It’s friendly, it’s bright, and it’s a whole lot of fun — it’s the Whistler Pride Festival. The festival is a new celebration, building on more than 30 years of Winter Pride in Whistler. Join us for a week of skiing, parties, events, community and inclusivity as we celebrate a refreshed vision of Pride in the mountains, presented by Tourism Whistler and TFD Presents.
Deep winter is fun when you’re in the right place. Get your turns in on the slopes, revel at après, relax in a hot tub, dine at an award-winning restaurant or try one of the many activities Whistler offers like snowshoeing, snowmobiling, ice skating and ziplining.
Here’s what’s happening in Whistler this January.
Outdoor Adventure
You’ll find us:
- Exploring Whistler Blackcomb via the Wonder Routes, a network of trails, way-points and stops created to help you discover all the wonders of the mountains. There are seven different routes to explore, from the Family Certified Route to the Alpine Sampler.
- Getting some Nordic skiing in at the Rossignol We Rise: Women’s Ski Day 2026 on January 24 at Whistler Olympic Park. It’s an invite to all women+ to enjoy a day of cross-country skiing in the beautiful Callaghan Valley! Take advantage of the special discounts and activities offered on the day. If you want more Nordic in your life, don’t miss the Monday and Wednesday night skiing special. Explore the starry skies of the Callaghan Valley at Whistler Olympic Park, with discounted evening rates on tickets and rentals. Ski or snowshoe on 6 km of lit trails, including the new Neverland Starlight Loop, a magical illuminated ski loop that adds extra sparkle to your adventure.
- Taking to the skies with Whistler Heli-Skiing. They have access to 200,000 acres of terrain across 15 zones, that’s a lot of places to find powder. It’s also good to know that Whistler Heli-Skiing flies carbon-neutral. Read more about the heli-ski experience in our 101 Guide.
- Adventuring on a heart-pumping snowmobile tour with Canadian Wilderness Adventures, or snowshoeing to hidden saunas in the backcountry.
- Learning how to safely explore Whistler’s backcountry with a Backcountry Ski Tour. Step outside the resort ropes to find fresh powder, steep terrain and stunning mountain vistas, while learning mountain safety with specialized backcountry equipment and professional, local guides. One of our favourite ways to explore the backcountry is with Mountain Skills Academy & Adventures (MSAA) Powder Punch Card, designed for powder chasers who want quick access to fresh turns. Choose between a 3, 5 or 10-day pack!
Adventure Lite
You’ll find us:
- Cycling through the rejuvenating thermal journey at the Scandinave Spa. Heat up in their saunas, steam rooms and hot pools, and then use the cool plunge pools and showers to invigorate your body and mind before finding peace in a relaxation space. If you need extra TLC, add a massage to the thermal experience.
- Stretching out our bodies in one of the most beautiful indoor spaces in Whistler – the Audain Art Museum. Register for yoga sessions on January 2 and 3 at 9:30 AM, then every Thursday for the remainder of the month (Jan 8, 15, 22 and 29). After class, explore the galleries as admission is included with your $20 lesson fee.
- Staring in awe at the ski and snowboard athletes who take part in Whistler Blackcomb’s Fire & Ice Show. Watch as they somersault through fiery rings at the base of Whistler Mountain as the tunes pump. This free event happens weekly on Sundays throughout the winter, beginning January 4 at 7:30 PM. Note that the Fire & Ice show is weather-dependent and is always subject to modifications of the experience.
- Finding a unique way to spend the evening on these long winter nights. From outdoor ice skating to solving puzzles in an escape room, Whistler has plenty to do once the sun goes down. Check it all out in our blog, 14 Things to Do in Whistler in the Evening in Winter.
More ways to get outside.
Family Fun
You’ll find us:
- Bouncing away on the indoor castles at Wintersphere, on at the Whistler Conference Centre until January 3. There are also crafts and a holiday maze, and all of it is free.
- Cozying up in the Rainbow Theatre at the Whistler Conference Centre for some family-friendly movies! Tourism Whistler and the Whistler Film Festival have come together to offer $10 movies over the festive period. Bring the whole crew to have a laugh at the Cat Video Fest on January 1, Forward on January 3, or the Animated Shorts on January 4.
- Signing the older kids (ages 8 to 14) up for Learn to Slide: Discover Luge at the Whistler Sliding Centre on January 11 and 25. Youth can try the Olympic winter sport of luge by sliding down a portion of the track on their own sled, with professional coaching and supervision.
- Dropping the youngsters off at the Youth Art Collective, on every Monday after school from January 12 to March 30 at the Audain Art Museum. Kids in Grades 7–9 get a look into the galleries, followed by guided studio time inspired by works from the Audain Art Museum’s Permanent Collection and Special Exhibitions.
- Enjoying a winter wonderland at World Snow Day for Kids on January 18 at Whistler Olympic Park. Enjoy family-friendly activities and explore a variety of winter sports, from cross-country skiing (free rentals for kids) and snowshoeing to snow luge, sit-skiing with Whistler Adaptive, bean-bag biathlon, snow-fort building, and more!
- Deep in the forest, at a magical, multimedia light show. Vallea Lumina is an incredible après ski activity that will wow the whole family. Read more about this experience in Magic in the Mountains: Winter Vallea Lumina.
More family-friendly activities.
Arts & Culture
You’ll find us:
- Getting cozy at the Rainbow Theatre to watch some movies! From December 20-23 and 30, plus January 1 to 4, watch some timeless Christmas Classics and standout films from the Whistler Film Festival. Check out the schedule, and be sure to buy your tickets in advance as they will be popular!
- Swapping books at the RMU Whistler Book Swap on January 3 at 10:30 AM. Share stories, recommendations and maybe even meet someone new! Plus, you get a free coffee when you exchange a book. This event is free for all ages!
- Having a laugh at Snowed In Comedy Tour on January 22, at The Maury Young Arts Centre. This year, the laughs roll coast-to-coast across 70 cities, bringing world-class comedy straight to your backyard.
- Soaking in the sounds of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons under a gentle glow at the Candlelight Concert on January 24. After listening to the sweet sounds of Vivaldi, stick around and get your groove on with Queen vs. ABBA!
- Taking a seat at the Maury Young Arts Centre on January 25 to soak in the sweet sounds of the Pacific Brass Quintet Concert. Listeners will enjoy brass hits through the ages on two trumpets, plus trombone, French horn and tuba. Starting at 5 PM, it’s the perfect activity for after skiing and before dinner!
- Connecting with living history at the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre, a place of connection and learning. Visit them and join a tour to get an understanding of the vibrant Indigenous people who have called this incredible land home since time immemorial. Be sure to check out the Woven Pathways: Indigenous Fashion and Cultural Continuity exhibition, featuring Squamish and Lil̓’wat fashion designers with guest artists from the Northwest Coast, on until April 5.
- Joining the Rainbow Ski Out Pride Parade on January 30. A vibrant ski-out will flow down Whistler Mountain into Whistler Village for a high-energy celebration full of colour and community. This is a celebration for everyone to attend, dress colourfully and creatively (and for the weather) to express your pride and allyship at this free public event.
- Marvelling at the Sea to Sky: The Art of British Columbia exhibition at the Audain Art Museum. This extended presentation of the Museum’s Permanent Collection celebrates its evolution since 2016, featuring nearly 300 works of British Columbia art. Afterward, stroll over to The Mallard Lounge for a mini masterpiece cocktail inspired by the extraordinary pieces in the exhibition!
- Browsing the Landmarks of the Heart Art Show at The Point Artist-Run Centre. Marking the Resort Municipality of Whistler’s 50th anniversary, artists explore layers of personal, ecological and communal history in this exhibition that runs until March 1.
Eating, Drinking & Shopping
You’ll find us:
- Checking out the new and exciting Aloha Bowl from the Rendezvous Lodge on Blackcomb Mountain. Ever had poke with an alpine view? Here’s your chance!
- Getting down on the dance floor at one of the many nightlife events as part of the Whistler Pride Festival. Think Drag Bingo and Drag Shows to the Queer Pop Party and daily après.
- Celebrating 60 years of Whistler Blackcomb at the Black Diamond 60th Anniversary Celebration on January 15 at the GLC. Celebrate with a high-energy night of live music and performance. This event will be popular, so get your tickets now!
- Busting a move at the Corona Music Session on January 18. After getting in some laps, head to the Seppo’s Patio on Whistler Mountain for live DJ sessions and a lively après atmosphere.
- Having a drink and a few oysters at Whistler’s newest restaurant, Lakeside Lounge at Nita Lake Lodge. While you are there, stop by their Fix Café for Fix Fondue every Friday to Sunday from 5 to 9 PM.
- Munching on a Canadian treat! From Beavertails to Cownadian Maple ice cream from COWS (and every Canadian staple in between), we’ve found the best spots in town to enjoy the sugary tastes of Canada in Whistler. Check out eight treats in our post on Canadian treats.
More on Village shopping, dining and arts and culture.
Save the Date
Whistler World Ski & Snowboard Festival | April 6 to 12, 2026
Be a Responsible Traveller: Don’t Love It to Death
- Help keep Whistler green by choosing tap water over bottled water, avoiding single-use plastics, leaving the car at home, choosing active transportation and sorting garbage properly to reduce your waste.
- Be AdventureSmart and always practice Leave No Trace principles.
- Consider our Responsible Travel pillars, Respect Nature, Think Environment, Don’t Love It to Death and Support Local.
- Whistler Alert is the official emergency notification system used by the RMOW to communicate with residents and visitors during emergencies via text message, phone and email. We encourage you to sign up for it while you’re here (just in case). When you register, you will be asked to provide your contact number and the date you plan to leave Whistler so that you don’t receive alerts when you’re back home.
If You’re Driving . . .
- Take a read of Go Car Free: 8 Reasons to Ditch the Car on Your Whistler Trip in case we can convince you that you don’t need your car!
- Take advantage of the new reservations-based parking program. From 6 AM to 11 AM on weekends, public holidays, and December 27 to 31, Lots 6, 7 and 8, and Creekside Parkade will be reserved for those with (free) general and carpool parking reservations. Check out all the details here.
- Winter tires or chains are required by law on the Sea to Sky Highway from now until March 31. Make sure to check you have these, especially if you’re using a rental car. Read more on our Road Conditions page.
- 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 afternoons and evenings, weekends 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 traffic leaving the resort after the mountain closes.
- Always check DriveBC for current road conditions before getting on the road. Follow @DriveBC on Twitter and listen to MountainFM for the latest updates.
- Paid parking is in effect in all the Day Lots, although there is complimentary parking from 5 PM to 8 AM. Overnight parking is not allowed in the Day Lots over winter (November 1 to March 31). Please check the RMOW website for more information on parking, including an interactive map.
