Whistler, British Columbia is the ultimate playground for avid skiers, snowboarders and winter sports enthusiasts of all kinds. But a vacation here can be pricey, especially during peak ski season. That being said, it is possible to make your Whistler dreams a reality without breaking the bank. We’re sharing some simple, but effective ways to plan a trip to this outdoor-lover’s paradise on the cheap.
Cheap eats in Whistler
El Furniture Warehouse has several locations and at all of them nothing on the food menu is over $4.95. Bonus: drinks are also very reasonably priced.
Samurai Sushi is a good place to go for fresh and affordable sushi. A bento box with chicken, beef or tempura will cost you less than $9. Another budget-friendly spot for sushi is Fuji Market. An eight piece California roll is $2.95 and a 16 piece large assorted roll with tuna and cucumber is under $5. You can also get their “quick” meal, which consists of your choice of fried rice, steamed rice or chow mein, a protein (chicken, tofu, beef, pork, prawn or tempura chicken) and a sauce – all for $7.95.
For simple, but hearty fare at great prices head to Ingrid’s Village Café where a beef, veggie, falafel or turkey burger is under $7, many breakfast items are priced under $6 and daily specials are often priced between $7 and $8.
Pasta Lupino makes their pasta in house and you can get a filling meal here that’s easy on the wallet. Lunch pastas range from $7 to $11.
If Mexican is more your flavour, fill up on $3 tacos of all kinds ($2.75 for veggie tacos) at La Cantina Urban Taco Bar.
Another option for saving money when it comes to food is cooking your own meals if your accommodations have a small kitchenette, or buying and keeping non-perishable snacks on hand.
Cheap ways to stay in Whistler
Whistler can get pricey during peak ski season (mid-December through March) so one way to save is to skip ski season and go in the fall, summer or spring. Another way to save is to book early to score some early bird savings, which many hotels offer, and the best time to look for those deals is now. You can also look for a last-minute deal to save on your stay in Whistler. Hotels want to fill rooms but don’t often advertise last-minute rates. A good place to start your search is with Tourism Whistler’s “Suite Secrets” tool that allows you to search for last-minute deals by date. You can also search for last-minute lodging deals on the Whistler Blackcomb site.
Going to Whistler during ski season doesn’t have to mean shelling out hundreds on a room just so you can swoosh down the slopes. “Mode” rooms at Delta Whistler Village Suites with one queen bed start at $199 ($149 during low season) and that includes Wi-Fi. Rooms here also come with a microwave, coffee maker, mini fridge and a toaster so you can save big on food costs by making coffee, breakfasts and small meals in your room. The hotel also has a pool and a gym.
Another option is to stay at a hostel. HI-Whistler offers accommodation that helps you save while putting you close to the slopes, as well as near other non-snowy activities in Whistler. There are shared rooms available for $33 to $36 depending on the season, and private rooms with ensuite cost between $81 and $134 depending on when you’re planning to stay. There’s Wi-Fi, a TV room, communal kitchen, games and a library among other amenities.
If you’re planning on skiing with a group, consider a vacation rental that sleeps several people. That way you can share the cost and save, and get a desirable location. VRBO.com and Homeaway have many options for rentals in Whistler, most of them well-located to take advantage of everything Whistler has to offer, from skiing to hiking. You can also save by making most meals rather than going out.
Save on skiing in Whistler
One of the best ways to save on lift tickets is to book early and aim to purchase a ski package (lift tickets and lodging bundle). If you search winter ski packages on the Tourism Whistler webpage you can save up to 43 per cent if you book by November 15. An added bonus for families who like to ski: Kids 12 and under receive free lift tickets, rental equipment & airport transfers (excluding the time period of December 20 to January 3) as long as there is one paying adult per child under 12.
Whistler Blackcomb makes it easy to find a deal on everything from Christmas trips to Whistler to heli-skiing packages on their deals and packages page.
Edge cards offer an easy way for Canadians and Washington State residents to save while in Whistler. Choose from a one, three, five or 10 day pre-loaded card that means savings on lift tickets as well as other Whistler activities. For example, the price of a three-day Edge card is $264, which puts your per-day skiing rate at $88 a day. That gives you a savings of up to $31 a day. In addition to saving on your time on the slopes, an Edge card also helps you save on shopping, lodging, dining and equipment rentals among other perks. See the full list of possible Edge card discounts here.
Free and cheap things to do in Whistler
Whistler is a versatile vacation spot in any season and although it’s known as one of the world’s best skiing destinations, there’s much more to Whistler than snow. While some non-skiing activities in Whistler cost money, there’s plenty to do here all year round that will fit into anyone’s budget.
Skating: If you prefer skates to skis you can glide around at Olympic Plaza for free if you bring your own skates. If you don’t have skates it only costs $5 to rent a pair.
Explore the Village: Exploring the cobblestone streets of pedestrian-only Whistler Village is free and there are many shops, cafes, bars and restaurants to browse. You can download a map here.
Get active: Whistler’s Valley Trail is a great way to get moving during the warmer months. Over 40 kilometres of paved trail and boardwalk connect all of Whistler’s neighbourhoods, making for a fun way to explore the area on foot or on a bike (bike rentals are available). You can also find a bike scavenger hunt here if you’re looking for a free family activity that involves the great outdoors.
Help out: Animal-loving visitors to Whistler can give back by volunteering at Whistler Animal Shelter which has drop-in volunteer hours from 1pm to 4pm daily. Interact with dogs and cats on an as-needed basis for a free, yet enriching activity.
Swim: In the summer months, it doesn’t cost a thing to hang out at one of Whistler’s lakes to swim and enjoy some time on the beach.
Lead photo: Ruth Hartnup
