Shop Neighbourhoods
From one end of town to the other, Whistler's commercial neighbourhoods offer unique shopping opportunities and reward the diligent explorer. A good place to start is the Visitor Information Centre in the heart of the village. Pick up some maps, then let's take a quick tour.
Pick a point on the compass, as long as it's north or south. North? Good place to start.
Nesters isn't just the place locals shop. They get their haircut there, the latest cell phone, a quick nosh, new running gear and stunning floral arrangements. You'll find many of life's necessities at Whistler's northern shopping outpost.
A little further south, Marketplace has something for everyone… including free parking! Conceived as an area of town concentrating many of the services needed by Whistler's growing resident population, Marketplace is anchored by Whistler's largest grocery and liquor stores, post office, medical clinic, dentists, optometrists, lawyers and other professionals. Boasting the largest concentration of Realtors in Whistler, it also dishes up some of the best shopping for outdoor gear, home décor items, kitchenware, beachwear and boasts a varied selection of reasonably-priced restaurants.
Village North offers an eclectic mix of clothing, jewelry, art, items to mystify the new-age mystic, luxury personal items, hand-knit sweaters, tasty chocolate treats and a playground where energetic children can tire themselves out while their parents enjoy a coffee at a nearby patio and watch the endless activity take place on Whistler's Olympic Plaza. There are a couple of large ski gear stores in Village North and a vibe totally distinct from the main stroll further south. Services in the area include cellular providers, mountain guides, the municipal offices and Maurice Young Millennium Place, Whistler's community centre offering varied programming throughout the year, religious services and daycare.
Head east across Blackcomb Way and follow the path to the picturesque cedar bridge crossing Fitzsimmons Creek. Then head up the stairs to the Benchlands on Blackcomb for something completely different. Shopping in the Benchlands is clustered along the walkways skirting Le Chamois and Glacier Lodge and inside the Fairmont Chateau Whistler and Four Seasons hotels. Souvenirs, luxury goods, fine art, stylish clothing and some wonderful opportunities to refuel will greet you around every twist and turn. Comfy dining rooms and four-season patios serve up leisurely lunches and perfect people watching opportunities. Don't miss the Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre while you're there. You can take self-guided or guided tours and learn about the original Whistlerites, and there are cultural and artistic treasures to be discovered in the gift shop.
Back in the centre of the universe, Whistler's Main Village is its own, self-contained shopping trip. Chock-a-block with galleries featuring local, regional and international artists, outstanding clothing stores tucked away in lobbies, hidden paths and around corners, great restaurants and local's favs for quick snacks, the village is Whistler's lifeblood. Finding the shops is half the fun. The other half is choosing a perfect patio from the many in the area to indulge in lunch or après or just sit and watch the parade of people wander past. Ranging from the base of Whistler Mountain to the bridge across Village Gate Boulevard, the Main Village encompasses a large area with distinct subzones. Some of these include the cluster of shops, pubs and restaurants near the Whistler Conference Centre, Little Seattle, the main stroll, the subterranean shopping down the steps under the Hilton and unique stores tucked into the Westin and Pan Pacific hotels. Put on your explorer's hat ― not everything here is easy to find. Shopping the main village will bring out the adventurer in you.
A couple of kilometres south, Creekside is not only where Whistler got its start, it boasts the only gas station in town. Among the shops at Franz's Trail, you'll find home furnishings, clothing, outdoor gear, inviting patios and more. A well-stocked grocery store has everything you need and, if you search a bit, there's a liquor store boasting a great selection of whatever your thirst desires… with the possible exception of cold beer. You'll find that just across the highway, a block down Lake Placid Road… follow the BBQ smell.
You haven't done Whistler until you've been south of town to Function Junction. More than a poetic outpost, Function Junction is its own destination. Shopper's Alert: You'll find things there you simply won't find anywhere in the village.And it's not every industrial neighbourhood that can make a claim like that.
Industrial?
Okay, calling Function Junction industrial is a bit like calling Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco fishy. Might be its roots but, like most of us, the adult bears little resemblance to the child.
You will find welders in Function Junction if you look hard, but mostly you'll find wonderful retail shops featuring original art, stylish antiques, textiles, home décor, custom made furnishings, stunning floral arrangements and artists' studios. As a bonus, you'll discover an intriguing mix of characters behind every door.
There are unique, homegrown cafés, the world's best thrift shop, hardware stores, building centres, everything for your pet, garden supplies, caterers, Whistler's top hair stylist, the best bakery in town and the only place in the world that brews Whistler beer, and will be happy to tour you around.
In Function Junction you can be tattooed, see skis and snowboards getting made, access immediate first-aid for your ailing computer, get your picture framed and your ski suit dry cleaned.
It's just five minutes south of Creekside ― 8km from the village ― and a world away. Come on down and see the side of Whistler other visitors miss. If you can't find it in Function, chances are you're just not looking hard enough.
