Why Don't You
Stories by David Burke
Go Ziplining and Celebrate Ziptrek’s 20th Anniversary
Twenty years ago, Charles Steele and David Udow launched Ziptrek Ecotours on the premise that Whistler was the perfect place to offer guests North America’s first guided zipline tour, providing both thrills and environmental education in the breathtaking coastal rainforest of British Columbia.
After two decades of offering ziplining tours to tens of thousands of resort guests each year, it’s clear that Steele and Udow were onto something. The company, which features a variety of zipline tours in the Fitzsimmons Valley between Whistler and Blackcomb mountains, including the record-breaking Sasquatch® zipline, is celebrating its 20th anniversary this summer.
Along the way, Ziptrek Ecotours has picked up numerous awards, including a Tripadvisor “Best of the Best” Top 10 Canadian Experience Award (2020).
For many guests, the highlight of a visit to Whistler is the adventure of a zipline tour, and most locals will probably have experienced it at least once, if not more. As a result, it’s considered high on the list as a “must-do” year-round. From the original Bear Tour, ideal for families and first-timers, to the Eagle with its 2,400-foot-long line and a 30-storey descent into the Village, to the ultimate mountain-to-mountain Sasquatch® — a memorable experience awaits!
“It truly has been an amazing journey, and I’ve been fortunate enough to have been along for a majority of the ride so far,” says Warrick Hubbard, director of marketing at Ziptrek. “The company has always had a fun and robust culture, enriched by an amazing wealth of varied talent, which has contributed to its long-term success.”
“We look forward to many more successful years here in Whistler, which will always be the birthplace and home of Ziptrek, a place which all of us know is a super special, one-of-a-kind locale.”
whistler. ziptrek.com | 604-935-0001
Photo Joern Rohde
Take a 4X4 into Alpine Splendour
For an exhilarating adventure in Whistler’s breathtaking mountain scenery, it’s hard to match the thrill of a Jeep 4X4 tour offered by Canadian Wilderness Adventures (CWA).
CWA, one of the top-rated Whistler tour companies on TripAdvisor, offers three separate tours that transport guests into the alpine magnificence of the 6,000-foot level on Blackcomb Mountain, offering guests spectacular views of Whistler Village, its many lakes and rivers, and the scenic Coast Mountains.
The Glacier Safari Jeep Tour is the company’s classic 4X4 tour, and no two trips are alike — the changing colours of the alpine flowers and foliage, and the chance to encounter bears, marmots, and other wildlife make each journey unique. The tour to the Horstman Glacier — yes, you may see skiers training on it most of the year — is led by a professional driver who can point out some of the many features along the way.
CWA’s Blackcomb Summer Sunset Tour begins in the evening, transporting guests up Blackcomb to see its forested slopes and meadows in a much different light — just as the birds are singing and other critters are preparing to settle down for the night. The highlight, though, is one of the most spectacular sunsets anywhere — with the lights from the Village beginning to shimmer below and the snow-capped mountains arrayed all around you.
One of CWA’s longest-running and most popular tours offers guests a chance to wind their way into the alpine and experience nature en route to the Crystal Hut, where a mouth-watering evening repast awaits. The Salmon Bake By 4X4 Tour includes a delicious meal of wild, honey-glazed B.C. salmon, local vegetables, fresh salad and a delectable dessert, all expertly prepared on-site. On the patio of the rustic but well-appointed Crystal Hut, you’ll also enjoy live music as you take in the stunning mountain scenery.
canadianwilderness.com | 604-938-1616
Photo Zachary Moxley - CWA
Photo Justa Jeskova - CWA