The Whistler Adaptive Sports Program

The Whistler Adaptive Sports Program (WASP) is a nonprofit organization making year round recreation accessible to people with disabilities. WASP is a centre for learning and sports excellence that has a local, regional, national and international clientele and encourages independence, self-confidence and self-motivation for all of our athletes and participants through outdoor recreation. WASP currently offers skiing, snowboarding, Nordic skiing, hiking, biking, canoeing and kayaking programs. Please visit www.whistleradaptive.com for more information.

The Whistler Adaptive Ski And Scotiabank Learn To Ride Program

During the winter months, WASP operates in partnership with Whistler Blackcomb to deliver skiing and snowboarding lessons to children and adults with special needs, through the Whistler Adaptive Ski and Scotiabank Learn To Ride Program. This program caters to a full spectrum of skiers and snowboarders from beginner through advanced. Our trained and certified instructors, guides, and assistants will help those with both physical and cognitive disabilities access the slopes of Whistler Blackcomb. Please join us to experience outdoor activity in a safe, friendly, therapeutic and FUN way. We tailor our lessons to suit your needs. For more information, please visit the Whistler Adaptive Ski & Ride Program 

Whistler For The Disabled

Please visit  www.whistlerforthedisabled.com for Disabled Access and Information for Whistler. The site provides a Guide to Disabled Friendly Listings on Accessible Accommodations, Restaurants, Bars & Nightclubs, Recreation Guide, Tour Adventures Guide, News & Events and Assistance for the Disabled. In addition, the latest Village Access updates and mapping are broken down into a person's disability and access for each. 

Hotel Accommodation

The following hotels provide wheelchair accessible rooms, complete with roll-in showers and wall assist handles/bars: The Delta Resort, The Westin, and Fairmont Chateau Whistler. Many hotels claim to be wheelchair accessible to varying degrees. It is best to check directly with them to find out the extent. The following accommodations are not wheelchair accessible: Alpine Lodge, Blackcomb Lodge, Mountainside Lodge, Shoestring Lodge, Timberline Lodge and Whistler Creek Lodge.

Mountain Accessibility

(Please read the following as to what lifts/facilities can accommodate Wheelchair use)

Winter Operations:

Whistler Mountain is more accessible to the wheelchair user than Blackcomb Mountain. The Village Gondola can accommodate a person in a wheel chair, with accompanying party members. Guests can ride to the top of Whistler on the gondola and easily access the Roundhouse Restaurant, through a wheelchair accessible door. Wheelchair accessible washrooms and Pika's Restaurant are located on the first floor. An elevator exists to take you to the upper floor of the Roundhouse Restaurant and to Steep's Grill.

You can leave your wheelchair at the top of the Gondola, asking the lift attendants to move it to one side for you, behind the roped off area. You can also request that the lift attendant send it back to the Village or Mid-station for your at the end of your ski day. This also acts in reverse.

Blackcomb has limited facilities for a person using a wheelchair. There are no elevators on Blackcomb and the only on-mountain restaurant with a wheelchair accessible washroom is at Glacier Creek (first floor) . The Rendezvous on Blackcomb can accommodate a wheelchair user in the restaurant, however, there is no accessible washroom.

The Blackcomb Excalibur Gondola and the Whistler Creekside Gondola do not accommodate sit-skiers or wheelchairs. However, if an independent sit skier has help with them, they can pop off the ski and be lifted into the Gondola , in the bucket. On Blackcomb, it is recommended that sit-skiers leave their wheelchairs in the secured storage areas at the base of Blackcomb and access via the Wizard and Solar Coaster chair lifts.

Blackcomb Base II Options: drop off ski adjacent to "The Cabin" administration building then park in the accessible spot. There is an accessible washroom located in "The Cabin". You can leave your wheelchair with the staff there. Simply ski down to the Wizard and you are on your way.

Spring/Summer Operations:

Whistler Mountain:
Whistler Mountain is more accessible to the wheelchair user than Blackcomb Mountain. The Village Gondola can accommodate a person in a wheel chair, with accompanying party members. Guests can ride to the top of Whistler on the gondola and easily access the Roundhouse Restaurant, through a wheelchair accessible door. Wheelchair accessible washrooms and Pika's Restaurant are located on the first floor. An elevator exists to take you to the upper floor of the Roundhouse Restaurant and to Steep's Grill.

The peak chair experience does not accommodate Wheelchairs.

Blackcomb Mountain:

Access to Blackcomb Mountain during spring/summer operations is limited and lifts in use do not accommodate wheel chairs.

Please refer to our Today on the Mountains page for current operations and lifts open. 

Parking

For people with disabilities, designated accessible parking spaces are located at several locations in and around the Village, Upper Village and Village North.  Maps showing the location of all available accessible parking spaces can be viewed at RMOW Accessability Map

Please note a disabled parking permit is required for use of these designated accessible parking spaces.  Permits issued by any jurisdiction are acceptable.  If a temporary permit is needed one can be issued from the Bylaw Office located at Municipal Hall.  The Municipal Offices can be reached at 604-932-5535.

Transit/Taxi

The bus system is operated by the RMOW. They provide specially designed wheelchair accessible buses. These buses, however, are not on a specific route/schedule. You may call the transit in advance and request pick up from one of these buses, as long as your pick up location is on an existing bus route. The Transit number is 604.932.4020.

When you are being dropped off at the Village bus loop (closest drop-off location Whistler Village Gondola), the ramp is located around the west side, beside the Pan Pacific hotel. This ramp is a rather lengthy distance to travel from the drop off point (if the path is snow covered).

Resort Cabs have the only wheelchair accessible taxis in Whistler. Please be sure to specifically request when calling. Resort Cabs can be contacted at 604-932-1515.

In general, the local taxi system does not have special cabs/vans that can accommodate wheelchairs. However, they would be happy to assist with any special needs, on an individual basis. For more information please call 604.932.3333.

Tickets

There are no ticket discounts for people with disabilities. However, their accompanying ski "buddy" can receive a free ticket. Ticket collection must be done in person, at any outside Ticket Window location or inside, at any Guest Relations location (open daily from 8-5). Tickets must be collected on a daily basis.

Special Lift Line Priority

Sit-skiers are permitted to use the Ski School line-ups without the need of a special pass. At the moment, no other disabled persons are given automatic lift line priority unless they are in our Ski School or Adaptive program. Guest Relations can produce a priority pass, on special request, to other disabled skiers who's disability makes it extremely difficult to stand in line. This will be assessed on an individual basis. Please contact Wendy Aitken: .

Mountain Orientation Tours

Complimentary mountain orientation tours are provided daily at 11:30am on both Whistler and Blackcomb, for all of our guests who are intermediate skiers and higher. Please call our Mountain Host Department, in advance of your visit, and they can arrange a mountain tour geared specifically for you. They can be reached at 1.800.766.0449 or 604.932.3434. Simply ask for the Mountain Host Department.

Guest Services Wheelchairs

There is one on-hill wheelchair, provided free of charge, at each of the following restaurant locations: Glacier Creek (Blackcomb), Rendezvous (Blackcomb), Chic Pea (Whistler), Roundhouse (Whistler). These chairs are secured and must be signed out with approximate time of return so that other disabled guests may know when they can expect to utilize the chair.

Village Hosts

The Village Host is a Resort Municipality of Whistler program with 3 staff and 73 volunteers. As resort ambassadors, Village Host volunteers help guests with easy directions, quick answers and friendly advice. They have a booth centrally located close to the Village Square attended daily from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. If you need any assistance getting around while you are in Whistler or have any questions prior to your arrival, please do not hesitate to contact their office phone (listed below). There are also copies of the Whistler accessibility maps on site. Look for the Village Host volunteers wearing red on the Village Stroll. They are here to help. For more information contact the Village Host Program (604) 935-8478, Hours of operation are Monday – Sunday Office: 9:00am to 5:00, Kiosk: 10:00am to 4:00pm

Restaurant/Washroom Access

There are wheelchair accessible washrooms at (or near) the following locations.

Whistler:

• Carleton Lodge – Basement (ramp/elevator is on south side of building)
• Village Rentals in Gondola Building– staff area
• Gondola Building – Base (just to the left of the upload)
• Olympic Station (mid-station) on Whistler Mountain
• Roundhouse Restaurant – Main floor
• Dusty's Restaurant – Creekside
• Dusty's Backside- Creekside
• Garibaldi Lift Company – accessed by elevator
• Chic Pea Restaurant – Main floor

Blackcomb:

• Base II – The Cabin Admin Building
• Merlin's Restaurant – Main floor Daylodge
• Glacier Creek Restaurant – Main floor
• Administration Building – Beside Whistler Kids - elevator to washrooms on second floor

The following restaurants do not have wheelchair accessible washrooms:

Blackcomb

• Crystal Hut
• Hortsman Hut
• Rendezvous

Whistler

• Raven's Nest

Restaurant Tips

Please note that only the BC Eatery or outside patio can be accessed at Glacier Creek as the main restaurant, located on the second floor, has no elevator. Staff are more than happy to bring food down from the upstairs cafeteria upon request (more selection and less expensive). They will also assist you with menu choices. To ensure the BC Eatery is opening, before venturing up, it is best to call the Glacier Creek Guest Relations desk at (604) 938-7423

In all restaurants, the rows of tables can be narrow and end tables are recommended. If you are unable to find end table, seat-seekers (in black/white stripped shirts) can assist in arranging seating. As well, please feel free to ask any restaurant Supervisor for assistant in their restaurants.

Change Areas

On Whistler, you may use the Employee Services Building (Springs Building, located between Whistler Kids and the Westin Hotel) to change in privacy. This location has a wheelchair accessible washroom on the first floor and is open daily from 6:00am to 6:00pm.

On Blackcomb, you may use the wheelchair accessible washroom inside Merlin's. The staff at the Wizard Grill will be happy to assist you with gaining access from 8:00am to 4:30pm.

Storage

There are several on-hill secure storage locations for your gear. Equipment can be stored, free of charge, for any disabled guest. Wheelchairs and equipment can be stored at the base of Whistler in the Gondola building or inside Guest Relations. At Creekside, chairs and equipment can be stored at Guest Relations. On Blackcomb, wheelchair storage is located in the Guest Relations area, at the base of the Wizard Chair (in the Daylodge). There is an outside door the Guest Relations Host can open to the Daylodge Guest Relations office, allowing for dry, inside storage. Please knock before entering and the Guest Relations Host will be happy to serve you.

Equipment Rentals

The Whistler Adaptive Ski Program and  can assist in the rental of specialized equipment. Access Sea to Sky Adventures can also be reached by phone: 604.905.2570.

Equipment Hut

There is an adaptive equipment hut, located at mid-station on the Whistler Village Gondola (it is ramped). This hut is generally locked. Should emergency repairs be required for your sit-skis, please call the Program Coordinator of the Whistler Adaptive Ski Program at 604.905.2071 and they will provide you with information to access this building. As well, special arrangements can be made with the Coordinator, to store your gear in this building (depending on availability of space).

Guide Dogs

Guide dogs are permitted to access the Whistler Village Gondola and accompany a disabled person in our restaurants.