Did you know that there is a world-class destination for outdoor recreation activities and Nordic sports just south of Whistler? Located in the stunning Callaghan Valley, Whistler Olympic Park (WOP) was established for the 2010 Olympic & Paralympic Winter Games.
The park’s facilities are now enjoyed by both high-performance athletes and recreational guests alike. It offers world-class cross-country ski trails covering 55 kilometres and 15 kilometres of scenic snowshoe trails, with varying difficulty to suit all skill levels. You can explore the serene trails at your own pace, with family and friends, take a lesson or clinic, and even bring the dog. For an extra challenge, try your hand at the unique sport of Biathlon!
Whether you’re an avid cross-country skier or a complete beginner, here are some tips to make the most out of your visit to Whistler Olympic Park, Whistler’s Nordic winter wonderland.
8 Tips for the Perfect Day at Whistler Olympic Park
1. How to Get to Whistler Olympic Park
Whistler Olympic Park is situated in the Callaghan Valley, just south of Whistler, approximately 15 minutes by car from the traffic lights at Function Junction. This location offers the perfect opportunity to visit one of Function’s charming coffee shops on your way there and local breweries on your way back!
Keep an eye on the right side of the highway (driving south) for the Whistler Olympic Park turnoff and follow the Callaghan Valley Road for a picturesque, eight-kilometre drive into the mountains, leading you to the ticket booth.
Here’s the Google Map Link, and further hours and directions can be found on the Whistler Olympic Park website.
Currently, there is no shuttle service available, but some hotels may offer transportation.
2. Know Before You Go: Check the Conditions
The weather can vary quite a bit in the mountains, with the Callaghan Valley typically having slightly different conditions than Whistler. The WOP conditions page features three live cameras, a live grooming update, a forecast tab and daily updates from guest services and trail groomers so you can plan your day accordingly.
Remember to dress in layers (you will get warm skiing), bring a water bottle (refillable in the Day Lodge), a snack, sunglasses and sunscreen. If you’re travelling with kids, a little backpack to carry the essentials is always a good idea.
The spectacular Day Lodge has gear rentals, washrooms, a boutique, a fully licensed café and a little lounge to relax in between ski sessions.
3. Book Online and Skip the Line
Take a look at the tickets page of the WOP website to review ticket pricing. Click the Book Now button to save on a Fixed Day Ticket by purchasing online for your preferred visit date (same-day purchase is not available online). This will also grant you access to the fast lane at the entrance gate!
4. Take a Lesson
Whether you’re a novice to Nordic sports or want to assess and improve your skills, Whistler Olympic Park’s CANSI-certified instructors offer personalized and expert guidance to help you glide easily. They can even teach you to hit the biathlon target consistently through one of two Biathlon experiences!
5. Ask Us
Stop by the guest services desk for information on the best ski and snowshoe trails to match your skillset, and download the Nordic Pulse GPS App to pinpoint your location within the Park.
Follow Whistler Olympic Park on YouTube for tips and tricks.
6. Try Biathlon
Biathlon is a thrilling Olympic sport that combines cross-country skiing with target shooting. You will experience shooting a real .22 calibre biathlon rifle at our Olympic range, which is still actively used for biathlon training and competitions.
Choose between the Discover (shooting only) or Private Experience (ski lesson & shoot) biathlon options. For more details on these, take a look at the WOP website. Take a read of How to Do Biathlon at Whistler Olympic Park to get a feel for this unique experience.
7. Try Night Skiing
The Monday and Wednesday Night Skiing Special starts at 3 PM, and you can ski or snowshoe on six kilometres of lit trails, or light up your own path with a headlamp. Tickets and rentals are only $12 each (you need to book your rentals in advance), and there are $12 food specials at the Day Lodge. Don’t miss the new Neverland Starlight Loop, a magical, illuminated ski loop that adds a bit of extra sparkle to your adventure.
8. Take Your Time
One last word of advice: take your time. Whistler Olympic Park is a truly unique place in a magnificent setting. Give yourself enough time to take photos, enjoy a comforting meal at the lodge and take in the beauty of the surroundings. Leave relaxed and happy, with memories to share.
Whistler Olympic Park is open for winter activities from mid-November to April and reopens for summer activities, RV and campground in late June. Plan your adventure at whistlerolympicpark.com. Stay up to date, get inspired, and be featured via WOP’s social channels, @whistlerolympicpark #whistlerolympicpark
Take a look at the WOP events calendar to see what’s coming up.
This blog was written by Catherine Aird, Marketing Manager at Whistler Olympic Park.
See you on the trails!
