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

Should you visit Pocono Mountains or Whistler?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Pocono Mountains and Whistler can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Pocono Mountains or Whistler?

Pocono Mountains

The Poconos are a region of mountains, small towns, and natural areas in Eastern Pennsylvania. Located just a few hours from both New York City and Philadelphia, this region of 4 counties (Wayne, Pike, Monroe, & Carbon) consists of plenty of mountain scenery, gorgeous lakes, historic small towns, ski resorts, state parks, water parks, and more.

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 Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, The Best Wildlife 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 Pocono Mountains and Whistler, we can see that Pocono Mountains 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 Pocono Mountains would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Pocono Mountains 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 Pocono Mountains Expensive? and Is Whistler Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Pocono Mountains or Whistler?

Whistler has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Pocono Mountains. When comparing the sizes of Pocono Mountains 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 Pocono Mountains or Whistler?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Pocono Mountains or Whistler in the Summer?

Both Whistler and Pocono Mountains are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Pocono Mountains for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Pocono Mountains is generally a little warmer than Whistler. Daily temperatures in Pocono Mountains average around 75°F (24°C), and Whistler fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

It's quite sunny in Whistler. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Pocono Mountains. Pocono Mountains usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Whistler during summer. Pocono Mountains gets 288 hours of sunny skies, while Whistler receives 296 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Pocono Mountains. In July, Pocono Mountains usually receives more rain than Whistler. Pocono Mountains gets 4.4 inches (111 mm) of rain, while Whistler receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Pocono Mountains or Whistler in the Autumn?

Both Whistler and Pocono Mountains during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Pocono Mountains because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

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

In the autumn, Pocono Mountains often gets more sunshine than Whistler. Pocono Mountains gets 168 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Whistler receives 124 hours of full sun.

Whistler gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Pocono Mountains usually gets less rain in October than Whistler. Pocono Mountains gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Whistler receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Pocono Mountains or Whistler in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Pocono Mountains and Whistler. The skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Pocono Mountains this time of year.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Whistler. It's quite cold in Pocono Mountains in the winter. In the winter, Pocono Mountains is much colder than Whistler. Typically, the winter temperatures in Pocono Mountains in January average around 28°F (-2°C), and Whistler averages at about 4°C (40°F).

Pocono Mountains usually receives more sunshine than Whistler during winter. Pocono Mountains gets 127 hours of sunny skies, while Whistler receives 55 hours of full sun in the winter.

Whistler receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Pocono Mountains usually receives less rain than Whistler. Pocono Mountains gets 3 inches (77 mm) of rain, while Whistler receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Pocono Mountains or Whistler in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Pocono Mountains as well as Whistler. Many travelers come to Pocono Mountains for the natural beauty.

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

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Pocono Mountains this time of the year. In the spring, Pocono Mountains often gets more sunshine than Whistler. Pocono Mountains gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Whistler receives 172 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Whistler. Pocono Mountains usually gets less rain in April than Whistler. Pocono Mountains gets 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain, while Whistler receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Whistler and Pocono Mountains