Romi's Guidebook for Whistler
Sightseeing
An attractive and twisting drive farther northeast along Highway 99 takes tourists to the small town of Lillooet (it's a two-hour drive from Whistler, so be prepared to spend the best part of the day on this day trip). Located on the banks of the Fraser River, this charming little community owes its existence to the Cariboo Gold Rush of 1858, as it was here that gold hunters exchanged their canoes for ox-carts and set off up the Cariboo Road. The Lillooet Museum is full of memorabilia from these gold-craze days, and a Mile 0 cairn marks the historic route.
Lillooet is also known for its extremely dry climate, something of an anomaly due to the sheltering effect of the surrounding mountains—an effect that has earned the community the nickname as "Canada's Hot Spot."
From Lillooet, you can also visit beautiful Seton Lake, a huge reservoir that's popular for its fishing, swimming, and boating.
Whistler Mountain (2,182 meters) and Blackcomb Mountain (2,284 meters), the two peaks that rise above Whistler Village, boast some of the best skiing in North America. The Whistler Blackcomb resort's combined skiable terrain tops 3,307 hectares with more than 200 runs accessed by 37 lifts.
Indeed, there is too much to cover in one day, which is why many visitors plan to spend a week or so on the slopes. Thanks to summer skiing opportunities on Blackcomb's Horstman Glacier, the Whistler Blackcomb resort also offers the longest ski season of any resort in Canada.
Some hotels provide ski-in access to the two mountains, and multiple restaurants and village eateries are located within ski-boot walking distance of the gondola base (with ski racks set up outside the door and warming fireplaces inside). Snowmobile trips and heli-skiing are also popular winter pastimes at the Whistler Blackcomb resort, and for those traveling with kids, the Coca-Cola Tube Park offers no end of downhill fun.
Besides glacier skiing, in summer, the mountains are busy with hikers, as well as mountain bikers who take to the challenging trails of Whistler Mountain Bike Park. When riding the chairlifts, keep an eye out for bears ambling along the mountain trails in search of berries.
One of the top things to do in Whistler at night is to visit Vallea Lumina, a fascinating multimedia light show that illuminates parts of the forest around Cougar Mountain.
Address: 4545 Blackcomb Way, Whistler, BC
85 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Whistler Blackcomb
4545 BC-99Whistler Mountain (2,182 meters) and Blackcomb Mountain (2,284 meters), the two peaks that rise above Whistler Village, boast some of the best skiing in North America. The Whistler Blackcomb resort's combined skiable terrain tops 3,307 hectares with more than 200 runs accessed by 37 lifts.
Indeed, there is too much to cover in one day, which is why many visitors plan to spend a week or so on the slopes. Thanks to summer skiing opportunities on Blackcomb's Horstman Glacier, the Whistler Blackcomb resort also offers the longest ski season of any resort in Canada.
Some hotels provide ski-in access to the two mountains, and multiple restaurants and village eateries are located within ski-boot walking distance of the gondola base (with ski racks set up outside the door and warming fireplaces inside). Snowmobile trips and heli-skiing are also popular winter pastimes at the Whistler Blackcomb resort, and for those traveling with kids, the Coca-Cola Tube Park offers no end of downhill fun.
Besides glacier skiing, in summer, the mountains are busy with hikers, as well as mountain bikers who take to the challenging trails of Whistler Mountain Bike Park. When riding the chairlifts, keep an eye out for bears ambling along the mountain trails in search of berries.
One of the top things to do in Whistler at night is to visit Vallea Lumina, a fascinating multimedia light show that illuminates parts of the forest around Cougar Mountain.
Address: 4545 Blackcomb Way, Whistler, BC
The Peak 2 Peak Gondola provides an elevated ride between the two mountains. Though the distance covered is a record-breaking 4.4 kilometers, the ride takes only 11 minutes. On a clear day, the view is superb and looks out to snow-capped mountains, alpine lakes, and dense coniferous forests. A glance down to Fitzsimmons Creek is also awe-inspiring - at points the gondola is nearly half a kilometer above the valley floor.
From spring to fall, it's part of the Whistler-Blackcomb sightseeing experience, with guided alpine walks and many photo opportunities. At the peak, loop-hiking trails introduce the alpine terrain. There is also a tea hut for warm ups, as the temperatures can be cooler at higher elevations. In winter, skiers and snowboarders make use of the Peak 2 Peak gondola to hop between runs on Blackcomb and Whistler.
44 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Peak 2 Peak Gondola station
The Peak 2 Peak Gondola provides an elevated ride between the two mountains. Though the distance covered is a record-breaking 4.4 kilometers, the ride takes only 11 minutes. On a clear day, the view is superb and looks out to snow-capped mountains, alpine lakes, and dense coniferous forests. A glance down to Fitzsimmons Creek is also awe-inspiring - at points the gondola is nearly half a kilometer above the valley floor.
From spring to fall, it's part of the Whistler-Blackcomb sightseeing experience, with guided alpine walks and many photo opportunities. At the peak, loop-hiking trails introduce the alpine terrain. There is also a tea hut for warm ups, as the temperatures can be cooler at higher elevations. In winter, skiers and snowboarders make use of the Peak 2 Peak gondola to hop between runs on Blackcomb and Whistler.
British Columbia is renowned for its many hiking trails, and Whistler is no different. Trails range from easy nature walks around Lost Lake to elevation-intense mountain climbs. A well-traveled network of hikes radiates from the lookouts atop Whistler Mountain. Gondolas take hikers above the tree line, where the trails are especially lovely during alpine wildflower season.
The mountains also adjoin the mostly un-trod terrain of Garibaldi Provincial Park. Five trailhead areas provide access to the provincial park from varied points between Squamish and north of Whistler. Trails include excellent day-hikes to Garibaldi Lake, Cheakamus Lake, and Wedgemount Lake.
The park is also where you'll find Black Tusk, an imposing pinnacle of volcanic rock that juts 2,319 meters above sea level; famous among climbers, it's easy to spot from the comfort of your car as you whizz along the Sea-to-Sky Highway.
Just a short distance from Garibaldi (and you'll pass it along the way) is Brandywine Falls Provincial Park, a great photo op for its stunning 70-meter-tall waterfall. Also worth including in this day trip is a visit to the "Train Wreck," the location of a group of abandoned 1950s boxcars accessible along an easy trail that includes a cool suspension bridge over the Cheakamus River.
11 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Parque Provincial Garibaldi
British Columbia 99British Columbia is renowned for its many hiking trails, and Whistler is no different. Trails range from easy nature walks around Lost Lake to elevation-intense mountain climbs. A well-traveled network of hikes radiates from the lookouts atop Whistler Mountain. Gondolas take hikers above the tree line, where the trails are especially lovely during alpine wildflower season.
The mountains also adjoin the mostly un-trod terrain of Garibaldi Provincial Park. Five trailhead areas provide access to the provincial park from varied points between Squamish and north of Whistler. Trails include excellent day-hikes to Garibaldi Lake, Cheakamus Lake, and Wedgemount Lake.
The park is also where you'll find Black Tusk, an imposing pinnacle of volcanic rock that juts 2,319 meters above sea level; famous among climbers, it's easy to spot from the comfort of your car as you whizz along the Sea-to-Sky Highway.
Just a short distance from Garibaldi (and you'll pass it along the way) is Brandywine Falls Provincial Park, a great photo op for its stunning 70-meter-tall waterfall. Also worth including in this day trip is a visit to the "Train Wreck," the location of a group of abandoned 1950s boxcars accessible along an easy trail that includes a cool suspension bridge over the Cheakamus River.
Mountain biking is certainly the most popular summer sport in Whistler Village, and visitors will see legions of armor-clad bikers heading up the slopes by chairlift to Whistler Mountain Bike Park. But the region offers many other adrenaline-fuelled activities, too. Ziplining is one of the most thrilling, and zipliners do reach highway speeds while flying across forested valleys.
Another high-speed option is at the Whistler Sliding Centre bobsleigh and skeleton track. Built for the Olympics, the center is also open for self-guided tours. More local thrills are available in the form of bungee jumping above the Cheakamus River, ripping along logging trails on off-road vehicles, and rafting the high waters of the spring freshet.
52 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Whistler Ski Lift
Skiers PlazaMountain biking is certainly the most popular summer sport in Whistler Village, and visitors will see legions of armor-clad bikers heading up the slopes by chairlift to Whistler Mountain Bike Park. But the region offers many other adrenaline-fuelled activities, too. Ziplining is one of the most thrilling, and zipliners do reach highway speeds while flying across forested valleys.
Another high-speed option is at the Whistler Sliding Centre bobsleigh and skeleton track. Built for the Olympics, the center is also open for self-guided tours. More local thrills are available in the form of bungee jumping above the Cheakamus River, ripping along logging trails on off-road vehicles, and rafting the high waters of the spring freshet.
Lost Lake is a year-round destination for activities, be it mountain biking, hiking, and bird-watching in summer, or snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in winter. From the shoreline, trails fan out, allowing visitors to explore the surrounding quiet forests filled with British Columbia wildlife. The small lake features a beach area and is generally one of the busier spots on a hot summer day, especially as there is a shuttle from the village.
For more sandy, freshwater beaches near Whistler, head to Alpha Lake and Alta Lake.
92 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Lost Lake
Lost Lake is a year-round destination for activities, be it mountain biking, hiking, and bird-watching in summer, or snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in winter. From the shoreline, trails fan out, allowing visitors to explore the surrounding quiet forests filled with British Columbia wildlife. The small lake features a beach area and is generally one of the busier spots on a hot summer day, especially as there is a shuttle from the village.
For more sandy, freshwater beaches near Whistler, head to Alpha Lake and Alta Lake.
Lillooet