Whistler Statistics & Research

Key Highlights

Visitors

• Whistler attracts approximately two million visitors annually. In 2008/09, approximately 815,000 visitors came to Whistler in the winter (November 1, 2008 to April 30, 2009) and approximately 1.3 million came in the summer (May 1, 2009 to October 31, 2009). Summer visitors are primarily from the regional markets and stay for shorter visits. Whereas, in the winter season a greater portion of visits originate from the destination markets and visitors stay for a longer duration. Despite fewer unique visitors, winter remains the key season as it generates more room nights and revenue than summer.
• The average number of visitors in the resort per day in winter 2008/09 was 12,638 (ranging from a low of 5,507 in November to a high of 15,981 in February). The average number of visitors in the resort per day in summer 2009 was 12,550 (ranging from a low of 7,413 in October to a high of 20,652 in August).

Room Nights

• Winter 2008/09 has been one of Whistler's most challenging winters on record, largely due to the world-wide economic recession in 2008. A delay in snowfall did not help the situation. Overall, resort-wide room nights decreased eight per cent from winter 2007/08. All the other resort-wide key performance indicators, including paid occupancy (-6 points), RevPAR (-19%), and ADR (-10%), posted year-over-year decreases.
• Despite the challenging global economic climate, summer 2009 registered as Whistler's second busiest summer season on record. Resort-wide room nights increased six per cent over summer 2008, largely boosted by the strong performance from the regional markets. To combat various challenges and uncertainties after the economic downturn, properties offered aggressive promotions and discounts throughout the 2009 summer season. As a result, resort-wide ADR decreased by 16% year-over-year, but RevPAR ended with a smaller decrease of nine per cent, due to an increase in paid occupancy (+3 points).

Resort Construction Activity

• Whistler Blackcomb's PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola officially opened to the public on December 12^th, 2008. Two mountains - Whistler and Blackcomb - are now united by a high-alpine gondola that sets world records for length and height while providing an unmatched experience for Whistler's winter and summer guests. Record Breakers:
  • Longest unsupported span for a lift of this kind in the world at 3.024 km/1.88 miles
  • Highest lift of its kind above the valley floor at 436 meters/1427 feet (above Fitzsimmons Creek)
  • Longest continuous lift system in the world: Whistler Village Gondola  - Peak 2 Peak Gondola - Solar Coaster - Wizard Express
  • The only gondola installation of its kind in North America
• The newly refurbished Whistler Museum had its Grand Opening on December 17, 2009. Whistler's Olympic Journey, a special exhibit to celebrate Whistler's journey to the 2010 Winter Games, had its debut on the same day. The Whistler Museum offers collections, research services, custom programs, speaker series, photo reproductions, exhibit viewing, public programming and venue rental.
• After two years of construction and redevelopment, Aava Whistler Hotel opened its doors to the world on November 26, 2009. Aava Whistler is centrally located in Whistler Village and steps away from Whistler Conference Centre. The hotel has 193 guest rooms, which all feature free wireless internet, iPod docking stations and high definition flat screen televisions. Other amenities of the hotel include a fitness centre, sauna, swimming pool, meeting space for 120 participants and an on-site White Spot restaurant.
• Scandinave Spa unveiled a new $9 million spa in Whistler on February 9, 2010. With an impressive, six-building complex featuring dry saunas, steam baths, hot and cold pools, massage rooms, solariums, and terraces with outdoor fireplaces, Scandinave Spa Whistler is the result of over ten years of expertise and innovation. Visitors can now experience the age-old tradition of authentic Scandinavian baths right in Whistler.
• The Sea to Sky Highway Improvement Project completed on schedule in late 2009. The Project has greatly improved the safety, capacity and reliability of the highway between West Vancouver and Whistler, turning the old twisty road into a state-of-the-art highway. Some of the many benefits of the Project include:
  • a straighter highway and improved sightlines, creating more consistent driving speeds and shorter travel times  
  • 80 kilometres of new passing lanes between Horseshoe Bay and Whistler
  • highly reflective pavement markings along the entire route, making the Sea to Sky Highway easier to navigate, particularly during times of poor visibility
  • safer, more effective intersections
  • wider shoulders for improved safety and accommodation for cyclists and disabled vehicles
  • enhanced monitoring of road conditions by electronic weather stations to improve highway maintenance response during winter weather. 
• The Squamish Lil'Wat Cultural Centre, which is owned and operated by the Squamish and Lil'Wat Nations, officially opened to the public in July 2008. The Centre, celebrating the two Nations working together in their overlapping territories, houses exhibition space, an 80-seat theatre, restaurant, café, eco-tourism desk, and gift shop. The Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre is the first ever centre in Whistler dedicated to the history and culture of local First Nations.

Quick Facts & Stats

Olympic Games: The Resort Municipality of Whistler was proud to be the Host Mountain Resort of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, a member partner, and a venue city, hosting the Nordic, Sliding and Alpine skiing competitions and Paralympic skiing competitions, as well as medal ceremonies for both Games and the Closing Ceremonies for the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games.

Demographic Profile of Whistler's Seasonal Visitors

Source: Tourism Whistler Seasonal Visitor Surveys

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