Whistler: Our Story

This place has always had a story to tell. Long before it became Whistler, these lands were, and remain, the shared territories of the Sk̲wx̲wú7mesh Nation and L̓il̓wat7úl Nation. Their enduring connection to the mountains, rivers and forests continues to shape the culture of this region today. Over time, Whistler has grown from a remote valley to a global destination, built by visionaries, artists, athletes and a community that’s never lost touch with the land that inspires it, nor the responsibility to protect its natural environment, celebrate its culture, and nurture the youth who carry its spirit forward. From Olympic milestones to everyday mountain moments, our story is one of heritage, resilience and a collective spirit that runs deep.

Celebrating Fifty Years in 2025!

It's the Resort Municipality of Whistler's fiftieth anniversary this year and everyone is invited to celebrate the milestone with a vibrant event series that begins in late summer and runs straight through the fall.

View Whistler Municipality's 50th Anniversary Events

Roots, Runs and Remarkable People

Discover the stories, past and present, that have shaped Whistler’s character, from the trailblazers who laid its foundations to the culture that continues to define it.


Step Inside Whistler's Story

Indigenous cultural ambassador in cedar-bark regalia guiding visitors through the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre gallery in Whistler, BC, featuring hand-carved totem poles, a traditional canoe, and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the forest.
Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre
Museum exhibit of Rainbow Lodge artefacts at 2,200 ft in Whistler, BC, featuring a hand-lettered “Rainbow Lodge Altitude 2,200’” sign, rustic wooden chairs draped with crocheted blankets, vintage skis and poles, enamelware coffee pot, lantern and other period pieces.
Whistler Museum
Outdoor Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics medal ceremony at Whistler Medal Plaza, BC, with spectators waving Canadian and Polish flags under bright stage lights and a blue-lit “Vancouver 2010” stage bearing the Olympic rings.
2010 Winter Olympic Games

Whistler Then and Now

For thousands of years before European contact, the land we now call Whistler was home to the Coast Salish and Interior Salish peoples, who lived in deep connection with the seasons, moving through the region to hunt, gather and sustain their communities.

The Whistler area was often a waypoint for First Nation trading routes between the Squamish and Lil'wat Nations, as it was rich with wildlife and resources. At one time, tens of thousands of Coast Salish First Nations people lived, traded and thrived in the areas between Vancouver, Howe Sound and Lillooet.

In fact, some of the hiking routes between Howe Sound and Deep Cove (east of Vancouver) are the traditional routes travelled by the Coast Salish First Nations peoples.

The award-winning Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre is a stunning space that honours the living cultures of the Sk̲wx̲wú7mesh Nation and the L̓il̓wat7úl Nation. Through art, stories and interactive exhibits, visitors gain insight into the deep connection these communities have with the land – past, present and future. It’s a rich and eye-opening experience, offering a powerful perspective on place.