I took a weekend trip to Whistler solo. It was better than I expected.

Whistler, British Columbia, is one of the most famous ski resorts in the world and a popular place for locals to spend a weekend away. All year round, this gorgeous resort community is packed with families, couples, and friends on wild adventures. 

What Whistler does not seem to get a lot of is solo travelers, unless they’re skiing. It’s not always the first place you’d think of for a solo trip. 

Whistler is one of my favourite places in British Columbia. It’s somewhere I love to go with my friends. We always have a great time hitting the amazing restaurants and visiting the spa. And if we can stay up late, we go to the nightclubs (although that’s rare these days). 

When I lived in Spain, there were many incredible places to visit within a few hours. Paris for the weekend? Sure. Amsterdam for a concert? Absolutely. But here in Vancouver, there’s not a lot nearby. 

Desperate for some time away, I decided to see what Whistler would be like on my own. 

I have traveled around the world solo. In fact, it’s my preferred way to travel. But for some reason, the thought of going to Whistler alone intimidated me. Would I be bored? What would I do for two days? Would all the couples and groups look at me funny in the restaurants?

As it turned out, I found Whistler to be an ideal solo destination. It doesn’t matter which season you visit Whistler. There is so much to do for adrenaline junkies, foodies, and those looking for a little R&R.  

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Whistler is one of the world’s best places for outdoor adventure, whether you like to ski, hike, or mountain bike.

Whistler is home to two big, beautiful mountains, Whistler and Blackcomb. The air is just different here, and I love to get out in nature much more when I’m here than I do at home. 

The mountains are famous for their winter sports. Some of the best skiing and snowboarding in the world is right here. For daredevils, there’s also heli-skiing, ice climbing, and snowmobiling.

If I do go downhill skiing, I prefer to stick to Vancouver’s local mountains because I’m not very experienced. But I love the cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trails at Whistler. These activities are gentle and a less expensive way to enjoy the snow. 

My favourite season in Whistler is fall – it was the perfect time for my solo trip. The days are warm and sunny, and the leaves are bursting with color. There is nowhere more beautiful!

During the dry months, hiking is where it’s at in Whistler. There are endless trails for all levels. 

I have walked two routes of the Camino de Santiago, but in my own backyard, I am lazier. And I’m also hesitant to walk through BC’s forested trails alone, so I don’t do much solo hiking. 

But whenever I’m in Whistler, I have my go-to. The hike to Lost Lake is easy, so it’s very popular. And it’s one that I feel comfortable doing on my own. 

This time though, I thought I’d switch it up and explore the Valley Trail instead. This paved trail is a grand tour of Whistler’s neighbourhoods, lakes, and viewpoints. I was really looking forward to it, but less than 15 minutes after I’d set out, a cyclist alerted me about a bear on the trail, near where I was. 

Whistler is bear country, and wildlife enthusiasts can seek them out on a scenic bear viewing tour. It’s even possible to see them in the village. Although it would have been kind of cool to see, I wasn’t in the mood to come face-to-face with one.

So, I immediately turned around and went back to my old favourite, Lost Lake. I was a bit disappointed, but the lake is always beautiful. 

Although I’m afraid of heights, something I loved doing in Whistler was riding the Peak2Peak Gondola. It’s an expensive activity, but one I will always budget for. 

This world-renowned gondola runs between the Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains. It offers heart-stopping views, and there are plenty of things to do at the top of each mountain. The 11-minute ride spans 4.4 kilometers and is a stomach-churning 1,427 feet above the ground!

The nature is different at the top of the mountain. It’s much more open, which I love. I enjoyed exploring the trails near the gondola. I hung on for dear life as I crossed Whistler’s suspension bridge and had a nice glass of wine with a spectacular view. 

But as I learned, it doesn’t matter if it’s warm in the village, it will be chilly up there. So bring a sweater!

I didn’t get to it on my solo trip, but one of my favourite outdoor activities in Whistler is visiting the Scandinave Spa. Here, you move through rejuvenating cycles of hot and cold water. And there’s no talking allowed. It’s the perfect detox for your body, mind and soul.

I love soaking in the outdoor thermal pools while taking in the surrounding mountain views. 

The history, art, and culture scene, and fantastic nature make Whistler a good place to get inspired.

While I enjoy the outdoors, arts and culture are more my thing. The Audain Art Museum is one of the best museums in British Columbia. Even after spending a couple of hours here, it was hard to tear myself away. 

This museum is home to one of the best collections of First Nations art. It showcases Canadian masters like Emily Carr, E.J. Hughes, Jeff Wall, and Dana Claxton. Even the building itself is a work of art. It makes you forget it’s next to the parking lot!

For a tiny village, Whistler is packed with history. Whenever I’m visiting somewhere solo, I sign up for a historical walking tour. It is my favourite way to learn about a place and meet new people. 

I really loved my village walking tour (available June to September) with the Whistler Museum. We learned about Whistler’s beginnings, how it developed into the resort it is today, and the impact of the 2010 Olympic Games. It’s a very interesting part of my province that I knew little about.  

Whistler has many exciting annual festivals worth planning a visit around. 

Skiers will love the World Ski & Snowboard Festival and Pride and Ski Festival. Crankworx is an unforgettable experience for mountain bikers. 

Foodies will want to snag their tickets early for Whistler Cornucopia. And film buffs should grab their popcorn for the Whistler Film Festival. 

And year-round, Whistler is full of marathons, concerts, children’s events, and markets. On any given weekend, you’re sure to stumble upon something fun.

I didn’t time it right for my solo trip, but I’ll never forget being there for Cranworkx. I’m not a mountain biker, but I loved watching the participants barrelling down the mountain from the comfort of the Longhorn Saloon. And the party vibe in the village was electric!

Whistler showcases the best of British Columbia’s culinary scene with fresh, flavourful, and diverse food options.

Whistler is not only famous for its skiing but also for its food. Whether you’re in the mood for fine dining, mid-range, or something casual, you’ll have more options than your stomach can handle. 

I always treat myself to one high-end meal on my visits to Whistler. Il Caminetto is my favourite. And I always start my fancy night out at Hy’s Steakhouse’s Happy Hour.

I prefer to visit “finer” restaurants for lunch when dining solo. But in Whistler, most are only open for dinner. One trick that made me feel more comfortable was to go right at 5 p.m. when the restaurant opened. That way, I could get a good table and beat the weekend “date night” crowd. 

My servers also enjoyed me being there alone. It was an opportunity for them to hang out and chat. And having a bit of company was nice for me too. 

Most of the time though, you’ll find me in Whistler’s more casual joints.

The Longhorn Saloon, Garibaldi Lift Co. Bar & Grill, and Dubh Linn Gate Irish Pub serve pub-style food with a heavy dose of fun. All of the après-ski happens here. And the mountain views are unbeatable.  

I’m also fond of La Bocca, Hunter Gather, and Caramba. I always pay a few visits to Whistler-born Purebread for my coffee and sweet stuff. 

But if you’re short on time and want to try a few different restaurants, join a food tour! Foodies will love a night out on this 4-Course Dining Tour. 

I joined the Finer Things Dinner Tour. We visited five restaurants around the village where we enjoyed appetizers, a main course, dessert, and wine! Our guide shared interesting Whistler stories. The food was fantastic. And my tour mates made me forget I was solo!

It’s easy (and inexpensive) to get to Whistler from Vancouver, plus there are accommodation options for every budget.

Whistler is one of the best day trips from Vancouver, but I find one day isn’t quite enough. I like to wander the village after dark, see the stars, and relax over brunch the next day. So, it’s ideal to stay a night or two. 

Most people drive to Whistler. It offers more freedom, but gas and parking are expensive. And it won’t take long to discover that Whistler can hurt your wallet.

To save some money, I took the bus from Vancouver. Epic Rides offers a comfortable, direct-to-village service for less than $50 round-trip. And no, you won’t miss out on the breathtaking Sea-to-Sky Highway by taking the bus. It’s the only way to get there from Vancouver. 

There are lots of great places to stay in Whistler. And because it’s a resort that depends on tourism, all accommodation tends to be quite nice. 

I chose The Pinnacle for my solo trip. I found it a comfortable hotel that didn’t break the bank. It is right in the centre of the Village, so it’s safe and convenient. Quattro restaurant is attached to this hotel, and their food is delicious! It was one of the stops on my food tour, and our meal there was incredible! 

On past visits, I have stayed at the Pan Pacific Mountainside and Westin Resort & Spa. These are two of my favourites. They have a few more amenities and are beautiful, central options that offer a little more luxury. 

But one day, I hope to splurge in Whistler. And when I do, it will be at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler or the Four Seasons Resort. These are two of the best!

My solo trip to Whistler started with a bit of trepidation, but it turned out to be fantastic! In the end, I wish I’d stayed longer. I wasn’t bored. I was able to fill two days quite easily. Maybe a few people looked at me curiously in the restaurants, but I didn’t care. I enjoyed the time to myself and went home relaxed and refreshed. 

After visiting Whistler on my own, it’s somewhere I’d wholeheartedly recommend for a solo getaway. I can’t wait to do it again!

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Interested in exploring even more of the province? Up next, check out my article on why Salt Spring Island is a must-visit destination in BC!