Whistler - Canada
Each winter more and more British skiers are choosing Whistler over closer European resorts - the longer journey being repaid with consistent snowfall, extensive terrain and enthusiastic nightlife. You might even find the service a little too perfect if you’re used to the sometimes superior attitude of European mega resorts.
Whistler's season starts early in November and runs until June and whilst expert skiers will love the extent of the terrain on offer, novices will be equally impressed with the high standard of instruction in mother-tongue English.Whistler Village is the central point and home to most restaurants and shops whilst Upper Village at the base of Blackcomb Mountain is quieter and home to plenty of exclusive hotels. The pedestrian-only village bustles all winter long and is particularly magical over the festive season. Look out for the popularity of Whistler increasing significantly in 2010 as it will host many events of the Vancouver Winter Olympic Games. If you are worried about the negative impact the games may have on your holiday see this report from the official Whistler/Blackcomb tourist office.
At a glance
| Resort altitude | 675m - 675m |
|---|---|
| Highest lift | 2285m |
| Lowest lift | 650m |
| kms of piste | 216km² |
| Black pistes | 50% |
| Red pistes | 10% |
| Blue pistes | 40% |
| Green pistes | 0% |
| Snow parks | 3 |
| Glacier | Yes |
| Snowmaking | Yes |
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Five to try
- skiing the 'Peak to Creek'; a 5020ft vertical drop down seven kilometers of varying terrain finishing with the Whistler Winter Olympics 2010 Men's downhill run, the Dave Murray Downhill
- trying an exhilarating dog sledding tour. Fun for all the family; the dogs' enthusiasm is infectious
- rising early for a Fresh Tracks Breakfast - the early-loading privileges ensure you are amongs the first up the mountain and includes a huge buffet breakfast
- exploring Blackcomb Mountain or nearby Callaghan Valley on Canada's favourite winter invention, the snowmobile
- feasting on local delicacies at Araxi, the Rimrock Cafe or Bearfoot Bistro
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Planning your trip
Vancouver International Airport (yvr.ca) is the closest gateway airport to the resort with direct flights from UK, via British Airways and Air Canada. Flight time is around 10 hours and another 2 hours by road to Whistler. The upgrades to the highway for the 2010 Olympics promise to shorten this journey however the more...
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Where to stay
Hotels and ski condominiums (apartments) provide the majority of available beds in Whistler, although some UK tour operators do offer catered chalets. Part of the resort's appeal though is trying out the North American dining experience, there are plenty of choices and few are disappointed. For this reason a lot of more...
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Food and drink
Eating out is a big part of the ski experience in North America as most accommodation is sold ‘room only’. There are 90 restaurants offering everything from burgers and steaks to Thai, Italian, Greek and Indian dishes. The proximity to the sea ensures plenty of fish dishes, with the local specialities being Pacific more...
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Things to do
Too much snow or not enough? Find out the many other things to do in Whistler. There are so many things that if you are here for longer than a week it is worth taking a day off. All lift tickets for two days or longer allow a rest day - so for example an eight-day pass is valid for nine days more...
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On the piste
Whistler opened in 1966 and expanded throughout the 1990s due to its rivalry with Blackcomb. Nowadays the resorts have joined forces to create an area that has will leave everyone spoilt for choice. Every morning diehard powder hounds line up alongside visitors from around the world for the first shot at virgin more...
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MadDogView
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Map
- Download piste map
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Our favourites
Ingrid's
Delightfully independent, down to earth cafe serving home cooked, health-conscious food. For a quick bite to fill you up, you can't really go wrong. -
Useful stuff
If you are looking for some good quality and reasonably priced accommodation, the lovely people at the Whistler/Blackcomb tourist office website will do their best to help you out, with plenty of deals to be had.
