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

Should you visit Woodstock or Whistler?

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

Should I visit Woodstock 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: Woodstock or Whistler?

Woodstock

While this town does lend its name to the 1969 Woodstock Festival, the legendary event was actually held on a dairy farm almost 60 miles away in Bethel, NY. So if you are looking to see the field where it all happened and a museum dedicated to its history, you will need to take a day trip outside of town.

Woodstock, New York, however, does stay true to the spirit of the arts. Since 1903, the place lay home to Byrdcliffe Art Colony, the oldest of its kind in the nation, and even attracted artists of the Hudson River School during the late 1800s. Today, artists from all disciplines-visual, ceramic, music, fiction, nonfiction, screenwriting, playwriting, and poetry-take up residence at the colony and have works displayed in galleries open in the main part of town.

Tinker Street and Mill Hill Road are lined with a mix of restaurants and shops all teeming with the essence of hippie living, arts, and spirituality. From shops selling Woodstock paraphernalia, incense, and Himalayan products, to yoga studios, vegan restaurants, and local art galleries-the town of Woodstock is one dedicated to keeping the spirit of the Woodstock Festival and the arts alive.

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 Luxury Tours to United States of America, The Best Tours for Seniors 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 Woodstock and Whistler, we can see that Woodstock 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 Woodstock would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Woodstock 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 Woodstock Expensive? and Is Whistler Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Woodstock or Whistler?

Whistler has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Woodstock. When comparing the sizes of Woodstock 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 Woodstock 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 Woodstock or Whistler in the Summer?

Both Whistler and Woodstock are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities.

Woodstock is a little warmer than Whistler in the summer. The daily temperature in Woodstock averages around 74°F (24°C) in July, 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 Woodstock. Woodstock usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Whistler during summer. Woodstock gets 293 hours of sunny skies, while Whistler receives 296 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Woodstock usually receives more rain than Whistler. Woodstock gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while Whistler receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Woodstock or Whistler in the Autumn?

Both Whistler and Woodstock during the autumn are popular places to visit.

In the autumn, Woodstock is around the same temperature as Whistler. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Woodstock in October average around 53°F (12°C), and Whistler averages at about 11°C (51°F).

In the autumn, Woodstock often gets more sunshine than Whistler. Woodstock gets 197 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. Woodstock usually gets less rain in October than Whistler. Woodstock gets 3 inches (77 mm) of rain, while Whistler receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Woodstock or Whistler in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Woodstock and Whistler.

The weather in Whistler can be very cold. Woodstock can be very cold during winter. In January, Woodstock is generally much colder than Whistler. Daily temperatures in Woodstock average around 25°F (-4°C), and Whistler fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).

Woodstock usually receives more sunshine than Whistler during winter. Woodstock gets 167 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, Woodstock usually receives less rain than Whistler. Woodstock gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Whistler receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Woodstock or Whistler in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Woodstock as well as Whistler.

Woodstock is around the same temperature as Whistler in the spring. The daily temperature in Woodstock averages around 49°F (10°C) in April, and Whistler fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Woodstock this time of the year. In the spring, Woodstock often gets more sunshine than Whistler. Woodstock gets 227 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Whistler receives 172 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Whistler. Woodstock usually gets less rain in April than Whistler. Woodstock gets 3.7 inches (95 mm) of rain, while Whistler receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Whistler and Woodstock