Nearby Cities: West Vancouver
Only 126 kilometres north of Vancouver, lies the popular four-season resort Whistler Village, Blackcomb Mountain and Whistler Mountain. This popular destination has been rated the number one ski resort in North America by both Snow Magazine and Ski Magazine (alternating, it seems, with the Vail resort in Colorado) and in winter the population jumps from 5,000 to 30,000. It's a Two hour drive on the winding up-and-down #99 Sea to Sky Highway, and the village is 675 metres (2,214 feet) above sea level.
The town has two mountains developed for skiing, Whistler Mountain and Blackcomb Mountain which operate as one resort. On Blackcomb, the lifts can take you to 2284 metres (7,494 feet), and you can ski on 8,171 acres (33 kmē) of terrain and 200 runs all serviced by 24 major lifts. The vertical drop is 1609 metres (which converts to 5,280 feet, or one vertical mile) which is the most of any ski resort in North America. Whistler Blackcomb has a ski-able area 50% larger than that of Vail, to be the largest ski area in North America. Blackcomb's glacier enables summer skiing from June until August.
The town of Whistler will host events for the 2010 Winter Games, including the men's and women's slalom and GS, and the bobsleigh, luge, and skeleton events. The downhill events and sliding events will be held on the Whistler Balckomb mountain, and the ski jumping and Nordic (cross country, bi-athlon, and Nordic combined) events will be held in a newly built facility in an adjoining valley.
History
Whistler Mountain opened for skiing in February, 1966, and after the Sea-to-Sky Highway was paved in 1969 the resort's popularity increased. As the number of visitors grew, the town's accommodation expanded, and in 1975 the village of Alta Lake was incorporated into the Resort Municipality of Whistler in 1975. The municipality began the construction of Whistler Village, which opened in 1980. Around that time the mountain added three triple chairlifts that lift skiers to the top in 45 minutes. In 1986, Whistler added the Peak chairlift, moving skiers quickly to the alpine terrain at the top. When Blackcomb adding high speed quad chairs, Whistler added the Whistler Express Gondola which lifts passengers 1,157 metres vertically along its 5 kilometre length. In 1992, the Glacier Express opened, rising from the bottom of Glacier Creek to the Horstman Glacier. In 1996, the Whistler Mountain Ski Corporation was bought out by Intrawest, which had owned Blackcomb since 1986, and the two resorts were combined into one.
Whistler Mountain has added a summer mountain bike park using the Fitzsimmons and Garbanzo quad chairlifts, ands the Village Gondola to shuttle bikers to around midstation, at 1,200m (4,800). In the summer, the two high speed quad chairlifts at the bike park have every second chair replaced with a bike rack. Riders can enjoy 36 trails covering a total of 200 km. For beginners, there are smooth trails with gentle banked corners, for intermediate mountain bikers there are steep twisty trails for intermediates, while advanced and competitive biker racers can test their skills on tight trails with giant jumps, drops, and root-strewn terrain. The bike park has two zones. The lower Fitzsimmons zone has easier trails and the upper Garbanzo zone for expert riders. From the top of Garbanzo to the village riders drop an impressive 1100 metres. At the base of Blackcomb is the Magic Park with two downhill trails designed for beginners with forgiving wide and smooth trails.
Parking in Whistler
Metered and limited time parking are strictly enforced in the village lots and streets. There is surface parking at the Conference Centre, and underground parkade at the Conference Centre, and meters on municipal streets. Other lots in the community are privately operated and patrolled for violations.
The day skier parking lots are free, and operated by Whistler-Blackcomb. No overnight camping is allowed in any of the lots. There is overnight parking for visitors on overnight or multi-day hikes in Garibaldi Park (Singing Pass) is available in Lot 4 by the signs. Those parked overnight anywhere else in the day lots will be towed.
Winter parking regulations are in effect November 1 through March 31, so enable snowplows to clear the subdivisions. Parking on the "even" side of the street is prohibited Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. There is no parking on the "odd" side of the street at any time, year round. Illegally parked vehicles will be ticketed and towed.
Annual festivals, events:
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early January |
Canadian Free Skiing Championship |
Whistler Blackcomb's terrain hosts over 100 of the world's top skiers for events which will be judged for line choice, fluidity, control, form, control and aggressiveness. For more information call (604)-932-3434
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mid February |
Altitude Twelve |
The annual Gay and Lesbian Ski Week at Whistler. The event kicks off in Vancouver and moves up to Whistler for 8 days for events on and off of the slopes. 3000 skiers and snowboarders from all over the world will attend this event.
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start April |
Sierra Wireless Air Canada Whistler Cup |
North America's premier International Juvenile Ski Races for boys and girls aged 11 to 14 years, with over 300 skiers from 20 countries.
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mid-April |
Annual Telus World Ski and Snowboard festival |
Former Olympic champions, freestyle legends, extreme ski stars and pro tour stars take part in sporting events, live entertainment, outdoor celebrations and some fantastic skiing and snowboarding. 604-938-3399
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mid-June |
Whistler Jazz and Blues Festival |
Live outdoor bands to the intimate venues scattered throughout clubs and corners of Whistler Resort.
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early July |
ArtWalk |
See over 20 regional artists & artisans showcased in cafes, retail stores, art galleries and restaurants around the Village.
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early August |
Whistler Music & Arts Festival |
Four jam-packed days of fun with street entertainers, live music and interactive art activities for the whole family.
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mid-August |
Weetama, Whistler's annual celebration of aboriginal culture |
Showcase of the arts and culture of the region's First Nations communities, with traditional drums, dances and songs. Artisian workshops, with a focus on education and fun, and films featuring aboriginal heritage, history and culture.
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mid-August |
Weetama, Whistler's annual celebration of aboriginal culture |
Showcase of the arts and culture of the region's First Nations communities, with traditional drums, dances and songs. Artisian workshops, with a focus on education and fun, and films featuring aboriginal heritage, history and culture.
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mid-October |
Oktoberfest in Whistler |
Whistler's European - style alpine village has a Munich-style beer hall with traditional music and folk dancers, with beer and bratwurst. Free and ticketed events.
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early November |
Cornucopia - Whistler's Food and Wine Celebration |
Wine tasting, lots of food, with wine and food seminars. 50 top industry experts from British Columbia, Washington, California, and Oregon participate in a gala of tastings, dinners, and a wrap - up gourmet brunch. 604-938-2701
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mid December |
Snow Scene |
This event starts off the season with a $150,000 in prizes for halfpipe, snowboard cross and Parallel GS. Music performances in the Whistler Village and an interactive Village Snow Scene Tent
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Dec 31 |
Whistler First Night |
This non alcoholic event will have entertainment on three stages with old fashioned fun and entertainment for the family to count down together. For more information call (604)-905-9798
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Here are other communities nearby:
[ Whistler |
West Van |
North Van |
Vancouver |
Richmond |
Delta |
Burnaby |
New West |
Port Moody, Coquitlam |
Surrey |
Langley ]
Community Map
Click on "Hybrid" to see see ski runs on Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains.
Use mouse to drag/move map. Click on "+" or "-" to zoom in or out. "Satellite" shows photo, "Hybrid" combines map & photo.
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