Things to Do

The RHFAC Program is a LEED-style rating system that measures the accessibility of buildings and sites, promoting increased access through the adoption of Universal Design principles. The aim of the program is to make all buildings and the exterior environment accessible and safely usable by persons with physical, sensory, or cognitive disabilities.

Accessible Activities

The Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) has several examples of programs and community features that support community accessibility and provide access to various recreational activities including: municipal parks and facilities, 2010 Games legacies, cultural tours and public art.

Whistler Adaptive

Whistler Adaptive provides programming, equipment and coaching for 18 different para-sport disciplines. The program has become a leader in adaptive sports, not only in the province of B.C., but also in the country.

The program also provides support for people with disabilities wishing to participate in various recreational activities, including extreme activities like zip lining. Given that some of the recreational activities will require some modification or extra assistance, it is recommended that you book early to avoid disappointment.

Whistler Adaptive also recommends booking immediately after a lesson for the following lesson and even for the following year to ensure choice of instructor and equipment.

Companion Passes

Whistler Adaptive Sports is able to provide accompany tickets for persons with a disability requiring assistance, guides, carers or other personal support to access Whistler-Blackcomb. The accompany ticket products are generously provided by the Epic Promise Foundation and Vail Resorts. Accompany tickets are available for summer and winter sight-seeing, bike park, tube park and skiing and snowboarding. The donation is capped to a certain number of tickets for each product, so individuals are encouraged to plan their trips 72hrs or more ahead of time.

Accompany Ticket Request Form

Tickets can be requested at Guest Relations for last minute visits. Accompany Tickets are provided on a one to one ratio with a paying pass holder and/or ticket holder.

Whistler Blackcomb

Whistler Blackcomb’s mission is to create wonderful memories for their guests, again and again. All guests, regardless of ability, deserve the very best mountain experience possible. The linked information on mountain access is meant to assist individuals with disabilities to access the facilities and skiing/riding on Whistler and Blackcomb mountains.

Whistler Mountain is wheelchair-accessible with gondola service to the top of Whistler Mountain during winter and summer months. The Peak 2 Peak Gondola is available for sightseeing tours only.

The Whistler Blackcomb website provides information to assist individuals with disabilities to access facilities and skiing/riding on the mountain.

For more information, call 1-800-766-0449 or 604-967-8950.

Whistler Sport Legacies

Whistler Sport Legacies is responsible for three of Whistler's 2010 Winter Games Venues: the Whistler Sliding Centre, Whistler Olympic Park, and the Whistler Athletes' Centre.

These facilities were used during the Paralympic Games and have accessibility features.

Whistler Olympic Park is a particularly great destination for the entire family for all levels of ability and provides designated parking, accessible trails and an accessible lodge with accessible bathrooms.

Companion Passes

Whistler Olympic Park is able to provide a complimentary accompany ticket for persons with a disability requiring assistance or a guide to access the trails and facilities at Whistler Olympic Park. In order to make it easier for staff to distinguish eligibility, they have introduced the Access2 card, which can be presented at the time of arrival for a more expedited purchase.

Adaptive Recreation

Whistler offers endless opportunities for all kinds of unique experiences and adventures in fresh mountain air.

All Adaptive Recreation inquiries and bookings should be made through the Tourism Whistler website or at 1-800-944-7853.

Activity	Adaptation	Restrictions
Alpine Skiing/Bike Park	Accessible Village Gondola and Blackcomb Gondola provide winter access. In the summer months the Village Gondola provides access to the bike park	Some trails will require more effort when they flatten and gravity is no longer assisting Equipment rental available through Whistler Adaptive
Cross-Country Skiing in Whistler	The Lost Lake trail system provides a variety of well-maintained green and blue trails. Additionally there are some free trails around Nicholas North golf course and the Valley Trail that are groomed on a less frequent basis	If transferring into personal sit ski from the accessible parking spaces in day lot 5, there may not be any track set along the Valley Trail underpass that leads to the Cross-Country Connection in the Passive House Equipment rental available through Whistler Adaptive
Cross-Country Skiing at Whistler Olympic Park	There is a variety of trails and areas to explore. Porter’s Glide trail in the dog-friendly area is a great area for beginners and some very happy dogs!	Some of the expert trails will be quite challenging for a non-competitive para-xc athlete Equipment rental available through Whistler Adaptive
Bungee Jumping	Able to bungee jump while in wheelchair	No ramp to video viewing area; this is not necessary for the jumping experience
Ziplining	Superfly Ziplines is the only service provider that can accommodate people with mobility disabilities. Travel between platforms is with a trail rider(a passive device is used to sherpa an individual rider in singletrack terrain) and vehicle	Some of the platforms are not accessible. The connection between the ziplines is modified
ATV Riding	Currently limited to four-wheeled ATVs	Requires hand function
Dog Sledding	None required	Requires transferring out of a mobility device into a sled that is close to the ground
Cat Sit Skiing	Assistance required to transfer into the cab of the Snow-cat	Must be a proficient sit- skier
Sleigh Rides	None available	Must be able to stand to transfer up and into the horse-drawn carriage

Municipal Parks and Trails

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

Municipal Facilities Available for Rent

There are a number of municipal facilities that are wheelchair accessible and available for rent:

Myrtle Philip School
The PassivHaus
Spruce Grove Field House
Whistler Olympic Plaza
Whistler Public Library

Learn more about facilities and parks bookings.

Inclusive Playground

The 4,000 square-metre inclusive playground provides play opportunities for children of all abilities or parents with disabilities to allow side-by-side play with friends, families and caregivers.

Located on the perimeter of Whistler Olympic Plaza, the playground has become a gathering place for community and visitors alike.

RMOW Inclusive Playground