Whistler City Guide

Whistler is a great place to live in Canada if you want to escape the big city rush and live in a beautiful, peaceful town that knows how to have a good time. Do you enjoy winter sports? You can ski, snowboard, hike, cliff climb or simply relax at world-class spas when you live in Canada.

About Whistler

Every year, more than two million people travel to Whistler, mostly for the alpine skiing, snowboarding, and mountain biking at Whistler Blackcomb. Whistler was first planned as a component of an effort to win the 1968 Winter Olympics. Even though the application was rejected, work nevertheless began on the resort, which debuted in January 1966.

Don’t be misled, Whistler is not strictly a tourist destination, if you want to migrate to Canada, you can call Whistler your new hometown along with the other 13,000 people who live in the small village. Whistler has a tight-knit community of residents who will make you feel like an integral part of the community!

Whistler is also home to a vibrant education system and a variety of great schools. The Whistler community offers both public and private education opportunities from preschool to high school graduation. Public schools for primary and secondary students are free of charge if you live in Canada.

Where is Whistler on the Map

Located in the spectacular Coastal Mountains of British Columbia, less than a two hours drive from Vancouver - Whistler is a prime destination for those with a need for adrenaline!

Climate/Weather in Whistler

Winters are chilly and rainy, whereas summers are pleasant and dry. The annual average number of days with temperatures over 30 °C (86 °F) in Whistler is about 11, and the yearly average number of days with temperatures below 10 °C (14 °F) is about 24. Alpine daily average temperatures around -5°C (22°F) are typical for the majority of the winter.

The best weather is in June and July, when a combination of rain and sunshine keeps the trails in excellent shape. With lower fares and calmer trails, the late season (September to October) may also be fantastic.

Work and Jobs in Whistler

Whistler is a resort town located in the breathtaking Coast Mountains of British Columbia. Whistler is Canada's most loved year-round location. There are two glorious mountains with a dynamic base Village, epic skiing, and snowboarding, four title greens, superb shopping, eateries and bars, accommodation to suit each financial plan, hiking trails, spas and arguably the best mountain bike park on the planet.

As Whistler is a major tourist destination, the vast majority of the work identifies with the service sector. These jobs can include clerks, different hotel jobs, retail, hospitality or on-mountain occupations. There is likewise an interest for tradespeople in this way, with the right papers and experience, you might have the capacity to proceed and extend your experience as a plumber, electrician or mechanic.

The most popular jobs for men and women are as ski instructors. After completing the certification course to qualify as a ski instructor, you will be able to teach every age, from the youngest children to those brave adults. If you are a people person who enjoys spending time with tourists from all over the world, then this may be the job for you. These lucky employees often have all-inclusive accommodation which can take the strain off your wallet.

The small town of Whistler packs a punch, with many shops and restaurants to enjoy along the way. This means that there are plenty of waitressing and store clerk jobs that run throughout the year with plenty of tourists and locals to keep busy. That also means that if you are lucky enough to land the evening jobs, you will be able to hit the slopes during the day.

Bar Tending- $8 - $10/h

This is an outstanding occupation if you want to work and play hard simultaneously. The tips are great and you will meet heaps of individuals. Whistler has a few nightclubs and late-night bars which are the best choice if you just want to work evenings, yet numerous bars serve from lunch time and through après, so some may oblige you to work some earlier shifts. Expect a great deal of rivalry from experienced bartenders for these roles. Remember that relying on the foundation, you may need to get your Serving It Right certification.

Serving/Waiting- $8 - $10/h

Again another great job if you’re a youthful spirit who’s big on tips. There is an immense assortment of restaurants in Whistler, vivacious bars to more upscale, formal service restaurants. Most eateries and hotels employ servers for night shifts yet may oblige you to work some daytime or even earlier to cover breakfast, lunch and après.

Clerk/Busser/Barista- $10-$11/h

There are a few eateries on the slope which are claimed by Intrawest Whistler Blackcomb. These roles are an awesome approach to meet like-minded explorers and include a season's pass and staff accommodation. There are additional loads of bistros around town which likewise offer an incredible workplace and a place to meet people.

Chef - D

Pay rates for culinary specialists fluctuate contingent upon experience and the span of the establishment. Whistler has an extraordinary assortment of restaurants including a portion of the most elevated respected establishments in North America, so there is some place to suit everybody's style with the possibility to increase some incredible experience.

Retail- $10 - $14/h

If you’ve got experience, you might be fortunate to secure a management position in retail. There are different stores in Whistler that contract retail assistants and managers. You will be required to work days and weekends, however, the same number of spots are open late which could give you time for you what you need to before starting work.

Rental Technicians- $10 - $12/h

This is an amazing approach to take in more about the equipment you ride and work with similarly invested, out-going individuals. There is an abundance of business with an extraordinary atmosphere. Frequently you will work split shifts, giving you more chances to get on the slopes.

Cost of Living in Whistler

The cost of living in Whistler, Canada is $2,576. However, most seasonal jobs come with housing perks. Check out the list of pricing for restaurants, markets, transportation, utilities, and 40 more categories for additional information on living expenses.

An Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre could cost you, on average, $1,561, while Basic expenses such as electricity, heating, cooling, water, and garbage will set you back $93 on average a month. You can check out Numbeo to check and compare specific products and utilities.

Neighborhoods in Whistler

Whistler's compact size surely contributes to its allure; with the main Whistler Village located roughly midway between the southernmost and northernmost neighborhoods, and only 16 kilometers separating them, nothing is distant in Whistler. You are never more than a few minutes away from access to Whistler and Blackcomb resorts as well as top-notch dining and shopping options.

In Whistler, every neighborhood has its own personality and special qualities. The ideal location for your Whistler house will depend on your objectives, tastes, and financial situation. Examine our neighborhood summaries to find the ideal location for you.

Whistler Village

At the foot of Whistler Mountain and Blackcomb Mountain, in Whistler Village, are the majority of the city's premier lodging options. The Village is divided into many districts, with Village North and the Upper Village being the most well-liked by tourists.

Spring Creek

Seven kilometers south of Whistler Village lies Spring Creek, one of the city's more recent neighborhoods. Since Spring Creek Elementary debuted in this neighborhood in 2004, families have found it to be a desirable location. The Glades, an outstanding townhouse development, Bear Ridge, a tastefully decorated employee housing townhome complex, and gorgeous high-end residences along Tynebridge Way and Khyber Lane are all located in Spring Creek.

Nesters

The Whistler Village is conveniently accessible to this neighborhood. There are older residences on Nester Road and newer, upscale properties on Treetop Lane in the tiny neighborhood known as Nesters. One of a BC series of markets, Nesters Market, is located in a local retail center and is a favorite among the residents.

Transportation

Without a car, Whistler is accessible all year round. The pedestrian-only Village Stroll makes it simple to walk between stores, eateries, ski lifts, and lodging. To explore lakes, parks, and other neighborhoods, use the Valley Trail network, which is car-free, and the public transportation options. You can utilize the free shuttle services that connect famous parks and ski slopes. These are, however, seasonal.

The Village, Creekside, and neighborhoods to the north and south are all served by BC Transit's bus lines, which also offer rapid services to Creekside and Cheakamus. Free shuttle services are also offered seasonally to the Upper Village, Marketplace, and Lost Lake Park

Things to do in Whistler

The well-known ski town of Whistler sits at the feet of two tremendous mountains: Whistler and Blackcomb. Together, the pinnacles frame the greatest winter sports territory in North America. Since the world comes to ski and visit, the town has an agreeable assortment of tourist accommodations, from townhouses to lavish hotels, all pressed along the wandering town walk.

Encompassing the town, the tough area is a blend of untamed streams, greenish-blue lakes, unending woods, and volcanic pinnacles. One main road, Highway 99 (otherwise called the Sea-to-Sky Highway), interfaces the region's attractions and communities. This scenic drive is rated as one of Canada's best for road trips.

Whistler Blackcomb

Whistler Mountain (2,182 meters) and Blackcomb Mountain (2,284 meters), the two pinnacles that transcend Whistler Village.The Whistler Blackcomb resort's consolidated skiable territory finish 3,307 hectares with more than 200 runs, accessible via 37 lifts.

Other than ice glacier skiing, in summer, the mountains are occupied with climbers and also mountain bikers, who take to the testing trails of Whistler Mountain Bike Park. When riding the chairlifts, look out for bears strolling along the mountain trails looking for berries. One of a kind to Whistler, a gondola connects the two mountains and gives a breathtaking warm-climate touring trip for non-skiers. Whatever the time of year, guests can appreciate eye-catching views from the mountain tops over the valley and town far beneath.

Peak 2 Peak Gondola

The Peak 2 Peak Gondola gives an elevated ride between the two mountains. In spite of the fact that the separation secured is a record-breaking 4.4 kilometers, the ride takes just 11 minutes. On a crisp morning, the view is great and looks out to snow-topped mountains, alpine lakes, and thick coniferous timberlands. A look down to Fitzsimmons Creek is equally sensational. At points, the gondola is about half a kilometer over the valley floor. From spring to fall, it's a piece of the Whistler-Blackcomb touring experience, with guided snow-capped walks and many photograph opportunities.

Lost Lake

Lost Lake is a year-round location for activities, be it mountain biking and bird watching in summer or snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in winter. Trails fan out from the lakeshore wandering into calm woods loaded with British Columbia wildlife. The little lake offers a shoreline which is one of the busier spots on a hot summer day, particularly as there is transport from the town. For more sandy, freshwater beaches close to Whistler, make a beeline for Alpha Lake and Alta Lake.

Squamish-Lil’wat Cultural Centre

Whistler's wonderful and modern First Nations museum is home to a collection of carvings, weavings, and stories that present the history and culture of the neighborhood Squamish and Lil'wat people. Both countries incorporate Whistler in their customary domain and have lived onthis land for many years. The on-location bistro serves an intriguing menu of First Nations-inspired dishes and much more.

Whistler Olympic Park

Built for the 2010 Winter Games, the Whistler Olympic Park now offers access to winter cross-country skiing trails. The uncommon-looking ski jumps are still set up at the facility, similar to an arrangement of Olympic rings. In winter, Nordic skiers take to the prepared trails while snowshoers take to follow the route to Alexander Falls and different viewpoints.

Education in Whistler

A thriving community with a wide range of educational institutions can be found in Whistler. From preschool through high school, the neighborhood provides both public and private educational possibilities.

Myrtle Philip Community School and Spring Creek Community School are two of the district's community primary schools, in addition to Whistler Secondary School. Alternative schools, including the Whistler Waldorf School and the French school, Ecole La Passerale.

You might go to a specialist school for your post-secondary study. In the picturesque mountain town of Whistler, British Columbia.The Whistler Adventure School (WAS) is a private post-secondary institution offering top-notch career training in Marketing Media, Mountain Sport Technician, Design and Innovation, Adventure Tourism Winter, and Adventure Guiding.

Unique Immigration Visas to Whistler

There are plenty of ways to immigrate to Canada in an unskilled, semi-skilled and skilled capacity but there are only a few that directly take you to the province or region that you are choosing to settle in. These are the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) and the federal programs under the Express Entry system.

Provincial Nominee Program

The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) was designed to address specific labour market shortages according to the needs of the 11 provinces and territories that participate. British Columbia has also worked on different ways to encourage immigration to its smaller communities with initiatives such as the new regional pilot. Read below to see which of these specific streams you might qualify for in order to be able to move to Whistler.

Express Entry System

The Express Entry system was created in 2015 to umbrella the three popular federal programs which are the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program and the Canadian Experience Class. Applications entered into this system are processed in as little as six months for skilled or experienced workers.

Applicants who want to apply through the Express Entry system need to create an online profile that details their background. If found eligible for the selected program, the profile is scored according to the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) and entered into the Express Entry pool. The highest-scoring candidates are issued with an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence during draws that typically happen during two-week intervals.

CRS Criteria Awards Points For:

• Age
• CLB Language proficiency (English and French)
• Level of Education (In and outside Canada)
• Work Experience (In and outside Canada)
• Arranged employment
• Provincial Nomination achieved
• Siblings living in Canada as permanent residents/citizens
• Your spouse’s profile (if married)

Pros and Cons

Every city has its pros and cons. Where you decide to settle down in Canada depends on your job, your goals and your family. While Whistler is a winter wonderland for some, it could be a frustrating tourist hub for others.

Pros

• A vacation everyday
• Easy-going life
• Plenty of festivals and events
• Very safe
• Spacious living

Cons

• Can get crowded in-season
• Very cold
• Cost of living is relatively high

FAQs

Is Whistler a nice place to live?

If you are lucky enough to land yourself a job in this resort town, living in Whistler will feel like being on vacation. With great mountains as your backyard and a vibrant lifestyle, you could say it’s a great place to live.

Why is Whistler famous?

Mountain biking and hiking are popular summer activities in Whistler as well as skiing and snowboarding in the winter. Cross-country skiing, skate skiing, ice skating, snowshoeing, backcountry skiing, telemark skiing, and tobogganing are additional winter sports that are popular in Whistler.

Do People Immigrate to Whistler?

Every year, a sizable number of immigrants arrive in Canada, and a small number decide to settle in Whistler. It is a municipality in British Columbia, close to the north of Vancouver, and is the location of Whistler Blackcomb, one of the biggest ski resorts in North America.

Your Future in Canada Awaits

We work with Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs) who are one of the only authorized bodies when it comes to giving paid advice about Canadian immigration. These experts have all been through the application period themselves and can help to ease your fears when it comes to strict deadlines and documentation. Why not use a professional who can help you to develop a personalized immigration strategy and ensure that you have the best possible chance of success?

If you are looking to move to Whistler in British Columbia, our RCICs can help you to strengthen your chances of qualifying for a more direct pathway to permanent residence in this region.