Mid-winter · Weather & things to do
Whistler in January
Whistler edges warmer than December, with highs of 35°F (2°C), lows of 23°F (-5°C) and about 10.4 in (264 mm) of rain or snow.
With a comfort score of 20/100 (11th of 12), it's one of the toughest months, held back mainly by cool days.
- Avg high
- 35°F (2°C)
- Avg low
- 23°F (-5°C)
- Rain or snow
- 10.4 in (264 mm)
- Humidity
- 95%
- Cloud cover
- 76%
- Daylight
- ~8 h 18 min
- Comfort score
- 20/100 · Tough
What January feels like
Real cold sets in, with afternoon highs around 35°F (2°C).
Nights drop below freezing, with an average low of 23°F (-5°C), so expect frost and ice.
Expect about 10.4 in (264 mm) of precipitation (rain or snow). Because the average temperature is below freezing, snow is likely on some days.
Expect plenty of overcast days, with cloud cover near 76%.
Only about 8 h 18 min of daylight means early sunsets.
Plan around January
January is one of the lower-scoring months here; the best are July & August.
- Inside the wettest three-month stretch, November – January.
- Comfort holds steady from December (21 → 20/100).
- Our Vancouver, Whistler & Victoria route recommends Jun – Sep, so January falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for January
- Hat, gloves and thermal base layerslows around 23°F
- Insulated, waterproof bootssnow is likely on some days
- Waterproof outer layerabout 10.4 in of rain or snow
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Whistler in January
Wet days call for a roof: these picks favor sit-down and indoor stops, plus a few for drier spells.
Bearfoot Bistro
Fine dining with a deep cellar and a minus-32 vodka ice room for tastings.
Why now A sit-down stop to wait out showers in a month with 10.4 in of rain.
Audain Art Museum
Forest-set gallery of British Columbia art, from Emily Carr to Northwest Coast masks.
Why now An indoor-leaning stop for a month with 10.4 in of rain.
Araxi
Village restaurant focused on BC produce, oysters and a large wine cellar.
Why now Easy to slot in when January's rain moves in.
Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre
Centre sharing the culture of two First Nations, with a longhouse and carving.
Brandywine Falls
70-metre waterfall a short walk from the highway, with a view over Daisy Lake.
Nearby in January
- Vancouver in January~58 mi · highs 41°F, 12.7 in rain · 4°C (6°F) warmer by day, wetter
- San Juan Island in January~109 mi · highs 45°F, 5.8 in rain · 6°C (10°F) warmer by day, drier
- Victoria in January~118 mi · highs 45°F, 5.8 in rain · 6°C (10°F) warmer by day, drier
- Olympic NP in January~163 mi · highs 32°F, 11.3 in rain or snow · 2°C (3°F) cooler by day, wetter
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid, temperatures adjusted from the grid cell's ~1,279 m to Whistler's ~674 m elevation (standard lapse rate). Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Whistler in January: quick answers
Is January a good time to visit Whistler?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 20/100, held back mainly by cool days. The best months are July & August. Expect highs of 35°F (2°C) and 10.4 in (264 mm) of rain or snow. Our Vancouver, Whistler & Victoria route recommends Jun – Sep, so January is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Whistler in January?
Average highs are 35°F (2°C) and average lows 23°F (-5°C), making it the 2nd-coldest month by daytime highs, with nights below freezing on average.
Does it snow a lot in Whistler in January?
Yes: about 10.4 in (264 mm) of rain or snow falls across January on average, the 2nd-wettest month of the year. With temperatures this low, much of it may fall as snow. The annual total is about 74.5 in (1893 mm).
What should I pack for Whistler in January?
Bring hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around 23°F), insulated, waterproof boots (snow is likely on some days), waterproof outer layer (about 10.4 in of rain or snow) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
Planning Whistler in January?
Share this January plan with your group, poll everyone on dates and keep the packing list in one place.