I’m Sean, an adaptive athlete with muscular dystrophy whose journey has been shaped by transformative experiences in Whistler. Connecting with adaptive sports has transformed my life in countless ways. Through resilience and commitment, I’ve rediscovered what it means to be an athlete – something I once thought was lost to me as my disability progressed.
It’s also connected me with so many others with a range of different lived experiences with disability. The joy this community has for pushing the limits, developing as athletes, and learning from each other enriches our lives and communities.
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Inclusion on a Global Scale
The Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025 kicks off February 8 to 16, 2025. I’m excited to see so many competitors finding the same purpose, resiliency and healing in their experience with disability that I’ve had through adaptive sports. Focused on supporting wounded, injured, or sick service members and Veterans, the Invictus Games’ mission is to provide a world-class sporting competition, support a shared journey of recovery, and ensure every athlete feels valued and celebrated as a member of the sports community.
While some may have previous competitive sports experience or develop advanced skills through training, they are not professional athletes in the same sense as Olympic athletes, who often dedicate their lives to sports as a career. The focus of the Invictus Games is more on camaraderie, resilience and the celebration of recovery and strength rather than elite competition.
Invictus Games 2025 will see competitors participating in adaptive winter sports for the first time, with Whistler chosen to set a new bar for the Games.
With much to look forward to, here are details on the events, ways to support, and how the Whistler community and visitors can celebrate these competitors on their journeys.
What’s Happening in Whistler During the Invictus Games
The Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025 are happening in both Vancouver and Whistler. The opening and closing ceremonies are in Vancouver, along with indoor rowing, sitting volleyball, swimming, wheelchair basketball, rugby and curling.
Invictus Games events in Whistler include Alpine Skiing and Snowboarding on Whistler Mountain, Nordic Biathlon and Skiing at Whistler Olympic Park, and Skeleton at the Whistler Sliding Centre. All the events are free to attend with no tickets needed, giving everyone a chance to cheer on competitors!
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It’s good to note that Whistler remains fully open for skiing and snowboarding throughout the Games, with minimal terrain impacts on Whistler Blackcomb so you can enjoy Whistler’s world-class slopes while soaking in the Invictus atmosphere.
“One thing that’s unique about the Invictus Games is that, unlike the 2010 Olympics, which significantly impacted skiing and riding logistics, the Invictus Games will integrate seamlessly, ensuring uninterrupted access to the mountains,” says Whistler Mayor, Jack Crompton. “We have a long history of bringing the world together in celebration, and these Games are shaping up to be an extraordinary chapter in that history.”
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Whistler Sports Events
Monday, February 10
Noon to 7 PM – Skeleton at Whistler Sliding Centre
Tuesday, February 11
10:30 AM to 3 PM – Novice Apline Skiing and Snowboarding on Whistler Blackcomb
10 AM to Noon – Nordic Cross-Country Skiing, Whistler Olympic Park
12:15 PM to 3:30 PM – Biathlon, Whistler Olympic Park
Noon to 7 PM – Skeleton at Whistler Sliding Centre
Wednesday, February 13
10:30 AM to 3 PM – Intermediate/Advanced Apline Skiing and Snowboarding on Whistler Blackcomb
For the full sports events schedule visit the Invictus website.
The Invictus Village in Whistler
Discover the Invictus Village in four zones including Whistler Olympic Plaza, Maury Young Arts Centre, Village Square and Mountain Square which are located along the Village Stroll in the heart of Whistler. The Invictus Village activations run from 11 AM to 5 PM from Sunday, February 9 to Thursday, February 13 and you can expect hands-on, family-friendly exhibits, live entertainment, concerts, and live-action sports screenings.
The Main Stage is at Village Square (where The Whistler Grocery Store is located) and welcomes some Canadian music legends during the Games. The programming is free and happens daily from 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM. For the full music lineup, check out Whistler.com’s Invictus page.
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Headlined by JUNO Award-winning alt-country rock legend Jim Cuddy (Blue Rodeo) and JUNO Award-winning singer-songwriter Barney Bentall (Barney Bentall and the Legendary Hearts), the eclectic lineup also includes JUNO Award-nominated Five Alarm Funk, JUNO Award-nominated producer Skratch Bastid, JUNO Award-nominated Hey Ocean!, The Boom Booms, Lazy Syrup Orchestra, The Spiritual Warriors, Ira Pettle, Big Love, Taylor James, The Hairfarmers and a host of Whistler’s beloved DJs.
“I can’t wait to see the incredible energy of the Invictus Games, with its vibrant mix of sport, community, and celebration, come to Whistler,” says Mayor Crompton. “Seeing the music lineup takes the excitement to the next level. Whether visitors and locals are keen to check out the sporting events, bring their families out to soak up the spirit of the free Whistler Invictus Village, or get in some laps on the slopes while it’s all going down, this is going to be one heck of a time.”
Invictus Opening and Closing Ceremonies
The Opening Ceremony at BC Place in Vancouver on February 8 sets the stage for a week of intense competition and personal discovery. If you’re in the city, get ready to celebrate with Multi-Platinum, Global Pop Superstar Katy Perry, who joins GRAMMY-Award Nominated, Multi-Platinum Artist Noah Kahan, BC-born Canadian icon Nelly Furtado and Quebec alt-pop star Roxane Bruneau who are all performing during the Opening Ceremony.
Rogers Arena will also host the concluding Celebration Ceremony to highlight the powerful experience we know the Games will be for competitors, their families, and all of us in the broader community. The Closing Ceremony features GRAMMY-nominated, Award-winning Nashville native singer and songwriter Jelly Roll, legendary Canadian rock band Barenaked Ladies, and the electrifying Americana duo The War And Treaty to wrap up a lifechanging Games live at Rogers Arena on Feb 16, 2025.
These events are ticketed, visit the Invictus website to purchase yours.
Getting Involved in the Invictus Games
The Invictus Games are not just for competitors but offer opportunities for the local community, sports fans, and people from around the world to participate. Show your support for Soldier On’s Team Canada and the rest of the competitors around the world, and check out True Patriot Love Foundation, responsible for the Legacy of the Games beyond 2025.
Held on the traditional territories of the Four Host First Nations of Lilwat7úl (Lílwat), xʷməθkʷəyəm (Musqueam), Sḵwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), one of the core values of the Invictus Games is advancing reconciliation by honouring the rich cultural heritage of Indigenous peoples and recognizing the contributions of Indigenous members of Canada’s Armed Forces and Veterans.
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The 2025 Invictus merchandise shows off artwork created by the Four Host First Nations. The designs are rooted in the cultural traditions and strength of nature’s symbolism of the Salish people. The visual identity’s story embodies the spirit of Invictus through an Indigenous lens and evokes the natural beauty of British Columbia, from the waves signifying the Pacific Ocean, to the triangles depicting the Canadian Rockies.
Volunteers for Invictus Games 2025
Volunteers will be the heartbeat of the Games, with 1,600 volunteers recruited to support everything from transportation to athlete services. Registration is now closed and applicant interviews are underway, but I’m excited to have been selected as a volunteer to support the Alpine events.
As a volunteer with a disability who is also a certified adaptive ski instructor, I’m ready to support and mentor competitors of all skill levels by teaching from my own experience as someone who has been on a similar journey with sport and developing as an athlete with a changing body. There is immense value in people with disabilities sharing their experiences and showing the range of roles they can play. I’m excited to see how my role evolves as the Games get closer!
The Invictus Games’ Impact on Whistler
Whistler and Vancouver were key players in the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Hosting the Invictus Games takes that legacy a step further by centring the stories of disabled Veterans and service members. The Games will once again show that Whistler is an inclusive and welcoming environment. It’s about more than competition – it’s about helping Veterans and service members find community, push their boundaries, and use their shared experiences to support recovery.
To me, the Games show that each of our experiences with sports is valid and unique. Adaptive sports celebrate creativity – competitors and athletes with a range of lived experiences find the tools to experience sport in the way that works for them. And developing their own relationship and identity with sport, athleticism, and reclaiming their sense of belonging and purpose.
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As hosts, the Whistler community has an opportunity to show the world what’s possible when inclusion is thoughtfully considered from the start. We can show that competitors and athletes with disabilities can focus on personal achievement and truly be part of the fabric of our community. Inclusion and accessibility are a moral imperative, and Whistler can model a culture of inclusion to inspire the world.
Whistler Welcomes the World
Whistler will once again become a global stage for competitors who embody an unconquered spirit, and Invictus will show that Whistler is the international hub for adaptive sports – it’s a place where our stories are valued and where anyone can push their boundaries. We can each do something to support, welcome and encourage competitors and their families. More importantly, we can also learn from this community, challenge our assumptions about disability and adaptive sports, and embed respect for disability and Veterans into the Whistler culture.
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Disability is part of the human experience – we are all athletes with unique journeys who can uplift and empower each other through sport. The Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025 will allow us to celebrate the transformative power of inclusive sports and show how athletes and communities alike can find strength and connection through sport.
Beyond the Invictus Games events, Whistler offers countless winter activities. Experience world-renowned skiing and snowboarding, thrilling zipline tours, serene snowshoeing and Nordic trails, scenic ice skating, and more. Winter in Whistler is packed with options for every kind of adventure.
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Save up to 25% on Lodging + Free $50 Dining Voucher on 3+ Nights
As an international destination committed to inclusion, Whistler offers a wide range of accessible accommodations and activities for people of all abilities. Explore how Whistler prioritizes accessibility to make your experience memorable and comfortable.
Visit Whistler for three nights or more from February 5 to 19, 2025 and receive a free $50 CND dining voucher.
Whistler.com Travel Consultants are local experts who can help you make the most of your visit. From recommending the best transfers and activities to finding ideal accommodations, they’re here to make planning easy. Call 1.800.944.7853 to speak with one of our knowledgeable consultants or visit Whistler.com for personalized assistance.
