Just 120 km (75 mi) north of Vancouver on Highway 99 (the Sea to Sky highway), Whistler can be reached by bus, limo, helicopter, car, or train. You won't need a car once you're here; even if you choose to stay outside the village, you can get around easily with public shuttles.
Whistler is a popular weekend getaway for Vancouverites and Canadians in general. A long weekend is probably all you need if your main reason for visiting is to enjoy the outdoors. Many of Whistler's festivals, such as Cornucopia, the film festival, or Wellness Week, last from 4 to 10 days, so you can time your visit to coincide.
Many luxury hotels get booked for the holiday season 6 months in advance—and already have a waiting list for the Olympics. Try to book at least 3 months ahead for ski season, holiday weekends, or festivals, and at least 2 weeks in advance at other times.