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Whistler is renowned for the kind of skiing and outdoor
sports that turns aficionados weak at the knees. Its name
is said to derive from the piercing whistle of the hairy marmot
- a small and rather chubby rodent which emits a distinctive
shriek as a warning call. But you'd be lucky to hear it over
the constant whir of SUVs and 4x4s as every year more than
two million people visit Whistler. Over the last twenty years
it has developed into one of the world's most popular ski
resorts - there's even a Starbucks and a botox clinic here
- yet Whistler's home population is only 10,000.
Top activities:
Winter Sports
Nestled amid the splendor of the Coast Mountains of
British Columbia is Whistler, an almost charming alpine
village, and the Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains -
a resort that's continuously rated top ski resort in North
America. It not only has the largest vertical rise of any
ski area in North America but its high alpine terrain rivals
the major ski resorts of Europe. Whistler has twelve magnificent
bowls, three glaciers and over 200 marked trails with steep
powder chutes, difficult mogul fields, tree-skiing, and perfectly
groomed runs.
And skiing isn't the only winter sports option; be spoilt
for choice with aerial sightseeing, dog sledding, heli-skiing,
ice climbing, ice skating, mountain top sightseeing, sleigh
rides, snow-mobiling, and snow-shoeing.
Mountain Biking
Mountain biking is Whistler's biggest summer activity. Southern
British Columbia is the nexus of the increasingly popular
subgenre of freeriding. In 2004, Blackcomb opened seven
new miles of trails, accessed by the Garbanzo lift,
giving it a total of 125 miles of trails with a 3,200ft drop
- claimed to be the largest downhill ride in North America.
What you can do depends on your ability level. For basic
ability with no off-road experience, you can do cross country
tours which entails cycling along gentle trails by the river's
edge, visit hidden lakes, and take in the mountain views with
lots of time for picturesque photos. With off-road experience,
go with Alpine Bike Tours for a guided 4000 feet vertical
tour down Whistler Mountain. For those with intermediate experience,
try Richie Schley Freeride Camps (two days), coached
by famous biking professionals. Biking is a great way to see
Whistler's pine covered mountains, elevated views, and lakes.
Zip-trekking
Ziptrek
Ecotours provide a three-hour journey in which you
glide along a suspended steel cable, using a pulley and climbing
harness. Along the way, they provide interpretive signage
on platforms and around the course which illustrates key points
about local ecology and wildlife. It is lots of fun and the
only one of its kind in North America. You'll see the precious,
untouched coastal temperate rainforest surrounding Whistler
village. You go through the forest canopy made up of Douglas
Fir, Western Hemlock and Cedar trees. The forest is home to
bear, cougar, hoary marmot, owl, deer, and other forest mammals.
It costs $98 Canadian (£40/59Eu) for adults, or you
could get a family pass for two adults and two children, which
costs $298 (£120/180Eu)
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