Photo: Paul Morrison
The thrill of the mountain provides opportunities year round. When there is no snow visitors enjoy the village atmosphere during the evening and find ariel adventures, flight tours, ATV tours, mountain biking (one of the best locations in North America) or horseback riding to get their blood pumping.
Travelers who would rather take their time can play a challenging golf course, try fresh water kayaking, go inline skating or enjoy a leisurely stroll through Whistler's award wining pedestrian village to take in some the fantastic boutiques and galleries. The village centers offer information, tours and some fantastic restaurants. The quaint setting, stone walls and pillar lanterns take visitors to another world. A truly romantic experience, yet still lively enough for singles to enjoy the nightlife and pubs.
Around the valley visitors find the perfect park settings to launch a boat, hire a fishing charter, have a picnic, enjoy the beach, or hike along the well maintained woodland trails.
For the winter sports enthusiasts there is an abundance of "white stuff" to blaze through between the months of December and March (on average). Top notch ski services are available to reach pristine virgin snow on glaciers by helicopter or choose to take on some of the more death defying black diamond runs.
Beginners and intermediates alike enjoy the meandering trail and terrific ski schooling programs. Private lessons often can make a huge difference on your overall performance and safety. Children's day camps also care for the young ones if parents would prefer some time to hit the hill on their own.
There is an endless array of outdoor winter sports everything including dog sledding, snow shoeing, cross-country skiing, ice skating, tube sledding, and heli-skiing.
Considering that over 2 million people visit Whistler/Blackcomb each year it is easily understood why the mountain has received so much attention from ski magazines over the past fifteen years.
The accommodations are some of the finest anywhere and range from quiet bed & breakfasts to five-star world renowned resorts, complete with spas, fine dining and art galleries.
Ski-in, ski-out is common with most accommodations in close vicinity to the mountains. There are large day parking lots if you prefer to take a vehicle to explore the area and drive to visit some of the nearby towns and parks.
The Sea-to-Sky highway is carved along the coastal mountains with ocean views for nearly sixty percent of the two hour drive from Vancouver. Flights can be arranged at the Vancouver airport direct to Whistler with private airline services. The most enjoyable route is by Whistler Mountain Train service. Once travelers arrive in Whistler most of the area can be covered by foot. Taxi services are also available.
Population: 9,965
Highlights:
World Class Skiing
Village Atmosphere and Activity
Golfing and Trails
Callaghan Lake Provincial Park
Blackcomb Glacier Provincial Park
Brandywine Falls Provincial Park
Garibaldi Provincial Park
Sleigh-riding or Dog-sledding
Top North American Mountain Biking
Things To Bring:
During the winter the appropriate attire is required for possible cold conditions or storm fronts and vehicles should carry chains (along with owning snow tires).
Road conditions are maintained regularly, however inexperienced drivers should take caution.
History:
Much of the Sunshine Coast was inhabited after the Ice Age over 10,000 years ago by various First Nations tribes. As a traditional trading route of the Squamish and Lil'wat First Nations the Whistler Valley provided access into the more secluded areas linking Pemberton to the West Coast.
The trail was originally constructed to drive cattle however because of the challenging mountainous terrain this remained its sole purpose for many years to come.
Europeans were settling into the lower mainland, Vancouver, in the late 1800's and eventually spread to discover areas up along the coast.
With the completion of the Pacific Great Eastern Railway, lodges such as Rainbow lodge gained resort status and the area blossomed.
It wasn't until the now Sea-to-Sky highway (completed in 1955) was property carved along the coast line, that the area developed into a bustling community.
Climate:
Summer average 20 degrees Celsius
Winter average -5 degrees Celsius
Average Snowfall on the summit 360 inches
Whistler Accommodations
Whistler Things to Do
British Columbia
(Adventures/Outdoors/Sports, Bear Viewing | Business & Services Organizations, Environmental Organization)