29 Photos from Winter in Whistler

One of the coolest things about Winter in Whistler is that it’s not only about snow. There’s something for everyone during the winter months in this stunning part of Canada’s province of British Columbia. It’s pretty much a destination for all types of travelers.

I took these photos on a sponsored trip to Whistler with Olympus. I was not paid to attend or to share this content. All images were taken by me with the Olympus OM‑D E‑M1 Mark II.

The Whistler area is home to some stunning landscapes that are not all snow-capped mountains.

Viewing Winter in Whistler from High Above

A highlight, for me, of winter in Whistler was a Blackcomb Helicopter tour set up by Olympus. During the ride, I used the OM-D E-M1 II with 12-100mm lens to shoot skiers below. After takeoff we headed for a landing at Beverly Lake, passing by Black Tusk on the way. It was the exact kind of situation a zoom lens is perfect for.

Also during this trip to experience Winter in Whistler…

We drove to Squamish to test the OM‑D E‑M1 Mark II’s Pro Capture setting while shooting birds. I didn’t feel I was successful so I wanted another chance. A visit to the Trainwreck in the woods provided just that when Mikai Karl consented to jump from car to car for me. I fired away with the M.ZUIKO 12-100mm f/4.0 PRO lens and didn’t have a single shot out of focus. I typically don’t use lenses which aren’t f/2.8 or under. I was impressed by how well it performed when I needed it to, easily catching Mikai mid-jump between the cars. As for the wreck itself, it’s the site of seven twisted train cars from an accident that occurred in 1956. It happened in a rock cut not too far from the present resting site. The wreck was caused by crew speeding too fast through an area of tracks which were under repair. PGE Railway wasn’t able to budge the fourth engine, which had turned a rail or the subsequent wrecked boxcar. But a local family came in with their logging equipment, cleared the tracks and moved the wrecked boxcars to their present location right on the Cheakamus River. It’s now spread out over a kilometer under soaring evergreen trees.

If you visit during Winter in Whistler…

Or really any season, and you want to find this spot: hike in from a trailhead close to the former Olympic Village. The city has deemed the site an Authorized Graffiti Area, encouraging artists to leave their mark on the metal surfaces as they naturally decay. It makes for a fascinating juxtaposition between the man-made and the natural.

And if you now want to visit during Winter in Whistler, start by visiting the Explore Canada website for British Columbia. I feel it is one of the best tourism sites on the web and it’s packed with so much helpful content! I love how they say:

Don’t challenge British Columbia to a nature contest. You will lose every single time. This is where the Pacific is met by bustling city and towering forest; where mountains give way to picturesque valleys, and where vibrant urban life is fused with the nature that surrounds it.

…I can tell you from this experience, and others in the province, it’s totally true!!