Parking rates are going up in Whistler’s day skier lots.
Starting July 1, the daily rate to park in lots 1, 2 and 3 will go up by $4, to $18, while the rate in lots 4 and 5 will rise by $2, to $10 per day.
The monthly rate for lots 1, 2 and 3 will go from $72 to $108 on July 1, while in lots 4 and 5 it will go from $25 for Whistler residents and employees, to a flat $40 rate for all users.
Hourly rates will remain the same: $3 per hour in lots 1, 2 and 3, and $2.50 per hour in lots 4 and 5.
The cost to park in the oversize lot (next to lot 3) will go up as well, with the daily rate going from $28 to $36.
According to the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW), the rising rates are part of wider goals to discourage private vehicle use.
“This will help us make some of the big moves necessary to meet our climate action targets by further encouraging us all to move beyond the car,” reads the RMOW website on the rate changes.
“Raising parking rates means drivers bear the cost of personal vehicles, contributing toward helping us evolve and expand our transportation options for everyone. The alternative would be having all taxpayers bear the brunt of the cost of this much-needed climate-action infrastructure.
“Paying for parking also helps remind us to try and reduce our environmental footprint, which is crucial to be able to meet our GHG reduction goals by 2030 as we face the climate crisis.”
The RMOW added while rate increases are “never a welcome sight ... we hope this will encourage you to take advantage of our affordable transit and active transportation options or consider carpooling when you can.”
To that end, funds raised will be plowed into Whistler transit, increasing hours, reliability and consistency.
The RMOW also noted the cost of maintaining the lots is increasing, so the changes reflect those costs and allow the municipality to operate the lots more effectively.
The full RMOW rationale and explainer can be read on the municipal website.
