Whistler’s spectacular natural surroundings, world-class amenities and innovative culture are a combination you don’t find packaged up just anywhere.
Its bucket-list appeal, pedestrian-only Village and genuine, down-to-earth mountain culture make it an unforgettable year-round destination. A place where your group can ski the world’s best slopes, cycle over 40 km of paved trails, spend a sunny afternoon on the greens or ride a snowmobile into the backcountry.
Meeting here is an opportunity to take a team meeting outside of the boardroom or a conference out of a city centre and into the great outdoors to network and connect together differently. Whistler simply is the place to meet!
In case we haven’t sold you already… Here are 10 reasons why you should host your next meeting or event in Whistler:
1. Breathtaking Scenery
Located within the picturesque Coast Mountains, Whistler is surrounded by stunning landscapes, making it the perfect place to play and connect with nature. A premier four-season, mountain destination, Whistler will inspire your group to dream, learn, appreciate, play and connect. It’s no surprise this remarkable location brings your next gathering or team into a place where fresh thinking comes naturally.
2. Endless Outdoor Adventure
There are plenty of reasons you’ll find Whistler on many travellers’ bucket lists, but its endless supply of outdoor adventure truly stands out as a big one. Its down-to-earth mountain culture and endless team building possibilities to explore the great outdoors, connect with one another, and experience something new everyday make it an unforgettable place. Winter provides reliable snow for skiing and snowboarding as well as the opportunity to experience Nordic sports such as cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. In the summer golfing, mountain biking and hiking fill the warmer months allowing for groups to venture into the valley more. In Whistler, there’s something for everyone and all abilities that will ensure your group feels energized and invigorated throughout their stay.
3. Accessibility
Only a short trip from Vancouver International Airport by either road or air, the journey to Whistler is where the experience begins. Whether groups choose to fly or drive, the views from up in the air or the car window are stunning. By car, groups get the chance to experience the scenic Sea to Sky Highway on their way to Whistler , while those who choose to fly via float plane get a birds eye view of the snow-capped mountains of Coast Mountain range, the ocean fjords and Sea to Sky Highway below. Either way, just getting to Whistler is exhilarating in itself and sure to get your group excited for what’s to come!
4. Convenient Whistler Village
Once you arrive in Whistler, transportation logistics are a thing of the past thanks to Whistler’s pedestrian-only village. Your group will appreciate the added convenience of Whistler’s campus-like setting, with the Whistler Conference Centre, a plethora of restaurants, activities and offsite venues all just a short walk from your hotel room.
5. Unique Meeting Spaces
Whether it’s on top of a mountain, lakeside, or in the midst of a museum or art gallery, Whistler has the capacity to host a wide variety of events both in size and scope. Take your event high atop a remote glacier peak, alongside First Nations’ history or beneath a canopy of ancient cedars – and that’s just the start! Whether you’re looking to drive home a corporate message, celebrate a group achievement, kick off a new year or reward a group for surpassing their goals the perfect venue can be found in Whistler.
For those more formal clients, Whistler’s hotels offer a wonderful selection of traditional meeting facilities or you can explore more unique venues like the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre, the Audain Art Museum and Whistler’s Olympic venues for something different.
6. More Ways to Celebrate
While it’s easy to feast your eyes just on the incredible scenery, Whistler also offers an amazing culinary scene for groups to indulge in. Located near the bountiful farmlands of the Pemberton Valley, and coastal shores of the Pacific Ocean, Whistler is fast becoming known for its farm-to-table ethos, as local chefs showcase the very best in British Columbia food and wine.
Sit down for a meal in either your hiking boots or dress shoes and heels, in Whistler everything from casual pubs and cafes to elegant fine-dining affairs can be found. No only are there more than 100 world-class restaurants to choose from but groups will also discover cuisines from around the world. Whether it be a lakeside patio, mountain top view, fine dining establishment, laid-back lounge, cozy patio fireplace or private dining room, groups can choose from a wide range of dining venues to suit every budget.
7. Plenty of Accommodation
Quaint lodges, elegant resorts and leading hotels offer accommodation from luxurious to resort casual. No matter where you’re nestled for the night, Whistler’s many forest and village walkways will lead you from the bedroom to the ballroom. And best of all, there is a bed for every budget no matter the season.
8. Minimize Your Footprint
As sustainability within the meetings and events industry continues to grow in importance, Whistler remains at the epi-centre of green initiatives. These initiatives can be present in all stages of the planning process from transportation and venue selection to food and beverage options. Not to mention, we have a dedicated meetings team to help make your next meet green!
Our dedication and commitment to sustainability was especially made apparent through Whistler’s achievement of APEX/ASTM sustainability certification in four areas, making Whistler the first Canadian destination to receive this prestigious designation.
9. Choose Somewhere Brag-Worthy
Whistler’s scenic beauty and opportunity for outdoor adventure means your group will enjoy unique experiences that cannot be had in a beach or city setting. Groups will the chance to play hard, rest easy, wine and dine, attend an event, explore the arts, shop non-stop, connect with nature and find the ultimate adrenaline rush. No matter the activity, your group will experience something unforgettable in Whistler.
Plus, Whistler’s team of meeting specialists will give you the animation and materials you need to help market your event and get everyone buzzing about meeting in Whistler!
10. Here To Help
Whistler’s experienced team of meetings professionals are available to assist in planning your event seamlessly every step of the way. Leverage our team’s expertise to plan a meeting or conference of any size, with any budget, while taking comfort in knowing Whistler offers a long list of trusted suppliers and partners to help bring your event to life. We can’t wait to show you all the places and possibilities that will make your next meeting outstanding.
Meeting planners can visit www.whistler.com/meetings to learn more about the variety of meeting opportunities in Whistler.