Whistler’s Welcoming and Accessible Village

Everywhere you look, Whistler Village is brimming with Paralympic athletes, spectators, visitors and locals celebrating the Paralympic Winter Games. In anticipation of hosting so many Paralympians and wanting to ensure the resort is as inclusive as possible for all visitors including people with disabilities, kids in strollers and elderly guests, Whistler’s Resort Municipality is striving to make Whistler the ultimate accessible four-season destination.

While Whistler is famous for its spectacular outdoor activities, it’s Whistler Village that is the heart of the resort. As a gathering place full of shops, restaurants, cafes, outdoor art installations and numerous patios and benches for people-watching, Whistler Village is where everyone ends up at some point during their Whistler adventure. (Check out the barrier-free route maps of Whistler (PDF) Village, Village North and Upper Village featuring ramps, parking, accessible washroom facilities and TTY telephones.)

With this in mind, accessibility is paramount to the Whistler experience. Along with increased access signage, a new ramp now connects Whistler’s taxi loop, the unofficial entrance to Whistler Village, with Village Square, the central gathering place for events, concerts and the community. Whistler offers many accessible hotels, restaurants, pubs and nightclubs right in the village and most stores have at least partial wheelchair accessibility. Whistler takes après very seriously and there are a variety of spots to choose from where you can relax and share stories of your day.

Outside of Whistler Medals Plaza, a brand new inclusive playground has been designed that allows all children, including kids with disabilities, to play and explore side-by-side with their siblings and friends. Featuring a slide, tree house, saucer swing, spinning disc, sensory wall and other engaging elements, it’s a great place to relax with a coffee while the kids are having fun.

In addition to the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, Whistler hosts many annual and stand-alone events throughout the year that make Whistler Village the place to be. From watching the skiers and snowboarders rip it up at the Telus World Ski & Snowboard Festival to the thrill of seeing mountain bikers tear down the Whistler Mountain Bike Park at Kokanee Crankworx to social wine tastings at Cornucopia, there is always something fun and interesting going on.

For more information about accessibility in Whistler, please see Whistler for the Disabled.