Whistler - Experience
Elks roam the sidewalks of this tourist town in the heart of a majestic national park. A spectacular setting of jagged peaks and expansive skies.
Paving the way in attractive, modern and purpose-built ski resorts, Whistler sits down in the valley at 675m. The resort itself is often under a rain cloud but, with Whistler, you can be almost guaranteed it will be snowing up top. Whistler Village is the main hub but just above it sits Upper Village, home to the new breed of luxury hotels like the Four Seasons. Creekside was the original ramshackle hub which is set to reclaim its importance with the Olympics.
Both of the main mountains offer an incredible variety of terrain, with over 200 marked trials and 8171 acres between them. The tops tend to be steep and deep but still have gentler ways down so most visitors can appreciate the view. The real meat of the piste skiing is on the tree-lined flags and, with a vertical drop of 1610m, you are guaranteed perfect top-to-bottom skiing.
Whistler made its name as a brigadier in the powder paratroopers and it encompasses the very best facets of North American powder skiing. It generally has a superb fresh snow record and the bowls on Whistler Mountain are an endless playground of different lines, chutes and gullies. Across the valley are some pretty hair-raising couloirs on Blackcomb's wispy chin.
Whistler was one of the first to cotton on to the terrain-park phenomenon and designed a series of different parks suitable for different levels of freestyle skiers and boarders. Start off in the aptly-named Big Easy Terrain Garden where the low rails and gentle rollers allow you to build up confidence. At the other end of the scale, you need to sign a waiver before you go in and buy a special pass. You will not be allowed in without your helmet.
Unfortunately Whistler conforms to the North American stereotype of offering rather uninspirational food in cavernous dining spaces on the mountain. Try and seek out the occasional table-service restaurant where you can. Fortunately, the standard of food and restaurants is much better in the resort itself. Wherever you go, you’re guaranteed hefty portions providing plenty of fuel for an afternoon’s skiing.
Whistler attracts a lively crowd and partying comes high on most visitors’ list of priorities. Both mountains have genial afternoon drinking spots with sunny terraces and live music. Down in Whistler Village things heat up later on with a range of places catering for varying tastes. The shops stay open until 10pm if you need some respite from the bars.
The most exhilarating activity of the slopes is the Ziptrek eco-tour, which involves flying through the forest between the mountains on harnesses and suspension bridges. Eagle-eyed visitors will be keen to go to nearby Squamish, where large numbers of the birds of prey nest. The Meadow Park Sports Centre has superior spa facilities and several of the top hotels also open their luxurious spas to the public.
Take the very first ride up Whistler Mountain at 7.15am with the Fresh Tracks special package. That way you can be the very first on the slopes as they open and ride the powder in solemn solitude for a couple of hours before the crowds arrive.
