In December of 1980 Blackcomb Mountain had just opened as a separate ski area to Whistler Mountain, creating one of the largest ski complexes in North America. A born and raised B.C mountain boy, in 1981, along with many other free-spirited ski bums, I moved to Whistler. With the new village and rapidly expanding ski areas, the influx of like-minded peers joined the migration and the pace of change in the valley accelerated further.
I love the coastal mountain lifestyle here in Whistler and as a local REALTOR®, it’s been a pleasure connecting clients to an area I’ve been privileged to call home for so many years. I have watched the valley, its neighbourhoods and our community grow and evolve over the past 30 years. I love sharing my knowledge and enthusiasm for the area with clients who may be just beginning their journey in this corner of paradise.
If you are new or considering moving to the town, here’s a brief overview of our neighbourhoods to help you get your bearings.
Function Junction
In a way, Function Junction is the real heart of the Whistler. With many of its businesses locally owned, it provides everything and anything from cafes, bakeries, delis, hardware shops, bike shops, auto shops, a skate shop, yoga studio, coworking space and brewpubs - just to name a few of its amenities. It is a mixed commercial and residential bustling neighbourhood and a hive of activity seven days a week.
Cheakamus Crossing
Born of the 2010 Olympics Athlete’s Village, Cheakamus Crossing is a young, lively neighbourhood with modern amenities including a pump track, athletes training centre, daycare, shops and a district energy system for green modern living. It provides mixed residential housing options including townhomes, condos and single-family homes with a strong local presence.
Spring Creek
You’ll find the modern elementary school, Spring Creek Community School, and many beautiful contemporary homes in this family-friendly neighbourhood. if you’re looking for a modern chalet for a good price and easy access to Vancouver (being on the south end of town), start here.
Bayshores
Bayshores, with great afternoon light, has everything in terms of housing. There’s something for everybody with some surprising gems. Added bonus: it's close to Creekside.
Kadenwood
If you’ve skied Whistler Mountain into Creekside you’ll know that Kadenwood has a private gondola - need I say more? With stunning single-family homes, Kadenwood is not when you’re trying to be somebody, it is when you are somebody.
Whistler Creekside
The OG Village of Whistler and home of Nita Lake Lodge. The first lifts were built on the south side of Whistler Mountain, starting from the area known as Creekside. Despite being one of the first areas in Whistler to be developed, the ‘new’ Village has taken all the limelight for many years and Creekside is now under somewhat of a revival.
This is a popular winter zone for skiers looking for an underground carpark to boot-up. Likewise, with more excellent bike park trails also finishing conveniently at Dusty’s Bar, Creekside has become a summer hub too. You’ll find accommodations including plenty of condos and ski-in/ski-out options. Cafes, dining and eateries, equipment rentals, grocery and liquor stores, pubs, retail, skier services, and a gas station make Creekside a self-sufficient centre.
Nordic Estates
Think big afternoon sun and excellent ski-home mix-residential housing. This is an iconic Whistler neighbourhood and home to some of Whistler’s finest chalets.
Alta Vista
It doesn’t get more convenient than Alta Vista. This is a lakeshore community, fuelled by the ski area’s success. Alta Vista is where you’ll find some beautiful Whistler properties, bike trails, parks and also one of Whistler’s best beaches: Lakeside Park. This is a local hotspot in the summer, where residents and visitors alike flock to swim, SUP or start their journey down the River of Golden Dreams.
Westside
This is where it all began, on the Westside. Home to many original Whistler chalets and private view lots, you’ll only find single-family homes here which uniquely enjoy Whistler from across the lake. It’s a quiet neighbourhood and home to the epic Rainbow Park and The Point Artist-Run Center. You can take a picturesque valley trail ride into town from either end of the neighbourhood and although some people are put-off the driving distance of Westside to the Village, I think it's what makes Westside so special.
Brio
Brio has excellent proximity to the Village, Alta Lake and Whistler Mountain. With great afternoon light, this neighbourhood is a top choice to enjoy vacationing or living in Whistler full-time. Perched high on a rocky bluff in Brio you’ll find Whistler's exclusive Sunridge Plateau Development. Here you’ll find ski-in/ski-out luxury high-end homes, close to Whistler Village but with a feeling of being away from it all.
The Village and the Benchlands
If you want to experience the true 'buzz' of Whistler, The Village and Benchlands, near the base of Blackcomb Mountain, is where it's at. There’s lift access to Blackcomb Mountain, all the big-name hotels, shops and restaurants, the Olympic Plaza, museums, a beautiful golf course and access to Whistler’s legendary Lost Lake, with hiking and biking trails aplenty. You’ll find townhomes, condos, hotel rooms, timeshares and a lifestyle that puts you right in all the action offered by this premier resort town. This zone is for the seasoned athletic veteran and is a holiday-makers heaven.
Blueberry Hill
Blueberry Hills undoubtedly has some of the most primo views in Whistler! This really is the ultimate neighbourhood in Whistler. You’ll find quality real estate including classic, well-constructed chalets all with walking distance to town and expansive mountain and Whistler Golf Course views.
Whistler Cay Heights
Whistler Cay is a residential neighbourhood, with the Myrtle Philip Community School and a local daycare tucked away in its private meandering streets. Its location close to the Whistler Golf Course makes it a prime location for dog walks and for those wanting easy access to The Village. Although a number of new builds have been constructed over the years, you'll still find great opportunities presented by older style cabins that popped up in this neighbourhood between the '80s and '90s.
Spruce Grove
Spruce Grove is home to the idyllic Spruce Grove Park, baseball fields and the Spruce Grove Field House (clubhouse rented for events). It’s also where you’ll find an incredibly fun Frisbee golf course, and the local Whistler Waldorf school. This is also the best employee housing neighbourhood - investor alert!
White Gold
Location, location, location. There are many mid to large-sized family homes in White Gold, with great walking and biking access to the base on the mountain, the Village, and Lost Lake trails: all the places you need via the impressive Valley Trail network.
Whistler Cay Estates
With a local elementary school and access to Valley Trails, Whistler Cay Estates is a popular choice. Whistler Cay Estates also links through to Whistler Cay Heights. Built on level lots there is a mixture of chalet-style and modern high-end single-family homes to fit a variety of budgets.
Nesters
One of Whistler’s smallest neighbourhoods, Nesters offers a convenient location close to Whistler Village as well as its own shopping complex containing Nester’s Market, a very popular supermarket with the locals and one of my favourite coffee shops, the Bread Bunker Cafe. In terms of housing, there is a mix of older homes on Nesters Road and newer high-end homes on Treetop Lane.
Nicklaus North
Home to luxurious mountain chalets and the Nicklaus North golf course – along with the delicious Table 19. You don’t have to play golf here to enjoy a drink on the best patio in Whistler. This is the last spot to get sun in the valley and great place to watch float planes land and take off on Green Lake. This area is beautiful, quiet and a very short walk across the highway 99 to the Meadow Park Sports Centre.
Alpine Meadows
Alpine Meadows is consistently voted as Whistler’s favourite neighbourhood. The neighbours are friendly, the lots large and the trees big and old. You’ll find amazing elevated properties with incredible views and morning sun to die for. There’s a lot going on in Alpine Meadows – it’s got the delicious Alpine Café, a convenience store, and the local high school, but’s is also home to Meadow Park Sports Centre. Hockey, ice-skating, swimming, fitness classes, the gym, sports fields – you’ll find it all at Meadow Park!
Rainbow
Rainbow is all about development at present and is creating a purposely designed and built community with a gas station, a new grocery store, and other commercial amenities. These new complexes boast impressive views of the skill hills across Green Lake. Watch this space!
Emerald
Emerald is special. You can get a great house in a true mountain setting at a fantastic price. It may not be convenient to the Village, which deters a lot of people from this neighbourhood, but there’s a tonne of variety here with great views and a friendly local neighbourhood. I lived here for many years and loved it.
