Whistler Travel Forum

A group of us plan to ski at Whistler in the middle of January, does anyone know what kind of car we need to rent? How's the road condition from Vancouver to Wistler? Can me rent minivan instead of SUV? Thanks.

You can rent a minivan. Some areas may require chains, if there has been recent snow, so make sure you get them at the rental company.

I have lived here for past 15 years. Its all in the tires. SUV are notorious, as people assume they are good enough. Not so. Just make sure if you rent in Vancouver prior to your arriving, you tell them you are travelling up to Whistler in heavy snow conditions and you require WINTER TIRES. People make the mistake of just using All Season, no good. Take chains with you as backup. Just drive a nice slow pace, stay back 2 cars from others, have lights on, and do not hit your brakes should you hit a icey patch, or try to gun it up a hill. Slow steady pace is your best bet. There is cleaners up and down the highway at all times so you will always see help if needed. Have a great time.

Roads will always be bad here in winter. You should see them now after just a foot of snow! Accidents everywhere. You will most definitely need an all-wheel drive or a 4x4.

I'd like to know the same. Thanks.

My wife and I just returned from Vancouver-Whistler.

Be sure to check car rental prices ahead of time and book ONLINE at sites such as Travelocity.com because you will save at least $5 to $10 PER DAY compared to booking directly with car rental agent.

I rented the intermediate cars such as Toyota Matrix/Corolla and had no problem driving on rainy/slushy/icy roads from Vancouver to Whistler. I suggest you book that type of car and then simply upgrade to a 4X4 SUV on your arrival day if the weather report shows deep snow driving conditions on the roads to Whistler.

TIP: I kept finding that Budget had the lowest rates plus gives you a great booklet of FREE ADMISSION coupons to many of Vancouver's great tourist sites (such as the Vancouver Aquarium). Remember to ask for that booklet at the rental counter. Please note that Budget's economy, compact, and intermediate size cars are no-frills and usually don't have such goodies as GPS navigation or even power windows.

TIP: next time I go back to Whistler, I may skip renting a car if I plan to lodge within walking distance (or via bus transport) of the lifts and I plan to stay longer than a few days. You can just take the "Perimeter" shuttle from the airport up to Whistler and save the cost of renting the car. Please note however that the "Perimeter" shuttle is not free and may be around $60 one-way, per person. Yet, if you rent a car instead it will cost you at least $30 per day plus $40 for gas round-trip.