Mad Dog Ski: Ski Resort guidebooks for Austria, Bulgaria, Canada, France, Italy and Switzerland

Families - Whistler - Canada

Whistler has a great reputation as a family ski resort. There is a high quality English-speaking ski school with enthusiastic instructors and excellent childcare facilities. The pedestrianised resort centre of the village is safe and easy to nativate and there are often fun events laid on to keep the children entertained. However the long flight is not easy for all children, especially when you add on the two hour transfer to resort.

Snow conditions are best from late December to mid March, however the temperatures of often low and the days short. February half-term is quieter tha Europe but the thrid Monday in February is President's Day so that weekend will be busy.

There are lots of activities to do off the slopes from snowshoeing to snow tubing, making this a great place for children. There are plenty of shops for a bit of retail therapy or to grab something you forgot or mislaid.


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Accommodation

Location is very important when you are booking for a family. The nearer you can get to the ski schools and lifts the better. However many of the more expensive resorts do provide on-call shuttle service to the slopes and some will escort children to ski school.

There are a few catered chalets operated by UK tour operators but the choice is generally between a Ski Condominium (apartment) or hotel. The Condo's are often cheaper and more spacious so a good option for families. The majority of the hotels are child-friendly, often with a small kitchenette in each room.

Children's checklist

  • how close is the ski shool and nearest lift?
  • are there price reductions for children?
  • are cots, high chairs and baby monitors provided? Can they be hired?
  • can rooms accommodate extra beds?
  • are rooms for children available away from noisy communal areas?
  • if you're choosing a hotel, check if adjoining rooms are available
  • are baths available in addtion to showers?
  • what childcare is available?
  • is there a ski concierge so gear can be dropped at the base of the mountain and collected the following morning?

Check in 'The List' for more details of childcare options available.

Our section 'Ski School' will give you information to help you choose you lesson plan.

Restaurants and Bars

Whistler's licensing rules regarding access for children are rather complicated.  There are three options: minors permitted at any time, minors permitted until 8pm and no minors permitted. A further complication - some places allow children on their patio and some do not. Call ahead to make sure of their rules.

Generally children are allowed in restaurants that serve alcohol but not in bars that serve food; this is hazy at the best of times. Where minors are permitted they have children's menus and are welcoming to families.

Here are some of the restaurants where children are permitted at any time:
Caramba - Very family friendly, colouring books and crayons available.
Dubh Linn Gate - Children only in the dining room after 7.30pm
Children permitted until 8pm:
Garibaldi Lift Company - kids menu
Merlins - Lively atmosphere and early evening dining specials.
Dusty's - kids menu
On the mountain:
Roundhouse - top of Whistler gondola
Rendevous - top of the Solar coaster and Jersey Cream lifts on Blackcomb mountain.

For baby food and other baby items check 'The List' for supermarkets.