Whistler

The world's most famous ski resort

Whistler is a resort that needs no introduction. It is the summer and winter playground for so many people from all over the world. It is an area of outstanding beauty and due to its position on the western Pacific coast of it receives an absurd amount of snow each year. The two mountain of Whistler and Blackcomb sit side by side representing over 8000 acres of available terrain. The area caters for all levels of ability from outright novices to the pro’s of skiing and snowboarding. The choice of restaurants and bars will dumbfound you, with something for all palettes. The quality and availability of winter activities is hotly rivalled by summer activities with huge mountain bike terrain parks present in the summer months.

Whistler Facts

Average Snowfall 33 feet/10 metres per year
Total Terrain 8,171 acres/3,307 hectares
Terrain:
Whistler / Blackcomb
25% Expert / 30% Expert
55% Intermediate / 55% Intermediate
20% Beginner / 15% Beginner

Trails 200 +
Mountain Restaurants 17 with a total of 6,540 restaurant seats
Highest Lift Accessed Elevation 2,284 metres/7,494 feet
Vertical Drop 1609 metres/5280 feet
Number of Lifts 38

Awards & Accolades

• Consistently ranked in the top 5 for North American resorts selected by industry magazines such as SKI, SKIING, Powder, TransWorld Snowboarding.

Location

The town of Whistler nestles between the two mountains of Whistler and Blackcomb in the Whistler Valley. Located in the coastal mountains of British Columbia it lays 72 miles north of Vancouver.

Getting to Whistler

By Air:
Vancouver airport is an international airport with frequent flights from the U.S and Europe. Depending on road conditions, Whistler is only 2 hours drive from the airport.

By Road:
From Vancouver Airport: From the airport follow signs through the city for Highway #99 (N) and Whistler/BC ferries. Once on the highway it is a around a 100km drive north to Whistler.

Climate

The resort owes a huge deal of its reputation as a vacation paradise to its climate. In the winter months intense storms billow in from the Pacific Coast and bury the mountains in snow. An average annual snow fall of over 10m on the summit and over 4m in the valley. Winter temperatures have an average high of 3C and a low of -8C. Within the summer the temperatures soar and can rise over 30C. They average at a high of 23C and low of 9C.

History

The Squamish, Lil’wat and Marmots

The people of the Squamish and the Lil’wat cultures were the first to inhabit the area around Whistler Blackcomb. To this day ancestors of these two cultures continue to live as their predecessors did years ago. Many of trails around the resort today were used as trade routes for first nation groups like the Squamish and the Lil’wat’s.

‘Alta Lake’ was the first name given to the area due to the series of lakes in the area. The name ‘Whistler’ soon replaced ‘Alta Lake’, originating from the western Hoary Marmots that make high pitched shrill as they hustle between the rocks.

The Olympic Dream

Businesses in the area originally sought to exploit the natural resources the area was rich in. Logging, mining and fur trade prospered in the area. However, it quickly became apparent that more money was to be made within the tourism industry. A fishing resort based at Summit Lake was the first of its kind in the area and proved to be extremely popular. Numbers of visitors to the area blossomed when a railway line was built into the area in 1914.

It wasn’t till the 1960’s that events occurred that would change the face of the valley forever. A group of businessmen called the Garibaldi Olympic Development Association (GODA) decided to develop a site for a future winter Olympic Games and chose the Whistler area. Garibaldi lifts was created and from 1962 to 1965 began development of the ski area on the south side of Whistler Mountain. However, Olympic bids at the time proved to be unsuccessful. In 1966 Whistler Mountain officially opened for business.

Blackcomb Mountain followed suit in 1980, creating one of the largest ski complexes in North America with the two longest vertical drops on the continent. In 1998, the company ‘Intrawest’ directed the merging of the mountains of Whistler and Blackcomb. In 2003, after the failed attempts in the 1960’s, Whistler Blackcomb finally won the bid to host a Winter Olympics. The 2010 Olympics could prove to be a hugely popular and prosperous event for the area.

Whistler Blackcomb today

Whistler Blackcomb has over 12 alpine bowls to choose from; making it one of the largest places in the world to spend a season. The massive snowfall makes it an ideal location for those keen on experiencing “West Coast powder” unlike that found in Europe or Eastern Canada.

Whistler Blackcomb continues to be at the forefront of ski and snowboard development, with a reputation for being at the centre of freeriding and freestyle. The Telus Terrain Parks contain two well maintained half pipes, a floodlit pipe open at night and park runs designed for all ability levels. By the end of your time here you will be hitting the XL run on a regular basis!

Continual development is central to the resort’s success both on and off the mountain contributing to the decision for it to host the 2010 Winter Olympics. Whether it’s steep chutes open bowls, deep powder or huge terrain parks Whistler Blackcomb really does have it all to offer.

Being a truly international ski resort Whistler Blackcomb attracts skiers from all around the world. It's a popular destination with all nationalities especially the Brits, Japanese, Australians and of course Canadians from Vancouver and other west coast communities. With over 200 shops there is plenty to distract you whilst you are off the mountain, ranging from the major suppliers like North Face to Whistler’s own Mountain Ski Company. On the food side the 90 plus restaurants on and off the mountain offer every type of food imaginable from Mexican to Greek and Italian.

As far as après ski is concerned Whistler Blackcomb has got all needs catered for, be it table top dancing at Merlin’s, relaxing with the locals at Dusty’s or partying the night away at Tommy Africa’s.

If you want a total break from skiing the options are endless, a trip to one of the cinemas, spas, art galleries or museums are just some of the possibilities. Or you could try something a bit more active like snowmobiling, heli-skiing, or rock-climbing.