MEC to open 2,200 sq. ft. small-format store in Whistler next month

The Story

Mountain Equipment Company (MEC) says it is expanding its retail footprint in British Columbia with a new small-format store in Whistler, outside Metro Vancouver. The company plans to bring the location to the resort community this fall, describing it as “designed for the Sea to Sky” and built around how people in a resort environment shop and live.

MEC characterizes the Whistler location as a 2,200-square-foot store, taking over the space at 104–4338 Main St., where an Arc’teryx store previously operated. MEC says the smaller footprint will be paired with a “highly curated, locally relevant assortment” and access to MEC’s full range through mec.ca, allowing shoppers to obtain products that are not carried on the floor.

The store will be situated directly in Whistler Village, reflecting MEC’s view that the location is a “deliberate evolution” of its retail model and part of its broader investment in Canadian stores. The company says the format is intended to connect visitors and residents with in-person expertise while also linking them to MEC’s full product offering when needed.

MEC Chief Executive Officer Peter Hlynsky said Whistler is where his own connection to the outdoors was shaped, and he framed the opening as a response to customer demand for an MEC presence “closer to home” in the corridor. Hlynsky said the Whistler store will blend curated products with local knowledge, with an emphasis on earning a long-term role as a local outdoor resource.

While the physical store is planned to be intentionally small, MEC said the model is designed to avoid limiting choice. Hlynsky said MEC will focus on what makes sense for Whistler on-site, while still connecting people to its full breadth of products through the company’s other channels.

The Whistler opening also creates hiring opportunities, with MEC planning a recruitment fair in Whistler on Sept. 29. MEC said the event is intended for outdoor enthusiasts and will provide information on working at the company, including available roles and what it means to “turn your outside time into expertise you can share with others.”

MEC says it currently has six locations across British Columbia, including stores in Vancouver, North Vancouver, Langley, Victoria, Nanaimo and Kelowna. The company’s head office is in Vancouver, and MEC operates a distribution centre in Surrey. The Whistler store will add a new site focused on a resort area rather than a Metro Vancouver location.