Fairmont Whistler Dog Friendly Program Introduction

Having stayed at many dog-friendly hotels in Vancouver and the surrounding areas, I would have to say Whistler is one of the best destinations when it comes to being a dog owner. With the vast number of trails, outdoor patios (a lot of which are open year round), and dog friendly hotels, Whistler is at the top of my list when it comes to travelling with our dogs.

The New Fairmont Whistler Dog Friendly Program – Pampered Pups

Upon our arrival to the hotel we were informed that the Fairmont Whistler was in the process of launching a new dog friendly program called Pampered Pups. With the hotel already being very dog friendly, we were excited to hear about the details of what their new program had to offer. Along with the basics, such as dog bed, water and food dishes, and a selection of dog kibble, they also offer complimentary scheduled group adventure hikes for you and your dogs. The group adventure hikes would be great for those new to the area looking to get familiar with what trails Whistler has to offer. On top of these included benefits, The Fairmont Whistler dog friendly program also offers:

• Private Walks at a rate of $35 per hour (operated by Fairmont Chateau Whistler dog walkers)
• Grooming – Service provided by Shampooch.
• Pet amenities including, organic dog snacks, paw balm, and squeaker toys.

A brochure was provided, including other useful information such as nearby walking trails and off leash parks, pet services, and veterinarians in the area.

Fairmont Whistler Dog Friendly In-Room Amenities

The gold floor staff checked us in and briefly explained the new Fairmont Whistler Dog Friendly program to us, at which point we were quickly on our way to the room and ready to relax. After an extended car ride with the dogs, nothing is better than arriving to your room and it is completely ready to welcome your pets. This is not always the case, however, as we have checked into several hotels and after mentioning in pre-arrival emails that the dogs would be joining us only to get to rooms that do not have a single dog amenity. We’re used to getting welcome notes from various staff members on arrival, but a welcome note for the dogs?! How cute is that?? The Gold Floor King Room was cozy and welcoming, and just large enough for the 4 of us.

At this point, everyone was ready to relax and enjoy a weekend in Whistler, Margo included.

Fairmont Whistler Dog Friendly Location

The Fairmont Chateau Whistler is located in the upper village with easy access to several networks of trails. The closest access, just down the street from the hotel, will take you on a serene walk around Lost Lake.

The Lost Lake Loop in total from the hotel is about a 5km walk. It took us about 2 hours to complete the loop but we did make several stops around the lake allowing the dogs to play. Even though it was a Sunday afternoon it was not overly busy and was a very enjoyable walk, full of great viewpoints.

The Lost Lake loop is a very dog friendly park with areas for you to stop and enjoy, and they also have an off leash area that includes access to the water.

If you are looking for a nice walk that will provide stimulation for your dogs but does not take too much time, the ease of access from the Fairmont Chateau Whistler makes the Lost Lake Loop a great option.

One of the days during our Whistler getaway we decided to go on a longer walk beginning around The Whistler Golf Club. There is an easy access point across the bridge from the upper village, towards the lower village, that will bring you to the golf course to begin your walk.

A fairly quick walk through the main village will bring you to the Whistler Golf Club path entrance.

Along the path around the golf course you will encounter a snack shack, unfortunately the golf season had not started so the Crabapple Corner was closed. During the golf season they do offer a variety of snacks and refreshments, and of course some fresh water for the dogs.

As the day was so beautiful, we decided to continue down the trail towards Creekside. This guides you through a more residential area but it is quite peaceful. There are many stops along the way and we went all the way to Alta Lake, where the dogs enjoyed a quick dip in the water.

The Beach is not dog friendly between May and October but just beyond the main area there was a spot where we took the dogs to go for a little dip. The beach offered paddle boarding, canoeing, and other activities including refreshments all at the information centre.

At this point in our walk it was starting to get quite warm and decided it was time to turn back. We walked along a tree lined path near the highway back to the village. Even though there was a lot of traffic on the road, on the path the trees provided a good barrier which silenced most of the cars.

Arriving back at the hotel the dogs were exhausted and so were we! Before heading to dinner we decided a rest was necessary after the 12 kilometre walk.

Fairmont Whistler Dog Friendly Program Bottom Line

During our stay over the weekend our dogs were treated very well, the hotel staff were very accommodating to our needs and we all felt very welcome, unlike some properties where they seem to only tolerate pets. The location is great, close to many trails, restaurants and pubs for everyone to enjoy.

Would I say the Fairmont Whistler is the most dog friendly hotel in Whistler? Well, maybe. We’ll be reviewing The Four Seasons Resort next door in the near future, and are curious to see how they compare since they just slightly edged out the Fairmont Chateau when we compared guest rooms (though admittedly the Gold Floor at Fairmont may be the best option given the amazing lounge).

The hotel does charge a pet fee of $50 dollars per day but they cap it at a maximum of $100, meaning extended stays will not cost a lot more. We thought about scheduling a private dog walk to experience how the service works but the weather this weekend was just way too nice, so we decided to get out ourselves. Saying this, for those who are spending their day on the hills either skiing or boarding in the winter season, or perhaps mountain biking during the summer months, the value of a private dog walking service would be very beneficial.

The new Fairmont Whistler dog friendly program offers many services that definitely help your pets feel right at home. Can’t wait to return over the summer to enjoy all of what this great hotel has to offer!

Have you travelled to Whistler with your dogs? Where’s your favourite place to stay? Let us know in the comment section below!