Vacation Rental Guide for Whistler, BC, Canada

Whistler is a vibrant resort town nestled between two mountain ranges with cold, wet winters and drier warm summers. It offers an abundance of outdoor activities and natural alpine beauty that is hard to match. Whistler is a haven for adults and children alike, making it both a family paradise and an excellent way for a group to socialize and have fun.

A vacation rental in Whistler BC, Canada means top skiing slopes, luxury spas, vibrant nightlife, and stunning hikes. The top spot for couples is the VRBO cozy one-room rental, while the Contemporary 2BR 2BA is best for families. The Luxury 4 Bedroom VRBO rental is ideal for groups.

While Whistler Mountain and Blackcomb Mountain offer the best ski and snowboarding terrain, the town is not limited to sports.

Whistler Village offers shopping, fine dining, thumping nightclubs, hiking, fishing, and a million child-friendly activities. If you seek a holiday destination for romance, family fun, or to party until dawn, please read on to find the best rentals for Whistler 2021.

About Whistler, BC

Whistler is a vibrant resort town in British Columbia, Canada, nestled in the pass between glaciated mountain ranges on both sides.

The Garibaldi Ranges are known for their spectacular skiing, and the other range is the forerunner of the Pemberton glacier Icefield. Only two hours north of Vancouver, Whistler offers stunning forests and snow-filled skiing runs as well as a variety of summer activities such as fishing, golf, and breathtaking hikes. (Check out our top 9 hiking trail picks).

The Squamish and Lil’wat First Nations were the Whistler area’s original occupants and enjoyed an intimate relationship with the land. The Lil’wat tribe revered the Douglas Fir or ‘real tree’ so much that they buried their people in them to be closer to the Creator. Whistler has a Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Center where visitors may learn more about these indigenous peoples.

The arrival of the first American settlements began in the 1880s, led by John Millar, after whom the Millers Creek is named. Originally named Alta Lake, the settlers renamed the area ‘Whistler’ due to the hoary marmots’ whistling sounds, a small rodent-like creature abundant in the area.

As the Pacific great Eastern Railway extended its reach to the area, Whistler became a top-rated tourist destination from the 1920s for its pristine landscape and excellent fishing. The year-round attractions of this natural beauty area have put Whistler on the Map, and Whistler was host to the 2010 Winter Olympics and Paralympic Games.

Attractions at Whistler, BC

Whistler is a winter wonderland for skiing and snowboarding with a lift-assisted elevation of an impressive 2,284 m / 7,494 ft. Cross country skiing, skating, and tobogganing are also favorite activities in the area. Surprisingly, Whistler has plenty to offer in the summer months, such as:

• golfing
• fishing
• trail running
• and hiking

Skiing is arguably the greatest attraction in the area and offers runs to suit all labels of expertise. These runs are marked in a series of colors, from green circles to double black diamonds, to ensure visitors don’t harm themselves on runs outside their skill level.

The area boasts a top-tier art gallery called the Audain Art Museum and Cultural centers and museums. A great draw to the site is the Valley Lumina, a multimedia-enhanced night walk through the forest of Cougar mountain.

Whistler offers a vibrant night scene with top-end eateries and bars, including comedy shows and nightclubs. In fact, Whistler is sometimes known as the ‘Vegas of the North’ for its infamy as a party town.

The town has plenty of activities for kids, including skate parks, sledding, snow tubing, and dog sledding, amongst many others. There are also ski schools for the little ones and a chance to ride the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola with its glass bottom up to the summit.

Best VRBO Rental for Couples: Ski-In/Ski-Out One Bedroom Complex

This stunning one-bedroom, one-bathroom ski-in/ski-out gem is located on the slope side of Blackcomb Mountain with some of the best skiing in the country.

The tastefully renovated rental has stunning forest views with a ski/bike valet for convenience. The comfy king-sized bed offers a cozy nook to enjoy movies on the flatscreen or enjoy a comfortable couch in the living room in front of a large gas fireplace.

The rental lies close to the slopes and is a short walk away from the Village attractions of fine eateries and vibrant nightlife. Otherwise, you may use the outdoor barbeque for an evening under the stars.

The large private balcony faces the forest, where you can appreciate the beauty of the natural surroundings. The rental comes with access to three beautiful hot tubs and a heated indoor swimming pool.

Things To Do Nearby for Couples

• Scandinave Spa Whistler is less than a mile and a half away and offers age-old Finnish style pampering in outdoor baths and heated solariums. You can also treat yourselves to relaxing massages in the tranquil mountain atmosphere.
• Whistler Blackcomb Ski Resort is a stone’s throw away where you can enjoy a day on the slopes with ski lift access, ski and snowboard rentals, or learn to ski at the snowboard school.
• Whistler Mountain lies nearby, where they say the slopes are a little easier than the Blackcomb runs.
• Enjoy a romantic ride on the Peak 2 Peak Gondola, the World’s highest lift of its kind at 436m/1,427ft. The lift provides breathtaking views of the mountain and forest through the glass bottom.
• The Whistler Village Stroll is a short walk away with a pedestrian promenade running through the heart of the village. In summer, the town fills with flower baskets and hanging gardens, and in winter, it comes alive with Christmas lights.
• Blackcomb Ski resort offers everything you need for your skiing adventure with various runs for different skill levels. They also provide a skiing school for your younger ones finding their feet on the slopes for the first time.
• There are several beautiful hikes through the towering forests of varying levels of challenge and can form the perfect romantic backdrop to your couple’s adventure.

Best VRBO Family Rental: Contemporary Three Story Townhouse With Two Bedrooms

This stunning, centrally located rental is a perfect getaway for small families with two snug bedrooms and two bathrooms in this three-level townhouse. The unit offers a cozy couch around a gas fireplace and TV with plenty of space for you and the kiddies to cuddle up or stretch out.

The kids’ room offers snug pine bunk beds and a designated bathroom, and the parents get to enjoy the balcony access for some peace. There is balcony access from the second floor to a gas griller for a family barbeque under the stars or a fully kitted kitchen for home-cooked meals.

Your kids will love the private hot tub on the top-floor balcony with beautiful views of the snow-laden pines. Otherwise, they have access to the Resort’s heated outdoor pool. The house is a hop and a jump from the Village Stroll promenade, marketplace, and ski lifts.

Things To Do Nearby for Families

• Kayak/Canoe rentals are a fun option for families and are a short drive away. Also, the rental offers a ten-minute walk to the ski lifts for a day on the slopes.
• Less than a mile away is the famous Coca-Cola Tube Park, where you can choose from 4 different banked curves for a family adventure. Otherwise, the Whistler Sliding Centre offers world-class bobsleigh, luge, and skeleton sports.
• Whistler Mountain Bike Park, less than a mile away, is a sure way to burn off your little one’s energy with gravity-fed downhill biking adventures.
• Blackcomb Ski resort offers everything you need for your skiing adventure with various runs for different skill levels. They also provide a skiing school for your younger ones finding their feet on the slopes for the first time.

Best VRBO Rental for Groups: Whistler Village Luxury Four-Bedroom Townhome

This spacious townhouse offers a stunning design with wood accents and amenities for a luxurious group stay. The position is perfect, outside of the noisier bar and nightlife areas of the Whistler village. The three-level home has two upstairs bedrooms and two downstairs bedrooms with semi en suite bathrooms.

The spacious central open plan living room and dining area offer plenty of space to relax and enjoy each other’s company, and comfy seating around a large fireplace. Visitors can enjoy the sight of the pine trees and alpine landscape from the townhouse windows.

The fully equipped kitchen with granite countertops is an elegant spot for a group night with wine and great conversation. On-site services include a private chef, massage services, and optional housekeeping. The rental is perfect for both privacy and centrality to the ski lifts, gondolas, and vibrant village nightlife.

Things To Do Nearby for Groups

• Whistler Blackcomb Ski Resort and Whistler mountain are a few minutes’ drive away, where your group can spend a day on the slopes. Blackcomb has a variety of runs for all levels of skiers, and your group can build up a thirst for the vibrant nightlife of the village.
• Nita Lake fishing is a great group activity, and although the rainbow trout are not world breakers in size, the river is abundant in fish. Shore fishing is an option, or pontoon, canoe, or float tubes are a great way to bond while catching your dinner in the process.
• Whistler Village nightlife can get quite raucous in season and has given Whisler a reputation as the Vegas of the North. There are plenty of dining spots, watering holes, and a nightclub or two for a different kind of alpine adventure.
• The Coca-Cola Tube Park is great group fun, Whistler style, as well as the Whistler Sliding Centre for great laughs and a vigorous day out.
• The Creekside Gondola is less than two miles away, with access to the famous peak to Creek downhill run of 11kms. Otherwise, the Peak to Peak gondola is an enthralling group experience of the spectacular alpine terrain.

Conclusion

Whistler is a one-of-a-kind destination for couples, families, and groups alike and has plenty of social and sporting activities to suit all tastes. The spectacular slopes and forest hikes, abundant fishing, and vibrant nightlife make Whistler a perfect destination for your next vacation.

Make sure you remember these highly-reviewed rentals as a top choice if Whistler is on your travel itinerary, and don’t forget to tell your host that Skyline STR sent you.