Whistler, where you can ski, snowboard, and sled in the winter and ride your bike, hike, and play golf in the summer; where the town welcomes visitors with outstretched arms while enjoying restaurants, boutiques and entertainment. Whistler is the place to visit all year round.
Whistler is located in the southern Pacific ridge of the Coastal Mountains and is 125 km north of Vancouver. We recently enjoyed a visit to this year-round playground as the snow settled on the ground in the Village, the Christmas lights flashed and the music set the mood for an enjoyable weekend getaway.
This mountain town is known worldwide for its skiing and snowboarding with more than 200 marked slopes, 37 ski lifts, 16 alpine bowls and three glaciers. You can also go cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling and sledding.
There is also the dazzling Peak-to-Peak Gondola Ride that can be taken during the summer and winter between Whistler and the Blackcomb Mountains. From peak to peak there are stunning views of Blackcomb Mountain, the surrounding peaks, Whistler Village and all the ski slopes. For the price of a fee, unlimited crossings between the two mountains can be enjoyed. There is a distance of 1.88 miles between each tower and in most places it is about 436 meters above the ground. And once at the top of the mountain, you can enjoy the views while you dine.
In the summer months there are hiking, mountain biking, hiking, various day trips, horseback riding, camping, canoeing, kayaking, rafting, and fishing. There are also numerous lakes where you can swim and windsurf. There is the opportunity to go quad biking, zip lining and bungee jumping. And for those who are interested, there are ecotours and treetop adventures. Many people will also be happy to know that Whistler is a golfer’s paradise with several courses in the area.
Whistler is relatively new and did not open to the public until 1966. In recent years, the area has become very popular and there have been many improvements, including the Sea-to-Sky Expressway, which was completed for the Winter Olympics in 2010. Whistler Village is a pedestrian-only town offering great restaurants, nightlife, boutiques, spas, entertainment, and luxury hotels.
While we were there, we stayed in a beautiful two-bedroom, two-bath suite on the outskirts of town, but there are accommodations right in town, even near the ski lifts. Most hotels have pools and hot tubs, and many have complimentary coffee that you can sip while sitting in the lobby in front of a roaring fireplace.
Whistler also hosts many events throughout the year, both winter and summer. This mountain community is not only very popular with tourists but also for those of us who live in the province of British Columbia. As a result, there are times when accommodation needs to be booked considerably in advance of the date you plan to be there.
Start planning your trip to this incredible place now. You’ll be glad you checked.
