March 20 marks the start of spring, and although Whistler has one of the longest ski seasons in North America (Blackcomb Mountain is open until May 23), we do love to feel the sun on our faces when we hit the hill and of course, during aprés. We have Insider Guides for you on how to best approach a spring ski day, and the all-important aprés celebrations afterward. Good to note is that as of March 5, valley upload shifts to the later time of 4 PM, which means more time to ski!
The Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games kick off this month, from March 4 to 13 and we will be cheering on all the athletes, but especially those brandishing the maple leaf including Para Nordic athlete Ethan Hess, from just north of Whistler in Pemberton, and local Para Alpine athlete Mollie Jepsen.
You’ll also see athletes competing in Whistler this month with the Whistler Blackcomb IFSA National Junior Freeride Competition, and Biathlon U13 Championships, 2022 FIS Continental Cup Ski Jump & Nordic Combined and Canadian National XC Championships & US Super Tour Finals at Whistler Olympic Park.
March is an exciting month in Whistler!
Outdoor Adventure
You’ll find us:
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- In the backcountry. With the longer, spring days we usually see an upswing in backcountry exploration in March, so we asked Whistler local and Insider, Abby Cooper, to run us through what we need to consider before setting foot / ski off-piste; take a read of our Whistler Backcountry 2.0 guide. BC’s AdventureSmart has a virtual, Lost Person Behaviour presentation on March 1 from 7 – 8 PM, which might also be something worth investing time in if you’re expanding your backcountry knowledge this season.
- Getting a workout on the Eagle Ridge Snowshoe Tour with Blackcomb Snowmobile. This intermediate 2.5 hour (1.5 hours of hiking), guided snowshoe tour takes you through lush, temperate rainforest to a viewpoint overlooking the stunning mountains across the valley.
- Cross-country skiing at Lost Lake Park or Whistler Olympic Park. With these longer, sunny days in spring cross-country skiing is a great way to explore, enjoy the picturesque, mountain scenery and get some laps in. If you’ve never tried xc-skiing before, read our Insider’s first-hand account to get an idea of what it’s like in Insider’s Guide: Cross-Country Skiing 101.
Adventure Lite
You’ll find us:
- Taking our dining adventures to new heights as we join Canadian Wilderness Adventures on a snowmobile fondue tour. The Crystal Hut is located 6,000 feet up Blackcomb Mountain and that’s where they serve a traditional fondue dinner to snowmobilers who wind their way up the mountain after dark.
- Taking to the dance floor at the new ALGN Dance Studio located in the Hilton Whistler Resort & Spa. They offer drop-in classes with jazz, barre, hip hop and even highland dancing.
- Exploring Whistler’s Olympic and Paralympic Legacies with the free, Go Whistler Tours App. It takes you on a journey back in time to when Whistler played co-host to the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games.
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More ways to get outside.
Family Fun
You’ll find us:
- On a Ziptrek Winter Aprés Tour. If you’re looking for something fun to do with the family after a day on the slopes you could wow them with an exhilarating zipline adventure through the treetops. If you’re looking for more suggestions take a read of 7 Things to Do in Whistler in the Evening.
- Dropping the kids off to Youth Spring Break Camp at Whistler Olympic Park. For kids aged 8 to 12, their 4-day camps (March 14 to 17 and 21 to 24) give kids a taste of Nordic sports including cross-country skiing, snowshoe and biathlon.
- Taking the kids to see local artist, Dave Petko’s exhibit, Starry Nights, at The Galley at the Maury Young Arts Centre (the last day is March 6). They (and you) will be wowed by the glowing phosphorescent pigment in his forest, mountain and cityscapes.
- Crafting our weekends away with the Cultural Ambassadors at the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre who are running paddle necklace, dreamcatcher, drum, paddle rattle, medicine bag and wool-weaving workshops every Saturday and Sunday of this month.
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More family-friendly activities.
Arts & Culture
You’ll find us:
- At the Whistler Museum digging into the Pride & Progress Exhibit. The exhibit looks at the history of Pride in Whistler, especially at the fearless Whistler Pride and Ski Festival, which takes place every January; and will celebrate 30 years in 2023.
- Watching some inspiring mountain-based films as the Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival comes to Whistler on March 4 and 5 at the Maury Young Arts Centre. Also, grabbing tickets to hear The Canadian Guitar Quartet on March 20.
- Visiting the Adele Campbell Fine Art Gallery, located in the Westin Resort & Spa, to see artist Karen Langlois’s solo exhibit, Ocean Eyes, which is on display March 4 to 12.
- Learning about the importance of language at the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre when exploring their special exhibit, Our Living Languages. It celebrates the vitality of the diverse languages of First Nations throughout BC and how Indigenous communities are taking action to help their languages survive and flourish.
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More arts and culture activities.
Eating, Drinking & Shopping
You’ll find us:
- Revelling in Indigenous food, wine and culture at the Spo7ez Winter Feast, on Friday, March 18. The evening starts with a guided tour of the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre, followed by a three-course meal in the stunning Istken Hall with performances by the Spo7ez Performance Team.
- Welcoming Executive Chef Sajish Kumar Das to the Four Seasons Resort Whistler, who brings the culinary traditions of his Portuguese-Indian (Goan) roots to the SIDECUT Steakhouse’s menu.
- Working our way through the healthy, filling and delicious bowls on the menu at the newly opened Freshii, which is located in Village Common in the centre of Whistler Village.
- Not limiting ourselves to just one restaurant per night when we head out on a dining experience with Whistler Tasting Tours. This is a foodie must-do; from 5 to 9 PM your guide will take you to five different locations where you’ll enjoy a four-course meal at some of Whistler’s top restaurants and hidden gems. Read what a tour is like in Tasty Tours Dinner Edition.
- Finding a patio to enjoy a well-earned aprés beverage on in the spring sunshine. Take a read of our Insider’s Guide: Whistler Spring Aprés to plan a few spots for your after-adventure celebrations.
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More on Village shopping, dining and arts and culture.
Don’t Forget . . .
- Please remember that COVID-19 isn’t on vacation, stay home if you have any symptoms, however mild, and get tested if your symptoms are consistent with COVID-19
- Practice physical distancing
- Wear a mask in indoor public settings
- Wash your hands often
If You’re Driving . . .
- Help reduce congestion on the highway by travelling during non-peak times. Peak travel times on the Sea to Sky Highway to Whistler include Friday evenings, Saturday mornings and late afternoons / early evenings, Sunday mornings and late afternoons / evenings, and holidays. To avoid this busy time, plan to visit Whistler midweek when the highway and the resort are typically quieter. Extend your weekend – plan to arrive on Thursday night and leave on Monday morning to avoid the weekend traffic. If you’re visiting Whistler only for the day, plan on staying for dinner to avoid the rush of day skier traffic leaving the resort after the mountain closes.
- The Sea to Sky Highway is always busier on snowy weekends so motorists should be prepared and plan their travel accordingly. Keep in mind precipitation falling as rain in Vancouver and Squamish is often falling as snow in Whistler during the winter months due to its higher elevation.
- Ensure your vehicle has proper snow tires and be prepared for winter driving conditions.
- Always check DriveBC for current road conditions before getting on the road. Follow @DriveBC on Twitter and listen to MountainFM for the latest updates.
- Winter parking regulations are in effect November 1 to March 31. There’s no parking in the Day Lots from 3 AM to 6 AM for snow clearing, and in Whistler neighbourhoods there’s no parking on the even side Monday to Friday 9 AM to 5 PM (excluding holidays), and no parking on the odd side year-round.
Hope to see you on a sunny (or possibly snowy), Whistler patio this spring!
For the best rates on accommodation for the late spring and summer, plan a longer stay or consider staying midweek. Stay 3+ nights to receive a free $100 Activity Voucher and up to 25% off. It's easy to book your vacation when you have the freedom of Whistler.com's Flexible Cancellation options backed by their Book With Confidence program.
