Whistler
Welcome to Sea to Sky Country
Story by David Burke | Images By Joern Rohde
Sunny afternoons by the lake, hiking in the alpine, a barbecue and drinks on the patio… there are so many options for recreation and relaxation here that you can’t go wrong.
While the resort is best known for its unparalleled skiing, snowboarding and other wintertime activities, most locals and a growing number of regular visitors say summer is their favourite time to be here.
In the past couple of decades, Whistler Blackcomb’s (WB) summertime visitation numbers have steadily increased. The world-renowned Whistler Mountain Bike Park marks its 25th anniversary in 2024. As well, the record-shattering Peak 2 Peak Gondola, the recent addition of the Blackcomb Ascent Trails and Whistler Peak attractions such as the Cloudraker Skybridge and Raven’s Eye cantilevered walkway are just a few of the reasons for that surge. The opening of the Blackcomb Gondola in 2019, combined with the Peak 2 Peak and Whistler Village Gondola, gave WB the distinction of having the world’s first three-gondola lift connection. whistlerblackcomb.com
Whether you’re seeking hardcore, adrenaline-fuelled adventure or something a bit more relaxed, there’s no shortage of options in Whistler.
For millennia, the Whistler Valley was hunting and berry-picking territory for the Squamish and Lil’wat peoples, whose shared traditional territory includes the valley. European fur trappers, loggers and miners first arrived in the late 1800s. In 1914, the same year the Pacific Great Eastern Railway came to town, Myrtle and Alex Philip put the community (then known as Alta Lake) on the tourism map when they opened Rainbow Lodge. The summertime fishing establishment quickly caught on with visitors from across Canada.
Franz Wilhelmsen and his business partners arrived in 1960 with a vision to turn what was then known as London Mountain into a ski resort that could host alpine events at the 1968 Winter Olympics. With a name change to Whistler Mountain (named for the whistling sound that alpine-dwelling marmots make), the ski hill opened in 1966, but the Olympic dream didn’t come true until 2003, when Vancouver and Whistler were chosen to host the 2010 Games. You can delve into the community’s fascinating history with a visit to the Whistler Museum on Main Street. whistlermuseum.org
Around the resort are vestiges of Whistler’s Olympic legacy, with several sets of Olympic rings and “Inukshuks,” stylized Inuit rock cairns that served as the “welcome” symbol of the Games, as well as sports venues such as the Whistler Sliding Centre and, further afield, Whistler Olympic Park.
Whistler Olympic Plaza, where medal ceremonies took place during the 2010 Olympics and Paralympics, is a great place to pull out the Frisbee and enjoy a picnic or a drink purchased from a nearby café in the shadow of the Olympic rings.
Visitors and locals alike can also enjoy free, open-air music experiences at the plaza on select dates throughout the summer. whistler.com/events/concerts
The resort is home to five pristine lakes, each with its unique character and the chance to go for a dip or hang out on the beach. One of the most popular summertime activities is paddling on the meandering River of Golden Dreams that links Alta and Green lakes. Several companies offer boat rentals as well as guided excursions.
Thrill seekers can get the adrenaline pumping with a high-flying zipline adventure, an ATV or buggy tour, a daring plunge off the bungee bridge, or a flightseeing excursion to a nearby glacier.
Learn about the fascinating and vibrant traditions of the Squamish and Lil’wat peoples, who have inhabited the region since long before recorded history, at the world-class Squamish-Lil’wat Cultural Centre (SLCC) on Blackcomb Way.
slcc.ca
Whistler’s growing reputation as a mecca for the arts was punctuated in 2016 by the opening of the Audain Art Museum (audainartmuseum.com). The museum features a permanent collection, including works by Emily Carr and E.J. Hughes, as well as renowned visiting exhibitions. Several private galleries also dot the Whistler landscape.
Welcome!
For help in planning your visit to Whistler, go to whistler.com.