What’s New and Happening In Whistler - February 2023

Join Rossignol and Extremely Canadian skiing for camaraderie, Rossignol ski demos, pushing boundaries and refining skills at the fourth annual We Rise skiing days. On 4 February participants will take to the slopes of Whistler Blackcomb for downhill skiing or snowboarding, and on 11 February will follow Extremely Canadian’s top-certified guides into the backcountry for ski touring or splitboarding.

The events are for women, non-binary and gender non-conforming people and are an open and welcoming space with the goal of encouraging participants to get out of their comfort zones, improve their skills and connect with other like-minded people.

Peak to Valley Race | 24-25 February

The Peak to Valley Race is back for its 37th year this 24-25 February. The longest race of its kind in the world, it is a team Giant Slalom skiing race on Whistler Mountain, where participants test themselves on a unique course which starts on the Whistler Saddle and finishes at Dusty’s Bar in Creekside Village. The event concludes with a dinner and awards ceremony at the Roundhouse Lodge on Whistler Mountain.

Although it is the longest Giant Slalom course in the world, the race is a doable challenge for any intermediate to advanced level skier looking to push their boundaries. Teams are made up of four people, and must be a mixture of male and female. The teams are placed in categories based on the cumulative age of the team, with the younger ones typically assigned to the ruts on the second day of the event. To read more about the history of the event and what it’s like to compete, read our Whistler Insider blog post, The Peak to Valley Race: Have You Got the Thighs for It? 

Arts & Culture

Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour | 10-11 February 

Each year the Banff Mountain Film Festival showcases a selection of outstanding adventure, exploration and mountain films from around the world. The World Tour spans the globe, reaching over 5500,000 audience members in more than 500 locations in 40 countries. On 10 and 11 February the festival is coming to the Maury Young Arts Centre in Whistler.

Marcus Mosely Ensemble | 26 February 

In celebration of Black History Month, Marcus Mosely and his Ensemble will perform a rousing program of gospel songs on 26 February at the Maury Young Arts Centre in Whistler. Enjoy a soulful afternoon of gospel, blues and inspirational music with the legendary Marcus Mosely, and his Ensemble who have a repertoire spanning gospel, jazz, R&B, pop, rock, folk and blues.

Stand up comedy | 18 February 

Anybody looking for a night of laughter in Whistler can visit the Whistler Brewing Company on 18 February for Andrew Packer’s Ice Ice Baby Tour, featuring Ola Dada. Andrew Packer is a Toronto-based stand up comedian known for his observational humour and quick-witted crowd work. Ola Dada is a Nigerian-born comedian, who touches on the absurdity of growing up in Fort McMurray, Alberta. There will also be a guest performance from Alistair Ogden, winner of CBC’s Next Up Competition. Bring your friends and enjoy an evening of great beers and laughs.

What’s New in Whistler Creekside

Whistler Creekside was the original site of Whistler’s ski scene, and the first gondola-accessed ski area in North America in 1966. The end of 2022 was another historic moment as Whistler Blackcomb completed the installation of the new Creekside Gondola. The new, high-speed, 10-person Creekside Gondola (Facing North: Sq̓útsa ti Tsaw̓ewéca “by the creek” – Lil̓wat7úl Ucwalmícwts; Facing South: Ch’it ta Swá7elt “beside the creek” – Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Sníchim) is now turning and Whistler is rejoicing.The gondola not the only new thing happening in Creekside Village. Here’s three additional new initiatives that have been added to a vibrant part of Whistler with an incredible history:

1. Coffee Shop:Rockit Coffee Co. – visitors will be blown away by Rockit Coffee Co.’s unique and funky decor. Owner, Pepe Barajas, said that when he thought about opening a coffee shop in Whistler, he wanted it to also be a place that fits with that celebratory, Whistler vibe and decided it had to have a connection to music.

2. Artist space:ART POP – part local art store, part gallery, part creative workshop space, ART POP is a friendly and inviting place to explore. Check out their events including paint nights, adult weekly paint sessions and kids’ classes.

3. Restaurant:The Den at Nita Lake Lodge – with stunning views out over glacially-fed Nita Lake, The Den at Nita Lake Lodge has a unique link to the wild with its locale, decor and menu.