Admit it – there have been more than a few times when you’re “working,” but your mind wanders to a small mountain town village, Whistler BC. There are fairy lights, laughter, the smell of hot chocolate in the air, and the white snow banks against the cobblestone walls bring you a sense of magic only experienced on Christmas morning. In Whistler, you are safe, and there are no worries, just good memories in the making. With 24 lifts across 8,171 acres of pristine, skiable terrain, Whistler tends to attract only the coolest type of people. Whether you’re a first-time skier or a die-hard lifer, there is something for everyone.

Preparing to make the most out of the Canadian winter can be overwhelming,  so the Crystal Lodge’s team compiled a list of how to plan your best ski trip ever!

DO YOU NEED RENTALS?

Maybe you pull out your skis after being in storage for the Summer to see that they need significant fixes. Or perhaps you don’t want to carry your ski gear up the Sea to Sky highway. And fair enough! that’s a lot of work; it’s a good thing Premium Mountain Rentals is conveniently located in the Crystal Lodge.

HAVE YOU PURCHASED A LIFT TICKET YET?

Whether you’re indulging in sightseeing, hitting the slopes for skiing, or shredding it up on a snowboard, securing a lift ticket is a must. Here’s the great news: the longer you stay, the more affordable your ticket becomes. Plus, you can bundle it with lessons for added convenience. To dive deeper into the details about lift tickets, click here.

WHERE ARE YOU STAYING?

The Crystal Lodge … of course! Here, you’ll be greeted by friendly staff and are just a few steps to the Whistler Blackcomb Gondola. An insider tip is to find accommodation with a complimentary ski valet and storage. Crystal Lodge not only provides FREE Ski Valet and Storage but also a complimentary Boot and Glove drying room on every level!

HOW ARE YOU GETTING TO WHISTLER?

Located a 2-hour drive north of Vancouver, travelling to Whistler is relatively easy as one road (Highway 99) travels in and out of the town from both the North and South directions. If you are flying into Vancouver Airport, there are three shuttle bus companies, Epic Rides, Whistler Shuttle and YVR Skylnx,  to get you up the Sea to Sky highway. You can rent a car from the airport, or if you would rather someone else drive in the Winter conditions, you can book a coach from either the Vancouver Airport or Downtown Vancouver.

WHAT WINTER CLOTHING DO I NEED IN WHISTLER?

Whistler is right on the West Coast and part of the Coastal Temperate Rainforest, and that means one thing – POWDER. Leave the high heels at home! The Whistler style is all about gore-tex, snow pants, good layers to wick sweat, cute hats and maybe 1 nice shirt/ jean combo for a dinner out on the stroll.

These are the basics when planning your unforgettable ski vacation to Whistler. If you would like more information on what activities there are to do in Whistler besides skiing and snowboarding, check out our Winter Activities page.

Whistler offers excellent experiences for everybody, and at Crystal Lodge, we love to make everybody’s experience one that they will never forget. If you have any questions on how to make your Whistler getaway unforgettable, you can contact our Guest Services Team, and they can assist you in finding Whistler accommodation at the best rates and offers we have at [email protected] or 1 800 667 3363.