Best Photo Spots for Your Whistler Holidays
“Take to the giant chairs at the water’s edge by Alta Lake Station House. Pause with a poet, in the last of the sunshine. Watch the snow melting. Where there’s no hurry.” Mary MacDonald.
Welcome to Whistler, home of the 2010 Olympics and consistently voted one of the top resorts in North America by major travel magazines.
If you are looking to nail the best Whistler photos, look no further. Winter may be one of the most challenging environments to take photos in, but you have to admit, a powdery-white mountainous landscape makes for a stunning backdrop–with the right photographic tools and tips.
In this article, the team at Pan Pacific Whistler Mountainside covers some of the most Instagrammable places in Whistler. Learn how you can bring home the most magical photos and videos of Whistler’s winter wonderland.
- Winter photography tools and tips
- Places to shoot the best photos in Whistler
Tools and tips for winter photography
In winter, the temperature in Whistler can fall to -12°C. The harsh wintry conditions can take its toll on cameras, with sub-zero temperatures, high moisture and snowfall, and strong winds. To protect your images against the elements, consider investing in a weather-sealed camera.
Weather sealing helps block out elements such as dust, water, snow and humidity. Prior to your Whistler holiday, be sure to check how weather-sealed your camera is—this varies from model to model.
Your camera lenses also needs protection from the elements, particularly the lens mount and the moving parts where the barrel of the lens zooms in and out.
Heard of the Ziploc tip? When you head indoors into a warm environment after using your camera in the cold, taking your camera out immediately after can cause condensation. Avoid this problem by placing your camera in a Ziploc bag before going indoors—but make sure the seal is airtight. The condensation will collect on the outside of the Ziploc bag rather than on your camera.
If any moisture does creep in, simply use a dust-removal tool like a microfiber towel to get rid of it.
Places to shoot the best photos in Whistler
Now that you have learned how to take care of your equipment, the next step is to find the right places to train your lenses on.
1. Be Awestruck at Brandywine Falls
Address |
8176 Brandywine Road, Sagamore Hills, OH 44067-2877 |
Phone Number |
+1 800-689-9025 |
You will be rewarded with lots of awe-inspiring photos with just one trip to Brandywine Falls. Said to be the queen of Whistler’s numerous waterfalls, this spectacular 70-metre cascading curtain of water is an easy 10-minute walk from Brandywine Falls Provincial Park’s carpark.
While you can capture scenic pictures from the Falls’ viewing platform, there is another viewing area just further ahead that offers a better vantage point; from here, you can shoot the huge valley below, and have a clear view of Daisy Lake and Black Tusk peak.
2. Reminisce the Glory at the Olympic Rings
Address |
4144 Village Stroll, Whistler, British Columbia V0N 1B4 |
Phone Number |
+1 604-932-5535 |
A shot with the Olympic Rings at Whistler Village is more than just obligatory; the five intertwined rings have become almost synonymous with Whistler. There is a rock podium in front of it that serves as a camera stand—feel free to do acrobatic handstands or jump shots here.
If you wish to capture an epic shot of the Olympic Rings set against the majestic snow-capped mountains, the Olympic Plaza might just be the place to visit.
3. Gather Icy Inspiration at Joffre Lakes
Address |
Duffey Lake Road, Mount Currie, BC V0N 2K0r |
Phone Number |
+1 800-689-9025 |
Opening Hours |
24 hours |
Joffre Lakes is not your typical lake. Its striking turquoise waters—a result of “rockflour” or glacial silt reflecting the green and blue wavelengths of sunlight—provides the perfect balance to the surrounding snow-dusted mountains. Filters will definitely not be needed here.
Begin your journey at Lower Joffre Lake, where you can easily frame the glacier peaks from a viewing point near the parking lot. The trail becomes more challenging and rewarding, as you progress towards middle and upper Joffre Lakes. In summer, you can enjoy hiking and camping activities here.
4. Appreciate Living Urban Art at the Train Wreck
Address |
Alpha Lake Road, Whistler, BC V0N 1B1r |
Deep in the Cheakamus woods lies a train-wreck-turned-public-art piece. Since the derailment, which is believed to have occurred sometime in the 1950s, graffiti artists have covered its seven box cars with bold paint and colour, renewing its life in a strange, other-worldly way.
Read this article for directions to the train wreck site. The hike will only take about half an hour or so. However, do leave plenty of time to capture the natural beauty of the Cheakamus River while you venture into the woods.
5. Feel on Top of the World at the Roundhouse Inukshuk
Canadians are known for their friendliness and the inukshuk, a stone structure traditionally used for landmarking by the Inuits, captures the essence of it all.
This particular inukshuk, near Roundhouse Lodge and easily accessible via the Whistler Village Gondola, was created for Whistler as a symbol for the 2010 Winter Olympics. Overlooking all of Whistler valley, it also has one of the most stunning backdrops that Whistler has to offer.
Relax from Your Shoot at Pan Pacific Whistler Mountainside
Outdoor photography can be challenging and exhausting, especially in the wintry climes of the Whistler mountainous regions. Unwind and rejuvenate from your sojourn at the Pan Pacific Whistler Mountainside, which is conveniently located steps away from both the Whistler and Blackcomb Mountain gondolas. If you are here for winter, consider planning for your winter ski vacation with our ski and save packages.
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