What is it Like to Raise a Family in Whistler?

Whistler is home to some seriously cool kids.

It’s not hard to see why – Whistler provides some awesome opportunities that cultivate creativity, athleticism, a passion for nature, environmental stewardship… the list goes on. There’s a lot to be said for growing up in one of the best places in Canada.

Talk to any Whistler local, and they’ll provide you with an endless list of reasons that Whistler is a great place to raise a family. We’ve whittled it down to five essential factors:

We Love Our Local Schools

Many visitors are surprised to learn that Whistler is home to several schools, ranging from early childhood education to elementary schools to a high school. There are options, too – for example, you can choose to enroll your child in public school at Myrtle Philip Community School; in a French immersion program at Spring Creek Community School; or in a Waldorf program at Whistler Waldorf School.

Whatever you choose, rest assured that your child will have access to passionate teachers, top notch resources, and a great group of peers.

Awesome After School Activities

You’ll find a great selection of typical after school activities in Whistler – swimming lessons, dance classes, soccer teams, and so on. But you’ll also find a selection of distinctly Whistler activities – some of which you’ll have trouble finding anywhere else on earth!

Many local kids are enrolled in ski school on weekends. They might also partake in unique extracurriculars such as ski jumping or luging, thanks to the facilities we inherited after the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. Come summer, there’s a good chance your kid will be begging you to enroll in mountain biking camps. Let’s just say we know how to have fun here in Whistler.

An Endless Backyard

With a backyard consisting of lakes, mountains, valleys, and endless trails, it’s no wonder city slickers are a little envious of Whistler’s recreational opportunities. It’s a lot easier to entice your kids to spend some time outdoors with so many options for walks, hikes, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, and bike riding. Whether they’re out on the Valley Trail or exploring the endless network of trails that very likely runs close to their house, Whistler kids tend to be well acquainted with nature and are as comfortable in the dirt, on the water, and on the snow as they are at home on the couch.

Access to Culture

A perk of living in a resort town like Whistler is that despite being a small town, those who live here have access to some incredible attractions. Whistler kids benefit from resources like the Whistler Arts Council, the Whistler Public Library, the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre, and the upcoming Audain Art Museum. Growing up in Whistler also means setting up lawn chairs and picnic blankets on the lawn at the Olympic Plaza in taking in free concerts, ranging from local indie bands to the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.

A True Sense of Community

A side effect of having a relatively small permanent population that likes to spend time outdoors is that you get to know your neighbours. Many towns and cities strive to create a sense of community like the one that exists in Whistler. At its core, Whistler’s community is full of authentic, friendly people dedicated to everything that makes Whistler special. Who wouldn’t want to grow up in a place like that?!