Already known as a world-class ski and snowboard destination, the town has established itself as an incredible year-round destination for adventurers, night owls, epicures, and those who just want to relax. Read on to find out why thousands of students, honeymooners and singles flock to this Canadian hotspot every year.
before leaving on a jet plane
For skiers and snowboarders, visiting Whistler is a no-brainer. One of the meccas of winter sports in North America (if not the world), the Whistler and Blackcomb mountains are famous for deep powdery snow, endless runs and great snow parks.Therefore, if you visit in the winter months, be prepared for tons of snowfall on the hills and temperatures in the 20s or even teens (Fahrenheit). Of course, you'll need your best mountain gear when going up the chairlift, but you'll be comfortable wearing only a couple of layers and a warm jacket in the village.
Those not interested in flying down a mountain at blinding speeds will be drawn to the numerous restaurants, shopping opportunities, nightclubs, and beaches that are at their prime in the summer. Since you are on Canada's west coast, rain comes frequently, but usually in short bursts. Days where the mercury hits the 90s are not uncommon, as the weather is usually temperate.
reaching the resort
Whatever pleasure you fancy, you won't find it difficult to reach Whistler. After landing in Vancouver's International Airport, a 75-mile drive north awaits you. You can rent a car for a low rate, but if you want to relax after a long flight, try getting a limousine outside the "Arrivals" area.It will cost you roughly $215 US with tip for the whole trip, but if you are a group of four or five people, it is definitely worth it. In fact, if you are a large group, the price for the limousine ends up being the same as a bus trip up highway 99.
stay in a suite or condo
Your lodging in British Columbia's premiere resort depends on how long you want to stay and your budget. Because of the large volume of tourists visiting the village of 10,000 each year, hotels abound.Choose between the Delta, Westin Resort and Spa, or even the Holiday Inn, but keep in mind that you'll be paying a pretty penny. To make like a true Whistler regular, take a hint from the students, who stay for months on end and rent out a condo.
Research on the Net will turn up several directories where owners offer their one-, two- or three-bedroom condominiums for a monthly rate. Places like Glacier's Reach (where you get your own hot tub) and Northstar Stoney Creek are ideally located and competitively priced for longer stays.
Just keep in mind that during the incredibly busy winter and spring months (November to May), rent is much higher than it is in the summer.
winter in whistler
Ever since Whistler Mountain opened for business in 1966, tourists from around the world have gravitated toward it and its sister mountain, Blackcomb (which opened in 1980), for the best skiing in North America.From late November to early June, you can appreciate the moguls, half pipe and gravity defying jumps both mountains offer. Blackcomb stays open until early August for glacier skiing, but your optimal time to hit the slopes is from December to March.
Whistler/Blackcomb has over 5,000 feet of vertical rise and 7,000 acres of available skiing terrain, so you'll never get bored. Combined, there are over 200 runs with 3 highspeed gondolas and 33 lifts to get you there.
On average, there are 30 to 100 feet of snowfall each year, so you can imagine why this is an Olympic-worthy site. When you put so many courses on the slopes, 12 bowls (large bowl-shaped "indentations" in the mountain) and 3 glaciers, skiing aficionados can't help but visit at least once a year.
the awesome people
As December through to March is Whistler's busiest time, you'll be in a perfect situation to experience all the village has to offer. After a day on the slopes, you can walk from the base of Whistler Mountain through the Village Stroll, which is lined with restaurants, shops and hotels. Here, you'll see proof of Canada's reputation as a hospitable nation: everyone will greet you with a "hello" or at least a smile and nod as they pass you.Australians, Japanese, and Canadians from the east coast make up the majority of the tourists in Whistler. You can check out the sporty chicks hailing from these countries at a number of spots set on warming you up after a long day knee-deep in snow.
Whistler locals and visitors tend to love drinking well into the night; catch them at the Brew House (where the home-made beer is excellent) or the Dubb Linn Gate, both located within walking distance of all major hotels and condos.
convenience is key
In fact, all fun activities are only a minutes away by foot in the Whistler village. It is a compact place where everything is conveniently located. On days where skiing or snowboarding do not tickle your fancy, you can walk to the marketplace area to purchase food at the supermarket, visit tourist offices for information on snowmobiling and snowshoeing, or have a masseuse come to your room from companies like Blue Highways Shiatsu & Massage or Mecca Massage.Shop around at all the major clothing stores and gift shops, but be sure to make a few rounds before buying an overpriced "I love Whistler" T-shirt.
not just for skiers and boarders
Whistler is truly a place where the fun depends on what you make of it. If you come here to experience the great ski conditions and attract sweet ladies, you have to be outgoing. The village is teaming with twenty-somethings visiting for a week or a month, taking off school to experience a world-famous social and sporting hotspot.With that in mind, the nights in Whistler will be fun if you hit one of the aforementioned bars, while making friends will be even easier if you try out other outdoor activities like cross-country skiing, heli-skiing (a helicopter takes you to Blackcomb's nether regions, where a guide escorts you down ungroomed and very vertical terrain) or ice-climbing. These adventure sports are as good at giving you an energetic rush as they are in helping you meet new and very interesting people.
Though everyone you meet will likely talk your ear off about skiing and snowboarding, these skills are not a must to enjoy Whistler's famous winter. Even being athletic- minded is not a prerequisite, as the village is constantly alive with activity, be it in the form of concerts, televised ski competitions, or celebrity sightings.
summer in whistler
Within the past decade or so, Whistler's summer months have received as much praise as the winter's. Young tourists in need of a break from school or their first career relocate here for weeks or months on end, by renting a condo, getting a job at a local hotel or restaurant, and partying during the night.Fresh faces come in from Vancouver and Seattle every weekend to take advantage of the nightclub scene. "No worries" seems to be the most common motto here from June until August, where hot tubs and lakes take the place of the sharp Whistler/Blackcomb slopes.
spend hours at the lakes
If you are past the wild stage of constant drinking that typifies many of the younger tourists' habits during the summer, then take a look at these incredible activities. On hot days, get up at a decent hour, prepare some burgers and pack some beer, then take a stroll to one of Whistler's sparkling lakes.Lost Lake is a 15- to 20-minute walk from the village and should be the first one you visit, as it is an easy stroll up Lorimer Road. The path turns into the woods, and then opens up around the lake, providing a great view of the mountains and ample space to sunbathe and barbecue on public grills.
When you have gotten a better feel of Whistler and its outskirts, take the half hour walk to Rainbow Park at Alta Lake via the Valley Trail. This is the most populated lake when the sun is out, and bikini-clad women are likely to take your attention away from the incredible, unimpeded mountain view.
The lake is cold but refreshing after throwing around a Frisbee for an hour. Docks float in the middle of the lake and provide a great place to sunbathe.
extreme water sports
Thanks to the mountains standing guard over the village and valley, there are a great many off-road adventures to sample.With Whistler River Adventures, you can go white-water rafting on class 3 or 4 (i.e. moderately to fairly rough) rapids. The cost, from $45 to $100 per person, is well worth it considering the experience and views you get.
Other boat sports include wakeboarding, kayaking and jet boating. Visit the base of Whistler Mountain, at the end of the village stroll, for information for all these exhilarating experiences.
off-road adventures
If you are a hydrophobe, try out a top-rated Hummer, an all-terrain vehicle (ATV), or horseback tours at nearby Cougar Mountain. The area has 15,000 acres of rocky terrain and some flatlands, where black bear, moose, cougar, lynx, and deer sightings are common.The ATV tours last from two to three hours and go through uncharted backcountry. Expect to pay between $70 and $110.
The Hummer tours put you on a specially built cage on the back of the hulking 4x4, and take you around similar areas; this will cost you about $70 for 2 hours. The cheapest opportunity, at $42, is horseback riding; however, the beasts will trot you through dense forest as you follow one of many professional guides.
Upon conquering these memorable offerings, try out fly-fishing or the Zip-trek, in which you zipline suspended on a set of five steel cables for over a ½ mile above forests, bridges and trails.
For something more relaxing, try out the Nicklaus North golf course, which was designed by the Golden Bear himself, Jack Nicklaus.
biking a good idea
Getting around the village may require nothing more than a pair of good walking shoes, but you'll appreciate the trip to the lakes or visits to places such as Rebagliati Park much more if you rent a mountain bike.Stations are dotted around the village, with the best deal being a 24-hour rental for about $30. At the very least, bring along your roller blades to cruise around in.
nightlife and eating the highlight
After this hefty workout, sample Whistler's international cuisine. There's Hy's Steakhouse for top-notch beef, Thai One On for great South East Asian food at good prices, and Quattro for high quality Italian dining. There are less upscale places for good grill eating as well: try the Longhorn Saloon & Grill (which also has cheap breakfast on weekends) or Monk's Grill.The favorable Canadian exchange rate should encourage you to drink while at the club, but if you choose to do otherwise, keep in mind that liquor stores in the village proper close between 9 and 10 p.m. Whether you pre-drink or not, it is worth it to check out the music at Maxx Fish, Whistler's best hip hop spot on Wednesdays, as well as Garfinkles on Thursdays.
Each night of the week, locals congregate at a different nightclub to party until 2 a.m. (closing time), and those two clubs are perhaps the best the village has to offer. Of course, if you do not like one spot, entrance fees are cheap enough that you can try out a different place that's barely one minute's walk away. The only warning: avoid Moe Joe's and Buffalo Bill's if you do not like drunk "cougars" taking over the dance floor.
no longer a secret paradise
With the friendliest and most approachable people on Earth, incredible mountain views and truckloads of sports activities year round, Whistler has quickly emerged as one of the world's most fun tourist destinations.You'll find whatever floats your boat in this picturesque skiing village, which is now getting set to host the Winter Olympics in 2010.
What's more, you will meet many interesting people from all over the world, if you keep an open mind. Herein lies Whistler's secret gift to you.
tips for the trip
Resources
http://travel.yahoo.com/p/travelguide/757959 - Practicalities
http://travel.yahoo.com/p/travelguide/757961 - Information
http://travel.yahoo.com/p/travelguide/757965 - Dining
http://www.whistlerguestdirectory.com/
http://www.tourismwhistler.com/
Vacation Packages
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