Whistler's Environmental Commitment

Beautiful mountain vistas, ancient forests, crystal clear lakes and rivers, and fresh, clean air. Much of what makes Whistler such a unique and memorable destination lies in its awe-inspiring and pristine natural surroundings. The Whistler community cares deeply for the environment and strives to preserve the area's natural beauty by taking meaningful steps towards the resort's vision of sustainability.

If you would like to be a part of Whistler's efforts to minimize its environmental footprint, please consider some of these simple ideas when visiting our resort:

Choose Tap Water over Bottled

Tap water in hotels and throughout the community of Whistler is continuously monitored and tested for quality, and is always safe to drink. Please help to reduce single-use plastic waste by avoiding using unnecessary plastic water bottles.

Better Than Bottled: Whistler's Alpine-Fresh Tap Water

The Resort Municipality of Whistler has installed water bottle fill stations throughout the Village and community in order to help reduce consumption of single-use plastics and to promote drinking Whistler’s great tap water. Find a water bottle fill station.

Avoid Single-Use Plastics

Don’t buy bottled water or use single-use coffee cups. Bring a reusable water bottle or mug with you (or purchase one as a souvenir while you are here) and fill it up with fresh Whistler tap water or other beverages. Refill your reusable container with water throughout the day at the many convenient water fountains around town.

When eating out, ask for no straw in your drink. Many Whistler restaurants and bars already have “no straw” policies in place and will have paper straws available upon request.

Bring a reusable bag with you, or purchase one from a grocery store or gift shop, and say no to plastic bags when you are shopping around town (for groceries, souvenirs, etc). Whistler is working towards becoming a plastic bag-free community and most grocery stores around town charge a small fee for plastic bags upon check-out.

Avoid plastic cutlery and takeout containers. Build in some extra time so you can sit down and eat in the café / restaurant (take it slow – you’re on vacation after all!) or bring your meal home with you and use the reusable cutlery available in your accommodation.

Leave the Car at Home

Help lessen gas emissions and enjoy the scenery on your way up to Whistler by booking a shuttle bus from the Vancouver International Airport or downtown Vancouver. Whistler Village is pedestrian only, with restaurants, shops, hotels, ski lifts and other amenities located within walking distance. Other neighbourhoods, lakes and beaches are all connected by the Valley Trail and buses, so getting around Whistler is easy without a vehicle.

Charge Your Electric Vehicle

If you own an electric vehicle, Whistler offers public charging stations in several convenient locations including Day Lot 1 and the Whistler Conference Centre.

Conserve Energy

When you leave your hotel room, turn off the air conditioning or heat, lights, TV and radio. Close the drapes to keep your room warm in winter or cool in summer.

Conserve Water

Participate in hotel linen programs, or let the hotel know that it's not necessary to change your sheets and towels every day.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

You will find options for separating garbage in the Village and at your hotel, as the resort offers convenient opportunities for reducing, reusing and recycling materials all around town. You can help us reduce waste to protect our beautiful natural environment and tackle climate change.

Take only the brochures or maps that you need and return others to the brochure stand. Participate in recycling and composting programs by placing waste in appropriate bins. Use a reusable shopping bag, coffee cup and waterbottle. If you don't have the items, buy them here as a souvenir!

Tread Lightly

Stay on established trails when hiking to avoid disturbing plants and wildlife, and remember to take garbage with you when you leave.

Leave No Trace: Whistler Hiking/Biking Etiquette

Keep Whistler Idle Free

Whistler encourages our guests and residents to reduce air pollution by turning off vehicles when not in use. While some vehicle idling is necessary, most times an engine can be shut off. Signage can be found in key areas and you can play a part in our anti-idling campaign. Learn more at whistler.ca.

Learn more about what Whistler is doing to protect the environment at whistler.ca.

As a visitor to Whistler, you may notice many community groups working to educate the public and protect the wildlife and habitats you are here to enjoy. Check out our Events Calendar for local outings, lectures and fundraisers. Everyone is always welcome to attend, even if you are here just for a weekend.

Association of Whistler Area Residents for the Environment (AWARE)

The Association of Whistler Area Residents for the Environment (AWARE) has been working for the Whistler environment since 1989. A membership-based charity, AWARE strives to improve quality of life in Whistler and protect shared natural heritage through on-the-ground projects, engaging events, education and advocacy. AWARE's continual focus is on: connecting people and nature; building a sustainable community; and safeguarding habitat, biodiversity and wilderness values. Learn more at awarewhistler.org.

Whistler Off-Road Cycling Association (WORCA)

WORCA is dedicated to maintaining Whistler's bike trails and promoting sustainable trail building. They sponsor trail maintenance programs and educate riders on the importance of preserving and maintaining the trails while riding. If you are planning to use Whistler’s bike trails during your visit, consider purchasing a WORCA membership to support their efforts around Whistler and also be eligible to enter WORCA-hosted events such as weekly Toonie Rides, Phat Wednesday DH Series, West Side Wheel Up and more.

Whistler Museum & Archives

The Whistler Museum takes an active role in the cultural and natural stewardship of Whistler and the surrounding area.

Whistler Conference Centre and Sustainability

Whistler was the first Canadian destination to achieve the prestigious APEX/ASTM sustainability certification. Recognized in three areas, the Whistler Conference Centre led the recognitions by receiving three of the certifications on the following standards: Meeting Venue, Food and Beverage and Destination. In addition to being APEX/ASTM certified, the Whistler Conference Centre provides clients with numerous resources to help plan and implement green initiatives for their meetings and events. Learn more about Whistler Conference Centre’s sustainability initiatives.

Vail Resorts' EpicPromise

Whistler Blackcomb and Vail Resorts are aggressively pursuing a comprehensive sustainability commitment with the Epic Promise for a Zero Footprint. Started at Whistler Blackcomb, this ambitious undertaking commits to zero net emissions by 2030, zero waste to the landfill by 2030 and zero net operating impact to forests and habitat. Whistler Blackcomb’s 2016 The Big Picture Documentaries examined some of today’s most pertinent environmental questions. Whistler Blackcomb’s sustainability efforts have led to their 10th win as one of Canada’s Greenest Employers. Learn more at epicpromise.com.

Blackcomb Helicopters Carbon Neutral Tourism Flights

Since 2018, Blackcomb Helicopters has offered guests carbon neutral flights. To do this, Blackcomb Helicopters measure the greenhouse gases that are emitted during each hour of flight and mitigate the emissions by purchasing the equivalent amount of carbon offsets for the Quadra Island Forestland Conservation Project. The program sequesters the equivalent amount of greenhouse gases emitted and ensures that 418 hectares of forestland along the coastline — previously designated to be logged or converted to vacation homes — becomes protected parkland instead. Learn more about Blackcomb Helicopters’ carbon offset program at blackcombhelicopters.com/carbon-offset-program.

Carbon Neutrality

The RMOW achieved corporate carbon neutrality in 2017, and recently received Level 4 recognition from the joint provincial-Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) Green Communities Committee’s Climate Action Recognition Program. Whistler signed the Climate Action Charter in 2007 committing to working with the Province of British Columbia and the UBCM to take action on climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in corporate operations, as well as the broader community. Learn more about Whistler’s climate action initiatives at whistler.ca/climateaction.

Whistler Composting Facility

This state-of-the-art composting facility, located just south of Whistler Village, features two 70-metre long stainless steel climate-controlled tunnels used to process biosolids from Whistler's Wastewater Treatment Plant, organic materials from residents and businesses, and wood waste diverted from Whistler's solid waste stream. The end result of this composting process, which takes approximately two weeks, is Class A compost, which can be cured and sold as premium compost or mixed with sand or peat to produce landscaping amenities.

Lost Lake Passivhaus

Designed as an ultra-low energy building, the Lost Lake Passivhaus was constructed as the headquarters for the Austrian Olympic Committee and Austrian Public Broadcasting Corporation during the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Located at the main entrance to Lost Lake Park, between the Upper and Lower Village, the Passivhaus’s interior climate is maintained without active heating or cooling systems using a combination of super insulation, thick walls and windows and other technology. Post-Games, the building was generously donated to the community and currently serves as the day lodge for Lost Lake cross-country skiers and the Whistler Nordics Ski Club in the winter and the home of Whistler Off Road Cycling Association (WORCA) in the summer.

Partners for Climate Protection Program

Whistler was recognized as an environmental leader in the country, as the first community in Canada to have completed the final milestone in the Partners for Climate Protection Program (PCP) developed by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives.

The Fitzsimmons Creek Renewable Energy Project

Situated between Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains under the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola, is the Fitzsimmons River; the largest watercourse and best option for renewable energy inside the Whistler Blackcomb ski area. Due to the abundance of water and significant vertical drop, micro hydro provided the greatest opportunity to produce renewable energy inside Whistler Blackcomb’s operating footprint. With abundant water flows, no power lines required and over 70 per cent of the project footprint layered onto existing disturbed areas, this project is ideal. The primary motivation is to return back onto the grid an estimated 32 gigawatt hours of electricity annually, the equivalent of energizing 3,000 to 4,000 homes and also equal to Whistler Blackcomb's annual energy consumption.

Honey bee in Whistler BC

Trash Talks with Hotel
Sustainability Chair

We touch base with Robyn Gallagher to find out what sustainable initiatives are in place at one of the biggest hotels in Whistler.

How to be an ecocitizen

How to Be an EcoCitizen:
Tips for Awesome Enviro Action

AWARE Whistler asks you to consider being an EcoCitizen and share these enviro tips to help keep Whistler special.

Whistler Vacation Rentals

Vacation Rentals Direct
Available on Whistler.com

Choose from a wide range of privately owned and managed condos, homes and apartments for your next Whistler Vacation.