With its spectacular Northwest mountain scenery, diverse exterior and interior locations and proximity to Vancouver’s industry resources, Whistler is a location of choice for many American and Canadian productions.
Working with the Resort Municipality of Whistler
The Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) handles all requests and permits for filming in public areas in:
- Whistler Village
- The Whistler Interpretive Forest
- Whistler neighbourhoods and roads
- Whistler Parks
- Whistler Trails
The RMOW recognizes the importance of the BC film and TV industry and is serious about ensuring everyone involved in a production – from the director to community residents – has a positive experience.
Drones
Aircraft without a pilot on board go by many names—unmanned air vehicle (UAV), remotely piloted aircraft system, model aircraft, remote control aircraft, and drone. The Federal government has recently changed regulations for drone use.
As of 2019, rules for flying drones from Transport Canada are in effect. You can read more at Transport Canada.
- Information on flying a drone in BC Parks.
Please note that Whistler and Blackcomb Mountain do not permit the use of recreational drones.
The RMOW requires you to complete a Film Permit if you plan on using a drone for commercial use within the resort.
Film locations
The RMOW asks that producers, directors or photographers consider their location needs before applying for a film permit.
Whistler Village
Whistler Village, a unique pedestrian-only town centre, combines the charm of an old-world alpine village with modern sophistication. This unique pedestrian village also includes two smaller satellite areas, Village North and Upper Village. Except for designated areas in front of the Whistler and Blackcomb gondolas, all exterior locations throughout the Village require RMOW film permits. Both the Skiers Plaza and Upper Village gondola areas are under the jurisdiction of Whistler Blackcomb.
Requirements in addition to permitting:
- Whistler Village pedestrian malls cannot be closed for public access to facilitate filming.
- Access to restaurants, stores and other services must be maintained.
- The RMOW requires that all impacted businesses in a location area be notified of filming in writing at least seven days before filming.
Whistler Interpretive Forest
Need trees? A suspension bridge? Some serious biking trails? The 3,000 hectare Whistler Interpretative Forest is located 10 kilometres south of the Village, east of Function Junction.
Home to the breathtaking Cheakamus River gorge, House Rock and an enviable trail network, this RMOW managed forest is a favourite with production companies in part because of its excellent vehicle access.
Resort Municipality of Whistler parks
Whistler has many beautiful parks, several featuring lakes, which are ideal for location shooting. Whistler also has a very active community engaged in many activities that take place at our parks.
While the RMOW endeavours to accommodate everyone’s schedules, when it comes to park use, priority is given to the resort community.
Find more information about Whistler’s parks.
Filming in subdivisions
Whistler subdivisions offer great location possibilities with houses that include everything from A-frame cabins to modern mansions. When shooting in these areas, the RMOW has two basic requirements outside of appropriate permitting.
Requirements in addition to permitting:
- The RMOW requires that all impacted residences in a location area be notified of filming in writing at least seven days before filming.
- The RMOW asks that the film permit coordinator also be notified when filming on private property within the municipal boundaries.
Parking regulations
Please arrange parking for all of your production vehicles, cast, crew and craft services in advance.
- Find more information about parking in Whistler.
Noise Bylaw and hours of filming
All film productions are restricted to filming between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. by the Resort Municipality of Whistler’s Noise Bylaw.
Sustainability
The RMOW encourages efforts and provide suggestions about how to make your film production greener.
Find information about the Creative BC’S sustainability initiatives on their website.
Filming guidelines
Making sure everyone is on the same page when the camera rolls is essential. That’s why the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) asks all producers, directors and photographers wishing to film in Whistler to start by reviewing these filming guidelines.
Note: Public service announcements, student productions, and news footage are exempt from the filming guidelines and all associated permitting when filming in Whistler.
Public safety and communications
The RMOW filming guidelines take into account that while productions need flexibility, Whistler citizens’ rights, safety and privacy must be protected. The RMOW would like to be engaged from day one with producers, directors, and photographers to ensure that information is effectively exchanged that all parties affected by a production are aware of scheduling and potential inconveniences.
A production that’s committed to safety and establishing good relationships with Whistler’s residents, visitors, and businesses is always welcome.
These protocols provide guidance to employers in the motion picture and television production industry. These employers may also benefit from reviewing other protocols if their workplace includes other work environments such as offices, personal services, food and drink services, and construction.
Employers must also ensure they are abiding by any orders, notices, or guidance issued by the provincial health officer, and the appropriate health authority, that are relevant to their workplace.
Film permit application
With the exception of news media, any person or company wishing to access Whistler municipal property for the purposes of commercial photography, video, film and television—including documentaries—must obtain a film permit from the RMOW.
The RMOW asks that producers, directors or photographers first consider their location needs to make the permit application process as efficient as possible.
How to apply for a film permit
To apply for a film permit:
- Download and fill out the film permit application (PDF) then submit it to cvandeberg@whistler.ca.
- Pay the $125 non-refundable application fee. Payments can be made by Visa, MasterCard, debit, cheque, or cash at the Whistler Municipal Hall (4325 Blackcomb Way) or by phone 604-935-8130.
Producers, directors or photographers will need to provide the following information:
- Preferred dates and times of location shoots
- Number and type of vehicles that will be used at shoot
- Construction and staging details
- Special effects details (e.g. snow, rain, explosion, fire, stunts, animals, gun fire, etc.)
- Craft service details
- Waste, compost and recycling plan
- Noisy equipment usage details (e.g. helicopters, generators, snowmobiles, diesel vehicles, etc.)
All of this information is necessary to assess the film permit application to ensure that it complies with municipal bylaws.
Film permit approval process
Once the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) receives a completed film permit application, the request is assessed internally to make sure it conforms with municipal bylaws and safety considerations.
If the application is approved by the municipality and the non-refundable application fee has been paid, there are some other conditions that must be met before the film permit is issued:
Other requirements include:
1. Certificate of Insurance
The RMOW requires proof of liability insurance naming the Resort Municipality of Whistler (and the Whistler Village Land Co. Ltd., if any filming will take place in the Village) as additional insured. Insurance must contain a cross liability clause in favour of those corporations for $3 million CDN liability. A copy will be kept file by the RMOW. A film permit will not be issued without receipt of proof of insurance.
2. Additional Approvals and Permits
Sometimes additional approvals and permits will be required for a shoot. The terms and conditions of these will be outlined in the film permit itself.
3. Damage Deposit
A damage deposit of $6,000 is required for the first 20 days of production to ensure that there is no damage to RMOW’s property, locations are restored to their original condition, and that filming fees are paid. If production exceeds 20 days, a second deposit will be required.
Refunds of damage deposits will be issued by cheque once production has concluded and the condition of locations has been assessed by municipal staff and deemed to be acceptable.
4. Payment of Fees
Fees apply to all on-location filming within Whistler Village or on other Resort Municipality of Whistler property, such as parks, facilities, residential areas, or roadways.
Film permit fees
The following fees apply to on-location filming within Whistler Village or on other Resort Municipality of Whistler property, such as parks, trails, facilities, residential areas or roadways:
| Film Permit Application fee (non-refundable) | $125 |
| Per day filming fee | $300 |
| Damage deposit* | $6,000 |
| RMOW Business Licence | $190 |
*Refundable by cheque once production has wrapped and the condition of locations has been assessed by municipal staff and deemed acceptable.
All fees, except for the damage deposit and the RMOW Business Licence, are subject to a five per cent goods and services tax (GST).
Fees must be paid before a film permit will be issued.
Payments for permits and licences can be made by cheque, cash, debit, Visa or MasterCard, by phone at 604-935-8130 or at Municipal Hall.
Payments made by credit card are subject to a 2.2% service fee.
Police and fire rescue service fees
The Whistler detachment of the RCMP facilitates its own fee for service agreements. Phone: 604-932-3044
Whistler Fire Rescue can help ensure special effects safety. The following are Fire Rescue Service fees for a fire truck and crew of four firefighters
| Labour for services | $40/hour per person |
| Snowclearing | Starting at $75/hour. Higher depending on scope and equipment. |
Arrangements for Fire Rescue Services and payments can be made (by cash or cheque only) at:
RMOW Public Works Yard
8000 Hwy 99
Whistler, BC V0N 1B4
604-935-8300
Fees for other municipal services
The RMOW offers other services to film production companies including:
- Street and mall cleaning
- Flagging underground irrigation pipes
Labour for services
$40/hour per personSnowclearingStarting at $75/hour. Higher depending on scope and equipment.
Fees for labour are payable when filming is finished and before the damage deposit can be refunded.
Resort contacts
- Tourism Whistler: Tourism Whistler may be able to assist production that meet specific filming requirements. Please contact Tourism Whistler directly at www.whistler.com.
- Whistler Blackcomb: Requests to film shooting on either Whistler or Blackcomb mountains, or the gondola loading areas within the Village, should be directed to Whistler Blackcomb’s public relations department: Phone: 604-932-3141.
- Ministry of Agriculture and Lands: For requests to film on Crown land, please contact the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands, Crown Land Administration.
- RCMP and Fire Rescue Services: Depending on the particulars of a film shoot, police and fire rescue services can be necessary components of production. In Whistler, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) is the local law enforcement agency. Phone: 604-932-3044.
Fire Rescue Services are available to provide safety equipment and crews for special effects. The rate of $385 per hour includes a fire truck and four firefighters. Phone: 604-935-8260. - Additional Film Resources: Creative BC