Second phase of Wayfinding Project now complete

Visitor experience improved with over 200 new signs, banners and portals

The Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) is pleased to announce that the second phase of the Master Wayfinding and Guest Arrival Experience Strategy Project is now substantially complete.

Visitors can navigate Whistler Village and municipal parking areas more easily thanks to over 200 newly designed signs, banners and portals that were installed in 2016 and early 2017.

All the new wayfinding elements are colour-coded, consistent and designed to reduce visual clutter. The signage also incorporates materials and shapes that reflect Whistler’s mountain environment.

“How Whistler presents itself to visitors has a significant impact on their experience, and having effective and friendly wayfinding is an important part of ensuring their time within the resort community is positive,” said Whistler Mayor Nancy Wilhelm-Morden. “Through the enhanced physical signage and updated pedestrian mapping, visitors should now be able to more easily orient themselves and find their way to key destinations, such as accommodations, public parking or specific areas of Whistler. A huge thank you to the Province of British Columbia for making this substantial project possible.” 

Highlights of the Wayfinding Project include new wayfinding landmarks and portals at key entry and exit points in the Village and parking lots, a number of which are illuminated at night. New pedestrian directional signage has also been installed throughout the Village and replaces older, damaged or inconsistent sign panels on existing poles.   

The signage has also been coordinated with new pedestrian maps available at kiosks and from the Visitor Information Centre and Village Host booths.

The Wayfinding Project began with a master planning process in 2014 and involved extensive consultation with experts, local and regional stakeholders, as well as a local steering committee. The overall aim was to enhance and improve the Whistler Village guest experience and support ongoing business success throughout the community.

The project is made possible through funding from the Province of British Columbia’s Resort Municipality Initiative.

Jordan Sturdy, MLA for West Vancouver–Sea to Sky said, “The Province is pleased to support the Wayfinding Project through Resort Municipality Initiative (RMI) funds. Whistler is a major tourism destination for British Columbia. The new signs, banners and portals help visitors find their way around, which supports a more enjoyable experience and increases the likelihood of a return visit. I look forward to seeing all of the improvements when they are complete in 2018.” 

The final phase of the Wayfinding Project will take place in 2017 and early 2018 and involves updating vehicular signage in Whistler Village, as well as wayfinding on the Valley Trail and Whistler’s main municipal parks.  

For details visit whistler.ca/wayfinding.