Enjoy the warm heartbeat of Whistler at the Whistler village, the launchpad of your winter adventures. Packed with shops, restaurants and festive Christmas lights, the village bursts with celebratory activity during the yuletide season. This is also the place where you make all your bookings for outdoor activities, be it skiing, snowboarding, sightseeing or hiking. Spend the better part of your day exploring the village, signing up for activities and shopping. 

As the day turns to dusk, make it an evening to remember with one of Whistler’s favourite activities—taking a horse-drawn sleigh ride! Imagine yourself to be Santa (sans Rudolph), and have a rollicking time with your loved ones as you slide through the snow. 

To get to the scenic mountain sleigh ride, make your way to the base of Blackcomb Mountain—a mere five-minute drive from Whistler Village. You will be introduced to your team of horses and your dedicated guide. Climb aboard the 15-seater sleigh and tuck yourself in warmly among the provided cosy blankets before you take off. If it starts snowing, the sleighs have canopies that will keep you warm and dry. 

Enjoy the snow and the stillness at the twilight hour, punctuated only by the horses’ hooves pounding on the snow. As the sleigh climbs higher up the mountain, you will get a dazzling view of the illuminated Whistler village from a distance. The ride will make a pitstop at a log cabin where you can get warm with a cup of hot chocolate. 

Get directions to Whistler Village

Whistler Blackcomb Snow School
Address: Whistler, BC V0N 1B4, Canada
Telephone: +1-800-766-0449

Whistler Museum
Address: 4333 Main St, Whistler, BC V0N 1B4, Canada
Telephone: +1 604-932-2019
Operating hours: 11am to 5pm (Friday to Wednesday), 11am to 9pm (Thursday)

Start your second day at Whistler with one of its most popular activities—skiing. Whistler Blackcomb Snow School is regarded as one of the best ski schools in North America. Those new to the sport can pick up some basic skills after just one lesson, with classes catered for beginners to advanced skiers. Even as a beginner, you will be able to ski down the powdery slope, led by an experienced instructor. 

Adult Group lessons here are limited to four a group—this ensures that you receive dedicated attention from your ski instructor. A full day lesson starts at 9:45am, and ends at around 3pm. This leaves you with some time in the afternoon to further explore Whistler. 

Wind down after a busy morning of skiing with a trip to the Whistler Museum. Learn about Whistler’s history, the creation of Whistler Blackcomb and the hosting of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. You will also get to know all about Whistler’s most famous non-human resident—black bears. Who knows, you may spot a few of them during your trip (just be careful to keep your distance!) 

Apart from that, this indoor museum features plenty of interactive exhibits. You can even take your photograph with a real Olympic torch.

End your day with a nice dinner at the Whistler Village. Rimrock Cafe makes a good choice, serving local Canadian cuisine and delectable seafood. It also features an extensive wine list, including vintage wines from around the world. The restaurant offers wine-pairing options, with recommendations of the perfect bottle to complement your meal. 

Get directions to Whistler Blackcomb Snow School
Get directions to Whistler Museum from Whistler Blackcomb Snow School
Get directions to Rimrock Cafe from Whistler Museum

Coca-Cola Tube Park
Address: Whistler Blackcomb, 4545 Blackcomb Way, Whistler, BC V0N 1B4, Canada
Telephone: +1 800-766-0449
Operating hours: 11am to 6pm daily

Cannot get enough of the snow? Try something more low impact than skiing, like snowshoeing. This activity is a great way to immerse in Whistler’s wintry snowscape  in a leisurely manner. 

Trek more than 40km of marked trails in the morning sun, treading upon the winter snowpack at the Whistler Olympic Park. Soak in the mesmerising views of the mountains enveloping you, and look out for the various Olympic monuments along your way. You will be led by an experienced adventure guide who may dispense some interesting nuggets of information along the way.

Get your adrenaline pumping as you cruise down a tubing hill at the Coca-Cola Tube Park. A place for the young and young at heart, skiing skills are not required here. Bring only your sense of adventure and your lust for fun. 

The Tube Park features seven lanes with varying difficulty. All you need to do is sit on giant rubber tubes and let gravity do its work. Don't worry about having to climb all the way to the top for your next slide—the state-of-the-art conveyor lift makes travelling to the top a cinch, plus you get rewarded with more magnificent views. 

Warm up after your snowy trip with a dip in the Whirlpool back at Pan Pacific Mountainside. The all-season heated outdoor saltwater pool with dual whirlpools offers spectacular views of the surrounding mountainscape. It is the perfect way to relax your weary arms and legs from the skiing, snowshoeing and sledding activities during your stay at Whistler.

Get directions to the Cola-Cola Tube Park