This year’s festival is all set to take place from Wednesday, April 10th to Sunday, April 14th. Come and take in the best of what Whistler has to offer, including high-energy sports competitions featuring top ski and snowboard athletes, concert series featuring live bands and DJs, art and photography exhibitions, and speaker events. Enjoy the town’s renowned restaurants and end each fun festival day by kicking back at a bar, lounge, or nightclub.

The World Ski & Snowboard Festival is one of the biggest festivals celebrating snow sports and mountain culture in North America. It began in 1996 with the purpose of attracting more visitors to the town in April, when the snowpack is typically still quite deep. The goal was quickly realized, transforming Whistler into one of the continent’s busiest ski resorts during this time of year.

In 1998, organizers expanded the World Ski & Snowboard Festival to include cultural and community events, as well as a free outdoor concert series. These changes were welcomed with enthusiasm and continue to form the backbone of the festival. Today, the World Ski & Snowboard Festival consists of three important pillars: athletic competition, live musical entertainment, and cultural and artistic expression.

This year’s sporting events are certainly worth getting excited about. Olympians, racing legends, and amateurs will all compete in the joint spirit of snow sport and culture to bring you thrilling athletic performances. Catch the Ski & Snowboard Big Air for true examples of skill and style and don’t miss the Monster Energy Boarderstyle World Championships to see the season’s victors crowned. There’s also the Saudan Couloir Race Extreme, one of the steepest ski races in the world. Finally, the Slush Cup will be closing out the festival with a splash.

It wouldn’t be the World Ski & Snowboard Festival without music. Enjoy the musical stylings of talented DJs and musicians at the Outdoor Concert Series at Skiers Plaza and the Kokanee Freeride Club Series at select venues. Visual artists from a variety of different disciplines also shine at the festival, performing and displaying their work for festivalgoers to enjoy. Listen to master storytellers at the unique MULTIPLICITY event and take in the awe-inspiring action photography at the Pro Photographer Showdown. There’s always something at this festival for everyone.

One of the best parts of the World Ski & Snowboard Festival is that there is no admission fee for the festival as a whole. Many events take place in and around town and are completely free to attend. Note, however, that some evening events such as MULTIPLICITY and the Pro Photographer Showdown will require a ticket, and that spectating at certain sporting events necessitates a lift pass.

The World Ski & Snowboard Festival is essentially one big party where anyone can come to celebrate all things mountain culture, including skiing, snowboarding, and cutting-edge art, photography, and filmmaking. There’s no other festival quite like it, making this a truly can’t-miss experience.