Accessible Facilities in Whistler

image of entrances to non-gendered washroom facilities

Most municipal facilities in Whistler are accessible by wheelchair and also feature accessibility features for those who have a visual impairment or for individuals hard of hearing. 

Below is a list of the RMOW’s most frequently visited buildings and facilites.  A comprehensive list of municipal parks and their accessible features is at the bottom of the page.

Public washroom facilities

Locations of accessible public washrooms are listed on the Access Whistler Map. Most hotels have accessible public washroom facilities just off their main lobbies.

Municipal Hall

Accessible features include:

  • accessible parking
  • access ramps to both levels of Municipal Hall
  • automatic door openers
  • accessible washrooms
  • lowered wheelchair accessible sections of reception counters on both levels of Municipal Hall
  • accessible door handles

Whistler Olympic Plaza

Accessible features include: 

  • Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification
  • accessible parking in Day lot 4 and drop off area adjacent to entrance off of Blackcomb Way
  • low-grade (less than five per cent) ramps
  • raised viewing areas for performances
  • 4,000 inclusive playground
  • accessible washrooms
  • accessible backstage area
  • FM induction loop available for people hard of hearing

A legacy of the  2010 Winter Games, Whistler Olympic Plaza is a state-of-the-art outdoor performance facility and community space with a park and playground set against one of Whistler’s most dramatic backdrops.

The legacy of the Paralympics is seen in the network of low-grade (less than five per cent) ramps, and raised viewing areas for performances. The 4,000 square-metre inclusive playground meets the needs of children with disabilities (or children with parents with disabilities) to allow side-by-side play with friends, families, and caregivers. The area also has accessible washrooms that are located in a freestanding building beside the inclusive playground.  Learn more about Whistler Olympic Plaza.

Village Stroll

Accessible features include:

  • ramp access signs located at each set of stairs leading to the concourse level, which provides a map to the closest ramp leading up to the concourse level
  • public art and landmarks used on the Access Whistler map for more intuitive wayfinding

The Village Stroll is a pedestrian promenade that runs through the heart of Whistler Village.  The Stroll runs from the Marketplace at the north to the base of Whistler Mountain at the south.

Meadow Park Sports Centre

Accessible features include:

  • Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification
  • accessible parking
  • automatic door openers
  • accessible reception desk
  • accessible pool lift
  • accessible washrooms
  • beach access into the children’s pool area
  • lift to 2nd floor fitness centre (key available at front desk)
  • private accessible change room with shower and power adjustable change table
  • Fitness centre has a limited number of adaptable pieces of equipment
  • wheelchair accessible viewing area in arena

Meadow Park Sports Centre received Rick Hansen Foundation Certification in 2018.   The Sports Centre is a large world-class, award-winning multi-purpose recreational facility. Whether you’re a family, senior, athlete, or you simply want to explore on your own, you’ll find many ways to play and stay active.  The Sports Complex includes a fitness centre, squash/basketball courts, swimming pool, indoor and  skating rink.  Learn more about Meadow Park Sports Centre.

Whistler Public Library

Accessible features include:

  • Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification
  • elevator access from the underground parking beneath the library and a street level accessibility ramp in close proximity to accessibility parking
  • accessible washrooms
  • elevator access from the underground parking beneath the library
  • accessible washrooms, including a gender-neutral accessible family washroom
  • NNELS makes Canada’s vast collection of library books available to Canadians with print disabilities by breaking barriers to reading with access to books in DAISY and MP3 formats.  People who have a vision impairment, who are unable to hold a book, and/or who have certain learning disabilities qualify for the NNELS service through public libraries.
  • Accessible Reading BC (external link) is a new collection of accessible ebooks from BC publishers available to all BC residents. There are no wait times and can use your favourite reading application.
  • book a librarian, one on one time with an information and technology experts.
  • TTY phone available at request

In 2018, the Whistler Public Library received Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification, a LEED-style rating system that measures the accessibility of buildings and sites, promoting increased access through the adoption of Universal Design principles.  The Whistler Public Library has continued to evolve in accordance with its moniker as “Whistler’s Living Room”. On average the library receives over 250,000 visitors per year serving locals, second homeowners and tourists from around the globe.  Learn more about the Whistler Public Library accessible services.

Myrtle Philip Community Centre

Accessible features include:

  • one accessible parking space
  • flat entrance
  • automatic door opener
  • universal washroom with an automatic door opener
  • interior ramp to gymnasium level
  • braille room signage for all community rooms (coming soon).

Learn more about Myrtle Philip Community Centre and facility booking requirements.

Municipal streets and sidewalks

Accessible features include:

  • curb letdowns
  • tactile strips at intersections with sound queues
  • directional scoring on sidewalks at intersections
  • automated crosswalk lights (select locations)
  • high contract crosswalk markings
  • directional signage for ramp access

Valley Trail

Accessible features include:

  • full paved, multi-use delineated pathway
    *Please note, slopes vary on the Valley Trail

Whistler’s 46-kilometre Valley Trail network is one of the resort community’s signature assets, offering a great alternative to travel by car all year round. Located entirely within municipal boundaries and built and managed by the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW), this wide asphalt paved network links key destinations to the Village and Upper Village, Creekside, other commercial centres, major parks, schools and neighbourhoods.  Learn more about the Valley Trail.

Municipal parks and open spaces

Accessible features include:

  • accessible parking
  • accessible washrooms 
  • accessible picnic tables 
  • accessible pathways 
  • accessible concessions 

Most of Whistler’s parks offer accessible seating and restroom facilities.  To learn more about the accessible features in each park, click on the list below.  To learn more about all of Whistler’s parks, visit whistler.ca/parks.

The below parks are listed in order from the south to the north of Whistler.

Park Features Details
Alpha Lake Park            
  • 3 Accessible parking stalls
  • 2 Accessible washrooms
  • Accessible children’s play area
  • 1 Accessible floating dock
  • 3 Accessible picnic tables
  • Summer Programming 
  • Fenced off-leash dog park           
  • Rubberized surfacing and ramp access into tree-house
  • Access is not hard surfaced from Valley trail to dock and step up onto dock
  • Private operators rent non-adaptive water sports equipment                                                               
Alta Lake Park/Wayside Park
  • 2 Wheelchair accessible parking space
  • Accessible ramping down to the Valley trail and to lower grass (the slope exceeds 6%).
  • 2 Accessible washrooms
  • 2 not wheelchair accessible Floating docks
  • Wayside Park provides access to Valley trail, which leads to the Alta Lake Boathouse and the Art-House
  • 1 Accessible washroom provided in both houses
  • Outdoor Accessible Shower facility
  • The hard surfaced ramp has short sections at 11% grade
  • Hard surfacing from Valley trail to the hard surface beneath accessible picnic
  • Access is not hard surfaced from Valley trail to dock and step up onto dock
Alta Lake Boathouse
  • Accessible low floating dock
  • 1 Accessible washroom
  • Low accessible dock allows easy water entry
  • Washroom facility does not have the 1500mm turning radius within the washroom space (approx. 1300mm)
  • This boathouse is where the Whistler Adaptive Sports Program runs their summer water sports from
  • Valley trail has a 12m section which has a maximum grade of 12% to reach the west side of Alta Lake where the two houses are located
Alta Lake Art House
  • Accessible fishing dock at the Art House
  • 1 Accessible washroom
  • Accessible deck & Main floor
  • The Art House is used by the Whistler arts Council for summer programming and classes
  • Washroom facility does not have the 1500mm turning radius within the washroom space (approx. 1200mm)
Lakeside Park
  • This is the most accessible park that Whistler currently offers
  • 2 Accessible parking stalls
  • 1 Accessible washroom
  • 2 Floating accessible docks
  • Accessible water lift
  • 2 Accessible picnic tables
  • Summer Programming
  • Outdoor Accessible Shower facility
  • There is an accessible washroom plus other washrooms in the same location
  • Private operators rent non-adaptive water sports equipment
  • The lift consists of a seat, footrest and moveable arm rests on a hydraulic cylinder, which is operable with a lever that slowly rotates and lowers user into the water.
Rainbow Park
  • 2 Accessible parking stalls
  • 1 Accessible washroom
  • 1 Accessible floating dock
  • Outdoor Accessible Shower Facility
  • 3 Accessible picnic tables
  • Summer Programming
  • There is an accessible washroom plus other washrooms in the same location
  • Private operators rent non-adaptive water sports equipment
Florence Petersen Park
  • 2 Accessible picnic tables
  • There are accessible washroom facilities within the Whistler Public Library and the Whistler Museum and Archives adjacent to the park
Lost Lake Park
  • 2 Accessible parking stalls
  • 1 Accessible washroom
  • 2 Accessible picnic tables
  • 1 Floating raft
  • Outdoor Accessible Shower facility
  • Accessible warming hut/concession stand
  • There is an accessible washroom plus other washrooms in the same location
  • Requires swimming to raft and climbing swimming ladder to get on to raft
Millennium Place
  • Automatic door openers
  • Elevator
  • Accessible toilets
  • FM induction loop available for people hard of hearing
 

Spruce Grove  Park           

   
Spruce Grove Field House
  • 2 Accessible parking stalls
  • 1 Accessible washroom
  • Accessible wheelchair lift
  • Must enter the Field House to access the washroom facility
  • The lift services the third floor of the field house. A key is needed to operate the lift.
Spruce Grove Baseball Diamonds
  • 2 Accessible parking stalls
  • 1 Accessible washroom
  • Accessible viewing area
  • Children’s play area
  • Children’s play area is not accessible
Meadow Park Sports Centre
  • 3 Accessible parking stalls
  • Accessible pool lift
  • 2 Accessible washrooms
  • Beach access into the children’s pool area
  • Lift to 2nd floor Fitness Centre
  • 1 private accessible change room with shower and power adjustable change table

 

  • Must enter into the Sports Center to access the washroom facility
  • The lift consists of a seat, footrest and moveable arm rests on a hydraulic cylinder, which is operable with a lever that slowly rotates and lowers user into the water.
  • An accessible pool chair is provided to access this warmer water pool
  • The lift is designated for people with mobility disabilities and requires a key that is available at the front desk.  The weight room and cardio equipment has a limited number of adaptable pieces of equipment.
Meadow Park Children’s Water park
  • 1 Accessible parking stall
  • 1 Accessible washroom
  • This accessible washroom services the water park, baseball diamonds, and tennis courts. There is an accessible washroom plus other washrooms in the same location
Meadow Park Diamonds/Tennis Court
  • 1 Accessible parking stall
  • 1 Accessible washroom
  • This accessible washroom services the water park, baseball diamonds, and tennis courts. There is an accessible washroom plus other washrooms in the same location
Whistler Olympic Plaza
  • Hard surface pathways
  • 2 ramps to lower level viewing area and grass
  • Multiple designated accessible viewing areas
  • Multiple accessible seating areas
  • Accessible washrooms
  • Accessible backstage area
  • FM induction loop available for people hard of hearing
 

Maurice Young Arts Centre

Accessible features include:

  • elevator
  • automatic door openers
  • accessible washrooms
  • FM induction loop available for people hard of hearing

Home of the Arts Whistler, the Maury Young Arts Centre has a 230-seat theatre, an art gallery with views over Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains, a sound-proof boardroom, large multi-purpose room, and sprung-floor studio.