Whistler Village is linked by the Village Stroll, a pedestrian-only causeway lined with shops, restaurants, hotels and other accommodation adjacent to Whistler and Blackcomb mountains.
Retail and accomodations along Village Stroll are built up on an elevated level. Numerous stairs and ramps are located along the Village Stroll and, at each set of stairs, there is a map indicating the closest ramp to reach your destination. These ramps are also each represented on the Access Whistler Map and includes the slope of each individual ramp.
Getting to and Staying in Whistler
Whistler provides a variety of accommodation options in terms of both accessibility needs and price points. For more information, visit the Tourism Whistler website or contact 1-800-944-7853.
Venue Accessibility
Find an accessible facility that is right for you. The Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) and its partners are committed to making sure our community is accessible for all those facing mobility issues and access related issues. With that in mind, we have partnered with the Rick Hansen Foundation on an online accessibility rating tool called planat.
The planat site gives in-depth accessibility ratings to RMOW and partner facilities and also provides the opportunity to add customer reviews. Alongside reviews, there are useful photographs of facilities so you can see for yourself before you travel.
Transportation
|
Travel Type |
Provider |
Details |
|
Air |
Assistance can be pre-booked. |
|
|
Air |
As planes are float planes. Must be able to stand to board planes. |
|
|
Ground |
604-597-3336 |
All rental vans have access ramps and space for wheelchair in front passenger area. Vehicles must be driven by able bodied individuals as no vans are equipped with hand controls. |
|
Ground Transport from Vancouver International Aiport to Whistler |
Vancouver Taxi 604-871-1111 |
Not necessary to pre-book from Airport as always accessible taxis waiting. Cost to be negotiated - approx $400 one way as return mileage to Vancouver must be paid.
|
|
Ground |
Must request a wheelchair accessible vehicle. |
|
|
Ground |
Whistler Limousine |
Must be able to transfer from a wheelchair as the service does not accommodate the person travelling within the vehicle while in a wheelchair. |
|
Ground |
Hand controls or lift is available if requested in advance. |
|
|
Ground |
Must book approximately two weeks in advance. |
|
|
Rail |
Lift is only 26 inches wide. Operates only in the summer. |
|
|
Ground in Whistler |
Resort Cabs |
Must request wheelchair accessible vehicle. |
|
Ground in Whistler |
Equipped with ramps and hydraulic kneelings. There is a limit of two wheelchairs per bus. Many bus stops do not have a curb and ramp slope may exceed 6 per cent. |
|
|
Accessible parking in Whistler |
Temporary accessible parking pass |
Temporary accessible parking pass program is for visitors who have forgotten their accessible parking placard or for residents with short term mobility disabilities. Temporary passes are available for purchase at Municipal Hall for $20 and are valid up to a maximum of three months. Applicants must have proof of disability (doctor's note) for non-visible disability. |
Access Whistler Map
The Access Whistler Map was created to show users the most accessible entrances into the Village Stroll and assist users to locate ramps up to the concourse levels, entrances to shops, restaurants and hotels.
The Access Whistler Map works in conjunction with ramp signage and facilitates the accessible movement of people through the Village to access ramps, elevators, accessible washrooms, the mountains and into the trail network system. It was developed with the premise of providing useful information to empower the best decision-making for people of all abilities.
Download the Access Whistler Map.
Wayfinding Improvements
Throughout Whistler Village, wayfinding improvements have been implemented for persons with disabilities.
- Audible intersection crossing signals
- Tactile curb cuts
- Signage at stairs to demonstrate where ramp access is located for buildings on the elevated levels
Whistler is also in the process of testing new standards for accessible sidewalks.
Visitor Information and Assistance
Tourism Whistler manages the Whistler Visitor Information Centre, located at 4230 Gateway Drive. Staff can provide first-hand knowledge about local services, maps, events, accommodation and transportation.
The RMOW's Village Hosts are also readily available to help. Look for the smiling faces in red jackets throughout the Village Stroll to provide first-hand knowledge about local business, services and directions. Village Host kiosks are located by the Starbucks south of Village Square and at Whistler Olympic Plaza beside the inclusive playground.
Contact the Village Host Program at 604-935-8478 during regular business hours.
Support Services
| Service | Specifics | Provider | Contact |
| Emergency Support | Text to 9-1-1 service for people who are deaf, deaf blind, hard of hearing or have a speech impediment | Must register your cellphone with your cell phone company (e.g. TELUS, Bell, Rogers) prior to making an emergency 9-1-1 call | Click on this link to register. |
| Personal care | Personal home care | We Care Home Health |
604-980-6350 1-888-592-1122 |
| Personal care | Personal care, wound care, rehab assistance. Limited availability and requires advanced booking. | Howe Sound Home Support | 604-815-6859 |
|
Childcare for children with disabilities |
Trained childcare workers for children with special needs. Advanced booking recommended |
Babysitting Whistler |
1-888-906-2229 1-604-902-2229 |
|
Home Delivery |
Deliver groceries, take out or liquor |
Whistler Dine In |
http://www.whistlerdinein.com/ 604-966-6866 |
|
Health and Medical |
Emergency medical centre |
Whistler Diagnostic Center |
604-932-3977 |
|
Health and Medical |
|
Northland Medical Clinic |
604-932-8362
|
|
Health and Medical |
|
Town Plaza Medical Clinic |
604-905-7089
|
|
Health and Medical |
Pharmacy |
Shoppers Drug Mart |
604-905-5666
|
| Health and Medical | Pharmacy, including rental of Wheelchairs & Crutches - pickup at Squamish location only | Shoppers Drug Mart Squamish |
604-892-5258 1339 Pemberton Ave., Squamish Open 8am to midnight |
|
Health and Medical |
Pharmacy, including rental of Wheelchairs & Crutches |
Rexall Pharmacy |
Village Square: 604-932-4251 Marketplace: 604-932-2303 |
|
Adaptive Equipment Loan Program |
Wheelchairs, shower chairs, crutches and other assistive daily living equipment. Requires a referral form to be completed by Healthcare Professional |
604-892-5318 Hours of Operation Mon/Wed/Fri 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
|
|
|
Adaptive Equipment Rentals |
Hand-cycles, sit-skis, wheelchairs, lifts, adaptive sport lessons |
Whistler Adaptive Sports Program |
604-905-4493 |
| Adaptive Equipment Rentals | Wheelchairs, shower chairs and hand cycles | Access Sea to Sky |
604-905-2570 |
| Health and Medical | Oxygen | Sabre Rentals |
604-932-5583 |
|
Health and Medical |
Medical supplies. Next day delivery available. |
Chairstuff |
604-878-4133 |
| Advocate and Resource Provider | Services and resources for people with cognitive and development disabilities | Community Living BC |
1-877-660-2522 |
| Advocate and Resource Provider | Services and resources for people with spinal cord injuries | Spinal Cord Injury BC (SCI-BC) | Website |
| Advocate and Resource Provider | Services and resources for people who are blind or who have low vision | Canada's National Institute for the Blind |
604-431-2121 |
| Advocate and Resource Provider | Services and resources for people who are dear or hard of hearing | Western Institute for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing |
604-736-7391 TTY: 604-736-2527 |
Accessible Parking
There are a number of accessible parking stalls in the Whistler Village Day Lots in close proximity to the pedestrian exits along Blackcomb Way, as well as accessible parking stalls located throughout the village.
Due to required upgrades on the Whistler Health Care Centre's helipad, changes are being made to the parking configuration and pedestrian access in parking Day Lot 4. These changes will be complete in spring 2015.
Complimentary accessible parking is available in Day Lot 3 until the changes to Day Lot 4 are complete. Please park in the spaces indicated by the signage.
Accessible Gas Station
Whistler Husky Market is an accessible gas station located at 2101 Lake Placid Road in Whistler Creekside. There is always an attendant available 24-hours to assist with refueling. Honk your car horn for assistance, use the intercom button at the gas pump or phone them directly at 604-932-3959 and let the employees know which gas pump you are using.
Public Accessible Washrooms
Locations of accessible public washrooms are listed on the Access Whistler Map. Most hotels have public accessible washroom facilities just off their main lobbies.
Contact
Planning Department
604-935-8170
planning@whistler.ca
