Vancouver to Whistler

If you arrive in Vancouver by air, Vancouver International Airport (YVR) has many features to support accessible travel, ranging from universally accessible washrooms to food and service counters that welcome people using wheeled-mobility devices. From YVR, make your way to your hotel by bus, SkyTrain, or taxi. Vancouver’s bus and SkyTrain systems are wheelchair accessible, and Black Top and Checker Cabs offer wheelchair ramps on request.
A number of private charter companies provide a variety of accessible vehicles, from vans to minibuses to highway coaches.
Once settled into your hotel, you can spend the rest of the day enjoying the amenities offered by your hotel and getting accustomed to the sights and sounds of your Vancouver neighbourhood.

A great way to get your bearings—and get a flavour for the city—is to start with a guided sightseeing tour. Tours are fully accessible, and guides are trained to describe the tour highlights to those with limited vision.
You’ll find that most of downtown Vancouver’s sidewalks and attractions are wheelchair accessible. Grab a bite in one of the city’s historic neighbourhoods like Chinatown or Gastown, soak up some culture at the Vancouver Art Gallery, and get a bird’s-eye view at the Vancouver Lookout or Grouse Mountain.
Gastown is a neighbourhood whose distinct identity is rooted in its rich history. A neighbourhood full of contrasting elements, layered in legacy, you can find grit and glam, native, and foreign, old, and new all within 12 iconic street blocks.

Get some fresh air along the 10-km (6-mi) paved seawall path that encircles Stanley Park. While you’re in the park, don’t miss the totem poles and the Vancouver Aquarium, two of the city’s most popular—and accessible—destinations.
Stanley Park is a magnificent green oasis amid the urban landscape of Vancouver.
Explore the 400-hectare natural West Coast rainforest and enjoy scenic views of water, mountains, sky, and majestic trees along Stanley Park’s famous Seawall. Discover kilometers of trails, beautiful beaches, local wildlife, great eats, natural, cultural, and historical landmarks, along with many other adventures.
The Vancouver Aquarium is home to thousands of incredible ocean species and amazing aquatic life. Since opening in 1956 as Canada’s first public aquarium, the Vancouver Aquarium has connected more than 40 million people from around the world to our oceans and all the wonders within them.

Today you’re off to Whistler to experience stunning mountain views, all manner of outdoor pursuits, coupled with a wide range of indoor activities. You will need sustenance but likely won’t know where to start. We can help you discover some local faves with a Whistler Tasting Tour. We will let them know your dietary and mobility needs, to fully customize your Whistler Village dining experience. And when you stop for a pre- and/or post-tour bite, you’ll find that most eateries in the Village are wheelchair accessible.
If you prefer to be indoors, learn about local Indigenous culture at the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre, where you can join a guided tour of the collection and try your hand at a traditional craft. Nearby, pop into the Audain Art Museum to immerse yourself in art from coastal British Columbia.

To get the lay of the land, today you’ll hop on the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola. Connecting Whistler and Blackcomb mountains, this eye-popping lift showcases unbeatable views of mountain peaks, glaciers, lush rainforest, and, of course, Whistler Village and the surrounding valley.
If skiing is in your plans, today will be your day, but even if skiing is not your thing, you will love the stunning 360-degree views of Whistler Village, mountain peaks, lakes, glaciers, and forests. Today also includes access to both Whistler and Blackcomb mountains with 50+ km of summer hiking trails.
Everyone can enjoy a beverage and a view at Whistler’s Umbrella Bar, and you might even ride the special glass-bottom gondola for a bird’s-eye view of the forest.

Today you will head back to Vancouver for the next leg of your journey.