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  • Expect delays on Alta Lake Road Dec. 9–11Expect delays on Alta Lake Road– Rock scaling scheduled on the south portion of Alta Lake Road from December 9 at 8 a.m. until December 11 at 5 p.m.
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Economic Development

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Consistently ranked one of the top ski resorts in the world, Whistler is a global leader among destination mountain resort communities. Its resilient and vibrant tourism economy is supported by community-wide partnerships focused on economic growth and development. The result is an exceptional vacation destination and a great place to do business.

Whistler Economic Highlights

 Whistler Economic Highlights

Key Facts About Whistler Community

  • Year round, Whistler attracts over 3 million visitors—both destination and regional—with approximately 40% of visitors in winter and 60% in summer, creating four-season cash flow potential.
  • Whistler has over 12,000 permanent residents.  
  • Average population in Whistler per day is over 30,000 people. On average, visitors represent 60% of the daily population of Whistler.  
  • Approximately 80% of the population is between the ages of 15 and 64, and the average age is 36.3 years old. Over 60% of the population in Whistler has a college diploma or university degree, contributing to a young and well-educated workforce of over 15,800 employees.
  • The resort encourages entrepreneurship and supports innovative investments.
  • For more information about Whistler Facts and Figures, visit www.whistler.ca/monitoring

Economic Partnership Initiative

The Economic Partnership (EPI) Committee is composed of representatives from Tourism Whistler, Whistler Blackcomb, the Hotel Association of Whistler, the RMOW, Whistler Chamber, as well as a Council-appointed community member-at-large. Each EPI Committee member contributes to the planning of Whistler's economic future, to improve the coordination and alignment between key stakeholders, as well as to produce a set of medium term (0 to 5 years) economic development and planning recommendations designed to lead Whistler towards the following goal:

A prosperous resort economy that continues to support a healthy, sustainable resort community; and remains consistent with our unique mountain culture.

The 2016 Key Findings and Economic Planning Report  is a strategic medium-term plan designed to grow the resort tourism economy and encourage reinvestment in Whistler. The report summarizes the key findings from the updated 2014/15 economic modelling analyses, updates the progress against the previous strategic plan, and provides 45 phased recommended actions to optimize partners' efforts and support Whistler's ongoing economic success. 

Whistler Economic Highlights Flat Sheet Strategic Plan on a Page

 

Highlighted Projects and Programs

Master Wayfinding Enhancements

Master Wayfinding Enhancements

The Master Wayfinding Enhancements aim to improve visitors' arrival experience. With improved digital and physical infrastructure and signage visitors and residents will find Whistler easy and friendly to navigate and this will support business success.

About the Wayfinding enhancements
Cultural Connector Map

Cultural Tourism

Whistler has a diverse and vibrant arts, culture and heritage scene with attractions such as the Audain Arts Museum, Whistler's stories on the Cultural Connector and many other cultural offerings, including art tours, galleries, and public art installations.

Cultural Connector Arts and culture facilities Arts Whistler
Vancouver Symphony Orchestral Institute at Whistler

Educational Tourism

Whistler has partnered with various educational providers to develop unique educational programs that encourage the discovery of Whistler through experiential learning.

Educational programs VSO Institute at Whistler
Whistler Olympic Plaza festival

Events and Festivals

Whistler not only hosts world-famous festivals, but also has plenty of signature events from sports, concerts, arts and culture, culinary, to family. An animated and vibrant resort gives visitors an unforgettable experience.

Events and festivals Calendar
Whistler Olympic Plaza Olympic Rings family

Community Performance Monitoring

The Community Performance monitoring program is a GPS for Whistler's community building journey. The program indicates where Whistler stands, tracks progress, informs decision-making, and ensures accountability towards building quality of life.

Community Performance Indicators Corporate Plan Performance Reporting
GIS Interactive Mapping Tool

GIS Interactive Mapping Tool

The GIS interactive mapping tool has information layers that can be turned on and off, as well as imbedded aerial views. The tool makes it simple to find out more about property information, utilities, recreation, and terrain.

Maps and data Interactive Whistler Map (GIS)

Contact

economicdevelopment@whistler.ca

Related Resources

Do Business With Us

Business Licences

Community Life Survey

Tourism Whistler

Whistler Blackcomb

Whistler Chamber of Commerce

Government of BC–Economic Development

Related Files

2016 Key Findings and Economic Planning Report
Strategic Plan on a Page
Whistler Economic Highlights Flat Sheet

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December 1-20 Swim, Skate & Fitness Schedule December Fitness Class Schedule

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Resort Municipality of Whistler

Municipal Hall
4325 Blackcomb Way,
Whistler, B.C. V8E 0X5

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