WHISTLER LIFE

How to Celebrate New Year’s Eve in Whistler

If your family is in Whistler to celebrate New Year’s Eve, you’re in the right place.

On December 31st, the Village will come alive with fun, family friendly events to ring in the New Year – and you’re invited! Here’s how to have the perfect night on the town with the whole family.

Start With Dinner

If you haven’t already made reservations at one of Whistler’s fabulous restaurants for your New Year’s Eve dinner, stop what you’re doing and do it immediately! This is a busy time of year, and you’re definitely going to want to fuel up before the big bash.

There are plenty of family friendly restaurants in town – check out Pasta Lupino, The Old Spaghetti Factory, Stone’s Edge, or any other central restaurants that will keep you close to the action. Book your family into an early slot so that you can spend your evening celebrating.

Next, Skate It Off

Photo Credit: Tourism Whistler/Mike Crane
Photo Credit: Tourism Whistler/Mike Crane

Put on your Whistler Presents: New Year’s Eve wristbands (you’ve already picked them up, right? If not, here’s where to get them) and head to the Olympic Plaza.

Pick up a pair of rental skates – tonight, they’re free! – and do a little moving and shaking to work off the tasty dinner you just enjoyed. Snap a few souvenir pics in the photo booth, and grab a New Year’s hat and horn to get into the spirit.

Time to Warm Up

Photo Credit: Tourism Whistler/Mike Crane
Photo Credit: Tourism Whistler/Mike Crane

The Maury Young Arts Centre is just a short walk away from the Olympic Plaza – it’s the perfect opportunity to warm up and let your kids loose. From Lego to face painting to arts and crafts, there are an abundance of activities taking place at this venue. If your little ones aren’t likely to last until midnight, sign up for one of the evening balloon drops and call it a night a little early.

If your brood is keen to keep on going, then bundle up and get ready to head outside once again.

Fire, Ice, and Fireworks

Photo Credit: Tourism Whistler/Mike Crane
Photo Credit: Tourism Whistler/Mike Crane

Make your way down the Village Stroll until you reach the Whistler Village gondolas. Here, at the base of the mountains, you just might notice a pretty impressive looking jump – and a blazing ring of fire. In just a few moments, you’ll get to see some of the best local skiers and snowboarders performing jaw-dropping aerials through that very ring. Wow is right!

When the clock strikes midnight, look up at the sky to take in a phenomenal display of fireworks. Framed by Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains, we’d argue that there is no better backdrop for New Year’s Eve fireworks.

Shuttle, Sleep, and Ski!

Whistler Transit is free on New Year’s Eve, so when the fun has wrapped up, hop on the bus and make your way home. Or, if you're staying in a Whistler Village hotel, getting home is as easy as taking a few steps and swiping a hotel room key.

Mike Douglas skiing at sunset on Whistler Mountain with the Black Tusk

If you’re wise, you’ll crawl into bed at a decent hour – New Year’s morning happens to be one of the quietest times on the mountain over the otherwise busy holiday season.

Enjoy lap after lap of skiing while everyone else sleeps in. Trust us: there’s no better way to kick off another year than skiing fresh powder.

Happy New Year!

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