Getting Here & Parking
FIRST TIME VISITING Whistler?
If you are new to Whistler Blackcomb, it may seem daunting to find your way around the Village and surrounding neighbourhoods, including Whistler Creekside Village, which is located just 5 km or a 10-minute drive away. There are 3 different mountain bases and multiple parking lots available.
See below for the basics of navigating Whistler including:
WHISTLER BLACKCOMB CARPOOL PARKING FAQS
Q: What changes are coming to the parking and arrivals experience for winter 2025/26?
A: Starting winter 2025/26, we’re launching an enhanced parking and arrivals program that includes:
- Free reservations-based carpool parking and general parking
- Free First Come, First Served (FCFS) general parking
- Designated drop-off zones
Q: Which lots will these changes impact?
A: Upper Lots 6-8 and Creekside Parkade.
Q: When will these changes come into effect?
A: The enhanced program will run from opening day through to April 5, 2026, between the hours of 6-11 AM on weekends, holiday Mondays, and the peak holiday period of December 27–31, 2025. After 11 AM, these lots will open to all vehicles.
Q: How are you defining the “weekend?”
A: We define the weekend period as Saturday and Sunday.
Q: What are the new carpool options?
A: We’re expanding carpool parking for vehicles with 4 or more occupants in the following ways:
- Free First Come, First Served (FCFS) Carpool Parking in Upper Lot 7 and Creekside P1
- Free Reserved Carpool Parking in Upper Lot 7 and Creekside P1
Q: What are the new reservations-based parking options?
A: Free reservations-based parking will be available to vehicles, regardless of the number of occupants, in Upper Lot 6, Creekside Surface Overheight and Creekside P2.
Q: How do we go about reserving a spot?
A: We are currently working with a third-party provider to set up an online reservations portal that will live on our website and be launched prior to the start of the winter 2025/26 season.
Q: Is there a fee required to secure these new parking options?
A: No fees apply—just arrive with a full car and park in designated carpool areas
Q: What are my options for parking without reservations or carpooling?
A: We have preserved free general occupancy, First Come, First Served (FCFS) options for guests who prefer flexible, no-reservation parking. These options will be available in the following areas:
- Upper Lot 8
- Creekside Surface Overheight
- Creekside P3
- Creekside P4
In addition, the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) operates Lots 1-5, which offers paid options for parking. It also has a useful “Where to Park in Whistler” resource on its website.
Q: Where can I find accessible parking?
A: All our owned and operated lots offer accessible parking, broken out as follows:
- Lots 6 and 7 each have four accessible parking spaces
- Lot 8 has two accessible parking spaces
- Creekside’s Surface Overheight, levels P1, P2 and P3 each have four accessible parking spaces
Q: Where can I drop my child off for Snow School?
A: Designated drop-off zones will be available for Whistler Kids Snow School participants at:
- Upper Lot 6
- Creekside Surface Overheight
Q: How will you communicate parking availability?
A: Clear, consistent communication supports smoother arrivals and informed decision-making. We will ensure this by leveraging the My Epic App, message boards and in-resort signage to help guests plan their trip before they arrive with information including real-time parking availability, travel tips, and reminders about reservations and carpool options.
Q: What is the benefit of carpool parking?
A: Carpooling is one of the most effective ways of reducing traffic congestion by encouraging shared trips, reducing single-occupancy vehicle use, and managing the number of vehicles traveling on key arteries within the resort, including Glacier Road.
Q: What’s the benefit of free reservations-based parking?
A: Free reservations reduce congestion by encouraging guests to arrive outside of peak times. They help:
- Spread arrivals more evenly throughout the morning
- Lower idling and emissions
- Decrease stress and aggressive driving
- Provide confidence that you’ll have a spot
Q: Why is Whistler Blackcomb making these changes to the parking and arrivals experience?
A: We recognize that road congestion and parking challenges are longstanding issues in Whistler and along the Sea to Sky Corridor. That’s why we’re committed to being part of the solution—by analyzing our operations, collaborating with community partners, and implementing data-driven improvements. Our goal is to create a smoother, more sustainable arrival experience for both guests and employees.
Q: Why is this program important?
A: This expanded approach reflects our commitment to:
- Supporting community-wide sustainability goals
- Reducing vehicle congestion on roads and in parking areas
- Promoting carpooling and responsible travel behaviour
- Enhancing the overall experience for guests and staff
By making parking easier and more predictable, we’re helping everyone enjoy more time on the mountain—and less time in traffic.
Q: How did the previous carpool program perform?
A: Our trial carpool program last season in Upper Lot 7 and P1 of Creekside Parkade was a major success. It:
- Attracted twice as many people per vehicle compared to paid lots
- Saw 70% of cars arrive with four or more passengers
- Demonstrated that free, prioritized carpool access reshapes travel behaviour and helps reduce congestion
Q: Will you be offering a shuttle from Creekside to the Main and Upper Villages?
A: We currently do not have plans to provide a shuttle service from Creekside. However, as a reminder, Whistler Mountain is serviced by the 10-passenger Creekside Gondola.
Q: Is paid reservation-based parking coming to Whistler Blackcomb in the future?
A: We are not considering this option for the 2025/26 winter season. We are always evaluating our options and taking in feedback related to our parking and arrivals experience.
Q: Is this expanded program part of a bigger plan to improve resort traffic and parking at Whistler Blackcomb?
A: We are constantly analyzing data and examining our own practices related to parking and arrivals/traffic flow and are committed to ongoing improvement. The results of this program will inform decisions related to our parking and arrivals experience in future seasons.
GETTING HERE AND TRANSPORTATION
Whistler is closer than you think
The drive from Vancouver only takes around two hours depending on road and traffic conditions. Along the way, enjoy breathtaking views from the beautiful, aptly named Sea to Sky Highway.
- Travel Time: approximately two hours
- Distance: approximately 120 kilometres (75 miles)
- Maps & Directions:
Once you've made the journey to Whistler, there are many options for in-resort transportation and many parking locations to suit your needs. Please see below for the options to navigate your way around Whistler.
Driving to Whistler: A Sea to Sky Journey
Whistler Transit System , opens in a new window
Find out everything you need to know about getting around the resort using the Whistler and Valley Express (WAVE) Transit System.
Free Shuttle Service , opens in a new window
- Route 4 - Marketplace Shuttle runs from Gondola Transit Exchange to Marketplace in the winter only.
- Route 5 - Upper Village/Benchlands Shuttle runs from Gondola Transit Exchange to Blackcomb Mountain Base Lodge and the Benchlands year-round.
- Route 8 - Lost Lake Shuttle runs from the Gondola Transit Exchange to Lost Lake Park every day.
P: The Resort Municipality of Whistler
Worry-free travel
Airport transfers, car rentals, shuttles and helicopter transfers are just some of the ways to travel the Sea-to-Sky Highway from Vancouver to Whistler. Book your transportation to Whistler via luxury motorcoach, limo, plane or car rental with us for the best deals. We have maps, directions and road reports to help you get to Whistler worry-free.
Bus & Shuttle Airport Transfers , opens in a new window
Door-to-door service to your Whistler hotel is available.
CAR RENTALS
Offering Avis car rentals, we have you covered with discounted rates on everything from compact cars to SUVs, which will get you up to Whistler along the famed Sea-to-Sky Highway. We can also help with requests such as ski/snowboard racks and child car seats.
Call 1.888.403.4727 to book car rentals.
Limousine Airport Transfers , opens in a new window
Choose from a chauffeured stretch or super-stretch limousine, SUV, stretch SUV, mini-bus or Mercedes Sprinter Van—all of which are available for arrivals and departures at any time of day.
Helicopter Transfers , opens in a new window
Get to Whistler by Air
Consistently rated one of the top airports in the world, Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is serviced by 55 airlines and 125 non-stop destinations in Canada, the United States and around the world. Vancouver International Airport sits 25 minutes from downtown Vancouver and roughly two hours from Whistler along Highway 99, a scenic road also known as the Sea to Sky Highway. For more information on cities that offer non-stop flights and airlines servicing YVR click here.
Getting to Vancouver
| CITY | Approximate Flying Time |
|---|---|
| Toronto (YYZ) | 5 Hours |
| San Francisco (SFO) | 2 Hours |
| Los Angeles (LAX) | 3 Hours |
| Denver (DEN) | 3 Hours |
| Chicago (ORD) | 5.5 Hours |
| New York (LGA, JFK & EWR) | 6 Hours |
| London, England (LHR) | 10 Hours |
| Sydney, Australia (SYD) | 15 Hours |
For more information on cities that offer non-stop flights and airlines servicing YVR click here.
VILLAGE AND PARKING LOCATIONS
Find everything you need to know about parking in resort. Click on the Parking Lot buttons for google maps.
One Stop Shop , opens in a new window
Our Local Experts have extensive experience and can help you design the ultimate Whistler vacation, down to the smallest details. By booking directly with the official Reservations team for Whistler Blackcomb, we can assist you in finding the perfect lodging, lift tickets, Passes, lessons, equipment, activities, and transportation to suit your needs.
Contact us today at: 1-855-730-2658
Need assistance?
At Whistler Blackcomb, we strive to constantly improve our guest service. Can't find what you are looking for online? Email wbsnowschool@vailresorts.com for all snow school inquiries, and all other inquiries to wbinfo@vailresorts.com.
1-800-766-0449 604-967-8950 (LOCAL)