The Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) is one of 14 resort municipalities in B.C. that receive funding from the Province of British Columbia through its Resort Municipality Initiative (RMI) program. The Resort Municipality Initiative (RMI) is a critical funding source for Whistler to supplement property tax revenues.
The tourism economy provides this revenue since 2006 and it is reinvested back into tourism. The RMI program is managed by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport.
RMI program goals
Supports small, tourism-based municipalities to:
- build and diversify their tourism infrastructure
- deliver exceptional visitor experiences
- incorporate sustainable tourism practices and products
Each resort municipality is required to create a three-year Resort Development Strategy that outlines a vision and goals for the RMI Program. Not only are the funds designed to diversify the municipal tax base and revenue, investments are reviewed annually to ensure that projects are designed to increase:
- resort activities and amenities;
- visitor activity;
- employment in the community;
- tourism as an economic drive; and
- municipal tax revenue.
RMI-funded programs and projects
The RMOW has invested RMI funding in programs and services that support and help grow tourism in Whistler.
Whistler received $6.57 million per year in RMI funding in 2022, 2023 and 2024. In 2025 Whistler received $6.64 million. Whistler will receive an additional $6.64 million in each of 2026 and 2027.
RMI funds help resort partners like Tourism Whistler, the Whistler Chamber of Commerce, and the Whistler Arts Council achieve goals that are aligned with RMI criteria.
RMI-funded projects
These are some recent Whistler initiatives funded by RMI:
- Village and park shuttle services (Lost Lake and Rainbow Parks).
- Village Renewal & Resort and Olympic Plaza impact management (including Village Stroll snow clearing, lawn spring rejuvenation, hanging baskets, annual and perennial beds, irrigation, tree replacements, village area trip hazard mitigation, outdoor furniture maintenance and replacement, and festive lighting).
- Mt. Sproatt alpine trails.
- Alpine Ranger and bear awareness programs.
- Wayfinding signs around Whistler Village for vehicles and pedestrians, on the Valley Trail, and on the Lost Lake Park trails.
- Rainbow Park rejuvenation.
- Train Wreck bridge, replacement of the 21 Mile bridge (Rainbow Falls) and Al Grey Memorial bridge on the Comfortably Numb trail over Wedge Creek bridge replacements.
- Recreation Trail Maps (Skywalk, Lost Lake Park, Rainbow Lake, Interpretive Forest, Train Wreck, Sproatt Alpine).
- Village Washrooms construction and park washroom renovations.
- Valley Trail between Function Junction and Alta Lake Road, Highway 99 and Bayshores.
- Cultural Connector development.
Three-year Resort Development Strategy
The provincial government requires each resort municipality to create a 3-Year Resort Development Strategy (RDS).
The strategy outlines a vision, goals and initiatives for the Resort Municipality Initiative Program.
Tourism Whistler provides oversight into the strategy development. The 2025 – 2027 Resort Development Strategy was approved by the Province in August 2025.
Provincially approved 2025-2027 initiatives
Tourism infrastructure, amenities or capital purchases: 70 per cent of total available funding:
- Village renewal: Renewal and replacement of amenities in Village Plaza including pavers, planters, columns, overhangs and colonnades, and gateways.
- Conference Centre reinvestment: RMI will pay for part of renovating the exterior envelope, upgrades to the HVAC, lighting, accessibility and washrooms.
- Village Host Info Booth replacements: replacing the existing Village Host Information Booths located on the Village Stroll.
- Alpha Lake Projects: partial RMI funding for construction of a 1 km long recreational trail and elevated boardwalk between Alpha Lake Park and Millar Creek Park, and developing the Miller Creek Park.
- Meadow Park Rejuvenation (also uses funding from 2022-2024 RDS): Replacement of the water spray park and playground, upgraded irrigation system, conversion of one ball diamond to a fully fenced dog off-leash area.
- Interpretive Panels: Ongoing rejuvenation and replacement of the 150 interpretive panels throughout Village and valley.
- Recreational Trail Bridge Replacements: Replacing two recreational trail bridges on the Rainbow Lake hiking trail.
Tourism services, programs or events: 30 per cent of total available funding:
- Village services: Upgrades and rejuvenation of core services.
- Shuttles and transit: Partially funding the Village, Lost Lake and Rainbow Park shuttles.
- Alpine Ranger Program: Partially funding Alpine Rangers services including alpine trail management, wildlife protection, natural history information and visitor services.
- Bear Awareness Program: Partially funding the Bear Smart Program to reduce wildlife attractants in residential and commercial areas through education, policy, and enforcement in order to reduce bear/human conflicts .
