Whistler, nestled in British Columbia’s Coast Mountains, features a true four-season climate with cold, snowy winters and warm, sunny summers. Renowned for its world-class ski slopes and vibrant summer activities, Whistler experiences significant seasonal variation, abundant precipitation, and dramatic temperature swings, making it a top destination for outdoor enthusiasts year-round.
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
Whistler boasts a humid continental climate, shaped by its mountainous location and coastal proximity. Winters (November to March) are cold, wet, and snowy, with average daily highs from -2°C to 3°C and lows from -8°C to -4°C. Snowfall is abundant, with over 11 metres annually on the mountain, creating prime conditions for winter sports. Cloud cover is common, and daylight is limited, with as little as 2 hours of sunshine per day in December.
Spring (April to May) brings a gradual thaw, with highs rising from 7°C to 17°C and lows from -3°C to 7°C. Rainfall remains frequent, and snow lingers at higher elevations. Summers (June to August) are warm and relatively dry, with average highs of 21–27°C and lows of 9–11°C. July and August offer the sunniest days, up to 8 hours of sunshine daily, and minimal rainfall. Autumn (September to October) sees cooling temperatures (8–20°C), increased rainfall, and vibrant autumn foliage. Winds are generally light to moderate, and humidity is moderate, peaking in the winter months. Whistler’s climate ensures reliable snow for skiing and pleasant summers for hiking, biking, and lake activities.
| Average climate data for Whistler, Canada | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | -2 | -2 | -0 | 3 | 11 | 13 | 19 | 19 | 14 | 7 | 1 | -3 | 19 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | -9 | -11 | -8 | -5 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 3 | -1 | -5 | -10 | -11 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 225 | 110 | 171 | 123 | 89 | 85 | 61 | 62 | 104 | 149 | 205 | 196 | 1,579 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 12 | 10 | 14 | 20 | 21 | 23 | 17 | 14 | 17 | 18 | 16 | 9 | 192 |
| Average snowfall (mm) | 680 | 529 | 843 | 296 | 26 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 66 | 498 | 843 | 3,782 |
| Average snowfall days (days) | 16 | 16 | 20 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 13 | 19 | 100 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 95 | 93 | 96 | 92 | 82 | 81 | 72 | 74 | 78 | 84 | 90 | 92 | 86 |
| Average wind speed (km/h) | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 8 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 3 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 6 |
| Average cloud coverage (%) | 62 | 59 | 66 | 61 | 48 | 53 | 36 | 35 | 43 | 50 | 60 | 60 | 53 |
| Average UV index | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
The best time to visit Whistler depends on your interests. For skiing and snowboarding, December to March offers deep snow and excellent conditions. For hiking, biking, and lake activities, July and August provide warm, sunny days and long daylight hours, making them ideal for summer adventures.
The least favourable time to visit Whistler is typically late October to early November, when temperatures are cool, rainfall peaks, and neither reliable snow nor summer activities are available. This shoulder season can see muddy trails, frequent rain, and limited outdoor options.
Whistler experiences cold, snowy winters and warm, sunny summers. Winters are ideal for skiing, while summers are perfect for hiking and biking. The area receives significant precipitation, especially in winter, and enjoys four distinct seasons.
The heaviest snowfall occurs from November to March, with over 11 metres of snow annually on the mountain. December, January, and February are peak months for snow sports, offering deep powder and reliable coverage.
Summer temperatures in Whistler typically range from 21°C to 27°C during the day, with cooler nights around 9–11°C. July and August are the warmest and sunniest months, ideal for outdoor activities and festivals.
Yes, Whistler receives abundant precipitation, especially from October to May. November is the rainiest month, while July and August are drier. Rain can occur year-round, so packing waterproof gear is recommended.
Sunshine is limited in winter, with just 1–2 hours per day in December, but increases to 7–8 hours daily in July and August. Summer offers the sunniest and longest days, perfect for outdoor exploration.
Pack warm, waterproof layers for winter and early spring, including snow boots and gloves. In summer, bring light clothing, sun protection, and a rain jacket for sudden showers. Always prepare for changing mountain weather.
The best hiking conditions are from late June to September, when trails are snow-free, temperatures are warm, and days are long and sunny. Early autumn also offers beautiful autumn colours and fewer crowds.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is August (19 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is December (-2.5 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 6.7 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is August (5.8 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is February (-10.7 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is -2.5 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is January (224.9 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is July (60.5 mm). Over the whole year there are 1,578.7 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is June (23.3 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is December (9.4 days). Over the whole year there are 191.8 days of rain on average.
The month with the most snowfall is December (843.5 mm). The months with the least snowfall are June, July and August (0 mm). Over the whole year there are 3,782.2 mm of snowfall on average.
The month with the most days of snowfall is March (19.8 days). The months with the fewest days of snowfall are June, July and August (0 days). Over the whole year there are 99.9 days of snowfall on average.
The month with the highest average relative humidity is March (95.6 %). The month with the lowest average relative humidity is July (71.6 %). The overall average relative humidity over the whole year is 85.8 %.
The windiest month, with the highest average wind speed, is March (7.5 km/h). The calmest month, with the lowest average wind speed, is August (5.9 km/h). The overall average wind speed over the whole year is 6.7 km/h.
The month with the cloudiest skies, so the highest cloud coverage, is March (66.3 %). The month with the clearest skies, so the lowest cloud coverage, is August (34.7 %). Over the whole year there is an average cloud coverage of 52.8 %.
The month with the longest days, so the most daylight, is June (Average daylight: 16 h). The month with the shortest days, so the least daylight, is December (Average daylight: 8 h). Over the whole year there are 11.8 h of daylight per day on average.
The month with the most sunshine per day is August (Average sunshine: 10 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is December (Average sunshine: 3 h). Over the whole year there are 6.1 h of sunlight per day on average.
The month with the highest average UV index is July (UV index: 5). The months with the lowest average UV index are January, February, March, October, November and December (UV index: 1). Over the whole year the average UV index is 2.
