Five Ways to Leave a Lighter Footprint
Story by Dee Raffo | Images by Joern Rohde
Leave The Car at Home
Whistler Village was built to be explored on two feet. The designer, Eldon Beck, likened it to a river with a pedestrianized path flowing from the base of the mountains with “eddies” where you can stop and take in the views. Not only is Whistler Village a hub for all things mountain-based, but it’s where most of Whistler’s accommodation and activity providers, as well as its award-winning après and dining scene, are located.
If you want to explore further out from the Village, Whistler has a 46-kilometre paved and pedestrianized Valley Trail, which weaves its way around parks, lakes and neighbourhoods. Rent a bike or e-bike and cruise around using the free bike valets at each park.
With that said, unless you enjoy paying parking fees, you don’t need a car. Shuttles run from Vancouver to Whistler, and if you do need a ride to get around, there’s a transit system (free on weekends and holiday Mondays until Sept. 2), free shuttle buses to Whistler’s most popular parks, and taxis on request. whistler.ca/services
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Think of bringing a reusable water bottle, as our water is glacier-fresh and safe to drink from the tap. You’ll find water fountains throughout the Village and at the parks for refills. You might also spot some bear-proof bins to sort your trash into compostables and recyclables. If these are full, don’t leave it out for the bears; find another one or take it back to your accommodation.
Another thing to bring is a reusable bag, or you can get one when shopping while you’re here (they make a fun souvenir). If you over-shopped and can’t fit everything in your suitcase at the end of your stay, drop reusable items off at Whistler’s Re-Use-It Centre or ask whether your accommodation provider will do this for you. mywcss.org
Make Smart Decisions
The mountains are an incredible place to explore, but they should also be respected. If you’re heading out for any adventure, you should follow the “three t’s”: trip planning, training and taking the essentials.
Trip planning is about knowing your route, the type of terrain and checking the weather. Make sure you leave a trip plan with someone who can alert the authorities if things go wrong. Not sure what should be in a trip plan? Visit Adventure Smart’s website and download their free app. Training is about having the right level of knowledge and expertise for your adventure, and taking the essentials is about having the basics with you in case of an emergency. A full list can be found on AdventureSmart.ca along with other great tips on staying safe outdoors
Respect Nature
While visiting this summer, you might see the “Don’t Love it to Death” campaign in action. This awareness-building program just launched a series called “Bad House Guest,” which parallels the outrageous behaviour of a guest in someone’s home with poor behaviour that is becoming common when recreating outdoors. It’s a reminder to explore mindfully and respectfully, from packing out what you pack in to adhering to fire bans and staying on marked trails.
We all love Whistler; we just don’t want to love it to death. dontloveittodeath.com
Give Back and Support local
If you’re a runner, hiker, or biker spending time on Whistler’s incredible trail system, consider donating to the Whistler Off Road Cycling Association (WORCA), who do a lot of work to maintain the trails. worca.com
Whistler’s retail scene is the best place to find gear, as the people you connect with are passionate about getting people outside. Why not take advantage of their knowledge and support small businesses by spending your dollars locally? whistler.com/shopping
Small actions like these can make a big difference in the long run. Thank you in advance for being a mindful traveller; you're welcome back anytime.
