Whistler
Whistler is now world famous, having hosted the 2010 Olympic Games. Western Canada’s top ski resort atop the Sea to Sky Highway is waiting for those who didn’t make it to the Olympics to go there now! Once a sleepy skiing village in the 1960’s and 1970’s, Whistler is now one of the top ski destinations in North America. It is a short 2 hour drive north of Vancouver BC. The Vancouver/Whistler area offers a magnificent combination of ocean, rainforest, and mountains. Take the Sea-to-Sky highway from the ocean beaches in Vancouver, through the cedar rainforests and hiking trails around Squamish, all the way to the Olympic mountains of Whistler.
Whistler History
In the early 1800’s, Whistler was an area for trappers only. It’s rough and rugged terrain meant it was not attractive to settlers. A trail was completed by trappers in 1877 and intended for cattle drives but men lost many of their cattle on the rugged terrain and this idea was soon abandoned. The first people to purchase and build a house in Whistler were Alex and Myrtle Phillips from Maine in the United States. They moved there on a tip from a trapper friend, opened a fishing resort and lived there until they died.
Whistler was originally named Alta Lake BC. It was renamed London Mountain by British Naval Officers then Whistler Mountain after the whistling noise of the Western Hoary Marmots. By 1914 the Canadian Railway had been built and Whistler was connected to civilization. By 1965 there was a gravel road, electricity and more and more people were building vacation homes in Whistler and discovering its incredible skiing.
Whistler Activities, Tourist Attractions, Sports Events and More!
Along with incredible skiing and snowboarding, there is the village of Whistler. The village has 200 shops, 90 restaurants, many hotels, and a very lively night life. There is so much to do all year around.
The emphasis in activities in Whistler is outdoors: swimming, fishing, skiing, kayaking, hunting, biking, horseback riding parasailing, zip-lining, hiking, wild life viewing, rafting, or walking around and simply marveling at the view.
Summer or winter, Whistler has it all! Don’t forget Whistler has some of the best golfing anywhere, so be sure and bring your clubs.
A detailed view of activities and attractions in Whistler can be found at:
http://www.whistler.com
http://www.whislter.ca
Biking in Whistler
Whistler Mountain Bike Park is world renowned and has something for every level of biker. If you fancy a gentle ride through the forest you can do that. If you want extreme speeds and 2220 foot single track trails go to the Garbanzo Zone! There is also an indoor track of 8400 square foot training facility. Check their website for rates, rentals and choosing a trail that’s right for your level.
http://www.whistlerbike.com/index.htm