Whistler: Luxury Real Estate in Canada’s Premiere Ski Resort
Living in this stunning mountain community means being surrounded by outdoor adventure and enjoying life in one of Canada’s most desirable resort towns. As a result, demand for luxury homes for sale in Whistler continues to be strong among both national and international buyers. In Whistler, you will find some of Canada’s finest luxury real estate for sale amidst stunning natural landscapes. Carriage Trade listings in Whistler are often luxury properties listed at over $1.3 million which blend traditional alpine features with modern elegance.
The Region
Whistler is located in southern British Columbia amongst the majestic Coast mountains roughly two hours north of Vancouver. When it was incorporated in 1975, Whistler became British Columbia’s first designated Resort Municipality. Since then, the town has grown as more residents and tourists flock to the area to enjoy all of the beauty and excitement that Whistler has to offer.
Today, Whistler is home to about 12,000 permanent residents and close to 3,000 non-permanent residents. As one of North America’s premiere ski destinations, there are also plenty of tourists. Whistler’s 150 hotels, condos and chalets have capacity for 30,000 overnight guests and the area welcomes 3 million visitors annually.
The Skiing
Two side-by-side peaks, Whistler and Blackcomb, form North America’s largest ski resort with over 8,100 acres of snow covered slopes. The mountains are supported by one of the world’s largest networks of chairlifts and connected by the breathtaking PEAK 2 PEAK gondola. Not only does Whistler have some of the best skiing, but it has one of the longest ski seasons in North America, typically running from November to May. Given the incredible conditions in Whistler, it’s no wonder that the area was chosen to host many of the skiing events during the 2010 Winter Olympics.
Thrill seekers can take their experience to the next level by trying heli-skiing and snowboarding. Whistler is definitely the place to try heli-skiing, especially given that 90% of heli-skiing in the world happens here in British Columbia. Beginning your ski adventure with an exciting helicopter ride not only allows you to avoid the lift lines, but also take advantage of a ski area 50 times larger than the Whistler Blackcomb resort! This huge selection means that you can create your perfect day on the slopes by selecting terrain based on the snow quality, weather conditions, and your skill level.
The Golf
In addition to world class skiing, Whistler has some of Canada’s best golf. Between May and early October avid golfers can hit the links at one of the area’s four championship courses. The Fairmont Chateau Whistler Golf Club is a mountain course that traverses crystal clear mountain streams, granite rock, and massive evergreen trees. Whistler is also home to courses designed by golf legends Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer that take advantage of the area’s natural habitat.
The Culture
Whistler is also home to a vibrant cultural scene. The Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre was built to preserve and share the culture of the region’s local First Nations communitiies. The highlights of a visit to the centre include seeing the archival museum, the contemporary gallery, and the interpretive forest walk.
The Whistler Museum celebrates the history of the region and includes exhibits and interactive activities for visitors of all ages. The Evolution of Skiing in Whistler tells the story of how both the town of Whistler and the sport of skiing have developed over time.
One of the newest cultural institutions in Whistler is the Audain Art Museum, a 56,000 square foot space which opened its doors to the public in 2016. The Museum’s permanent collection celebrates the art of British Columbia and features an incredible collection of nineteenth century Northwest Coast masks as well as one of the country’s largest collections of the works of Emily Carr.
Getting In and Out
Most people travel to and from Whistler on Highway 99 to Vancouver, known as the Sea to Sky Highway, however Whistler is also served by regular air service, including helicopters and float planes, from spring to fall.
Whistler is about two-and-a-half hours north of Vancouver International Airport, which offers flights from over fifty airlines to 125 destinations in Canada and around the world. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, one of the busiest hubs in the United States, is located four-and-a-half hours away.
Carriage Trade Homes
For expert advice about luxury real estate in Whistler or buying and selling a Carriage Trade luxury property, contact a local Royal LePage office.
