A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Blue Ridge vs. Whistler for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Blue Ridge or Whistler?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Blue Ridge and Whistler. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Blue Ridge or Whistler?

Blue Ridge

Blue Ridge is a resort town, located in the northern part of Georgia in the vicinity of the Blue Ridge Mountain region of the Appalachian Mountain chain. It is a popular destination for outdoor adventures like hiking, backpacking, horseback riding, and even whitewater rafting. Whether you wish to stay in a cozy cabin or luxury resort, the environment is one enveloped by the natural beauty of mountain scenery.

Whistler

Located in the province of British Columbia in Canada, Whistler is most famous as the largest ski area in North America. It is also only a short distance from the city of Vancouver, and offers countless opportunities for snow boarding and other winter sports. The town has a permanent population of almost 10,000 and there is a larger seasonal population of workers that come from all over the world. Whistler is a major travel destination with more than two million people visiting the town yearly. As such, there are countless amenities available to visitors. Hotels can vary dramatically in price and quality. There are some budget options, including a couple of hostels in the area, but most people do not visit Whistler as a budget travel destination. It's usually an expensive vacation, but few would argue that it isn't worth the cost.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, The Best Contiki Tours to Canada, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Canada.

When comparing the travel costs between Blue Ridge and Whistler, we can see that Whistler is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Blue Ridge Expensive? and Is Whistler Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Blue Ridge or Whistler?

Whistler has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Blue Ridge. When comparing the sizes of Blue Ridge and Whistler, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Blue Ridge or Whistler?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Blue Ridge or Whistler in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Blue Ridge as well as Whistler. Many visitors come to Blue Ridge in the summer for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

Blue Ridge is much warmer than Whistler in the summer. The daily temperature in Blue Ridge averages around 81°F (27°C) in July, and Whistler fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Whistler. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Blue Ridge this time of the year. In the summer, Blue Ridge often gets less sunshine than Whistler. Blue Ridge gets 265 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Whistler receives 296 hours of full sun.

Blue Ridge receives a lot of rain in the summer. Blue Ridge usually gets more rain in July than Whistler. Blue Ridge gets 5.2 inches (131 mm) of rain, while Whistler receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Blue Ridge or Whistler in the Autumn?

Both Whistler and Blue Ridge are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Blue Ridge for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Blue Ridge is much warmer than Whistler. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Blue Ridge in October average around 63°F (17°C), and Whistler averages at about 11°C (51°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Blue Ridge. Blue Ridge usually receives more sunshine than Whistler during autumn. Blue Ridge gets 211 hours of sunny skies, while Whistler receives 124 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Whistler. In October, Blue Ridge usually receives less rain than Whistler. Blue Ridge gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Whistler receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Blue Ridge or Whistler in the Winter?

Both Whistler and Blue Ridge during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Blue Ridge because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Whistler in the winter. The weather in Blue Ridge can be very cold. In January, Blue Ridge is generally around the same temperature as Whistler. Daily temperatures in Blue Ridge average around 40°F (5°C), and Whistler fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).

In the winter, Blue Ridge often gets more sunshine than Whistler. Blue Ridge gets 145 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Whistler receives 55 hours of full sun.

Whistler gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Blue Ridge. Blue Ridge usually gets less rain in January than Whistler. Blue Ridge gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Whistler receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Blue Ridge or Whistler in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Blue Ridge and Whistler. The small town charm and the natural beauty are the main draw to Blue Ridge this time of year.

Blue Ridge is much warmer than Whistler in the spring. The daily temperature in Blue Ridge averages around 62°F (17°C) in April, and Whistler fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).

In Blue Ridge, it's very sunny this time of the year. Blue Ridge usually receives more sunshine than Whistler during spring. Blue Ridge gets 243 hours of sunny skies, while Whistler receives 172 hours of full sun in the spring.

Whistler receives a lot of rain in the spring. Blue Ridge gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Blue Ridge usually receives around the same amount of rain as Whistler. Blue Ridge gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Whistler receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Whistler and Blue Ridge