If you look around Whistler today, it’s easy to see a seamless blend of luxury chalets, high-speed gondolas, and a vibrant village center. But as we celebrate the 60th anniversary of Whistler Mountain as a ski area in 2026, it’s worth looking back at how we got here.
This town didn't start as a mega-resort. It has a dual heritage that stretches back thousands of years before the first ski lift ever turned. For anyone looking to buy here, understanding this timeline isn't just trivia—it explains why our neighborhoods look the way they do, why the village is laid out so perfectly, and why living in Whistler is such a unique experience.
Let’s take a walk through time to see how a quiet fishing spot transformed into the global icon we know today.
The First Stewards: Squamish and Lil'wat Nations
Before any maps were drawn or lodges built, this valley was—and remains—the shared territory of the Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) and L̓il̓wat7úl (Lil'wat) Nations.
For generations, the Indigenous people used this land, historically known in parts as the 'Spo7ez' area, for hunting and gathering. It was a vital meeting point where the two nations engaged in trade and resource sharing. This wasn't "wilderness" to be conquered; it was a managed, life-sustaining landscape.
Today, that partnership is physically represented by the Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre (SLCC). Opened in 2008, the center stands as a testament to the collaboration between the two nations. When you see land acknowledgments or indigenous art integrated into modern developments, it’s a recognition that the history of this valley goes much deeper than the ski industry.
The Fishing Lodge Era (1914–1960)
Long before powder hounds arrived, summer was the main season here. The arrival of the Pacific Great Eastern Railway in 1914 cracked the area open to visitors from Vancouver, turning the valley into a go-to escape for outdoor enthusiasts.
At the heart of this era were Myrtle and Alex Philip, who opened Rainbow Lodge in 1914. Situated on the shores of what was then the main attraction, Alta Lake, it quickly became the most popular fishing lodge west of the Rockies. Back then, people didn't come here to ski; they came to fish for trout and escape the city heat.
Real estate in this period was simple. You didn't have sprawling estates; you had rustic log cabins and summer cottages.
- The Vibe: purely functional and recreational.
- The Name: The area was known as "Alta Lake." "Whistler" was just a nickname locals used for London Mountain because of the shrill whistle made by the hoary marmots living in the rocks.
You can still find nods to this era in some of the older Alta Lake homes, where the architecture leans heavily on timber, stone, and a cozy, cabin-in-the-woods aesthetic.
The Dream of a Ski Resort (1960–1979)
The pivot to winter sports started with a dream that actually failed. In the early 1960s, a group of Vancouver businessmen formed the Garibaldi Olympic Development Association. They had their eyes on the 1968 Winter Olympics.
They didn't win the bid, but the idea stuck. The group, led by the visionary Franz Wilhelmsen, decided to press on with developing a ski area anyway. One of their first smart marketing moves was an official name change in 1965. They ditched "London Mountain"—which brought to mind the dreary smog of London, England—and officially adopted the local nickname: Whistler.
Whistler Mountain officially opened for skiing on January 15, 1966. It was a game-changer. Suddenly, the focus shifted from summer fishing cabins to winter chalets. Recognizing that unbridled growth could ruin the valley, the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) was formed in 1975. This was crucial for real estate investors today because it established the strict development controls that keep property values high and the landscape pristine.
Two Mountains and a Village (1980–1997)
If the 60s were about starting up, the 80s were about competition. Blackcomb Mountain opened in December 1980, creating a massive rivalry right across the valley.
This competition drove rapid innovation in lifts and terrain, but the biggest legacy from this era is the village itself. Master planner Eldon Beck designed Whistler Village with a radical concept for the time: a pedestrian-only "village in the forest." He oriented the strolling paths to maximize sunlight and maintain constant views of the mountains, ensuring you never felt lost or boxed in. For those interested in getting around Whistler without a car, the village design is a key feature.
Real estate changed forever during this time.
- Intrawest arrives: Taking over Blackcomb in 1986, they popularized the concept of ski-in/ski-out living.
- Condo boom: We saw a shift from detached cabins to high-density Whistler Village condos and townhomes in the Benchlands.
- The Merger: The rivalry ended in 1997 when the two mountains merged operations, creating the unified giant we have today.
This era gave us the walkable, car-free core that makes living in Whistler so distinct from other ski towns that are just sprawls of condos along a highway.
The Olympic Boom (1998–2010)
The dream that started in the 1960s finally came true when Vancouver and Whistler won the bid for the 2010 Winter Olympics. This wasn't just a two-week party; it fundamentally rewired the local real estate market.
The most significant change was the $600M (CAD) upgrade to the Sea-to-Sky Highway. Before this, the drive from Vancouver could be sketchy, especially in winter. The improvements made the commute safer and faster, effectively turning Whistler into a viable weekend option for a broader demographic.
We also gained entirely new neighborhoods. The Athlete's Village was converted into residential housing, now known as Cheakamus Crossing. Today, homes in Cheakamus Crossing are highly sought after by locals and residents who want access to great parks and a strong community feel without being right in the tourist hustle of the main village.
The global exposure from the Games shifted Whistler from a regional favorite to an international luxury destination. Property values adjusted to match that world-stage status.
Modern Whistler and the Vail Era (2011–2026)
Entering the modern chapter, the biggest headline was Vail Resorts acquiring Whistler Blackcomb in 2016 for roughly $1.4B (CAD). This brought the resort into the Epic Pass network, solidifying its place as the largest ski resort in North America and smoothing out visitor numbers across the season.
As we look around in 2026, the focus has shifted toward becoming a true four-season destination. Mountain biking, festivals, and hiking now rival the winter months for traffic.
For buyers, the narrative today is about scarcity and preservation. The "bed cap"—a limit on the total number of overnight visitors and residents—means new development is incredibly restricted. You aren't just buying a roof; you're buying into a limited supply of space surrounded by protected nature. Whether you are looking at Whistler real estate market trends or just a vacation condo, the history of constrained growth is the main driver of value today.
Frequently Asked Questions About Whistler History
Why is it called Whistler?
The mountain was originally called London Mountain. It was renamed in 1965 to honor the hoary marmot, a local rock-dwelling animal that makes a distinct high-pitched whistling sound. The developers felt the new name had a better marketing appeal for a ski resort than "London," which was associated with fog and bad weather.
When was Whistler Village built?
While the ski hill opened in the 60s, the current pedestrian village wasn't built until the late 1970s and early 1980s. It was built on top of what used to be the garbage dump, designed specifically to connect the bases of Whistler and Blackcomb mountains.
Who originally owned Whistler Mountain?
The mountain was developed by the Garibaldi Lift Company, led by Franz Wilhelmsen and a group of Vancouver businessmen. They were the visionaries who pushed for a ski resort after their initial Olympic bid failed, eventually opening the lifts in 1966.
What Indigenous territory is Whistler on?
Whistler sits on the shared unceded territory of the Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) and L̓il̓wat7úl (Lil'wat) Nations. The area has been used by these nations for thousands of years for hunting, gathering, and trade, long before European settlers arrived.
How did the 2010 Olympics change Whistler?
The 2010 Games brought massive infrastructure upgrades, most notably the overhaul of the Sea-to-Sky Highway, which made the resort much more accessible from Vancouver. It also left a legacy of new housing, such as the former Athlete's Village, which is now the residential neighborhood of Cheakamus Crossing.
