoons and evenings, weekends and holidays. To avoid this busy time, plan to visit Whistler midweek when the highway and the resort are typically quieter. Extend your weekend – plan to arrive on Thursday night and leave on Monday morning to avoid the weekend traffic. If you’re visiting Whistler only for the day, plan on staying for dinner to avoid the rush of day traffic leaving the resort after the mountain closes.
• Always check DriveBC for current road conditions before getting on the road. Follow @DriveBC on Twitter and listen to MountainFM for the latest updates.
• Paid parking is in effect in all the Day Lots although there is complimentary parking from 5 PM to 8 AM. Overnight parking is not permitted in the day lots. Please check the RMOW website for more information on parking.
• Marketplace parking has new tariffs; $1 first 30 minutes and $2 first hour (15-minute, storefront parking remains free). For shopping at Fresh St. Market, register your license plate in the machine prior to shopping and they will reimburse you for 1 hour with a minimum $25 purchase.