Your excitement rises the moment you smell the Whistler air. Rubbing his eyes, he takes a first look at his dream vacation. So it happens. You feel a drop of rain… and then another. You have that dreaded sinking feeling you were hoping to avoid.
“I didn’t expect this,” you complain, “now what do I do?”
Whistler weather is responsible for the good and bad of Whistler holiday enjoyment. What to wear, when it snows the most, and how many layers to pack are important questions to address before traveling to Whistler. Whether you ski, snowboard, mountain bike, or tour and spa, you’ll benefit from being prepared for the weather in Whistler.
When to go to Whistler – Past weather conditions in Whistler
While weather conditions are constantly changing, past weather conditions in Whistler give a good idea of what to expect for your future Whistler vacation.
Whistler Average Temperatures
The well-documented average temperatures allow you to ensure that you bring appropriate clothing on your vacation:
Alpine averages:
Dec-Feb: min -12°C/11°F, max -5°C/23°F
Mar-May: 19°F/-8°C low, 42°F/5°C high
Whistler Village Averages:
Dec-Feb: min -5°C/21°F, max 0°C/32°F
Mar-May: Low 3°C/36°F, High 12°C/53°F
Jun-Sep: 50°F/10°C low, 74°F/24°C high
Oct-Nov: Low 3°C/34°F, High 11°C/51°F
whistler snowfall
Snow conditions are more important in determining when to go to Whistler during the winter. Although Whistler’s snowfall varies, Whistler Blackcomb’s snow base is typically around 10.22 meters, or 33.5 feet, at the summit.
Checking online to see which lifts and ski slopes are open throughout the year is a good indicator of snow conditions in Whistler. Early season alpine lift openings indicate excellent snow conditions that are likely to continue. Generally, Whistler’s snow base is largest with the freshest snow from late December through early April.
Weather trends – El Niño vs. The girl
The weather in Whistler is determined by the cycle of La Niña replacing El Niño, and vice versa. El Niño causes fairly warm and dry winters. Defined as a rise in sea surface temperature greater than 0.5°C, El Niño creates relatively unfavorable conditions for skiing and snowboarding. La Niña has the opposite effect of El Niño. Occurring when normal trade wind circulation patterns increase in the Pacific Ocean, La Niña lowers sea surface temperatures by more than 0.5°C.
Due to El Niño, the new millennium began with a consistent trend of hot and dry weather in Whistler. However, with the return of La Niña to western Canada, Whistler has seen cooler weather, with much more snow between 2006 and 2008.
The Bottom Line: How to Avoid Nasty Whistler Weather
Regardless of when you travel to Whistler, travel in layers. Be prepared to add or lose a layer and adjust to the conditions.
General trends and averages of past Whistler weather conditions give an idea of what to expect, but are not a guarantee. Nothing prevents that dreaded sinking feeling from an unfavorable turn in the weather like a suitcase full of layer-worthy fabric solutions.
