Whistler

Whistler is well known for its cosmopolitan charm and its gorgeous, alpine pleasures.  It is located just 2 hours from Vancouver by the Sea-To-Sky Highway.  

Getting to Whistler - by air through the Vancouver International Airport

The Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is 136 km from Whistler.  Pacific Coach provides a scheduled bus service called YVR-Whistler SkyLynx from YVR to and from Whistler.  For more information or to book your ground transportation with SkyLynx, please click on the following link:  http://www.pacificcoach.com/whistler

Getting to Whistler- by car from Seattle

Driving from Seattle takes approximately 5 hours. Border crossings generally only take 10-15 minutes, but during peak times (weekends) can sometimes take up to 1 hour. Please obtain appropriate visas prior to your departure.

Metric Reminder: Canada's highways and roads are measured in kilometres; highway speeds are measured in kilometres per hour, gas is purchased in litres.

Passports and Visas

United States Visitors:
Participants are strongly advised to determine their individual requirements.  It is recommended that United States citizens and permanent residents carry a valid passport, along with a birth or baptismal certificate, voter's registration card or current U.S. driver's license. Naturalized citizens should be able to produce documents proving citizenship, such as a green card, and permanent alien residents should carry their immigration documents.

Citizens from Countries Other than the United States:
Visitors must have a valid passport and, from some countries, a visa is required. Persons who wish to enter the U.S.A. from Canada should make proper arrangements before leaving their home country. For more information please consult the nearest Canadian Embassy, High Commission, Consulate or Agent at least four to six months before the Conference.

Currency Exchange

The monetary system is based on Canadian dollars and cents. International currency exchange services are available at the Vancouver International Airport, banks and currency exchange outlets located throughout the resort.

Credit Cards

All major credit cards are accepted in most hotels, stores and restaurants.

Taxes

British Columbia has a Provincial Sales Tax (PST) of 7.0% and a Federal Goods and Services Tax (GST) of 5%. These taxes will apply to items purchased, meals in restaurants, services rendered, tourist activities, etc. Visitors residing outside of Canada are eligible for a rebate of GST paid while they were in Canada. Note: this does not apply to all items purchased. Full details and rebate forms are available at government agencies or the airport.

Health Insurance

Visitors are not covered by Canadian health insurance plans. It is, therefore, recommended that participants arrange their own personal health and accident insurance.

Official Invitation

An official letter of invitation can be obtained by any participant by going to the "Official Letter of Invitation" page of this website. Participants can create their own letter by following the instructions on that page. However, this invitation implies no obligation, financial or otherwise, by the Conference.

Insurance

The organizing committee will accept no liability for personal injuries sustained by or for loss or damage to property belonging to Conference participants, either during or as a result of the Conference or during tours and events.

Registration fees do not include insurance of any kind. It is strongly recommended that at the time you register for the Conference and book your travel you take out an insurance policy of your choice. The policy should include loss of fees/deposit through cancellation of your participation in the Conference, loss of international/domestic air fares through cancellation for any reason, loss of tour monies through cancellation for any reason including airline or related services strikes within Canada, failure to utilize tours or pre booked arrangements due to airline delay, Force Majeure or any other reason, medical expenses, loss or damage to personal property, additional expenses and repatriation should travel arrangements have to be altered. Venue West cannot take any responsibility for any participant failing to arrange their own insurance. This insurance is to be purchased in your country of origin.