The trip from Seattle to Whistler is like a pilgrimage for many adventurers. In just over four hours, you’ve escaped the city and been embraced into beautiful British Columbia. It’s the Pacific Northwest like you’ve never seen it before.
The Great White North beckons with the lure of temperate rainforests, turquoise glacial lakes, and rugged mountain tops. The list of attractions is endless, but here’s our top 5 to persuade you to make the trip from Seattle to Whistler.
A Beautiful Drive – The Road Trip From Seattle To Whistler
The drive alone is reason enough! From Seattle to Whistler, you’ll leave behind gorgeous views of Mount Baker, cross the US/Canada border and catch a glimpse at the City of Vancouver. For a true Canadian experience, make a stop at Tim Hortons for a coffee – no Canadian road trip is complete without it.
Making your way north on Route 99 (AKA The Sea-to-Sky Highway), you’ll skirt along the edge of the Coast Mountains while views of the Strait Of Georgia, and then Howe Sound, stretch out before you. Conde Nast even recognized it as one of the most beautiful coastal drives in the world!
If you’d like to explore en route, you can break up your Sea-To-Sky road trip by incorporating a visit to one of these 5 must-see spots between Vancouver and Whistler.
Something For Everyone – The Four Season Resort
One of the main reasons why people visit Whistler is the Whistler Blackcomb resort. It’s home to legendary snow sports in the winter and high-octane mountain biking in the summer. On top of that, sightseers find thrills riding the world-record-breaking PEAK2PEAK Gondola, or experiencing the Cloudraker Suspension Bridge!
But there’s so much more to do, too! One of the first questions that we get asked by guests is “What are the top things to do in Whistler?” Check out our big bucket list of an incredible FIFTY Must-dos and must-sees in our little mountain town.
Get Back To Nature – Super Natural British Columbia
Wildlife and nature abound in British Columbia, which surely makes the drive from Seattle to Whistler worthwhile?! The Coast Mountains are recognized as the most glaciated mountain range in the world, and close to 25% of the world’s temperate rainforest is in BC. This makes for a diverse and rich ecosystem. Local favorites include black bears, bald eagles, orca, and moose.
The landscape in Whistler is pretty unique too! We are located within the Pacific Ring Of Fire and known as the land of fire and ice. The iconic Black Tusk, for example, is a dormant stratovolcano in Garibaldi Provincial Park, which is visible from many vantage points around Whistler. In summer months, it’s possible to hike up to it and enjoy incredible views over Garibaldi Lake.
Genuine Canadian Hospitality – A Warm Welcome
We’d recommend taking the trip from Seattle to Whistler for the hospitality alone! Canadians are notoriously friendly and welcoming. Forbes even recognized Canada in its Top 10 Most Reputable Countries In The World, and U.S News identified Canada in the Top 5 Best Countries In The World in 2020!
Whether you choose to Airbnb or to book a Whistler hotel, you can be sure that a genuine, warm welcome will await you.
Seattle To Whistler – More Bang For Your Buck
Now, let’s talk about money. Driving Seattle to Whistler, crossing over the border into Canada currently gets you around 1.32 Canadian Dollars to your USD (January 2020). Now let’s take into consideration accommodation, which in Seattle may cost somewhere in the range of US$150-250 per night. A midweek stay in Whistler, when booked in advance, could be as little as CAD$159, which converts to US$120 per night!
On a budget? We’ve compiled a day full of fun in Whistler that won’t exceed $100. Impossible, you say? Here’s how.
Start Planning – Your Trip From Seattle To Whistler
There you have our top five reasons to make the journey. Looking for further temptation? We’d recommend the official Tourism BC website. It’s packed full of useful guides and tools to create the perfect Seattle to Whistler trip.
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