It’s a question we’ve been getting a lot lately, and understandably so. With the foreign buyer ban across Canada, many people assume that buying in Whistler is off the table-but that’s actually not the case. Foreign buyers can still purchase property in Whistler in 2026, and for a lot of people, that comes as a bit of a surprise.
Whistler is considered a resort municipality, which means it falls under an exemption to the federal rules. In simple terms, it hasn’t been treated the same way as larger urban markets like Vancouver. Because of that, non-Canadian buyers are still able to purchase here—whether that’s a condo, townhome, or detached home.
Another big one is the foreign buyer tax. There is no foreign buyer tax in Whistler, which makes a meaningful difference when you’re looking at overall costs. In other parts of B.C., that additional 20% can be a major hurdle, but it simply doesn’t apply here.
Whistler is also exempt from speculation and vacancy taxes, which were designed more for urban housing markets. Since so many properties here are used as second homes or rentals, the rules are a bit more aligned with that reality.
What you choose to buy really comes down to how you plan to use the property. If flexibility is important, Phase I properties allow for unlimited personal use and nightly rentals. If you’re looking for something more hands-off, Phase II ownership—often in hotel-style properties—can be a great option. It’s less about one being better than the other, and more about finding the right fit for your lifestyle.
Even with all the rule changes across Canada, Whistler continues to stand out. It’s a true year-round destination with consistent rental demand, and for many buyers, it’s as much about having a place they love as it is about the investment side.
The bottom line is that Whistler remains one of the few places in Canada where foreign buyers can still purchase relatively freely. If you’ve been considering it, it’s worth having a conversation and understanding what your options actually look like.
To sum it up:
Whistler is considered a resort municipality, which means it falls under an exemption to the federal rules. In simple terms, it hasn’t been treated the same way as larger urban markets like Vancouver. Because of that, non-Canadian buyers are still able to purchase here—whether that’s a condo, townhome, or detached home.
Another big one is the foreign buyer tax. There is no foreign buyer tax in Whistler, which makes a meaningful difference when you’re looking at overall costs. In other parts of B.C., that additional 20% can be a major hurdle, but it simply doesn’t apply here.
Whistler is also exempt from speculation and vacancy taxes, which were designed more for urban housing markets. Since so many properties here are used as second homes or rentals, the rules are a bit more aligned with that reality.
What you choose to buy really comes down to how you plan to use the property. If flexibility is important, Phase I properties allow for unlimited personal use and nightly rentals. If you’re looking for something more hands-off, Phase II ownership—often in hotel-style properties—can be a great option. It’s less about one being better than the other, and more about finding the right fit for your lifestyle.
Even with all the rule changes across Canada, Whistler continues to stand out. It’s a true year-round destination with consistent rental demand, and for many buyers, it’s as much about having a place they love as it is about the investment side.
The bottom line is that Whistler remains one of the few places in Canada where foreign buyers can still purchase relatively freely. If you’ve been considering it, it’s worth having a conversation and understanding what your options actually look like.
To sum it up:
- There is no foreign buyer ban in Whistler
- There is no 20% foreign buyer tax in Whistler (unlike Vancouver)
- There is generally no speculation or vacancy tax in Whistler
Hillary and Erica Lawson
The Whistler Property Sisters Team
The Whistler Property Sisters Team