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

Should you visit Hood River or Whistler?

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

Should I visit Hood River or Whistler? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Hood River or Whistler?

Hood River

The city of Hood River is the seat of Hood River County, Oregon, United States. It is a port on the Columbia River, and is named for the nearby Hood River. The dynamic town of Hood River is one of the best windsurfing and kiteboarding destinations in the world. Strong river currents, prevailing westerly winds and a vast body of water provide the perfect conditions for these wind sports, attracting sometimes hundreds of photogenic enthusiasts who zip back and forth across the wide Columbia River.

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 Tours for Seniors to United States of America, The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America, The Best Contiki Tours to Canada, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Canada.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hood River and Whistler, we can see that Hood River is more expensive. And not only is Whistler much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Whistler would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Whistler and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Hood River would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Hood River than you might in Whistler.

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

Which is Bigger, Hood River or Whistler?

Whistler has a larger population, and is about 69% larger than the population of Hood River. When comparing the sizes of Hood River 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 Hood River 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 Hood River or Whistler in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Hood River as well as Whistler. Many travelers come to Hood River for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Hood River is generally a little warmer than Whistler. Daily temperatures in Hood River average around 68°F (20°C), 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 Hood River this time of the year. In the summer, Hood River often gets more sunshine than Whistler. Hood River gets 338 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Whistler receives 296 hours of full sun.

Hood River usually gets less rain in July than Whistler. Hood River gets 0.7 inches (18 mm) of rain, while Whistler receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Hood River or Whistler in the Autumn?

Both Whistler and Hood River are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Hood River in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Hood River is a little warmer than Whistler in the autumn. The daily temperature in Hood River averages around 55°F (13°C) in October, and Whistler fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

Hood River usually receives more sunshine than Whistler during autumn. Hood River gets 155 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, Hood River usually receives less rain than Whistler. Hood River gets 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain, while Whistler receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Hood River or Whistler in the Winter?

Both Whistler and Hood River during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Hood River for the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

The weather in Whistler can be very cold. Hood River can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Hood River is around the same temperature as Whistler. Typically, the winter temperatures in Hood River in January average around 40°F (4°C), and Whistler averages at about 4°C (40°F).

In the winter, Hood River often gets more sunshine than Whistler. Hood River gets 86 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 Hood River. Hood River usually gets less rain in January than Whistler. Hood River gets 5.2 inches (132 mm) of rain, while Whistler receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Hood River or Whistler in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Hood River and Whistler. The spring months attract visitors to Hood River because of the natural beauty.

In April, Hood River is generally a little warmer than Whistler. Daily temperatures in Hood River average around 51°F (11°C), and Whistler fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).

In Hood River, it's very sunny this time of the year. Hood River usually receives more sunshine than Whistler during spring. Hood River gets 231 hours of sunny skies, while Whistler receives 172 hours of full sun in the spring.

Whistler receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Hood River usually receives less rain than Whistler. Hood River gets 2.4 inches (61 mm) of rain, while Whistler receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Whistler and Hood River