Health and Safety

The Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) is committed to establishing a safe and healthy community, as it relates to water, health and the environment. 

This section provides important health and safety information for Whistler residents and visitors regarding Walk Safe, boating safety, beach water quality, pesticide use and smoking regulations.

Walk Safe

With darkness setting in early evening during the winter season, pedestrians need to ensure they are visible walking through town and across roadways at night.  By taking simple precautions and understanding safety hazards, the community can reduce serious and fatal accidents between vehicles and pedestrians in Whistler. 

Making yourself visible while walking across Whistler roadways at night can in fact, save your life.  Using a reflector, head lamp, reflective clothing or staying on lit trails, using crosswalks and walking facing traffic can each make a huge difference for a pedestrian to be visible at night.

For more information, see: whistler.ca/walksafe  

Boating Safety

Residents and visitors should be aware that motor boating is only permitted on Green Lake in Whistler. Green Lake has a large population of non-motorized watercraft, which have the right-of-way at all times.  Floatplanes have also been given the right-of-way to land on Green Lake.

Click here for more information on boating safety in Whistler.

Beach Water Quality

The water quality of Whistler's major beaches is monitored closely. Staff collect weekly samples from Lakeside, Wayside, Alpha Lake, Rainbow, and Lost Lake parks to monitor fecal coliform levels from Victoria Day through the Labour Day weekend. Samples are analyzed by Vancouver Coastal Health and reported.

Results have been excellent and show there is no evidence of contamination.

There is no formal monitoring program for swimmers's itch at Whistler's beaches; however if the RMOW receives a report from a community member or the Whistler Health Care Centre, signs are posted at the swimming beach with information about how to reduce the risk. 

Read more.

Pesticide Use Regulations

In 2008, RMOW council formally banned the nonessential and cosmetic use of pesticides within the RMOW.

Click here for more information on Whistler’s pesticide-free regulation.

Smoking Regulations

In 2009, Whistler officially became smoke-free with the passing of a smoking regulation Bylaw that prohibits businesses from allowing smoking within six metres from a doorway, window or air intake.

Click here for more information on Whistler’s Smoking Bylaw.