You can work and play, and stay in Whistler.
Whistler is hub for recreation with a year-round economy. And while play is what first attracts many to Whistler, it is the rich community life, ample job opportunities, and much more that provide the inspiration to stay.
Learn more about living and working in Whistler:
There’s more to Whistler than its majestic beauty, animated village, and status as a holiday destination.
For residents and visitors alike, Whistler is a recreation hub. Situated on 60,305 acres and surrounded by the mountains, Whistler provides a space where work and life can be closer than ever.
Centuries before Whistler became a ski area and world class resort, First Nations people traveled through the Whistler area for hunting, gathering and trading. The Whistler valley was an isolated wilderness, frequented by the Lil’wat Nation from the Mount Currie area and the Squamish Nation.
Whistler’s modern history was forged by pioneers. Dreamers who had plans for a world-class resort, and a place everyone could enjoy. Newcomers to Whistler are welcomed by those who took this path before them. Whistler hosts an international community, who enjoy celebrating, enjoying and protecting Whistler natural environment.
Learn more about Whistler‘s history.
- Population
Almost 12,000 permanent residents call Whistler home, and every year Whistler welcomes more than 3 million visitors to share in the Whistler experience.
Whistler is a small town with big city amenities.
- A year-round destination
Winter in Whistler is well-known. Whistler and Blackcomb mountains offer some of the best skiing and snowboarding in the world. In the Valley, cross country skiing and a jam-packed calendar of winter events will keep you busy throughout the snow season.
Learn more about winter in Whistler.
In summer in Whistler, biking, hiking, swimming, and exploring take over. Whistler’s parks are a cornerstone that sets Whistler apart from other destinations. Spend an hour, a lunch break or an entire day at one of Whistler’s idyllic parks and trails, and you might never want to leave.
Learn more about summer in Whistler
Over the past four decades, thoughtful planning has been at the heart of community development, and is responsible for the vibrancy and livability of Whistler.
- Housing
Like many municipalities in British Columbia and around Canada, affordable housing remains a focus of the Resort Municipality of Whistler. Securing housing will be one of the first things you’ll want to do when considering a move to Whistler.
Whistler has a range of housing options from single family homes, to apartments, and dorm-style employee housing to suit a diverse range of housing needs. Some employers in Whistler will offer staff accommodation. Whistler has its own real estate listings which can be found here, and a range of useful local house and room rental forums and Facebook pages can be found on the housing page of the Whistler Survival Guide (Whistler Community Services Society).
The RMOW has pursued a variety of initiatives to enhance housing affordability, including the establishment of the Whistler Housing Authority.
Learn more about Whistler’s affordable housing initiatives.
The Whistler Housing Authorty (WHA) is an independent municipally-owned corporation of the Resort Municipality of Whistler created to oversee the development, administration and management of resident restricted housing in Whistler. Embracing the goal of housing at least 75 per cent of employees locally within Whistler, the WHA continues to maintain and augment its inventory of resident restricted housing so that both rental and ownership accommodation are available and affordable for local income earners and retirees in perpetuity. WHA housing is limited and subject to eligibility criteria.
Learn more about WHA eligibility and housing options.
Whistler has many options to help residents and visitors get where they are going. Whistler is well connected to Vancouver via Highway 99, and travel within Whistler couldn’t be easier!
Active travel – Whistler Valley Trail offers 40km of car-free trails connecting Whistler’s lively neighbourhoods, outstanding schools, pristine lakes, and awe-inspiring parks. Trade the traffic for cross country skiing, biking or walking, and make getting to work the best part of your day!
Transit – BCTransit services all of Whistler’s neighbourhoods. Catching transit is simple in Whistler with regular, efficient services. Summer initiatives offer free transit travel on weekends, and kids always ride free.
Parking – On days when you need to drive, Whistler offers several parking options in and around the Village.
- Schools
Whistler is home to a vibrant community with a variety of both public and private education opportunities from preschool to high school graduation.
More than 1300 students studied in Whistler in 2017.
Learn more about Whistler’s schools.
Whistler is a resort community offering a range of career opportunities in the high-energy tourism and hospitality industries. Take your pick from a diverse range of jobs and with the mountains in your backyard, hitting the slopes is no longer just for the weekends.
With a thriving year-round economy, the community’s resident work force has grown steadily with high numbers in tourism-related service sectors, including food and beverage, accommodation, recreation and entertainment, retail trade, business services, real estate and transportation.
- Working at the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW)
The RMOW is the second largest employer in Whistler and provides programs, services, and infrastructure to Whistler’s residents and visitors. The RMOW is an employer of choice, offering a range of rewarding career opportunities, supporting a positive work-life balance, and providing employees with competitive compensation and benefits.
Learn more about working at the RMOW.
- Search current employment opportunities
Begin the search for your next job in Whistler via the usual range of job search avenues such as:
– Whistler job board (from the Whistler Chamber of Commerce)
The WCSS’s annual digital handbook, the Whistler Navigator, is filled with useful information about housing, the different neighbourhoods, events to meet other new arrivals in town, and other helpful resources for newcomers to Whistler.
The WCSS provides a wide range of programs and services that support social sustainability in Whistler. WCSS programs include outreach services, foodbank, counselling, family and child recreation subsidizes and more.
See the full range of WCSS programs.
The Whistler Chamber of Commerce supports local businesses. With more than 630 members, the Whistler Chambers supports the growth of a diverse, innovative business community we create a healthy resort economy and elevate Whistler’s Business.
The Whistler Chamber has a range of resources for newcomers including:
Business Directory to see Whistler’s variety of local businesses and prospective employers
Working in Whistler information
The Whistler Chamber operates an innovation and award-winning training program, The Whistler Experience. The Whistler Experience provides service leadership training, and comes with a range of skills enhancement benefits as well as incentives including the discounted Spirit Pass (subject to eligibility).
Learn more about The Whistler Experience.
The Whistler Library is known as Whistler’s living room. Everyone from newborns to adults congregate here to enjoy the huge collection of books, DVDs, audiobooks and games, or the range of weekly programs on offer for every age.
Whether you are new to the community, a visitor or local, the library is seen as a first point of contact, a meeting place, a refuge from the storm and a home away from home.
See what’s on at the Whistler Library.
- International workers in Whistler
A work permit for international workers will need to be arranged before you arrive in Canada.
Canadian Immigration has information about what you need to know and do before your arrival here.
Whistler Pemberton Newcomer Services provides immigrants, refugees and new Canadians living in the area support through a range of services, programs and workshops, and host an annual Whistler Multicultural Festival.
