The Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre tells the histories of two First Nations whose traditional territories encompass the Whistler area. The Squamish people are associated with the coast and the lower Sea to Sky corridor; the Lil'wat people with the higher mountain country to the north. Their cultures, art forms, and languages differ considerably, making the combined presentation genuinely educational.
The centre opened in 2008, timed with the construction boom before the 2010 Olympics, and has operated as a significant cultural attraction since. The permanent exhibits include canoes, carvings, weavings, and objects of daily life. There are also regular demonstrations of traditional crafts, a café serving Indigenous-inspired food, and a gift shop selling authentic First Nations art. It's one of the better places in BC to understand the peoples whose land you're skiing on.