Photo by Steve Rogers courtesy Tourism Whistler
Back in 1966, a mere 527 people called Whistler home. Today, almost 10,000 folks are permanent residents, and up to 30,000 people are here on any given day—most of them from England and Australia, judging by the accents you’ll hear everywhere.—Sheri Radford
Photo by Mark Richards
Beautiful BC mementos abound at Mark Richards Gallery. He fine-tunes his high-res photos (“Sunset at Khyber,” pictured) with paint, giving them a lovely luminosity.—Kristina Urquhart
Caramel apples tempt at Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory. Photo by Kevin Arnold courtesy Tourism BC
Craving candied apples, peanut brittle and jellybeans? These fun shops satisfy that sugar fix and are a tasty alternative to a non-edible souvenir.
• Rogers’ Chocolates.
• The Great Glass Elevator Candy Shop.
• Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory (pictured).—Jennifer Patterson
Big Sky Golf and Country Club
Even those who can’t tell a putter from a driver love local golf courses, thanks to the postcard-worthy scenery. Snow-capped mountains, glacier-fed lakes, waterfalls and towering trees make up just some of the backdrop. You can rent clubs, but make sure to bring your own camera.—Sheri Radford
The patio at La Bocca. Photo by Toshi Kawano courtesy Tourism BC
Pull up a chair, order an ice-cold bevvy and let the people watching begin.
• La Bocca (pictured) offers the perfect perch to enjoy fondue and chilled white wine.
• The Brewhouse has plenty of outdoor spots to savour the in-house brewed beer.
• Citta’ Bistro serves tasty cocktails and food, all under bright umbrellas.—Jennifer Patterson
The gorgeous greens of Whistler Golf Club. Photo by John Henebry courtesy Tourism Whistler
1 Stunningly beautiful golf courses: there’s no better place to try for that elusive hole-in-one.
2 Skiing and snowboarding, even in the summer.
3 A leisurely hike through the mountains followed by a ride on the Peak 2 Peak Gondola.
4 Flightseeing. The scenery is even more spectacular when seen from the sky.
5 The bustling Whistler Farmers’ Market, which carries produce fresh from nearby farms.
6 Hearing accents from around the world, from both visitors and locals.
7 The pedestrian-only village.
8 Enjoying a cold beer on a restaurant patio.
9 Enough events and festivals to keep you busy every day.
10 Wandering through the many art galleries.
Hikers walk by the Peak 2 Peak Gondola. Photo by Paul Morrison courtesy Tourism Whistler
11 Friendly locals eager to point a confused visitor in the right direction.
12 Flying through the trees—with the greatest of ease, of course—on a thrilling zipline adventure.
13 A once-in-a-lifetime train trip with Rocky Mountaineer.
14 Dining on award-winning cuisine at Araxi.
15 Guided bear tours with local bear researcher Michael Allen.
16 Discovering the rich heritage of the local First Nations at the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre.
17 Gorgeous views. Whichever direction you turn, it looks like a postcard.
18 Buying fresh waffle cones overflowing with giant scoops of ice cream from Cows Whistler.
19 Shakin’ your groove thang at local nightclubs.
20 Anything and everything outdoors, from kayaking to fishing to mountain biking.
Bring a sense of adventure on these outdoor escapes
By Jennifer Patterson
No matter what type of activity you’re after, Where has you covered.
Daredevil cyclists barrel down the jumps and runs in Skiers’ Plaza. Looking for something not as reckless? Rent a bike to explore smoother, less vertical terrain, as mountain biking is the summer sport here.
Views abound on Whistler's biking and hiking trails. Photo by Toshi Kawano courtesy Tourism BC
Animal lovers feel at home on a dog sled as a team of huskies leads a snowy alpine ride. Hop in the back of a 4×4 vehicle and join expert Michael Allen on a bear watching tour, including stops at favourite feeding sites and daybeds—don’t forget your camera! Channel John Wayne on your own trusty steed with a horseback ride through the wild countryside. Prefer horsepower to horses? Kick up some dust in the backcountry on a quad or dirt bike.
Adrenaline junkies get their fix with a bungee jump, while slightly more sane individuals go ziplining through the trees. For the even saner, glass-bottomed cabins on two of the Peak 2 Peak Gondolas offer enough of a thrill—and don’t require harnesses.
Shutterbugs and sightseers, have your cameras at the ready: aerial sightseeing tours and helicopter rides provide the perfect opportunity to capture the sweeping panorama.
Those seeking peace and tranquillity need look no further than the stunning golf courses and fish-filled rivers. For a quiet getaway, rent a canoe or kayak, don some life jackets and explore the pristine lakes. Nature enthusiasts breath the crisp mountain air while hiking the meadows and trails surrounding Whistler.
Snow bunnies can still strap on skis and snowboards, as Horstman Glacier is open through July for sun-filled summer skiing.
For activities listings, click here.
Copyright VANOC/COVAN
VANCOUVER PARALYMPIC CENTRE
In this relatively new sport, two teams—comprised of both males and females, seated in wheelchairs—take turns pushing 19.1-kg (42-lb) granite stones towards the centre of a series of concentric circles. To throw stones, players can use either their hands or extender cues (delivery sticks). While throwing a stone, a player’s wheelchair must remain stationary. The winner of a game is the team with the most stones closest to the centre. Unlike Olympic curling, wheelchair curling does not employ sweeping.—Sheri Radford
WHISTLER PARALYMPIC PARK
Copyright VANOC/COVAN
Athletes compete against others with a similar disability in the categories of standing, sitting or visually impaired. Competitors use either classic cross-country technique, in which the skis remain parallel, or free technique, which involves pushing off with the edges of the skis, resulting in a slightly faster race. Individual events range from 2.5 to 20 km (1.5 to 12.5 mi). Other events include sprint and relay.—Sheri Radford
Copyright VANOC/COVAN
WHISTLER PARALYMPIC PARK
Athletes compete against others with a similar disability in the categories of standing, sitting or visually impaired. Competitors alternate between skiing a loop of a cross-country course and, from the prone position, taking five shots at a target. In the short distance biathlon, competitors ski a 2.5-km (1.5-mi) loop three times and shoot twice, while in the long distance biathlon skiers complete the loop five times and shoot four times. Athletes with a visual impairment line up the target using an acoustic system. Events include individual and pursuit.—Sheri Radford
Copyright VANOC/COVAN
UBC THUNDERBIRD ARENA
Players have a physical disability in the lower halves of their bodies. They sit on sledges made of aluminum or steel and fitted with two blades. The athletes move the puck using double-ended sticks, one in each hand; one end has a hooked blade for handling and shooting the puck, while the other has a pick for propelling the sledge. To allow players easy access and the ability to watch when waiting to play, the rink’s ice extends under the players’ benches and penalty boxes, and boards have been replaced with clear Lexan. Also called sled hockey, this sport follows most of the same rules as hockey. For the first time in Paralympic history, both genders are competing in this tournament.—Sheri Radford
WHISTLER CREEKSIDE
Copyright VANOC/COVAN
Athletes compete against others with a similar disability, in one of three categories. Standing skiers have a locomotive disability; they use the same equipment as able-bodied skiers and can use a prosthesis, plus stabilizing crutches instead of ski poles. Sitting skiers have no use of their legs; they use a mono-ski, which looks like a chair attached to skis. Skiers with a visual impairment must ski with a guide. Racers can exceed 100 km/h (62 mi/h) on vertical drops of 120 to 800 m (395 to 2,625 ft). Events include downhill, slalom, giant slalom, super-G (super giant slalom) and super combined.—Sheri Radford
See Sumi out and about during the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games, on from Mar. 12 to 21
With a name that derives from a Salish word meaning “guardian spirit,” it’s no wonder Sumi, the mascot for the Paralympic Games, takes on the role of protector. This little character has big shoes to fill: he’s an animal spirit who walks with the sturdy legs of a bear, possesses the powerful wings of the mythical thunderbird and wears the hat of the orca, known to First Nations as the keeper of the sea. Outfitted in fern green, his favourite colour, Sumi spends time skiing and flying above the mountains in Whistler, where he makes his home.—Kristina Urquhart
Vancouver 2010 Coca-Cola Pin. $10.
Available at The Olympic Store or The Bay.
Olympic Moments Coin by Royal Canadian Mint.
In circulation. www.mint.ca
Olympic mascots Quatchi and Miga. Photo copyright VANOC/COVAN
WHISTLER OLYMPIC PARK
Featured in the first Olympic Winter Games in 1924, cross-country (Nordic) skiing has been employed by humans for centuries. Winter Games events specify either classic or free technique, or a combination. With classic, skis remain parallel. With free, the skis are shorter and the edges of the skis are used to push off, resulting in a faster race. Events include individual, relay, sprint, pursuit and mass start.—Sheri Radford
O Canada: our true and patriot love. Photo copyright Elenathewise/Fotolia.com
33,700,000 Population of Canada.
2 Canada is the second biggest country in the world, at 9,984,670 sq km (3,855,100 sq mi); Russia is the largest.
13 Number of Canadian provinces and territories.
6,416 Length in km of Canada-United States border (3,987 mi).
1867 The year colonies joined together to form Canada.
2 Number of official languages (English and French).
1980 “O Canada” was declared the official national anthem only 30 years ago.
3 The third time Canada has hosted the Olympic Games (Montreal in ’76, Calgary in ’88 and Vancouver in ’10).—Jennifer Patterson
Olympic mascots Miga and Quatchi. Photo copyright VANOC/COVAN
THE WHISTLER SLIDING CENTRE
This sport appeared at the Winter Games in 1928 and 1948 but didn’t permanently join the roster until 2002. In skeleton (named after the small sled that resembles a human skeleton), the competitor grasps the sled, runs for about 50 m (164 ft), then dives on headfirst and hurtles down the icy track. Times are measured to the one-hundredth of a second.—Sheri Radford
Vancouver 2010 Olympic Team Canada Replica Jersey. $135.
Available at The Olympic Store or The Bay.
Olympic mascots Quatchi and Miga. Photo copyright VANOC/COVAN
PACIFIC COLISEUM
Figure skating was initially at the Summer Games, in 1908 and 1920. It found a new home at the Winter Games in 1924. Events include singles, which involves a short program of required moves and a longer, more creative, free skating program; pairs, in which one male and one female work together in lifts, throws, jumps and spins; and ice dance, which is similar to ballroom dancing.—Sheri Radford
Olympic mascots Miga and Quatchi. Photo copyright VANOC/COVAN
CYPRESS MOUNTAIN
Snowboarding, which is exploding in popularity, is a relatively new sport that combines elements of three other popular sports: surfing, skateboarding and skiing. Snowboard halfpipe joined the Winter Games in 1998. The halfpipe is a human-constructed, U-shaped snow bowl. One competitor at a time performs tricks while riding from one side to the other in—and while in the air above—the halfpipe. Judges evaluate height and style.—Sheri Radford
