Media Room

Whistler is the premier year-round vacation destination for adventure-seeking gays and lesbians and is often considered "the largest gay-friendly mountain resort in North America." Whistler is a cosmopolitan and accepting community that welcomes all guests, and it is that open and welcoming attitude that makes Whistler so popular with gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender travelers.

WinterPRIDE - Whistler's annual gay and lesbian ski week
Whistler's history as a gay-friendly destination was established largely through Whistler's annual Gay Ski Week event. This year marks the 19th annual Gay & Lesbian Ski Week in Whistler, one of the largest and most anticipated ski weeks of its kind in the world, attracting thousands of attendees to the resort each year. Since 2007, Whistler's Gay & Lesbian Ski Week has been known as WinterPRIDE and is produced by GayWhistler, which also operates GayWhistler.com, a year-round resource for gay and lesbian travellers to Whistler. gaywhistler.com

This year, WinterPRIDE promises to be bigger and better than ever, taking place between February 5 - 12, 2012. The eight-day festival features more than 60 events, including skiing and winter sports, apres ski events, shows and parties. WinterPRIDE also brings international talent to Whistler with DJs from all over the world spinning at daily apres ski events and late-night parties. Over the past few years, WinterPRIDE has evolved from what was once a party-centric event to a well-rounded festival that caters to men and women alike.

PRIDE House in Whistler - an Olympic first
Following the success of the annual WinterPRIDE celebrations, it made sense that the first-ever Games-time PRIDE House was established in Whistler during the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Located at the Pan Pacific Whistler Village hotel, the facility was open to gay and lesbian athletes, their families, friends and fans, free of charge, during February and March, 2010.

PRIDE House was designed with the core values of celebrating authenticity, diversity and inclusiveness. Visitors to PRIDE House Whistler were greeted by Slapshotolus, a sculpture of a nude hockey player created by Canadian artist Edmund Haakonson. Also on display was the Fearless Exhibition, an inspiring work of photos and stories of openly lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Canadian amateur athletes at the high school and college levels.

GayWhistler.com
GayWhistler.com, launched in 2004, is a year-round promoter of Whistler to the gay and lesbian community, and produces and promotes WinterPRIDE.Alpenglow Productions is a gay and lesbian travel and event company creating gay-welcoming destinations and events at partner resorts. The GayWhistler/Alpenglow team is dedicated to bringing alternative vacation options to the gay and lesbian community worldwide. Visit their website to find out more about GLBT tourism in Whistler. gaywhistler.com

Same-sex weddings
Since British Columbia made same-sex marriage legal in 2003, the welcome sign has been out for gays and lesbians to exchange vows and begin their lives together in an open environment. The number of same-sex weddings in Whistler has steadily increased over the years, with 14 same-sex marriages performed in Whistler in 2003 and 21 performed in 2010, according to B.C. Vital Statistics. Whistler's picture-perfect mountain setting offers a variety of wedding venues - from churches to outdoor settings - as well as services, from wedding planner to florists.

close

Mountain biking is quickly becoming as popular as skiing and snowboarding when it comes to the activity of choice when visiting Whistler. Riding offers an incredible variety of terrain to explore, from high alpine single-track to the world's best mountain bike park. Whistler's mountain biking experience isn't just for extreme and advanced riders. A variety of easy trails are suited to beginner riders both on the mountain and throughout the Whistler area, including the paved Valley Trail system that runs the full length of the valley.

Whistler’s Valley Trail
Biking is an eco-friendly way to discover Whistler’s natural beauty. The Valley Trail system is perfect for families, stretching for 40 paved kilometres and meandering past five picturesque lakes, numerous beaches, and through tranquil forested areas framed by mountain peaks.

Cross Country Mountain Biking
More experienced riders can choose from over 200 kilometres of networked cross-country trails and technical single tracks such as local favourites River Runs Through It and the challenging Comfortably Numb – a trail which helped establish Whistler’s reputation as a mountain biking mecca. Comfortably Numb was named by the IMBA (International Mountain Bicycling Association) as an “Epic” ride – one of only a select number of trails around the world that demonstrate the "best in mountain biking".

A Whistler Valley mountain bike trail map can be found at whistler.com/bike_guide

Guided Tours
Guided bike tours are also available, catering for all ages and levels of ability. Whistler Village is home to many bike retail and rental stores that carry cruiser, cross-country and downhill mountain bikes. For people seeking an option that’s a little easier on the legs, electric bikes are also available to rent. Complimentary mountain bike trail maps detailing the many trails around Whistler are readily available throughout the Village.

Whistler Off-Road Cycling Association
Off-Road Cycling Association (WORCA) is a volunteer organization overseeing mountain biking trails in the Whistler Valley. Serving over 1,000 local members, WORCA is one of the largest bicycle clubs in North America. As well as helping to maintain trails, WORCA holds weekly events throughout summer and fosters the evolution of the sport through its youth programs and clinics, teaching safety, etiquette and technique to cyclists. For more information, visit worca.com
Whistler Mountain Bike Park
The Whistler Mountain Bike Park is widely considered to be the top downhill bike park in the world, attracting riders from far and wide. First established in 1998, the Bike Park now offers more than 250 kilometres (155 miles) of lift-serviced, trails and mountain pathways, three access chair lifts which are adapted for biking, three skills centres designed for all abilities, two jump park areas a dual slalom and giant slalom course and an all new pump track. The popularity of the sport is growing fast, largely due to the popularity and quality of the Bike Park, which provides 1,500 metres (5,000 feet) of self-guided vertical trails.
Trails are labeled by level of difficulty from green runs for beginners to blue, black and double black diamond trails for intermediate and advanced riders. Specially designed trails range from gentle banked cruisers through the Coastal forest to tight and twisty single track - perfect for intermediate and all-mountain riders. For more advanced gravity junkies, there are steep rock faces, gnarly root-strewn lines, drop-offs of all descriptions and more. Whistler Mountain Bike Park also offers a range of coaching and skill improvement courses for adults and children, including women-only camps. A popular choice is the daily clinic Bike Park 101, offering the completely novice mountain biker a chance to learn downhill technical riding skills while exploring the bike park with a qualified guide.
One of the fastest growing demographics for downhill mountain biking is women. To foster this growth, Whistler Blackcomb offers women-only clinics which provide the opportunity for women riders of any ability to experience lift-accessed downhill riding with friends in a relaxed environment. Women's Nights run every Monday and Wednesday evenings and tickets include rentals, lift tickets and bike guides (or any combination of these).Tickets also include après and a chance to win great prizes. whistlerbike.com
Mountain Bike Trails Database
The Mountain Bike Trails Database is a new feature now available on Whistler.com. This database was built to showcase the extensive cross-country and on-mountain trail network equaling more than 450 km of intertwined single-track in and around Whistler. This interactive map is intended to provide an overview of trails, their locations and degree of difficulty allowing users to click on individual trails to access more detailed GPS information.
Riding on ‘Top of the World‘: Whistler Bike Park opens the alpine to mountain bikers
Whistler Mountain Bike Park will open their first alpine-specific single track trail in summer of 2012. The new trail – offering 360 degree views of the surrounding glaciers, lakes and peaks – will increase the park’s vertical by 1,091 feet. With over 60 trails and 4,946 feet of vertical, Whistler Mountain Bike Park offers more trails and more vertical feet than any other bike park in North America. The trail will begin at the top of Peak Chair, descending through three climate zones: Alpine Tundra, Mountain Hemlock and Temperate Rainforest. A limit of 100 riders per day will be permitted on the new trail, opening up new terrain to eager advanced riders ready to test their skills on Whistler’s alpine slopes.
Air dome
The Air Dome is an 8,400 square foot covered indoor bike training facility with a huge foam pit and wooden ramps. The Air Dome offers jump progression from 2' high jump ramps to 26' Quarter Pipes with options for riders of all abilities. Dirt Jump, Slopestyle, Downhill and BMX bikes are all welcome on the ramps and in the foam pit. Rental bikes and helmets are available in limited numbers. Riders can take their skills to the next level using any of the three jumps into the foam pit regardless of whether it is learning basic straight air or technical back flips. Spectators are also welcome to come watch the action.
Road cycling
Long recognized as a mecca for mountain biking, an increasing amount of road cyclists are discovering the beautiful riding in the Whistler area. Recent highway upgrades south of Whistler and on the Duffey Lake road provide a smooth tarmac on which to ride. As always, caution is advised when riding on the highway.
Heli biking
Heli biking allows the extreme hardcore mountain biker to experience some of the best single track in Whistler. Journey via helicopter to your drop off point, some 6,000 feet up in the mountains, and take in the breathtaking views of the Coast Mountain Range and Whistler and Blackcomb mountains. Suitable for daring intermediate to advanced riders, this is the ultimate freeride mountain biking experience and definitely something to brag about over après.
Bike-friendly accommodation
Travelling with bikes is trouble-free in Whistler, with numerous hotels offering services that cater specifically to mountain bikers. To make sure bikes are protected, many accommodation providers have secure storage areas, security cameras and motion detectors. Bike wash and tuning station are also common. Visitors can rest easy after a hard day’s riding knowing their bike is comfortable and safe. http://www.whistler.com/bike_accommodation/
Biking Events
Downhill mountain biking action reaches its peak each Summer when Crankworx Whistler rolls into town. Featuring nine days of gravity-defying freeride competitions, pro riding demos, free music and entertainment and much more, this festival is a highlight of North America’s downhill mountain biking calendar. Celebrating its eight year in 2011, Crankworx Whistler featured events such as the Slopestyle, Dual and Giant Slalom, Canadian Open Enduro, the Canadian Cheese Rolling Festival and live music. (crankworx.com/whistler)
For road cyclists, the RBC GrandFondo in Whistler sees over 7,000 riders take to the pavement and make their way along the amazing Sea to Sky Highway from Vancouver to Whistler. (rbcgranfondowhistler.com)
Other notable bike events in the Sea to Sky Corridor include the Test of Metal, which takes place in Squamish this June (testofmetal.com). In July, the BC Bike Race (bcbikerace.com), a seven-day staged series from North Vancouver, across to Vancouver Island, then back to the mainland, along the Sunshine Coast, with the finish line in Whistler. August caps off the action with the Ride of the Valkyries (formerly known as Cheakamus Challenge), a race with over 45 to 55 kilometres of trails around Whistler.
On a more relaxed note, Slow Food Cycle Sunday, which takes place annually in August, is the Sea to Sky’s signature agritourism event, where cyclists take a pedal-powered trip through the Pemberton Meadows farmland, stopping along the way to meet local growers and sample produce fresh from the field (slowfoodcyclesunday.com)
The resort also hosts numerous community events such as the weekly Toonie Race, sponsored by WORCA (Whistler Off-Road Cycling Association). This summer-long series, held every Thursday evening, offers local hardcore and recreational riders the chance to socialize and ride with and compete against friends. Each week, a local business sponsors the race and is responsible for setting the course, marshalling, and supplying the post-race refreshments. Regular race goers include the mayor, local business people and many of Whistler’s top and emerging cycling talent, including some riders who are establishing themselves on the world stage of downhill and cross-country mountain biking. WORCA also teams up with the Whistler Mountain Bike Park for the Phat & PhaSt Wednesday Downhill Series, a downhill mountain bike race held on Wednesday evenings during summer. (www.worca.com)

close

For years to come Whistler will continue to bask in the 2010 Olympic & Paralympic Winter Games afterglow. The Games left a lasting mark on Whistler in terms of new sports venues, facilities and housing for locals. These legacies serve as reminders of the Games as well as enrich Whistler's vibrant community and guest experiences. The 2010 Olympics took place February 12-28 and the Paralympics were held March 12-21.

Official Venues

Whistler Sliding Centre
Test your nerves with the latest addition to the Whistler Sliding Centre - bobsleigh and skeleton rides for the public. Visitors and locals can now ride down this fast and technical track reaching speeds of up to 130 km/hr. Don't worry: visitors have their own special starting gate lower down the course! During the 2010 Winter Games, the Whistler Sliding Centre was the official venue for bobsleigh, luge and skeleton. Today, the 1450 metre facility remains open for athlete training and youth recruitment into the sport. One of only two sliding tracks in Canada, the facility sits on the southeast slope of Blackcomb Mountain, minutes away from Whistler Village, with a top elevation of 938 metres and a bottom elevation of 786 metres. whistlerslidingcentre.com

Whistler Olympic Park
Take aim at the biathlon shooting range used by athletes during the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games with the guidance of a certified instructor. Visitors can now combine skate skiing with target shooting in the winter, or mix biathlon with bike riding in the summer. No experience necessary - just a willingness to test your marksmanship with a traditional 0.22-calibre rifle. Whistler Olympic Park was the first venue to include all three traditional Nordic sport stadiums in one site: cross-country, ski jumping and biathlon. Today, the venue is a legacy for the enjoyment of residents, visitors and athletes. The area has more than 90 kilometres of cross-country ski trails, expertly groomed for both classic and skate skiing in the winter, and the trails range from beginner to Olympic calibre. whistlerolympicpark.com

Whistler Mountain
Skiers and boarders to Whistler Blackcomb can now earn bragging rights by descending the men's and women's 2010 Winter Games alpine ski courses. The Official Alpine Skiing Venue, which includes the Dave Murray Downhill and Franz's Run, are open to the public for skiing and snowboarding. The area is also used for international competitions and Canadian team training. During the Games, these runs saw some of the world's best athletes compete at super G, giant slalom, slalom, and combined.

Community Legacies

Cheakamus Crossing
Cheakamus Crossing was the site of the Athletes' Village during the 2010 Winter Games and now is Whistler's newest neighbourhood. After the Games wrapped up, the buildings were turned into affordable and environmentally-sustainable housing for Whistler locals. Eight hundred residents moved into their new homes in September, and Cheakamus Crossing is now a vibrant community with a diverse housing mix and front-door access to beautiful walking, hiking and mountain biking trails. Along with 220 residentrestricted townhomes and units, the mixed-use neighbourhood also contains a 55-bed youth hostel run by Hostelling International, 55 rental units managed by Whistler Housing Authority and a high-performance training centre with athlete accommodation. Cheakamus Crossing is also one of only a handful of Canadian developments designated with the new LEED-ND (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design - Neighbourhood Development).

High Performance Centre
Built as part of the Athletes' Village, the Whistler High Performance Centre caters to the development of sport groups looking to train year-round. The facility offers state-of-the-art strength and conditioning equipment, along with affordable accommodation options. Located in the Cheakamus Crossing neighbourhood, the Whistler High Performance Centre is also home to the Whistler Adaptive Sports Program, a not-for-profit society that offers recreational programs for people with disabilities, as well as the Whistler Gymnastics Club.

Whistler Olympic Plaza
Completed in summer of 2011, a $14 million investment project has converted Whistler Medals Plaza (home of nightly medals ceremonies and concerts during the 2010 Winter Games) into the new Whistler Olympic Plaza. The plaza rivals other entertainment sites in Canada and feature two stages capable of accommodating 650 people sitting or 3,000 people standing. To commemorate the Games, the revamped landscaped area also includes the Olympic Rings and Paralympic Agitos, a children's playground, terraced seating and public art. There are also sculptures, information plaques and the Olympic Legacy Cauldron that will serve as ongoing reminders for locals and visitors of the Winter Games hosted in Whistler.

Sea to Sky Highway
The drive to Whistler is now better than ever with the upgrade to the Sea to Sky Highway. Prior to being awarded the 2010 Winter Games, it was identified that the scenic highway that links Vancouver with Whistler needed major upgrades. The $600 million improvement project included widening and straightening the highway to improve safety and travel times to Whistler. The end result: a more enjoyable journey for the more than two million annual visitors who cruise the Sea to Sky en route to Whistler each year.

Lost Lake Passivhaus
Designed as an ultra-low energy building , the Lost Lake Passivhaus was the headquarters for the Austrian Olympic Committee and Austrian Public Broadcasting Corporation during the Winter Olympics. Post-Games, the building was generously donated to the community and currently serves as a day lodge for Lost Lake cross-country skiers as well as the new home for the Whistler Off Road Cycling Association (WORCA) and the Whistler Nordics Ski Club. Located at the main entrance to Lost Lake Park, between the Upper and Lower Village, the Passivhaus's interior climate is maintained without active heating or cooling systems using a combination of super insulation, thick walls and windows and other technology.

close

Getting to Whistler is easy. The 127-kilometre (79 miles) trip from Vancouver along the aptly-named Sea to Sky Highway is so beautiful that visitors consider visitors consider the drive as a vital part of their vacation. The memorable route to Whistler hugs the dramatic Pacific coastline past rushing waterfalls and mountainous islands, then winds through lush, forested canyons on a gradual climb into the spectacular Coast Mountains of British Columbia.

The Sea to Sky Highway completed a $600 million upgrade in 2009 to increase the road's safety, reliability and capacity, as well as shorten travel times. A feat of engineering marvel, project workers excavated enough rock along the highway between Vancouver and Whistler to fill BC Stadium to the roof (all the while not a pebble was taken from the highway - instead it was repurposed as material for widening the road). The end result: a quicker and more enjoyable journey for the more than two million annual visitors who cruise the Sea to Sky en route to Whistler.

The majority of visitors to Whistler arrive by private vehicle or rental car, although many other transport options exist. A direct daily bus service is available from Vancouver International Airport (YVR) and downtown Vancouver, and several companies provide chauffeured limousine or SUV transfers. In addition, a floatplane (summer only) or helicopter flight from Vancouver to Whistler provides a breathtaking bird's-eye view of the Sea to Sky corridor.

The Rocky Mountaineer Whistler Sea to Sky Climb train also provides a unique three-hour premier rail journey with incomparable views from Vancouver to Whistler. This train service is a Whistler vacation highlight for many, with tens of thousands of visitors choosing to experience the Whistler Sea to Sky Climb every summer.

Distances and approximate travel times by car:
Whistler to downtown Vancouver: 127 km (79 miles), 2 hours
Whistler to Vancouver International Airport: 140 km (85 miles), 2.5 hours
Whistler to Seattle: 354 km (218 miles), 5 hours

Bus/Coach
Pacific Coach Lines
1.800.661.1725 - www.pacificcoach.com

Greyhound
1.800.661.8747 -

Train
Whistler Sea to Sky Climb
1.604.606.8460 - www.rockymountaineer.com

Air
Blackcomb Helicopters
1.604.273.5311 - www.blackcombhelicopters.com

Glacier Air
1.800.265.0088 - www.glacierair.com

Whistler Air Services
1.888.275.5311 - www.whistlerair.ca

Private Transfers
Avis Rental Car
1.800.879.2847 - www.avis.ca

Luxury Limobus Charters
1.604.932.8481 - www.luxbus.com

VIP Whistler
1.866.335.2299 - www.vipwhistler.com

Whistler Glacier Group/ Whistler Limousine
1.866.905.7779 - www.whistlerglaciergroup.com

Whistler Connection
1.604.938.9711 - www.whistlerconnectiontravel.com

Download Whistler maps
Whistler Village map
Whistler Blackcomb Mountain Trail map
Whistler Mountain Bike Park map
Hiking and biking trails map
Vancouver to Whistler driving map

close

Few resorts can boast such an impressive selection of world-class, championship golf courses as Whistler. Most people recognize Whistler, first and foremost, as one of the world's premier skiing and snowboarding destinations, but the resort has now earned an international reputation as a golfer's paradise with no less than four award-winning courses.

With Whistler's average summer temperatures ranging from 9 to 23 degrees Celsius (48 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit) and many daylight hours each day from May through August, it?s not uncommon for golfers to play from dawn to dusk and log up to three rounds daily. Of course, being a true all-season resort, Whistler sets itself apart from other golf destinations with an unmatched choice of off-course options - from kayaking and glacier hiking to award-winning dining and arenowned nightlife scene. For the more adventurous, Whistler is an opportunity to experience what?s become known as the ""Whistler triathlon"" - 18 holes of golf, summer glacier skiing atop Blackcomb Mountain and then mountain biking in Whistler's world-famous Bike Park - all in one day. All this, plus a vast range of hotels, restaurants, spas and shopping lets Whistler give new meaning to those seeking a truly unique 19th hole experience.

As part of Whistler's Junior Golf Program, which aims to build interest for youth and opportunities for families to enjoy the game together, junior tees are provided at each of the four signature courses. As well, each of the three village-based courses have introduced a Kids Play Free program which allows youth 10 to 18 years of age to play free all season long if accompanied by a paying adult. Each of Whistler?s signature courses is an impeccable example of thoughtful design that utilizes while at the same time stays in harmony with the pristine natural surroundings of the area. Golf in Whistler is as much about the mountain experience as it is about playing the game. It's no wonder Golf Digest has rated Whistler as the number one golf destination in Canada.

Whistler Golf Club
Built in 1983, the Whistler Golf Club was the first golf course in Whistler and Arnold Palmer's first Canadian design. Located just steps away from Whistler Village, this 6700 yard, par 71, 18-hole course is set amongst ancient cedars, majestic fir trees, winding streams and nine lakes. The course also affords spectacular views of the region?s snow-capped mountains and glaciers, including Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains. The naturalized areas of the golf course provide food and habitat for local wildlife such as black bears, coyote, beaver, birds and more. In 2008, the course completed a $1.2 million course improvement investment, and in 2010, the driving range underwent a $1 million upgrade. Visitors to the Whistler Golf Club can brush up on their skills at the completely reconstructed practice facility that includes and expanded driving range with 5 target greens, a new putting and chipping greens along with a short game area including a practice bunker. Whistler Golf Club is also home to an award-winning Golf Shop and Palmer's Gallery Bar & Grill boasting one of the best patios in town. whistlergolf.com

Nicklaus North Golf Course
The Nicklaus North Golf Course is located alongside the shores of Whistler's magnificent glacier-fed Green Lake. Set at a championship par 71, the award-winning Jack Nicklaus-designed course boasts 18 holes of impeccably manicured greens, challenging par threes, and distinctive bunkering. This courseplayed host to the 2005 TELUS Skins Game with many of the world?s greatest players in attendance including Jack Nicklaus himself, John Daly, Vijay Singh and Stephen Ames just to name a few. This was the second time the course hosted the prestigious event - the first repeat for any course in the event's history. Nicklaus North is just the second Canadian course designed by Jack Nicklaus and, of the more than 280 courses he?s personally designed worldwide, it was the first course to which Nicklaus agreed to add his name. Nicklaus North is also home to The Den Restaurant and Loung which specializes in traditional West Coast cuisine and boasts Whistler's largest lakeside patio. nicklausnorth.com

Fairmont Chateau Whistler Golf Club
The Fairmont Chateau Whistler Golf Club?s spectacular mountain setting features more than 400 feet of elevation gain, rushing glacier streams, a comprehensive Practice and Learning Centre and the premiere golf instruction of Canada?s only David Leadbetter Golf Academy. The par 72, 18-hole course was designed by noted course architect Robert Trent Jones Jr., and is practically carved into the flank of Blackcomb Mountain. The Fairmont Chateau Whistler Golf Club is one of only a select number of courses in Canada to achieve certification by Audubon International as an Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Cooperative Sanctuary System - a program designed to recognize and support golf courses that display exceptional environmental stewardship by enhancing and protecting wildlife habitats and conserving natural resources. fairmontgolf.com/whistler

Big Sky Golf and Country Club
Located a 25-minute drive north of Whistler in the Pemberton Valley, Big Sky Golf and Country Club is nestled in the shadow of majestic Mount Currie. The longest of the four championship courses that comprise the Whistler golf community, Big Sky was designed by award-winning golf course designer Robert Cupp. Featuring bent grass from tee to green and Ravensdale sand bunkers, Cupp used the broad valley's wide-open spaces and ample sunshine to design a par 72, 6,025 yard long-ball hitter's dream course. After the round join them at Fescues Restaurant on their award winning misted patio for something to eat, the menu and experience is definitely worth the drive.

Big Sky also offers a unique heli-golf experience where guests are flown by chopper from Whistler through the rugged coastal landscape to the top of Mount Currie where they warm up their swing by driving eco-friendly biodegradable golf balls from the mountaintop - giving new meaning to the term 'longest drive'. bigskygolf.com

close

Whistler is home to a vibrant and diverse arts and culture scene. Perhaps it's a combination of a relaxed lifestyle and inspirational natural surroundings, but Whistler attracts more than its share of highly creative artists and artisans, writers, musicians, filmmakers, photographers and fashion designers. The resort is home to numerous art galleries, studios and eclectic events that celebrate Whistler's unique local talents. Whistler was designated a Cultural Capital of Canada in 2009, a designation awarded to communities that demonstrate a strong and ongoing commitment to arts and culture.

The Whistler Arts Council (WAC) is the umbrella organization that oversees the strategies and events that integrate arts into the fabric of the community, including the Children's Arts Festival, ARTrageous, an annual performance series, Art Walks, theatre and street entertainment. WAC's mandate is to coordinate, stimulate and promote the growth of performing, literary and visual arts in the Whistler area through ongoing music, dance, theatre, festivals and other events for locals and visitors. www.artswhistler.com

Opened in summer 2008, the impressive Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre showcases and celebrates the joint history of the local Squamish and Lil'wat First Nations, past and present, by offering a unique glimpse into their histories and creative works. www.slcc.ca

The Whistler Film Festival Society (WFFS) is a not-for-profit organization that operates the annual Whistler Film Festival and its various offshoot programs. It also provides support and education for local filmmakers and film enthusiasts. The 2011 Whistler Film Festival will be five days of innovative film-making featuring 90-plus films, special guests, Canadian and international independent film screenings, workshops and special cinematic events. This year's event takes place November 30 - December 4, 2011. www.whistlerfilmfestival.com

The Whistler Museum and Archives educates visitors about the area's rich and entertaining cultural history. The rich and varied history of Whistler comes alive in a new and dynamic interactive exhibit called Whistler's Olympic Journey. Designed to celebrate Whistler's road to the 2010 Winter Games, Whistler's Olympic Journey chronicles the story and artifacts of Whistler's passionate visionaries that dreamed big and worked together as a community to make it all happen. The museum also provides insight into what makes Whistler the place it is today, chronicling its journey from its grassroots beginnings to one of the world's leading year-round destinations. The museum is open every day from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. www.whistlermuseum.org

Beyond the natural beauty of its surroundings, Whistler also boasts an array of public art pieces scattered throughout the Valley. The Resort Municipality of Whistler's Public Art Committee – founded in 1996 – regularly commissions pieces by local, regional and national artists with the help of other resort partners to be constructed and built into the Whistler environment. So far, over 20 pieces have been installed including everything from metal sculptures and wood carvings to murals and collaborative ceramics.

close

People come to Whistler at all times of the year because there is so much to do, no matter the season. Winter made Whistler famous, but summer sees just as many visitors. Families, couples, adventure travelers, luxury seekers - they flock here to get super-active, to kick back completely, or to enjoy something in between. These are the activities they get to choose from.

Summer activities

Aerial sightseeing
Aerial sightseeing tours provide a birds-eye view of Whistler and the area's mountain ranges, glaciers, valleys, rivers and lakes. Helicopter or floatplane tours offer short but spectacular aerial experiences and can be extended to include stops at alpine lakes or for hiking excursions or picnic lunches. By seeing the Whistler area from the air, visitors get a new perspective on this amazing landscape.

ATV tours
Guided ATV tours are a popular activity in the summer that allows visitors to get out of the resort and explore the beautiful backcountry. Follow trails up Whistler, Blackcomb or Cougar mountains, navigate remote logging roads or join a "ride n' dine" excursion - including a superb salmon bake BBQ at the Crystal Hut, which offers views from 6,000 feet.

Barbeque - Mountaintop Dining Series
Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening, from late June until early September, Whistler Blackcomb hosts an incredible alpine dining experience at the Roundhouse Lodge on Whistler Mountain. Diners enjoy casual but mouth-watering fare while taking in famous Whistler views at 4,000 ft. above the Village. Diners choose from Whole Hog Friday, Slow Roasted Prime Rib BBQ Saturday or the Sunday Pacific Seafood Grill. Live music plays on all nights.

Beaches and Lakes
Some of Whistler's hidden gems are the beautiful beaches dotted around crystal clear mountain lakes. No tides, no currents or sharp rocks here - just fresh, clean water. Many of the lakes have sandy beaches for outdoor swimming and include activities such as beach volleyball, children?s play areas and canoe and kayak rentals. All of the parks and beaches are connected to the Valley Trail.

Blackcomb Adventure Zone
If hiking, biking or exploring doesn't tire them, take your family for a ride at the Adventure Zone located at the base of Blackcomb Mountain. It's huge fun for both big and little folk. Activities range in price and include the ever-popular Westcoaster Luge, mini golf, a climbing wall, a bungee trampoline, trail rides, a human gyroscope, a climbing web and a jumping castle and slide.

Canoeing and kayaking
From gentle paddles on calm lakes and meandering rivers, to longer excursions on Whistler's waterways, canoeing and kayaking offer a unique way to experience the area's natural beauty. Paddling a canoe or kayak lets visitors absorb magnificent mountain views at a slower pace with a chance to see some of Whistler's abundant wildlife on Alta Lake, Green Lake, The River of Golden Dreams and more.

Whistler Farmers' Market
The Whistler Farmers' Market returns to the pedestrian streets of the Upper Village (near the FairmontChateau Whistler) every Sunday this summer, featuring local produce from the Pemberton Valley and beyond, tasty artisan foods, live cooking demos by Whistler Chefs and live music. The market offers a selection of crafts, organic and local produce, jams, honey, baked goods, jewellery and much more.

Glacier skiing and snowboarding
Even when the sun is shining and the alpine lakes are warm, skiers and riders can experience the mountains. While the majority of the resort's ski area closes in May, Blackcomb Mountain's Horstman Glacier, with an elevation of 2,000 metres (7,000 feet), offers the ideal location for intermediate to advanced skiers and riders to improve their park and bump skills while working on their tans at the same time. The Glacier is open for skiing and snowboarding until late July.

Geocaching
Geocaching is an outdoor activity in which the participants use a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver or other navigational techniques to hide and seek containers (called "geocaches" or "caches").Operating on both Whistler and Blackcomb mountain, Whistler Geocaching offers exciting GPS adventures and stunning mountain trail views.

Golfing
Whistler is a golfing mecca with four professionally designed championship courses. Golf in Whistler is almost as much about being surrounded by mountains as it is about playing the game. While all Whistler golf courses offer fresh alpine air, stunning views and a variety of indigenous wildlife spectators, each course stands on its own. Unique mountain settings and distinctive designer features mean four different golf experiences: the towering cedars and mountain views of Arnold Palmer-designed Whistler Golf Club; the spectacularly scenic slopes of The Fairmont Chateau Whistler Golf Club designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr.; the impeccably groomed Jack Nicklaus-designed Nicklaus North Golf Course alongside the shores of tranquil Green Lake; and the dramatic setting of the Big Sky Golf and Country Club, designed by Robert Cupp at the base of Pemberton's awe-inspiring Mount Currie. Driving ranges are also available at each course.

Heli hiking and sightseeing
The Coast Mountains of western Canada are on some of the most glaciated regions in the world, and
scenic flights take you on a journey of discover to these timeless places. Visitors can experience the last
ice age and trek across one of the regions 12,000 year-old glaciers to marvel at stunning ice formations.

Hiking and walking
The Whistler area is crisscrossed with trails, hikes and climbs of varying levels of difficulty that take nature lovers into a mountain and forest wonderland. Some of the well-maintained trails stay close to Whistler Village, while others take hikers and climbers up to the peaks of snow-capped mountains, old-growth cedar forests, alpine meadows painted with seasonal wildflowers and glacial ice 10,000 years old.

Horseback riding
People who want to explore the Whistler area cowboy-style can do so while sitting high in the saddle. From short and gentle trips along forested trails, to more extensive rides through grassy meadows and up mountain paths, horseback tours are offered for people of all riding abilities. There are pony rides for children and carriage rides for people who prefer horse-drawn to horseback.

Hummer tours
Another option to discover Whistler's backcountry is by riding in the rugged comfort of a Hummer. Few vehicles can match a Hummer when it comes to tackling tough terrain, and these tours let visitors experience what „all-terrain? really means, from climbing mountainsides to view glaciers, to wilderness excursions and sunset barbecues on Blackcomb Mountain.

Wakeboarding
Take the best parts of surfing and waterskiing, mix them together on Whistler's gorgeous Green Lake, and you've got one of the resort's newest summer adventures: wakeboarding and wakesurfing. Let certified coaches teach you how to ride the wake behind a high-speed boat, feel the thrill of a new adventure and cruise around one of Whistler?s most scenic lakes.

Whitewater rafting
When the snow melts, the rivers around Whistler run white and fast. Catch all the thrills of whitewater rafting, from mild to wild, on the Green, Lower Cheakamus, Elaho and Squamish rivers

Jet boating
Feel the exhilaration of glacial waterways on a twin-engine jet boat that maneuvers Whistler's whitewater rivers. Fully-guided jet boat trips range from a few hours to all day long and are great for the whole family. Just make sure you are in for an adrenaline rush - your jet boat tour will take you through braided channels, tight canyons and glacier rapids at breathtaking speeds.

Kids' programs
Kids have as much fun in Whistler as their parents do. The resort offers plenty of programs designed with children's needs in mind, from biking and golf clinics, to arts and crafts classes. The programs feature activities that build skills, self-confidence, and friendships. With licensed childcare staff leading a range of programs, parents can relax and enjoy some quality time in the resort on their own.

Lunafliks
Every Wednesday during July and August, Lunafliks presents Whistler's feisty summer outdoor film series. Taking place in one of Whistler's stunning outdoor locations, Lunafliks features local DJs, short films by local filmmakers and feature films shown on a giant inflatable screen.

Mountain biking
Mountain biking is quickly rivaling skiing and snowboarding as the play of choice in Whistler. Riding offers an incredible variety of terrain to explore, from high alpine singletrack to the world's best mountain bike park. Whistler's mountain biking experience isn't just for the experts and extreme riders. There are a variety of easy trails suited to beginner riders on the mountain and throughout the area, not to mention the 40 -kilometre paved Valley Trail that runs the full length of the valley.

PEAK 2 PEAK Alpine Experience
Whistler Blackcomb's world record-setting PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola transforms the high alpine experience with new, awe-inspiring vistas as it crosses high above Fitzsimmons Creek between Whistler and Blackcomb mountains. The PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola travels a span of 4.4 kilometres (2.73 miles) giving sightseers and hikers a one-of-a-kind adventure with breathtaking views and access to spectacular hiking. From easy to epic, there's something for all ability levels, with over 50 kilometres of hiking trails to choose from. Visitors can enjoy a wide range of activities including hiking an ancient glacier, viewing an abundance of wildlife or enjoying a unique mountain-top dining experience.

Rock climbing
In the summer, the Whistler area has some of the best rock climbing in the world. Most famous are the long, multi-pitch routes on the 650 metre (2,145 foot) granite massif called The Chief in Squamish. There are also plenty of rock climbing routes in both Whistler and Squamish with half and full-day sessions available. Learn a variety of skills and techniques including rope management, anchor building, rappelling and safety.

Sightseeing in Whistler
Surrounded by stunning snow-capped mountain vistas and majestic old-growth forests, Whistler is truly a sightseeing paradise. You haven't really seen Whistler until you've explored the area and discovered for yourself the spectacular scenery and beautiful natural surroundings it has to offer.

Stand Up Paddleboarding
Stand Up Paddleboarding, or SUP, is a fun emerging sport and a great way to explore Whistler's many lakes. Go for a peaceful paddle, race friends across the lake or dual on one board for last person standing! Take a tour or rent boards for your own SUP adventure.

Via Ferrata
Via Ferrata in Italian translates to „Iron Way? in English. This activity consists of following an engineered vertical pathway of permanently fixed cables for safety and metal rung ladders to ease your movement over rock faces on Whistler Mountain. Whistler offers the first and only Via Ferrata in Canada, with stunning views and a vertical perspective you never thought possible.

Wakeboarding
Take the best parts of surfing and waterskiing, mix them together on Whistler's gorgeous Green Lake, and you've got one of the resort's newest summer adventures: wakeboarding and wakesurfing. Let certified coaches teach you how to ride the wake behind a high-speed boat, feel the thrill of a new adventure and cruise around one of Whistler's most scenic lakes.

Whitewater rafting
When the snow melts, the rivers around Whistler run white and fast. Catch all the thrills of whitewater rafting, from mild to wild, on the Green, Lower Cheakamus, Elaho and Squamish rivers.

Year-round activities

Bungee jumping
Whistler Bungee is British Columbia's highest year-round bungee jumping site, located 15 minutes south of Whistler Village. Nestled between old-growth forests and rugged basalt column-cliffs, the 49-metre (160-foot) high bridge spans 91-metres (300 feet) over the glacier-fed Cheakamus River.

Fishing
Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned pro, Whistler offers an incomparable fishing experience, year-round. Travel with knowledgeable guides to local rivers, remote alpine lakes or hidden fishing holes for full-, half- or multi-day excursions to fly fish or spin cast for steelhead (rainbow) trout, char, or salmon. Alternately, bring your own equipment or rent from a local fishing store and fish at your own pace.

Indoor Rock Climbing Experience
indoor rock climbing at The Core, located next to the Whistler Conference Centre, in the heart of Whistler Village. The 5,500 square-foot indoor rock climbing wall has everything from easy, kid-friendly routes to crack climbing, steep overhangs and sticky slabs. If you are new to the sport, choose from a belay lesson or climbing course. Those more experienced can choose from over 20 different routes or find a challenge in the Boulder Zone.

Shopping
Shopping in Whistler satisfies both the browser and the shopaholic, with more than 200 shops, boutiques and galleries in Whistler Village and Whistler Creekside. Shops offer everything from vacation mementos to local art to everyday essentials and, of course, skiing, snowboarding, cycling and adventure gear.

Spas
Whistler is the ultimate wellness retreat: fresh mountain air, award-winning cuisine, plenty of outdoor activities - and a wide range of distinctive spa treatments to refresh and revitalize. Whistler's many spas offer treatments from ancient methods to modern services, including acupuncture, reflexology, aromatherapy, massage, esthetic treatments, skin care, yoga and Pilates.

TreeTrek
A TreeTrek tour encompasses a network of suspension bridges, boardwalks, trails and treetop lookouts that connect you all the way from the forest floor to the upper reaches of the tree canopy. Guests will learn about the coastal temperate rainforest and what Whistler is doing to protect and maintain its ecosystems. Tours run 365 days a year and give guests exclusive access to areas of rare unique ancient coastal temperate rainforest.

Ziplining
Ziplining is a great family activity that is thrilling and safe. Tour guides take people on an interpretive adventure through the treetops between Whistler and Blackcomb mountains or in the forests on nearby Cougar Mountain. Guests ride in a comfortable harness reaching speeds of up to 80 kilometers an hour.

close

Whistler has a range of accommodations for visitors. There are 132 hotels and other types of properties, including townhomes, condos, B&Bs and chalets. The selection ranges from top-of-the-line luxury suites to rustic mountain cabins, to ultra-modern chic apartments, to full-service condos, to small and basic studio suites.

With a total capacity of 30,000 overnight visitors, Whistler also boasts a large number of ski-in, ski-out properties. With Whistler Village located directly at the base of Whistler and Blackcomb mountains, guests can literally ski into and out of their accommodation.

Whistler Village is pedestrian-friendly, meaning you don't need a car - anything you need is close by. If you're staying outside Whistler Village, many hotels also offer free shuttle services and the municipality operates a free bus service which travels through the main Village centre and into the Upper Village - providing guests with easy access to many of Whistler's shops, restaurants and bars.

Whistler is home to Canada's only five-diamond resort property, as well as a number of five-star hotels and resort properties offering ultimate mountainside luxury with amenities and services such as ski concierge, day spas, meeting and fitness facilities, pools and hot tubs, tennis courts, lounge areas with cozy fireplaces, and much more. Many self-catering properties also offer a service that lets you pre-place a grocery order so that your cupboards and refrigerator are well-stocked before you arrive.

Many Whistler properties offer ski and snowboard storage facilities in winter and bike storage facilities or a bike concierge in summer due. For those seeking a longer stay, whether in winter or summer, Whistler has wide range of multi-room condo options that offer full kitchen and laundry facilities, hot tubs, fireplaces, storage facilities and home entertainment systems.

Budget accommodation
There are a number of budget-friendly properties in Whistler, including Hostelling International at the site of the Olympic and Paralympic Athletes' Village in Cheakamus Crossing. The hostel has 180-beds, along with a café, outdoor decks, storage for sports equipment, games rooms and a media room.

Bring the kids along
Whistler prides itself on being a great destination for kids. Accommodation options for families includecondo units and hotel suites with ample living space and kitchens, ideal for longer stays. A number of hotels also offer kids' programs and playrooms during the Christmas holiday break with play options such as bouncy castles, video games, arts and crafts and more.

Learn what it's like to be a local
Whistler has a number of bed & breakfast properties spread around the valley. Many of these businesses are owned and operated by long-time Whistler locals, and many of those locals have come to Whistler from all corners of the world. Staying at a B&B gives visitors an insider's view of life in Whistler and lets you discover why so many people have chosen to call Whistler home.

Whistler is accessible
Whistler prides itself on being an international resort accessible to all people, including travelers with disabilities. Also, a long-time Whistler local created a website called ""Whistler for the Disabled,"" which provides comprehensive information on accessible accommodations and can assist individuals with disabilities in accessing these properties for their visit to Whistler. whistlerforthedisabled.com

Whistler is dog-friendly
Whistler prides itself on being a dog-friendly destination. A majority of the hotels are dog-friendly and offer a range of pet amenities and services. Guests can request doggy beds and bowls, and some hotels also offer dog-sitting and dog-walking services. One hotel even has an annual doggy weekend with competitions and prizes for the dogs with the best tricks.

Whistler Peaks Rating System
Tourism Whistler developed a Whistler-specific accommodation rating system, the Whistler Peaks RatingSystem, after identifying that Whistler has unique tourism offerings that are different from other destinations. The peaks rating system is designed to give visitors consistent and reliable information on what to expect from Whistler accommodation. Each property is rated on a number of criteria such as proximity to slopes, proximity to the Village, and whether the property has hot tubs, kitchenettes, concierge service, fitness facilities and so on. All properties are rated on a scale from two to five using the peaks rating system. whistler.com/peak_ratings/

close

Whistler is a place where mountains, rivers and First Nations people have met for millennia. The Coast Salish First Nations people inhabited the land around Whistler for many thousands of years, hunting,gathering and trading long before European settlers arrived.

At one time, tens of thousands of Coast Salish First Nations people lived, traded and thrived between the Vancouver, Howe Sound and the Lillooet areas. In fact, some of the hiking routes between Howe Sound
and Deep Cove (on the north shore of Burrard Inlet, near Vancouver) are the same routes traveled on by the Coast Salish First Nations peoples.

The Whistler valley was an isolated wilderness frequented by two First Nations: the Lil'wat Nation from the Mount Currie area (north of Whistler, near Pemberton), and the Squamish Nation who lived in an area stretching from present-day North Vancouver to the Squamish River watershed and the northern part of what is now called Howe Sound.

Whistler was often a waypoint for trading routes between the Squamish and Lil'wat Nations because it was rich with wildlife and resources.

Whistler's European history owes much to the pioneering spirit of Myrtle Philip. As a visionary of the early 1900s she set about to establish Whistler as one of the most popular summer resorts in western Canada.

Chronology of Whistler's European history:

1860s
British naval officers survey the area and give modern-day Whistler Mountain its first European name: London Mountain.

1877
The Pemberton Trail is completed, linking the Pemberton valley to the Pacific coast north of Vancouver.

1900
Trappers and prospectors settle in the area, then known as Alta Lake. They use the informal name 'Whistler' because of the shrill whistle made by the Western Hoary Marmots that live in the alpine rocks.

1910
Myrtle and Alex Philip arrive in Vancouver from Maine.

1911
Myrtle and Alex make the three-day journey to Whistler: a steamer ship from Vancouver to Squamish, overnight in Brackendale, and a two-day horse trek to Whistler.

1913
Myrtle and Alex buy ten acres of land and build the Rainbow Lodge on the shores of Alta Lake.

1914
The Great Pacific Eastern Railway (now BC Rail) is built to Alta Lake and links the valley to the outside world. Whistler becomes a base for logging and mining. Myrtle and Alex's Rainbow Lodge is opened and by 1918 could boast of being the most popular resort destination west of Banff and Jasper.

1940s and 50s
Other lodges open throughout the valley. The abundant fish stocks make Whistler a summer resort destination long before it is considered a winter one. Winter travel becomes possible when a gravel road to Squamish is carved from the cliffs of Howe Sound.

1960
Returning from the Winter Olympics in Squaw Valley, a group of Vancouver businessmen search for a
site to hold the Games in BC. They select what is now Whistler Mountain, form the Garibaldi Olympic
Development Association, and in 1961 they submit a bid to be Canada's candidate for the 1968 Winter
Olympics. Banff is chosen, but the bid process spurs development of the new ski area.

1965
London Mountain's named is officially changed to Whistler Mountain. A four-person gondola, a double chairlift, two T-bars, and a day lodge are constructed. A two-lane gravel road from Squamish to Whistler is completed. The trip from Vancouver to Whistler takes five to six hours.

1966
Whistler officially opens for skiing. The gravel road to Whistler is paved.

1975
The Resort Municipality of Whistler is established - the first resort municipality in Canada.

1978
Construction begins on the new town centre that will eventually become Whistler Village.

1980
Blackcomb Mountain opens, creating one of the largest ski areas in North America.

1985
Blackcomb Mountain expands its terrain and becomes the only "Mile High Mountain" in North America.

1992
Snow Country Magazine votes Whistler the "Number One Ski Resort in North America" - just the beginning of many more accolades over the coming years.

1996
Operations of Whistler and Blackcomb mountains merge under Intrawest Corporation.

2002
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) shortlists Whistler/ Vancouver as a Candidate City for hosting the 2010 Olympic Winter and Paralympic Winter Games.

2003
Whistler and Vancouver wins the bid to host the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

2005
Whistler introduces groundbreaking vision and sustainability plan, Whistler2020 - Moving Toward a Sustainable Future. Whistler is declared one of the most liveable communities in the world - and the best in the world in planning for the future - at the UN-endorsed International Awards for Liveable Communities (LivCom) in La Coruna, Spain.

2007
Whistler is one of seven communities selected as recipient of the provincial government's inaugural Green City Awards for demonstrating leadership and action in a range of sustainability initiatives. Whistler is recognized as the first community in Canada to have achieved the fifth and final milestone within the Partners for Climate Protection (PCP) Program developed by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI).

2008
Whistler Blackcomb opens the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola on 12 December. Spanning the distance between Whistler and Blackcomb mountains, this engineering marvel offers a breathtaking, 11-minute 4.4-kilometre journey providing unprecedented access to the resort's renowned alpine terrain - both summer and winter.

2009
Whistler Blackcomb remains the top ski resort in North America for the 13th year in a row, upholding its No. 1 ranking on SKIING Magazine's "Top 25 Resorts in North America" list.

February 12, 2010
17 days of Winter Olympic Games begin.

March 12, 2010
10 days of Winter Paralympic Games begin.

Whistler's Olympic Journey exhibit - Whistler Museum
A new exhibit, Whistler's Olympic Journey, is now open at the recently refurbished Whistler Museum. The rich and varied history of Whistler comes alive in this new and dynamic interactive exhibit - specially designed to celebrate Whistler's journey to the 2010 Winter Games. Whistler's Olympic Journey chronicles the story and artifacts of Whistler's passionate visionaries that dreamed big - and worked together as a community to make it all happen. The museum also provides an insight into what makes Whistler the place it is today, chronicling its journey from its grassroots beginnings to one of the world's
leading year-round destinations. The museum is open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. www.whistlermuseum.org

close

Inspired by its natural surroundings and heritage, Whistler has a tradition of visionary and thoughtful commitment to sustainability. As the first community in Canada to receive the designation of a resort municipality in 1975, Whistler was a pioneer in the evolution of a new era in planned development. With an early understanding of its responsibility as a steward of its environment, Whistler has embraced the opportunity to become a leader in the development of innovative sustainability initiatives.

Here are just a few of Whistler's sustainability initiatives and accolades:

Whistler2020 is the community's shared vision and plan for continued success to the year 2020 - and an ambitious step on the longer journey to a sustainable future. Rooted in Whistler's values and a science-based approach to sustainability, Whistler2020 is long-term, comprehensive, communitydeveloped, community-implemented and action-focused. To review the vision, the plan, and broad spectrum of local sustainability performance indicators, visit whistler2020.ca

The Whistler Centre for Sustainability (WCS) is an innovative enterprising non-profit organization created from an effort by Whistler citizens and the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) to accelerate the journey toward a sustainable future within Whistler and beyond. The WCS continues to work in Whistler to lead sustainability learning and practices within the community. Focusing on sustainability practices for communities and the tourism sector, the WCS takes the expertise and leadership from Whistler's experience, combined with global best practices, to deliver consulting services and learning opportunities for interested local governments and the tourism industry more broadly.

In 2005, Whistler was declared one of the most liveable communities in the world - and the best in the world in planning for the future - at the International Awards for Liveable Communities (LivCom) in La Coruna, Spain. Endorsed by the United Nations Environmental Program, the awards identifiedWhistler's sustainability plan as an international, best-practice planning model that can be used by any community in the world. Whistler won top honours out of all 53 competing cities in the Planning for the Future category of the International Awards for Liveable Community.

Whistler Composting Facility - developing a new state-of-the-art composting facility is just another way Whistler is reducing its solid waste materials and in turn achieving its vision to be one of the most sustainable communities in the world. The new facility, located just south of the village, features two 70-metre long stainless steel climate-controlled tunnels. The plant processes biosolids from Whistler's Wastewater Treatment Plant, organic materials from residents and businesses, and wood waste diverted from Whistler's solid waste stream. The end result of this composting process, which takes approximately two weeks, is Class A compost, which can be cured and sold as premium compost or mixed with sand or peat to produce landscaping amenities. The compost can also be dried to produce biofuel for sale to commercial operations.

Fitzsimmons Creek Hydro Project - Whistler Blackcomb continues to demonstrate that it is not only one of the world's leading ski resorts but a proven leader in environmental sustainability. The Fitzsimmons Creek Hydro Project, located within Whistler Blackcomb's operating area, can produce 33.5 gigawatt hours of hydro electricity per year - the equivalent of powering the ski resort's winter and summer operations including 38 lifts, 17 restaurants, 269 snowguns and countless other buildings and services. The Fitzsimmons Creek area provides ideal conditions for a successful small hydro electric project. The creek has an abundance of water, the necessary vertical drop, is not a major fish-bearing stream, and the creek is not used recreationally within the project area. Keeping with the green theme, electricity lines will be buried underground in previously disturbed areas and much of the area that needs to be developed runs along already existing access roads.

Lower Cheakamus Neighbourhood District Energy System - an in-progress project that will see a district energy system employ 'waste' energy from Whistler's wastewater treatment plant to meet the space and hot water needs of all of the dwellings in the new Lower Cheakamus neighbourhood. Current estimates of potential greenhouse gas emission (GHG) reductions versus typical construction are 60 to 70 per cent.

Green principles abound at Whistler Athletes Village - The Olympic and Paralympic Athlete's Village in Whistler isn't your average place to bunk, it's actually a model of sustainable living. The village was built to green building standards and showcases sustainable design and development practices. Folks behind the project needed to get creative and they did. From bamboo floors to the groundbreaking District Energy System to the LEED standards in the High Performance Centre, everywhere you look at the Olympic and Paralympic Village in Whistler, you will find ‘green'.

The world's largest hydrogen bus fleet in action in Whistler - Whistler is home to the world's largest fleet of hydrogen fuel cell buses, which literally only leave water in their wake. The 20 emission free buses - each with 37 seats, a 60-person standing capacity, and a top speed of 90 km per hour - are twice as efficient as internal combustion engines and produce no smog-creating emissions. The buses have been transporting residents and visitors around Whistler since mid-November. After being showcased in Whistler during the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, the buses will remain as part of the regular Whistler transit fleet until approximately 2017.

Whistler Green - A ‘green' building standard and associated checklist has been developed in Whistler, with energy efficiency standing as a cornerstone. Whistler Green homes will set a new standard for residential construction and serve as a model for the community.

Partners for Climate Protection Program - Whistler was recognized as an environmental leader in the country, as the first community in Canada to have completed the final milestone in the Partners for Climate Protection Program (PCP) developed by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives.

AWARE Whistler Environmental Business Awards - These awards from the Association of Whistler Area Residents for the Environment (AWARE) highlight and encourage Whistler-based companies that try to reduce their environmental footprints, by recognizing their environmental leadership in conducting their business. www.awarewhistler.org

Environmental Tourism Award - Whistler Blackcomb was honoured with the 2007 Environmentally Responsible Tourism Award at the annual BC Tourism Awards gala. The award recognized Whistler programs through its Environmental Management System, in place since 1992.

close

Backgrounders

To search for more stories, please use the Media Marmot

NEWS & RELEASES


Type
Keyword (optional)
Categories Aboriginal Activities Accessibility ..more Accommodation Arts & Culture Business & News Community Culinary Events & Festivals Family Olympic & Paralympic Legacies GLBT Golf Health & Wellness Hiking & Sightseeing History Lifestyle Meetings & Incentive Mountain Biking & Cycling New Nightlife Nordic Pet-friendly Services Ski & Snowboard Sports Tourism Summer Sustainability & Nature Technology Transportation Value Weddings & Honeymoons Whistler Blackcomb Winter