Know Before You Go

Requirements for Entering Canada

Visa and Passport Requirements

Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)

The Government of Canada requires an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) for visits of up to 6 months or to transit via a Canadian airport. All visa-exempt foreign nationals must obtain an eTA before boarding a flight to Canada.

• More Information

Admissibility to Canada

People intending to visit Canada who are inadmissible due to past criminal activity can apply to Citizenship and Immigration Canada's Rehabilitation Program to obtain temporary or permanent admission to Canada.

• Record Suspensions
• Application for Rehabilitation for Persons Who Are Inadmissible to Canada

Crossing the Canadian Border with Children

Please note the following in regards to travelling with children into Canada:

• Parents who share custody of their children should carry copies of the legal custody documents. It is also recommended that they have a letter of authorization from the other custodial parent to take the child on a trip out of the country. Such a letter will confirm that the child is not being abducted or taken against his/her will. The parents’ full name, address and telephone number should be included in the letter of authorization.
• When travelling with a group of vehicles, parents or guardians should arrive at the border in the same vehicle as the children.
• Adults who are not parents or guardians should have written permission from the parents or guardians to supervise the children. The permission letter should include addresses and telephone numbers where the parents or guardian can be reached.
• CBSA officers watch for missing children, and may ask detailed questions about the children who are travelling with you.

Other Resources

• Canada Border Services Agency
• US Bureau of Consular Affairs

Canadian Currency

Canadian currency comes in similar denominations to American currency. Coins come in:

• Five cent (nickel)
• Ten cent (dime)
• 25 cent (quarter)
• One dollar (loonie)
• Two dollar (toonie)

Bills come in $5, $10, $20, $50, $100 and are multi-coloured. Canada does not have 1 or 2 dollar bills.

Credit and Debit Cards

It is recommended that visitors use credit and debit cards when purchasing goods and services at shops, services and food and beverage outlets in Whistler. All major credit cards are accepted and ApplePay is also widely available. Whistler Blackcomb no longer accepts cash payments. Check with the vendor if you are unsure.

Travel Insurance

Taking out a travel insurance policy to cover medical, theft, or loss for yourself and family is always a good idea. Canada is safe and tourist-friendly but you should always be prepared.

Whistler.com Official Central Reservations offers travel insurance to cover all your vacation needs including trip cancellation, baggage loss/delays, medical expenses and emergency medical transportation. Our travel insurance is offered and underwritten by Travel Guard, one of the leading travel insurance companies in the world covering six million travelers annually. Protect your vacation investment by purchasing travel insurance online or by calling 1.800.944.7853 to speak with one of our friendly travel consultants.

All charter services operating in British Columbia are insured and receptive tour operators are registered with the British Columbia Registry of Travel Companies.

Vehicle Insurance

If you are renting a car, rental companies always provide you with details on car insurance during your travels. Having car insurance while traveling in Canada certainly makes things much easier if you have been involved in a car accident. The British Columbia Automobile Association (BCAA) sells Visitor to Canada Insurance after arrival in British Columbia.

The British Columbia Automobile Association is affiliated with the American Automobile Association and provides information and roadside assistance.
Vancouver area: 1.604.268.5555
Rest of BC: 1.800.JOIN.CAA / 1.800.564.6222

Taxes

Goods and Services purchased in British Columbia are currently subject to the 8% PST (Provincial Sales Tax) and 5% GST (Goods and Services Tax). The majority of items such as lift tickets, activities, etc. are subject to one tax (5% GST). Lodging is subject to the 8% PST and 5% GST in addition to the 3% municipal and regional district tax.

Tipping

Tipping is standard practice in British Columbia, Canada. The standard minimum tip is 15 per cent. Tips are generally given to servers, taxi drivers, hairdressers, bartenders, spa therapists, hotel attendants and bellhops.

Roads and Weather

Driving Information

Driving to Whistler? View our Road Conditions for everything you need to know to make your trip as smooth as possible.

Tune into Mountain FM (102.1 in Whistler) for regular road and weather updates while travelling.

Weather and Webcams

• See Whistler Weather Conditions for the valley and alpine, and Whistler Blackcomb Snow Report in winter
• Watch live webcams for real-time footage from Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains and Whistler Village
• Learn more about our year-round climate, weather history and stats
• Check the Avalanche Advisory before you head into the backcountry
• See Whistler's current fire danger rating from the Resort Municipality of Whistler

Emergency Contacts for Whistler

In case of a serious medical or other emergency: CALL 9-1-1 FOR ASSISTANCE.

Sign Up for Whistler Alert Emergency Notification System

Whistler Alert is the official emergency notification system used by the Resort Municipality of Whistler to communicate with residents and visitors during emergencies via text message, phone, and email. Visitors are encouraged to register for the Whistler Alert system as part of their trip planning process.

When you register, you will be asked to provide your contact number and the date you plan to leave Whistler. You will no longer receive alerts after your intended departure date.

Roadside Assistance

For assistance with vehicle break-downs across the province.

Phone - Vancouver Area

1.604.293.2222

Phone - BC/Canada/USA

1.800.CAA.HELP / 1.800.222.4357

Phone - Cell/Mobile

*222

COVID-19 and Other Respiratory Illnesses

If you have symptoms of any respiratory infection, such as COVID-19, influenza, RSV or other coronaviruses, stay away from others until you feel better. If you cannot avoid close contact with others, take other preventive measures, such as wearing a mask in indoor spaces and cleaning your hands regularly.

Visit the BC Centre for Disease Control website for information on where to find rapid antigen tests, PCR tests and private testing clinics. Rapid antigen tests are available for free at many pharmacies, such as Shoppers Drug Mart and Rexall in Whistler Village.

There are no quarantine or COVID-19 testing requirements for travellers visiting Canada or British Columbia.

For more information on how to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses, please consult the BC Centre for Disease Control or Whistler’s local public health agency, Vancouver Coastal Health.

Medical Services

Bring your provincial health card when you visit any medical service. Note if you do not have Canadian medical insurance, you will be required to pay at the time of service.

Hospital

Urgent Care Clinic: The UCC is a diagnostic and treatment centre where any medical illness, emergency or patient can be treated, and if necessary, referred to other hospitals. An emergency physician is available 8 AM to 10 PM every day and on-call after hours for emergencies. Patients are seen in order of urgency of problem, not time of arrival - so wait times may vary.

The clinic may be used for:

• Any medical problem
• Any emergency after hours
• Out patient laboratory and diagnostic imaging services referred by any physician

Doctors and Clinics

The clinics listed above provide the following services:

• All regular family practice care (coughs, colds, etc.)
• Follow-up visits
• Minor injuries including suturing, casting and splinting
• Prescriptions
• STD testing and contraception
• Acute orthopedic minor injuries
• Check-ups and physicals
• Sports medicine
• Appointments and walk-ins
• Visitors welcome
• Open seven days a week

Dentists and Dental Hygiene

Maps and Wayfinding

Plan ahead by using our maps and resources to find accommodation, restaurants, activity operators, shops and services.

• View our Business Directory for a comprehensive listing of businesses in Whistler
• Use our interactive Whistler map to explore Whistler before you arrive and while you are here
• Learn more about getting around in Whistler including public transit, taxi and rideshare, Whistler Valley Trail, and parking
• Whistler is accessible with pedestrian-only streets, paved access to the Valley Trail and close proximity to transportation

• View essential resources and information for while you are in Whistler