Whistler Local Attractions
Whistler, British Columbia, Canada is a city on the Pacific coast, about 125 km north of Vancouver. Incorporated as a resort town, Whistler has a permanent population of approximately 9 965 people. More than two million travelers visit, Whistler each year, in particular for its famous Alpine Skiing and Mountain Biking. Its pedestrian village has won numerous awards for design and Whistler was voted the best destinations in North America by major ski magazines in the past 15 years. During the 2010 Olympic Winter Games, Whistler hosted the largest part of the luge and downhill skiing. The mountain climbs to a maximum altitude of 2182 meters; Whistler Mountain offers more than 100 selected Ski / Snowboard. The increase from 1530 vertical meters is the second in North America, behind only neighboring Blackcomb and the total area of land to the elevator service is more than 4700 hectares. From Whistler Village, there is a five-kilometer long cable car that lifts skiers more than one kilometer above the valley.
Whistler Village
Whistler Village has been designed with the visitor in mind, featuring the classic west coast architecture and magnificent mountain views. The village is also a one-stop-shop community with a city hall, firefighters and police, medical clinic, museum, library, and more than 200 shops and 90 restaurants. The only way to get around is to walk; when you park your car, you won’t need it again (until you leave). Everything is close and comfortable. The village is safe for walkers, and children and dogs must be kept on a leash. The town is also completely smoke-free. You are never far from telephones, public toilets, or visitor centers such as the Whistler Activity Center.
Whistler Skiing
Whistler Mountain is a peak that is located in the Fitzsimmons Range and it is also the location of the famous Whistler-Blackcomb ski resort located in the town of Whistler, British Columbia. It is considered to be the number 1 ski area in North America and draws well over 1 million skiers, snowboarders and other winter sports enthusiasts each year.
Originally the mountain was named London Mountain with the town located in the valley named Alta Lake. In the 1960s a ski resort was developed in the area and the mountain was renamed Whistler Mountain because of the whistling sounds the marmots make.
There are ski lifts that regularly take skiers to the ski summit. The Whistler Peak chair makes this summit one of the most traveled in British Columbia.
Winter vacations in the Whistler area offer skiers invigorating clean mountain air and an abundance of wilderness that is untouched by modern civilization. The area often attracts photographers who submit their pictures to some of the most prominent ski magazines.
There is something magical that happens when you visit the area. The ski trails are highly maintained and the area sees in excess of 43 feet of snow each snow season making Whistler skiing the most desired skiing in the world. Here you will find trails that are suitable for all of your family members regardless of their level of skiing expertise. You will also find a ski lift that takes you to the highest elevation on the mountain.
Whistler, British Columbia skiing is not the only thing that Whistler Mountain has to offer. During the summer months, you will find fantastic fishing, world-class mountain biking trails, and the comforting warmth of the summer air in the mountains.
Whistler Blackcomb Ski Resort
Whistler Blackcomb is a ski resort that is located on Whistler Mountain and rates consistently among the top 5 ski resorts in North America. Here you will find a combination of good snow, an extensive terrain, and very enjoyable nightlife.
Previously Whistler and Blackcomb were 2 separate ski areas but they have integrated into one huge mega-resort that offers some of the best skiing to be found anywhere. You will find ski trails that suit any of your skiing needs. If you are a beginner you will have access to instructors who will teach you the ropes and start you out on slopes that are designed for the beginner. If you are more accomplished at the art of skiing you will have access to numerous slopes that will challenge your skiing abilities.
Once the two areas combined into one resort area they created the largest single ski area that is located in North America. Together they cover 8,171 acres of beautiful, untouched ski areas just waiting for you to enjoy.
The primary terrain for skiing begins somewhere around mid-mountain but lower sections of the mountain are open when the weather and snow cooperates. The mid and upper areas of the mountains are reserved primarily for the experienced skier that is not afraid of the rough terrain and the high speeds of cross country skiing.
There is a village that is well developed and offers the weary skier a large selection of hotels, restaurants, bars, and vacation homes. After a long day on the slopes, you will be able to relax in comfort, enjoy a hot meal, and even visit a bar for a quick drink to warm you up.
Whistler helped host the 2010 Winter Olympics including events such as the men and women’s slalom, giant slalom, bobsled, luge, and the skeleton. Many areas had their facilities upgraded in anticipation of this great event.
Skiing Details
Tickets are $ 79.95 for adults (19 – 64), $ 69.95 for seniors (65 +) and youth (13 – 18), $ 39.95 for children (12 – 7), and children 6 and under are $15.00. The season runs November through April, but at the beginning and end of the season snow in the lower half of the mountain may be light. Before Whistler was seen as one of the major ski areas of the world, it was already a developed resort town. It all began during 1914, the pioneers – Alex and Myrtle Philip built Rainbow Lodge, a fishing camp, were then known as what is the best lake. For the next 50 years, Whistler was the most popular destination during the Canadian Summer west of the Rocky Mountains. That record of quality carries on today, with Whistler consistently earning the title of the number one resort in North America. Summers are always so popular, as it has always been with an endless series of hiking trails, incredible opportunities for swimming in clear mountain lakes, golf course and one of the best, if not the best, bike park in the world.
Put Whistler Mountain on your next vacation schedule and make plans to enjoy as many of the slopes as possible while you are there. You will find they are second to none.