Facts for the International Traveller
Here are some handy facts to help you plan your Whistler holiday. If you
are coming to Whistler from abroad, these tips will give you Canadian-specific
information about electrical requirements, medical and other emergencies,
our Metric system, currency, banking and taxes and public holidays.
Electricity
Outlets and voltage (110 volts) are the same as in the United States.
Small appliances such as hair dryers, irons, razors, etc. can be used in
Canada.
For visitors from other countries, adapters are required for electrical
appliances. The frequency of electrical current in Canada is 60 Hz.
Emergencies
The Whistler Health Centre is located in Whistler Village
North. It offers urgent care, lab and x-ray services, doctor services and
a 24-hour ambulance service.
4380 Lorimer Road
Whistler, BC
V0N 1B4
Phone: 604.932.4911
Emergency (general): 911
There are also plenty of doctors, dentists, physiotherapists, massage
therapists, chiropractors and acupuncturists in Whistler.
RCMP
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) is responsible for policing in
Whistler. The RCMP office is located in the public safety building (fire
hall).
Non-emergency: 1.604.932.3044
Emergency: 911
Insurance
Taking out a travel insurance policy to cover medical, theft, or loss
for yourself and family is always a good idea. Canada is quite safe and
tourist-friendly but you should always be prepared.
All charter services operating in British Columbia are insured and receptive
tour operators are registered with the British Columbia Registry of Travel
Companies.
If you are renting a car, rental companies always provide you with details
on car insurance during your travels. Having car insurance while traveling
in Canada certainly makes things much easier if you have been involved
in a car accident. The British Columbia Automobile Association (BCAA) sells
Visitor to Canada Insurance after arrival in British Columbia.
The British Columbia Automobile Association is affiliated with the American
Automobile Association and provides information and roadside assistance.
Vancouver area: 1.604.268.5555
Rest of BC: 1.800.JOIN.CAA / 1.800.564.6222
Road Side Assistance
Vancouver area: 1.604.293.2222
Rest of BC/Canada/USA: 1.800.CAA.HELP / 1.800.222.4357
Cell phone direct: *222
Medical Services
Whistler Health Care Centre
The Whistler Health Care Centre provides a comprehensive range of health
care services all at one location. No appointment is necessary and programs
offered include:
Urgent Care Clinic - 604.932.4911
The UCC is a diagnostic and treatment centre where any medical illness,
emergency or patient can be treated, and if necessary, referred to other
hospitals. An emergency physician is available 8:00 am to 10:00 pm every
day and on-call after hours for emergencies.
Remember, patients are seen in order of urgency of problem, not time of
arrival - so wait times may vary.
The clinic may be used for:
- Any medical problem
- Any emergency after hours
- Out patient laboratory and diagnostic imaging services referred by any
physician
Community Health Services - 604.932.3202
Whistler’s prevention services include public health and environmental
health services.
Services are offered by appointment and include:
- Immunizations
- Communicable disease control
- Healthy sexuality counselling and testing
- Rehab services
- Environmental Health for restaurants and commercial pool and hot tub inspections
Mental Health Services - 604.698.6455
The Whistler Health Care Centre’s mental health services can be
accessed via the centralized intake and crisis line at 1.866.892.6365.
- Crisis interventions and mental health assessments
- Individual counselling
- Psychiatric diagnosis and assessment (GP referral required)
- Therapeutic groups
- Referral to addiction services
- Geriatric outreach
Medical Clinics in Whistler
The clinics below provide the following services:
- All regular family practice care (coughs, colds, etc.)
- Follow-up visits
- Minor injuries including suturing, casting and splinting
- Prescriptions
- STD testing and contraception
- Acute orthopedic minor injuries
- Check-ups and physicals
- Sports medicine
- Appointments and walk-ins
- Visitors welcome
- Open seven days a week
Coast Medical Clinic
110-4350 Lorimer Road
604.905.5130
Northlands Medical Clinic
101-4359 Main Street
604.932.8362
Town Plaza Medical Clinic
40-4314 Main Street
604.905.7089
Whistler Medical Clinic
201-4380 Lorimer Road
604.932.3977
Please bring your provincial health card. If you have no Canadian medical insurance, you will be expected to pay at the time of service.
Metric System
Canada follows the International Metric System. Temperature, rainfall
measures, distance, weight and velocity are expressed in metric units.
Distance is measured in kilometres (km).
Distance
- 1 km = 0.6 miles
- 1 mile = 1.6 km
Volume
Weight
- 1 kilogram = 2.2 pounds
- 1 pound = .45 kilograms
Speed
- 30 km/h = 20 mph
- 50 mph = 80 km/h
Money & Banking
Banking hours are generally Monday to Friday 9:30 am to 4:30 pm with extended
hours on evenings and weekends at some locations. Most banks have automatic
teller machines (ATM) which are accessible 24 hours a day. ATMs accept
Cirrus, Plus and Interac.
- Scotiabank 212-2059 Lake Placid Road, 604.966.3230 (Whistler Creekside)
- North Shore Credit Union 101-4321 Village Gate Boulevard, 604.982.8000
- Royal Bank of Canada 101-4000 Whistler Way, 604.938.5800 (Whistler Village)
- TD Canada Trust 138-4370 Lorimer Road, 604.905.5500 (Village North)
- CIBC 4368 Main Street, 1.800.465.2422
Canadian Currency
Canadian currency comes in similar denominations to American currency.
Coins come in:
- One cent (penny)
- Five cent (nickel)
- Ten cent (dime)
- 25 cent (quarter)
- One dollar (loonie)
- Two dollar (toonie)
Bills come in $5, $10, $20, $50, $100 and are multi-coloured. Canada does
not have 1 or 2 dollar bills.
Credit Cards
Credit Card use is widespread. Visa, MasterCard, American Express and
JCB International are accepted in nearly all shops, restaurants and hotels.
Check with the vendor if you are unsure.
Currency Exchanges
In addition to banks and hotels that exchange currency, there are currency
exchange locations in the Village.
Tipping
Tipping is standard practice. The standard minimum tip is 15 per cent.
Tips are also given to taxi drivers, hairdressers, bartenders, spa therapists,
hotel attendants and bellhops.
Public Holidays in Canada
Nearly all the shops and services are open on public (statutory) holidays
in Whistler. In fact, it usually is a time for a festival or event! Hotels
operate 24/7, 365 days a year.
- New Year’s Day — January 1
- Family Day — Second Monday in February
- Good Friday — Friday before Easter
- Easter Sunday — Sunday following the first full
moon after Vernal Equinox
- Easter Monday — Monday following the first full
moon after Vernal Equinox
- Victoria Day — Monday preceding May 25
- Canada Day — July 1
- B.C. Day — First Monday in August
- Labour Day — First Monday in September
- Thanksgiving — Second Monday in October
- Remembrance Day — November 11
- Christmas Day — December 25
- Boxing Day — December 26
Taxes
Harmonized Sales Tax (HST)
The province of British Columbia applies a tax of 12% to most goods and
services, consisting of a 5% federal portion and 7% provincial portion.
Useful Links for Travellers