The Local’s List: December

In December, Whistler turns into a twinkling winter wonderland with frosted trees, festive lights galore and plenty of holiday activities to embrace the festive cheer. Check out our latest blog, 12 Things to Do in Whistler at Christmas, which covers how to ski with Santa(s), festive performances and holiday markets.

It’s time to roll out the red carpet for the Whistler Film Festival (December 4 to 8), which features over 100 films including, The Last Showgirl with Pamela Anderson and Jamie Lee Curtis, Better Man, based on the true story of British pop superstar Robbie Williams, and Heretic with Hugh Grant.

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Say farewell to 2024 with a bang this New Year’s Eve and enjoy the season’s first Whistler Blackcomb Fire & Ice Show, returning to Skier’s Plaza on December 29, with a special show for New Year’s Eve on December 31.

Here’s what else is happening in Whistler this December.

Outdoor Adventure

You’ll find us:

• Putting on our skis and boards for the start of another ski season. Whistler Blackcomb opened a day early on November 21 with a solid snow base and more of the white stuff is on its way. PSA – get your ski pass now before the December 2 deadline. Check out our blog Getting Stoked for a Whistler Winter for what Whistler locals are getting excited about this season
• Planning epic days in the backcountry chasing untouched powder. For those who like to earn their turns, Mountain Skills Academy & Adventures offers a Powder Punch Card, a pass with three or five days of guided ski touring or split boarding over the winter season. Or if you’d rather maximize your ski time and experience the ultimate ride up the mountains, book a day of heli-skiing with Whistler Heli-Skiing operating from December 9.
• Gliding along groomed trails on skinny skis as Whistler Olympic Park  is now open daily for the winter season. Located in the beautiful Callaghan Valley, just south of Whistler, offers cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. You can even try the unique Olympic sport of biathlon which combines cross-country skiing and target shooting.
• Revving our engines on a snowmobile tour! Whether you are a beginner looking for a cruise or an adrenaline junkie, there is a tour for all skill levels.
• Exploring The Callaghan, which has its base at the scenic Alexander Falls. From there you can cross-country ski, snowshoe, explore the backcountry and even stay over at the Journeyman Lodge.
• In the terrain parks! Park rats should head to the Park Rider Sessions happening at both Whistler and Blackcomb Terrain Parks on December 22, where they’ll get to show their stuff during various events and competitions.

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Adventure Lite

You’ll find us:

• Singing along with fellow swifties as we glide through the Nordic trails of Whistler Olympic Park at the Swiftie Ski Party on December 11. Not a Swiftie? Check out their Solstice Ski by Candlelight on December 18.  
• Taking part in the classic Canadian pastime of ice skating in the great outdoors. The outdoor rink at Whistler Olympic Plaza opens on November 28, with rental skates available. Glide around the ice and enjoy views of the surrounding mountains by day or the stars and thousands of festive lights by night.
• Bundling up and going for a stroll to marvel at Whistler’s displays of festive lights. Download the free, Go Whistler Tours app and choose from three different festive lights walking tours, including Whistler Village, Upper Village and Creekside.

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More ways to get outside.

Family Fun

You’ll find us:

• Kicking off the festive season with the fam at the inaugural Whistler Winterlight.  For one night only, Whistler Olympic Plaza will come alive with vibrant light installations, a live DJ and immersive activities. Plus, take the fam for a spin on the Ferris wheel for a bird’s eye view of the festive lights throughout the Village Stroll on November 29 and 30 during select times. Take note of the height restriction – little ones but be 42 inches with a guardian and 28 inches without to ride the Ferris Wheel. We recommend that you measure your little one before getting in line. Check out the event details for the full schedule!
• Watching world-class athletes flip and twist through a burning ring of fire followed by fireworks at the Fire & Ice Show. The shows are free and happen every Sunday (weather permitting), starting December 29 at 7:30 PM at the base of Whistler Mountain in Skiers Plaza. Don’t miss the special New Year’s show, which comes with additional festive elements to ring in the new year.  
• Celebrating winter and the holidays at Wintersphere, a family-friendly holiday extravaganza featuring festive activities, a holiday café, a signature holiday maze and photos with Santa Claus. It’s at the Whistler Conference Centre daily from December 21 to January 4, excluding December 25.
• Letting the kids stay up late for a magical night at Vallea Lumina, a multi-media night walk set in the forest of Cougar Mountain. Shows start every 15 minutes with start times varying throughout the season based on sunset hours.

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More family-friendly activities.

Arts & Culture

You’ll find us:

• Watching a flick at the Whistler Film Festival which runs from December 4 to 8. The opening night film, The Last Showgirl (featuring Pamela Anderson, Jamie Lee Curtis and Dave Bautista), and closing film, Better Man (directed by Michael Gracey), are both set to be the big ticket shows, so be sure to grab your tickets now. Check out our blog, Movie Magic in the Mountains: Whistler Film Festival 2024, for the insider’s scoop.
• Putting the love into our Christmas gifts by creating a handmade Christmas gift at the Learn to Burn – Woodburning 101 Christmas Edition workshop at Mountain Home Décor on December 2, The Giant Wreath Workshop at ART POP Whistler on December 5, the Sewing Workshop at The Point Artist Run Centre on December 8 or the Tallu Holiday Candle Making Workshop at the Audain Art Museum on December 10. So many handmade goodies to be made!  
• Basking in the festive and soulful tunes of award-winning vocalist Dawn Pemberton and bassist/bandleader, Jodi Proznick with an all-star band at the Arts Whistler Live! Presents O Come All Ye Soulful on December 12 at the Maury Young Arts Centre.
• Enjoying the Adele Campbell Fine Art Gallery‘s new exhibition, Art of Winter, A Group Exhibition, featuring more than 50 classic and contemporary artists, it’s a must-see and on until December 22.
• Splitting our sides at the Laugh Out LIVE! Presents: Resting Grinch Face 3, on from December 27 to 30 at the Whistler Conference Centre.

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Eating, Drinking & Shopping

You’ll find us:

• Putting on our ugliest sweater and heading to The Raven Room to check out their bar pop-up, Miracle. Get in the holiday spirit and try something from the themed Christmas cocktail menu like the Run Run Rudolph or The Krampus amidst a holiday oasis that features kitschy, festive décor.
• Browsing for some unique, handmade holiday gifts at one of the holiday markets in Whistler. Check out the Arts Whistler Holiday Market on November 30 and December 1, then head down to Creekside Village for The Mom Market on December 1. The Bespoke Market is happening at the Audain Art Museum on December 7 and 8, and there’s also a craft holiday pop-up market at ALIGN Whistler and Alpine Cafe, both on December 8.
• Gearing up for the winter at one of Whistler’s great retail outlets. If you’re in the market for some new kit, check out our blog, Insider Tips for Buying a Ski Jacket in Whistler for some tips. On December 7, participating Whistler businesses are giving 5% of their gross sales to the Whistler Community Foundation’s Community Fund. Check out where you can shop, eat and feel good on the Whistler Community Foundation website.
• Rock’n out at the Whistler Film Festival Fun’raiser: Rock The Fest on December 7. Wear your best band tee and bring your song requests to witness an unforgettable face-off between two rock ‘n roll’s hottest keyboardists, Mick Dalla Vee and Andrew Johns. Plus prizes, a silent auction and more.
• Celebrating Emily Carr’s Birthday on December 13 at the Audain Art Museum’s Art of the Cocktail: Emily Carr & Paris workshop. Learn how to make vibrant cocktails, blending creativity and craftsmanship in the museum’s beautiful setting.

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More on Village shopping, dining and arts and culture.

Save the Date

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

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

• 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!
• Whistler Blackcomb has launched a trial carpool program for this winter season. 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 allowed in the Day Lots over winter (November 1 to March 31). Please check the RMOW website for more information on parking including an interactive map.
• 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.