Take one step into the quaint, self-contained mountain village of Whistler and you will feel as though you’ve walked into a winter wonderland. If you’re visiting in the summer, the intense sunlight will feel surprising against the backdrop of snow-capped mountains. If you’re visiting in the winter, the lights reflecting off the sparkling snow and ice will melt your heart. Whistler is not only a place that attracts tourists; people fall in love and settle down in the village. Whistler’s local population is as diverse as its geography.
Whistler Throughout the Ages
Whistler always attracted the nomads of the world. Before European settlers came to the area, it was populated by the nomadic Coast Salish First Nations people. It was an important stopover for trading routes, and its people often traveled from the mountains to the coast by foot.
In the early 1900s, Whistler was established as a fishing lodge, with a direct route to the coast via the Great Pacific Eastern Railway. The Rainbow Lodge in Whistler became one of the most popular resort destinations in Canada at the time. Visitors continued to flock for summer fishing, while the ski areas began to be developed for winter visitors.
During the twentieth century, Whistler became known for its winter sports, and the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games were held in the village.
The Village Stroll
This stone walkway that meanders through the village was constructed specifically for pedestrians. Whistler is a village that provides easy access to shops, cafes, and restaurants. It’s a place where visitors can gather and recount their days on the slopes or on the golf course. Everything a visitor needs can be found on the Village Stroll, whether it’s a medical clinic, grocery store, or movie theater.
Although many travel to Whistler for its outdoor activities, those who would rather stay indoors can entertain themselves at a museum or art gallery along the Village Stroll. If you want to relax and take in the vistas, stop at a park or enjoy one of the many water features along the walkway.
Peak 2 Peak
Whistler’s Peak 2 Peak gondola gives visitors a bird’s eye view of the village and the surrounding landscape. It lets visitors travel through the sky from Blackcomb Mountain to Whistler Mountain along the longest and highest unsupported lift span in the world. Passengers can get a lift for skiing or hiking, or they can simply ride along to get an unobstructed view of the mountains and the clouds.
The Olympic Experience
Visitors can check out the venues where the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games were held throughout Whistler. Tours take you to the Whistler Sliding Centre, where the bobsled, luge and skeleton competitions took place. The skeleton slides are open to the public during the winter. The Olympic park shows you where some of the skiing competitions were held, and allow you to go tobogganing, night skiing, and cross-country skiing. In the summer, you can walk through this area or take a bicycle tour. You can even ride the ski lift and take an interpretive ski jump tour.
The Whistler Olympic Plaza lies in the center of the village and includes an outdoor gathering place with a lawn, pavilion, playground, and art pieces commemorating the 2010 Olympic games. Learn about the story of Whistler and the Olympics, as well as the athletes who participated in the 2010 Games.
Whistler has it all: sports, snow, museums, galleries, and—most importantly—graciousness. It’s a friendly place where people with a love of the outdoors gather. Share your story with the person sitting next to you at the local pub, or pull a group together to go for a hike. Whistler continues to make history with its unique attractions and welcoming community.
A writer from British Columbia, Devon Peterson also contributes content for whistlerhotels.org, a local guide to activities, Whistler Hotels, area information as well as special Whistler hotel deals.
Photos credits: Whistler Village by Vancour/flickr; Village waterway by fujitariuji/flickr; Whistler ski patroller and dog by Tim in Sydney/flickr; Rainbow Lake hike by Iwona Erskine-Kellie/flickr.
