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Directions to Whistler, BC

From Vancouver Airport and downtown Vancouver

Four bottlenecks to avoid on your way to Whistler

These Whistler suggestions go with Fastest driving directions to Whistler and Scenic drive to Whistler – alternative I.

Here, you’ll learn how to time your drive to Whistler, in order to avoid driving delays and frustrations. There's lots of information, but it will help you save time.

Bottleneck #1 - Black Ice

Although most of the route from Vancouver to Whistler Village is near sea level and you may not encounter snow until close to Whistler, the highway has considerable black ice during the winter.

This is an especially dangerous type of road ice that is very difficult to notice at night.

If you’re not experienced in handling skids in icy conditions, travel between Vancouver and Whistler during the day. You’ll enjoy the fine scenery and be safer.

Bottleneck #2 – Lions Gate Bridge

During the weekday afternoon rush hour, don’t travel over the narrow Lyons Gate Bridge when leaving Vancouver. This—the only convenient bridge over Vancouver Harbor on the way to Whistler—is a notorious bottleneck.

You’ll need to drive over this nearly always congested bridge, but don’t exacerbate your pain between 3:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. weekdays when traveling toward Whistler.

Instead, enjoy some extra time in Vancouver, instead of sitting in a traffic jam. (See our Scenic drive to Whistler – alternative I for suggestions.)

Likewise, don’t travel into Vancouver during the weekday morning rush hour over this bridge.

You may want to drive into Vancouver from Whistler on the previous evening and stay in a hotel.

Skip to Bottleneck #3.

Vancouver area hotels and hostels

If it’s more convenient to stay in Vancouver before or after your Whistler drive, you’ll save money being near Vancouver airport. Check out Hotwire.com prices for 2-, 3-, and 4-star hotels there (in U.S. dollars).

Or, pay more for a hotel in downtown Vancouver, but still save over similar hotels in U.S. cities (or in Whistler during peak season). You’ll have more to do downtown than near the airport.

However, don’t use cheap hotels or hostels near the Vancouver bus and train station, a deteriorated area. No 3-star or better hotels are found in this area.

Hotels in the western downtown and central downtown areas are fine, but those in the lively downtown adult entertainment area are perhaps better for club attendees than for families. (Type in “Vancouver, Canada” and any dates for a Hotwire.com map of these neighborhoods.)

If you prefer a hostel and are driving between late spring and late summer, consider the Jericho Beach Hostel, just off our scenic drive in Vancouver, which has free parking—and a beach!

Otherwise, use Hostelling International’s Vancouver Downtown Hostel in a reasonably convenient location on Burrard Street downtown, which is not in a terrible neighborhood (unlike most city center hostels).

Save up to 75% on 4-star Vancouver hotels!
Save up to 75% on 4-star Whistler hotels!

Bottleneck #3 – Rush hours to and from the airport

In order to drive a reasonably direct route between Vancouver International Airport and Whistler, you'll have drive close to downtown Vancouver. (Water barriers severely restrict traffic flow.)

Here are tips you need to avoid problems:

Northbound toward Whistler

Time your northbound drive from the airport to avoid the worst of the weekday morning rush hour between approximately 6:45 a.m. to 9:15 a.m.

Drive at another time, or take the Scenic drive to Whistler from the airport, which avoids most congested streets until nearly downtown.

Southbound toward the airport

Also, avoid the direct route from the downtown area to the airport during the afternoon rush hour.

Instead, take our scenic route through Vancouver. You’ll enjoy this more and may even save some time.

Bottleneck #4 – Road construction delays

Sorry, we can’t help you with this one! There’s much to do to upgrade access to Whistler in time for the 2010 Winter Olympics.

Go to:

• The fastest driving directions to Whistler
• Scenic drive to Whistler - alternative I
• Directions to Whistler - introduction

1. The fastest driving directions to Whistler from Vancouver International Airport.
2. Timing your trip to Whistler, in order to avoid traffic jams.
3. Scenic drive to Whistler - alternative I.
4. Scenic drive to Whistler - alternative II. (under construction)
5. Transportation to Whistler from Vancouver and Vancouver Airport.
6. What U.S. travelers need to know about returning to Vancouver Airport.