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Best time to visit Whistler: month by month
Short answer
December to March is best for skiing, with highs of 0–6°C and the most reliable snow from January to March. July to September is best for hiking, lakes and biking, with highs of about 20–26°C. May–June and October–November are cheaper shoulder seasons with fewer services.
Month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 3°C | -2°C | 19 | high |
| Feb | 2°C | -4°C | 17 | very high |
| Mar | 6°C | -2°C | 19 | very high |
| Apr | 9°C | 0°C | 16 | medium |
| May | 15°C | 4°C | 12 | low |
| Jun | 21°C | 9°C | 14 | medium |
| Jul | 25°C | 12°C | 8 | high |
| Aug | 26°C | 13°C | 8 | very high |
| Sep | 20°C | 9°C | 13 | medium |
| Oct | 13°C | 5°C | 15 | low |
| Nov | 5°C | -2°C | 17 | low |
| Dec | 0°C | -5°C | 19 | very high |
Temperatures and rainy days: Copernicus ERA5 averages, 2021–2023. Crowd levels are our estimate.
Season by season
Spring (Mar–May)
Highs rise from about 6°C in March to 15°C in May; spring skiing until April, then a quiet shoulder season as the snow melts in the valley.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
Average highs of 21–26°C and lows of 9–13°C, with 8–14 rain days a month; hiking, lakes and the Bike Park.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
Highs fall from about 20°C in September to 5°C in November, with 13–17 rain days; September is still good for hiking, then shoulder season.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Highs of about 0–3°C and lows of −5 to −2°C, with 17–19 snow or rain days a month; ski season and the busiest holiday weeks.
Events worth planning around
- Whistler Pride and Ski Festival — January
- Crankworx mountain bike festival — summer (usually July–August)
- Cornucopia food and drink festival — November
When to avoid
Avoid Christmas, New Year and spring break if you want lower prices. October–November has few services and unreliable weather.
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Common questions
What is the best time to visit Whistler?
January to March for skiing, July to September for hiking and lakes.
When does the ski season start in Whistler?
Usually late November, running to April, with the most reliable snow from January to March.
Is Whistler worth visiting in the shoulder season?
It is cheaper and quieter in May–June and October–November, but some services close.