Whistler is literally a winter wonderland! With 2 huge mountains to explore and over 200 powdery trails, vibrant village, and fun nightlife, there is something for everyone! However, because it’s one of the most popular ski resorts on the west coast, it can get a bit pricey especially for those on a budget.
After having visited Whistler over 6 times, check out my insider tips on saving some pennies in this high-end resort.
Free Parking
If you aren’t lucky enough to be staying within walking distance of the village and gondolas, you can end up paying a ton for parking. When I first started going to Whistler (over 10 years ago) the lower “Whistler day lots” were free, but now they cost about $10 per day, which can add up!
The good news is there are areas you can park for free that are close to the village and the mountain. Blackcomb base parking (lots 6,7,8), are totally free and located at the bottom of Blackcomb mountain base 2, you can access it via Glacier Lane.
The Whistler creek side underground parking lot is another hidden gem for free parking and is just a few steps to the mountain. Located about a 5-minute drive from Whistler village, creek side has free parking for all day skiers, and summer time mountain bikers.
Save Money on Food!
Eating out in Whistler can get pricey, especially if you’re feeding a big family. I recommend renting a place with a kitchen, so you can do some cooking at home. Grocery stores in Whistler are more expensive, so stop off in Squamish on your drive up to Whistler and stock up at the local Wal-Mart for your essentials like bottled water, food, and snacks. In addition, If you want to purchase alcohol I would also hit up the local liquor store in Squamish so you can avoid the high cost in Whistler village.
If you are going to dine out make sure to hit up “The Southside Diner” for some delicious home-style breakfast, and “Earls” in Whistler village for a great happy hour and yummy eats!
Hot Tub Soak
After a long day of boarding in the cold snow, nothing feels better than a soak in the hot tub and soothing your muscles in a hot sauna. The Meadow Park Sports Center located about 8 minutes from Whistler village on highway 99, offers facilities for everyone including: hot tubs, sauna, steam room, a huge Olympic size pool, and fitness center.
You can pay a one-day drop in fee (currently $8.75CAD) or a family rate, and have access to all the facilities. We usually go here at least twice during our Whistler stay because it feels so good to relax in the hot tub.
Inexpensive Gear
If you’re in need of some gear and don’t want to spend an arm and a leg in the village check out the Re-Use-It Center. Located on Nesters road next to the recycling depot, the Center offers used clothing, ski and snowboard gear, and so much more.
Just like with any used clothing store, sometimes you have awesome finds, other times you don’t. But if you’re in need of any cheap gear, check out this place before paying full price brand new.
Fire and Ice Show
Grab a hot chocolate and check out Whistler Blackcomb’s fire and ice show, located at the base of Whistler Mountain every Sunday night during the winter months. This free event is fun for families, with Whistlers top skiers and boarders jumping through rings of fire, live music, and fireworks. Don’t miss this fun free event every week!
Save Money on Lift Tickets!
Back in the day lift tickets were cheaper and you could buy them at the local 7-11 for a discounted price (unfortunately discontinued), but now they can be quite expensive if you go straight to the box office the morning of. To save some cash, purchase your tickets a week in advance online at WhistlerBlackcomb.com.
If you know you will be boarding/skiing for at least 3+ days, you can save at least $39 CAD per day by purchasing them all at once online prior to arrival. If your planning on boarding/skiing more than 6 days check out the epic pass, which includes unlimited riding at Whistler, in addition to a bunch of other ski resorts.
I hope these tips help you save some money and have a blast in Whistler, and if you like this article please share it on your favorite social media app by clicking the icon below. Mahalo!
